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No oil in filter

A

Anonymous

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Broke the new engine in, took it for a drive to seat the rings and I wanted to change the oil this morning. After all the oil drains out, I remove the oil filter, but it was empty, no oil in it. Now, that has never happened to me before. Oil pressure's been fine, when I pre-lubed before initial start, oil was everywhere it was supposed to be and while checking with "open" valve covers, it was good too.


Could it be a bad filter? It's an Fl-1HP filter (used these for years) and I filled it with oil before installing.
 
Are you now telling us you are having trouble properly installing an oil filter?!


Seriously, I have NEVER seen anything like that before. The way a filter is constructed I highly doubt it could be your problem. I presume oil pressure was fine during the test drive?
 
"Horseplay" said:
Are you now telling us you are having trouble properly installing an oil filter?!


Seriously, I have NEVER seen anything like that before. The way a filter is constructed I highly doubt it could be your problem. I presume oil pressure was fine during the test drive?
Click to expand...

Been searching the net and have found tons of posts with the same question. Sounds like it may be a bad filter.

Yes, oil pressure was/is fine. Filter on correctly with no leaks.
 
Cut that thing open and post pics. I have been in filter plants (been in a Fram plant in Canada, for one) and seen them made and the inspection equipment used to verify part quality. I am really interested in seeing inside if you feel it is a "bad" filter. I can't imagine how one could be defective to the point oil could not flow through it.
 
Let the oil drain out of the paper element and it's less than 1/4 of the housing.



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Am I wrong or do I vaguely recall a valve in the filter that directs oil away from the filter in the event oil pressure is to high?

On my filters, FL-1, not much drains out, but it's heavy because it's saturated.
 
If you have too much pressure it will cause the filter to bypass (HV oil pump?). On your "Motorcraft FL1A, I'll bet is the bypass is on top where the oil "enters the filter". I believe I can see it in the photos, is it? I would "VERY" much suggest using a K&N filter that is designed for the higher pressures (lower restriction), even when using heavy oils like Valvoline VR 1 or Valvoline Specialty which is labeled as "not street legal" Racing oil. It has a very high zinc and phosphorus content and is above the "guberments" allowable limits.
 
Standard pressure oil pump, 30wt oil with zinc additive. I've used both the FL-1A and the FL-1HP for years and this has never happened. They've always been full where they would spill out when changing.

I've already spun a new FL-1A on and will test.
 
Just curious, how much oil pressure are you making (the valve opens at around 12PSI)? Not to rule out any other explanation but there's not much in these filters. I also wondering if maybe it could be draining back into the pan as the engine cools down and "may" create a vacuum. Kinda like a radiator and overflow reservoir. Also the FL1A has a nitrile valve in it (not sure on the HP variety), a silicon would be much better. Be interesting to know what you find out.
 
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