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?

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...

Hi voluum, oil pump,,fram filter,when priming the pump it was 60 psi start up was about 80 psi

wrong oil filter?

Yeah,I just found out. Probably the worst filter I could have used.

what Fram model? was it the wrong one or a mfg issue?

Yep Fram filters suck!! Put a AC Delco on it.

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.

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

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.

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.

Can you post a picture of the oil filter? I have never seen a filter "balloon." :willy:

I'm guessing there was some obstruction of the crank, cam or rods resulting in a sudden higher than normal pressure.

Sounds like the pressure relief plunger in your oil PUMP is stuck. That's what regulates pressure, not the filter bypass.

Yup not the filter at fault here, track down the problem before you do some real damage :thumbs:

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.

I have always run a K&N filter in my BB with Melling HV oil pump. Not cheap - but no problems!! :thumbs:

The filter bypass redirects the oil flow when pressure is higher on the pressure side than the side to the engine regardless of oil pressure. (restricted filters regardless if new or just dirty.) So if an oil filter can not flow what the pump puts out it is bypassed, if not you get a ballooned filter or worse. It is differential pressure that makes it open nothing to do with pump pressure. Oh well each to their own opinions right or wrong!:willy:

THAT's your problem... Fram filter's are prone to failure and can/have destroyed engines. Neighbor had a new I-6 installed in his Cherokee and the filter came apart internally, clogged the pump and destroyed the engine.

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. :cool:

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.