So my close call with oil filter failure..

[Mechanical Noise]

Can't see how sitting around unused extreme weather could be responsible. If so, this problem would be more common here and more common yet further north.

 

[Ji m]

I was laughing reading the original post,
you were AT a service station and had the car towed home so you could fix it yourself.

Sound like me.

I hate anyone to work on my stuff,
even inspections.





As far as bad filters,
a friend asked me to look at her Pymouth Horizon some time in the 1990's.

Her oil light came on about a week (!) after a Jiffy Lube oil change.

The oil was full,
so I started the car.
Yep, oil light came on and stayed on

Shut it off,
pulled the filter, and it was dry as a bone

plugged I guess, I also guess the bypass failed after a few days then the light came on.


Swapped out the filter and all was well (except for however long they drove with no oil pressure).

 

[smalltown]

Just throwing this out there. To you people using K&N or Fram filters: PLEASE STOP! besides the massive amount of failures on these filters (compared to almost none on a quality filter), their filtering material *****! I can provide a cutaway comparison picture of a Fram next to an OEM filter if you would like.

bpankratz I would like to see the picture
please

 

[seber]

I like Wix and Purolator but I avoid Fram and K&N like the plague. I've actually been unluck enough to have both of them fail internally. Being the curious type I cut them both apart. They could have been made on the same production line.

 

[jdlong]

Beside the point I know but I've seen cases where people torque down an oil filter with an oil filter wrench with so much force, they distort the gasket so badly it leaks.

 

[Two Speed]

I was laughing reading the original post,
you were AT a service station and had the car towed home so you could fix it yourself.

State INSPECTION station, not a service station. Have another =-)

 

[D45]

I had this happen on a brand new Purolator filter, within a 1 week of changing the oil in my F-150........The gasket was sliced

I have been changing my own oil for over 20 years, never had a leak or an issue

So, after taking a 400 mile round trip to pick up a friends 69 Dart, I came back home and parked the truck in the shop

The next morning I noticed 4-5 small spots of oil under the truck

The skid plate was soaked with oil in some spots, obvious oil leak

So I popped the hood and the oil level was decent, not full but definitely not low.......lucked out

I took off the skid plates and started looking around.....I wiped everything down

I started the truck up and the oil filter got wet pretty fast

I was not sure if the oil filter gasket was leaking or the oil filter canister was leaking

I bought a new filter and some oil.........the old filter was on TIGHT, almost could not get it off

I installed the new filter and topped off the oil

Here is gasket, which appears to have a slice in it..........I cannot figure out anywhere else it was leaking from

 

[kctyphoon]

State INSPECTION station, not a service station. Have another =-)

Lmao.. thanks for saving me the post..

 

[Schurkey]

https://www.yourbestpicks.com/best-oil-filters-reviews/

is this review valid?

Yes, but they leave out the Fram Ultra which according to bobistheoilguy.com it currently has the ranks of best value, all things considered.

Have the rest of you read this "review"?

Aside from being very poorly written, (he describes nine oil filters and a "fuel filter"!) apparently he didn't actually test the filters. He scoured the company catalogs to get the filter efficiency numbers, and then somehow translates this into a mileage figure, as if a filter could be good for 15,000 miles with no regard to the condition of the engine it's screwed onto.

I especially love how one of the major benefits of the Motorcraft filter is:

It’s also painted to help prevent rust build up and corrosion.

Wow. I'd have never guessed...

That article is largely a waste of time. While not really "wrong" about anything, if I want to read sensationalized ****, I can go directly to the manufacturer's web site myself.

 

[kctyphoon]

Here guys - just to satisfy some questions.. the K&N filters are not "junk" - but you gotta realize ANYTHING can fail, and obviously brands that sell more filters will more than likely have more failures as well..

But if you want some of the 5 best filters compared - here

K&N specifically

 

[M6erfan]

Wow, you dodged a bullet there kc. Luckily I've never had an oil filter failure. I generally use OEM filters in the cars I maintain, Mopar, Toyota, BMW (OEM equivalent)

 

[ProGun3400]

Meh skip the marketing hype. Stick with factory filters.

Ditto..........

 

[Schurkey]

"Factory" filter doesn't mean much when the vehicle manufacturer decides to change vendors of a product. You don't think AC-Delco MAKES oil filters...do you?


For the record, I'm a satisfied user of Wix Made-In-USA oil filters. I'm less enthused about Wix Made-In-Poland fuel filters.

 

[2level]

Here is gasket, which appears to have a slice in it..........I cannot figure out anywhere else it was leaking from

Is the sliced area a bevel-cut on the inner circumference of the gasket?


When my oil filter gasket blew out, a section of gasket, about the size of a quarter, was pushed out beyond the edge of the filter. That pushed out / stretched area lined up with one of those indentations crimped into the core; by the inside perimeter of the gasket.

There were no cuts in the gasket and the filter was tight, but not over tightened. Oil pressure was about 60psi. I think that mine probably failed because of ****** gasket material and/or those indentations creating hi-pressure areas.

 

[Volvotechdude]

"Factory" filter doesn't mean much when the vehicle manufacturer decides to change vendors of a product. You don't think AC-Delco MAKES oil filters...do you?


For the record, I'm a satisfied user of Wix Made-In-USA oil filters. I'm less enthused about Wix Made-In-Poland fuel filters.

I didn't say that did I. Yes they have an outside company make them but they are made to the SPECIFIC SPEC that the engineers ask them too. Frequently the aftermarket cuts corners by playing with these specs and claim all sorts of supposed benefits. All I'm saying is, again, skip the hype and stick with factory.

 

[Paycheck]

Who in the world would use the hex nut to tighten the filter down? Last I heard it was finger tight + 3/4 turn.

