Help, Oil Filter blew out at start up
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 471
Likes: 1
From: Hometown The best
Help, Oil Filter blew out at start up
I started my new 350 engine build last night and within a minute of running, the oil filter gasket blew out and the oil filter balooned out like it was ready to bust at the seams. I lost all of the oil before I noticed the oil pressure had dropped to zero as I was watching the tach trying to maintain 2000 to 2500 rpm and keep the engine running. Of course I shut it down as soon as I noticed the oil pressure drop and then we saw all of the oil on the floor. Has any one heard of this happening before and what would be the cause?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 5
From: Japan
Was it a stock pump? There may be an obstruction somewhere in the oiling system downstream of the filter...how much pressure is the gauge reading? If you're getting a normal or somewhat low pressure reading at the gauge (Which is tapped from the last possible spot in the oil circuit) it would indicate a restriction in the system somewhere between the filter and the gauge tap...
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
This is very strange. Fram has been criticized for filtering efficiencies but I don't recall anecdotes about such an out-and-out failure. A great deal of (seemingly excess) pressure was being generated for some reason; something you will have to track down.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,945
Likes: 851
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
i used to run Hastings filters for that reason the case was thicker than anyone else's plus the densite material filtered really well. but i haven't seen them around in years. filters are critical. its a shame about fram they were a good brand once upon a time
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 4
From: Concord Calif
I started my new 350 engine build last night and within a minute of running, the oil filter gasket blew out and the oil filter balooned out like it was ready to bust at the seams. I lost all of the oil before I noticed the oil pressure had dropped to zero as I was watching the tach trying to maintain 2000 to 2500 rpm and keep the engine running. Of course I shut it down as soon as I noticed the oil pressure drop and then we saw all of the oil on the floor. Has any one heard of this happening before and what would be the cause?
There is suppose to be a oil filter by pass on your oil filter adapter. When the flow is more than the filter can flow it opens and by passes the filter. Either yours is not present or someone blocked it off trying to get full oil flow. Wrong thing to do. Check it out.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 15
From: Oxford Ohio
Manuel is correct, the bypass should have opened to off pressure. Some guys block the bypass to force all the oil through the filter, and still don't blow up the filter.
I'm wondering about the bearing install someplace blocking an oil passage?
I don't think under normal situations most any filter will do that.
I'm wondering about the bearing install someplace blocking an oil passage?
I don't think under normal situations most any filter will do that.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 471
Likes: 1
From: Hometown The best
The by pass works fine, oil pump fine, correct fram filter. All of the racing gurus around here say the fram filter will not hold up under a hi volume oil pump. The fram walls are paper thin and the gasket is not well positioned for performance applications. I now have a K&N filter installed. The difference in filters is astounding. We'll see how this one holds up. Try googleing oil filters and see the rating for yourself.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,777
Likes: 105
The by pass works fine, oil pump fine, correct fram filter. All of the racing gurus around here say the fram filter will not hold up under a hi volume oil pump. The fram walls are paper thin and the gasket is not well positioned for performance applications. I now have a K&N filter installed. The difference in filters is astounding. We'll see how this one holds up. Try googleing oil filters and see the rating for yourself.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 4
From: Concord Calif
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,455
Likes: 665
From: Republic of Texas
Fram not only paid 100% for a new engine, but 100% of the removal and 100% of install without batting an eye.
Do a search om Fram filters.
Go with a WIX or Napa Gold.
Last edited by Corey_68; May 7, 2011 at 06:30 PM.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: Glendale AZ
I had the same thing happen and had to experement with a few filters.
On my application, the bypass I installed would cause certain filters to bottom out and not fully seat. This caused the seal on the filters to blow out.
Finally settled on a Fram PH30 that fit right. Will be changing that to K&N once my break in is complete, though.
On my application, the bypass I installed would cause certain filters to bottom out and not fully seat. This caused the seal on the filters to blow out.
Finally settled on a Fram PH30 that fit right. Will be changing that to K&N once my break in is complete, though.