Have you ever had an instance of an EXTREME spike in oil pressure, enough to blow the gasket of your oil filter (assuming it was installed properly)?

The basis of my question can be found at search query "Damsel in Distress"

any and all feedback will be greatly appreciated. If this goes to court, the numbers will really help...

 

Don't know what caused it but here is a guy over on TTORA that blew his oil filter relocation seal: http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum...ad.php?t=30500

 

The above was an o-ring in an aftermarket filter relocation kit that gave way after 5,000 miles. This situation involves a stock filter in the stock location, and the oil filter gasket blew out. I've only heard of this happening when more than one gasket was accidentally used (old gasket stayed on when changing filter). I'm wondering if the oil filter was properly tightened? If the filter was spun on lightly so the gasket made contact but did not "squish", then I could see the possibility of it blowing out under higher oil pressure. Not a pressure spike mind you, but the normal higher operating pressure like when the engine is revving at 3000+RPM's on the highway or freeway.

Just for qualification's sake, I am a vo-tech auto mechanics graduate of 1995, and I've worked at 3 garages for short amounts of time. I learned in auto school that most engines have an oil pressure bypass valve, and it opens if the oil filter becomes blocked. That way, the engine still receives lubrication even though it's not filtered. As I see it, only a blockage could cause an oil pressure spike, momentarily, until the bypass valve opens. If the blockage was in the engine, it wouldn't have ran for very long after replacing the filter, and the next filter would've ruptured. It could be possible that the blockage was in the filter itself, but then it would have blown right away. I really think that the filter just wasn't tightened enough, or in the haste of changing oil that the filter seal was damaged while installing it. Bottom line is haste makes waste, and it's unfortunate what happened to you. I really hope you get a settlement or win your case, and that this information helps. Best of luck!

 

You put enough pressure to anything and it'll blow

 

but could my engine generate that sort of pressure? A 3.0 at 30 mph?

 

The check valve in the oil pump is sticking. This is what causes the seal to blow out.

James

 

Wow, how do you check that?

 

if the filter was installed correctly, that would be my guess too, if the relief valve stuck closed the pressure could easily get over 100-200psi, and either blow the can off the filter or push the gasket out

 

If the oil filter seals keeps popping out or you could put a gauge on it. Chances are if it is popping the seal out then you cant put a gauge on it. On Toyotas the check valve can be taken apart and I believe on the truck with the crank pulley removed but I'am not a 100% certain.

James

 

In memory of TYKE!

 

I'm under the impression that the schmuck will be returning from vacation next week... hopefully he'll find a little something in his mailbox from The Attorney General and/or Better Business Bureau upon his return...

 

my speculation is that the relief valve in the oil pump may have somehow hung up and caused a spike.

 

Yes and no. The check valve can be taken apart, but you can only get to it by removing the oil pan. I recently had mine off of my 3.0 and saw the valve location on the bottom of the oil pump on the drivers side (front, of course).

Good luck with the battle Mama! We're thinkin' of ya!