 

[Ji m]

State INSPECTION station, not a service station. Have another =-)

Lmao.. thanks for saving me the post..

I've only lived in 2 states (MA & NH) and never saw an independent (non-repair) inspection only stations in either.

Service stations meet the state criteria for inspections (equipment, bay size, cameras in Mass now) and they do the inspections.

In New Jersey/NY & Ontario the inspection stations are not also repair shops?

 

[Ji m]

"Factory" filter doesn't mean much when the vehicle manufacturer decides to change vendors of a product. You don't think AC-Delco MAKES oil filters...do you?


For the record, I'm a satisfied user of Wix Made-In-USA oil filters. I'm less enthused about Wix Made-In-Poland fuel filters.

Not a necessity,
but if you are still under warrenty it might help
if the filter that fails is their own branded filter.

At least there's not a 3rd party involved (so to speak),
since it's made by their own authorized manufacturer (whoever that is).

I would think/hope they'd have a tougher time putting it back on you to go after the filter company when the filter is their own licenced product.

 

[visionguru]

...
Wondering if anyone has had an oil filter just fail like that too..

Side note - good time for everyone to make sure their jump packs are charged for the cold weather.. used one twice so far. Once to help out some college kid who's car wouldn't start in front of my house, and once to get my own car started after sitting for so long without use..

Never had an oil filter failure, from the cheapest to the most expensive filters.

I think you should check the oil levels more often, at least twice a month.
The incident might already caused some damage to the engine. 1.5 qt out is bone dry already. Your oil light didn't come on indicates a sensor failure.

People seem quick to blame the brand, or COO. Most oil filters are made by a couple of manufacturers in USA, no COO blame here. Oil filter failure is very rare.

I guess the oil filter may not have been installed properly. People like to overtighten the oil filter, to the point that the gasket is crushed. No matter the brand or cost, that gasket should and will last more than 12months if not physically damaged by the installer.

 

[finn]

The filter on the blue truck looks like it was overtightened on installation, causing the elastomeric gasket to rupture.

That gasket isn’t cut, it’s ruptured from excessive squeeze.

The indentations in the inner rim are for gasket retention. Double gasketing, ie the old gasket sticks to the engine when the old filter is removed, is a common failure mode if the gasket retention is poor.

I’d bet the KFN filter with the hex was over tightened too.
The hex is for removal, not installation, but people can’t help themselves.....

 

[kctyphoon]

Who in the world would use the hex nut to tighten the filter down? Last I heard it was finger tight + 3/4 turn.

If it saves you from having to reach in with weird position, what's the issue? Your using it to TURN the filter, not tighten the hell out it.. which by the way its impossible to put crazy torque on the filter using the nut anyway. The socket will just slip off the nut. It's not like it's an actual nut welded to the bottom of the filter. If you have a filter stuck on the car, I promise you that nut ain't helping you take it off.. it's not what people think it is.

I love all the detectives.. lol.. "oh it had a nut on the bottom - then they overtightened it"

 

[dnschmidt]

My god, here in Phoenix it went down to 40F last night. AM I IN DANGER of this happening to me?

 

[71goldss]

What is this "state inspection station" you speak of?

I guess we have it pretty easy here in California!

 

[Farmall450]

Never heard of this before, the only time ive seen oil filters leak are either ones with the old gasket still in place or a filter with a damaged side, glad you noticed it in time.

Same, glad to hear you caught it though.

 

[Danglerb]

Factory filter and no need to think about it.

From time to time people on youtube will buy a selection of filters and cut them open revealing quality and basic components used. WIx gold was good as I recall.

 

[MShaw]

I always used Fram until about 8 years ago. I got two in a row where the mounting plate was not threaded all the way thru. The filter got tight on the threads before the seal contacted. After a change I always start the vehicle and then look underneath for leakage. The first one dumped a large puddle in about 45 seconds. The next one showed a few drops in the drive. Checked the oil the next day and it was a quart low. I contacted Fram and they admitted no liability but gave me four filters. I used them watching very carefully and never bought another Fram product.

 

[jl4c]

Who in the world would use the hex nut to tighten the filter down? Last I heard it was finger tight + 3/4 turn.

+1
Contact, plus 3/4 turn.

 

[Schurkey]

People seem quick to blame the brand, or COO. Most oil filters are made by a couple of manufacturers in USA, no COO blame here.

Have we determined the COO of K&N oil filters?

 

[mbshop]

Saw one leak looong ago. Dumarse didn't see the old oil filter gasket still there and installed the new filter on the old gasket. Luckily customer noticed oil in the driveway and we had it towed in.

 

[vssjim]

We use Wix, Mann or Mahle at work all very good quality and zero faults, Last time I checked KN branded oil filters were made in Korea, before that they were made by Champion labs which is now part of the Fram group. Haven't checked in over a year now.

 

[tym]

I've been using Mobil 1 filters for a few years, but noticed that they've changed the design earlier this year (new packaging, suffixes on the part numbers, and poorer published filtration efficiency). So, I switched to Napa Gold (Wix) filters on my personal vehicle and so far, so, good. Have also been running the Napa Gold filters on the '69 Camaro for a few years without any problem (recommended by an old timey mechanic that did a lot of work on the car).

 

[visionguru]

My god, here in Phoenix it went down to 40F last night. AM I IN DANGER of this happening to me?

40F is summer comparing with -7F in Chicago.

Have we determined the COO of K&N oil filters?

I've used K&N for 5 years. They are made in USA, as well as the cheapest Fram, Quaker State, etc.

My point is: The problem might has little to do with brands or COO. Properly install the oil filter and check oil level often, instead of trusting a brand.