Two-Thirds Full Oil Filter

[ERIC]

I changed oil this week on my 96 XLT and when I spun off the filter I didn't get the usual oil bath....and the reason is the filter was only about 2/3 full. Hmmm. I've never had that happen before. Do I have some problem here? FWIW, it was a Mobil 1 filter.

 

[jgilbs]

hows your oil pressure? when was the last time you changed your oil? maybe you used up a lot of oil between changes

 

[ERIC]

Oil pressure gauge appears to be operating normally and indicates no problem. Oil is changed every 3K and the volume of oil drained this change was normal. Color of the oil in the filter was same as that drained.

 

[gerry]

Oil filter's anti-drainback valve probably wasn't holding, allowing the oil to siphon out in the reverse direction when the engine stops. You may have heard some knocking when first starting the car in the morning.
Think about changing filter brands (Fram = bad, Motor-craft & Mobile 1 = good)

 

[ERIC]

No knocking...and I have "always" used Mobile 1...as indicated in the original post, this happened with a Mobil 1.

As far as siphoning out, I was wondering about that since the oil level was just at the mouth of the threaded pipe. Well, if that is what happened, I guess even a Mobil 1 filter can have problems.

 

[glfredrick]

I would keep using the Mobil 1 filter... The studies that some guys out there have done keep pointing to it as one of the best.

I just cut apart another Fram that came in on an engine that I installed in an old Ford truck... It was SAD - SAD - SAD...

I can't believe that ANYONE would run one of those on their vehicle. If I have time, I'll get a couple of pictures - that should pretty much prove my point. It was shredded inside- with the carboard end caps just flaking away - and the filter media twisted and warped.

You likely just got a filter where the anti-drain back valve did not seat properly. That is mostly a manufacturing tolerance/flaw issue - but it likely didn't cause any problems - you still had filtration - and it wasn't completely a dry start up - the system was still filled with oil and the pump submerged... At the pace they build those filters, it is a wonder that any of them actually work the way they are supposed to...

 

[ERIC]

So it looks like the filter anti-siphon valve failed and it is not a problem with my engine. But it sure was odd after decades of getting oil floods out of oil filters to spin one off and not get a drop. Way long ago when I was still using Frams, I would use an awl to puncture the bottom of the filter and let it drain before removing it...but the Mobil 1s are built more like a tank and they are too hard to puncture.

Anyhow, thanks for everyone's contribution to helping me figure out what happened. I appreciate it.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Eric, your mention of the awl trick reminded me of my oil change a week ago. I punctured the filter with a nail, waited for it to drain, and STILL got oil down my arm. There's sure a lot of oil left in the block passages when the filter is removed.....

I'm trying the bag trick next time. That's where a plastic bag is placed around the filter before it's spun off. The bag is 'supposed' to catch the oil.

 

[ERIC]

Yes, I've "awled" a filter and still had a lot of oil spill out after draining. The "trick" is to run the awl up into the filter several inches, even wiggle it around a bit. Frankly, there'll still be a bit of oil left, but if you "gut" the filter this way, you can get most of it out.

As far as bagging goes, I think the time has come for me to give that a try again. The first time i did it, the bag had a small hole in it which, of course, I didn't see until too late.

 

[Ford_Racing_Guy]

my explorer has been the easiest vehicle to change the oil on that i've ever had, although it is also the messiest just because when you pull the plug and splashes everywhere and then the filter is up and down so it goes all over the place ,

my car has an oil filter in an odd spot but it still doesn't make much of a mess

i've started to loosen the filter through the wheel well so i don't get so much oil on my hands and arms

 

[ERIC]

Fram makes a valve and hose device which replaces your drain plug. After you replace your drain plug with the valve, when you change oil, you remove the valve's cap, screw on the hose (there's a fitting on the end of the hose that accuates the vale automatically) and the oil flows thru the tube to your catch pan. The down side is that the oil drains more slowly than when you just pull the plug. Up side is you don't make such a mess.

I agree with you, tho....changing oil in an Explorer is very easy as far as being able to get to the parts. My wife's Saturn has a cartridge oil filter...man...what a mess it is to get that out!

 

[ton_e_montana]

I experienced the same, almost empty filter on my last change as well. I was using a Motorcraft and replacing with the same.