I Really Want to Unsee This - Cracked Oil Filter Adapter/Plate, Consequences?

[gsoexplorer]

Hey Everyone,
When changing my oil on my 2000 SOHC today, I discovered this cracked area on the plate that surrounds the threaded tube that the oil filter screws onto. I can only assume this happened when a prior owner had this explorer. I've owned it for about 8 months, 9,000 miles and been the only to change the oil. There are some small oil leaks currently but not enough to register on the dipstick. Being paranoid about the timing chain issues I'm very aware of the oil pressure and level. I'm pretty ignorant in this area and am not sure what that plate does and what goes on behind it/in front of it. It appears that some pieces of that plate are missing. I applied some pressure to the area and there doesn't seem to be an immediate danger that more chunks will free up. Does anyone have an idea of whats involved with replacing that, and if I might be at risk for some sort of catastrophic engine failure? I did search for this issue but didn't find this situation.

For some reason when I link from One Drive the image doesn't appear inline.
Direct link: https://1drv.ms/i/s!AgVxUNC8xkipmxbFGikCpWU7gkrY

Thank you.

 

[CDW6212R]

I don't think that you have a problem yet.

That oil filter adapter is made with two passages going through it. One is from the oil pump and comes out that oblong hole you are saying is a cracked area. It's rough in finish there, from the casting process. That is where debris might come through if it got past the oil pump pickup screen, in the pan.

The center hole is the passage for clean oil from the filter to go into the engine, the oil galleys, bearings etc.

 

[gsoexplorer]

I don't think that you have a problem yet.

That oil filter adapter is made with two passages going through it. One is from the oil pump and comes out that oblong hole you are saying is a cracked area. It's rough in finish there, from the casting process. That is where debris might come through if it got past the oil pump pickup screen, in the pan.

The center hole is the passage for clean oil from the filter to go into the engine, the oil galleys, bearings etc.

Thank you very much for the reply. I had always changed the filter just by feel until yesterday. I unnecessarily panicked when I got under there and saw what looked like damage to me. Thanks again.

 

[CDW6212R]

You're good, the most important part of changing the oil and filter is not getting the drain plug too tight.

I've gotten very worried every time I buy another vehicle, the oil pan drain plug always looks like someone used an air ratchet or impact to tighten it. The threads of the drain plugs can't take too much torque, they get thinner and thinner, and then they'll strip. It only takes about 20lbsft or so of torque to do the plug, most air tools will hit 40lbsft or more fast.