Oil filter woes

[robbertwilliams]

Recently after putting a new vacuum pump in the 82 jetta, a few starts after the install the o-ring on the oil filter blew out and oil sprayed all over, upon start up. A friend suggested running lighter weight oil for the cold weather, 5-30. So I changed the oil and threw on a new meyle filter, tightened to hand tight. Same thing happened again, the o-ring seal popped out the side. So, I pulled the filter off, reseated the ring amnd reinstalled. No problems for the time being. Mentioned the furthering problems to the friend and he had a oil pump concern, maybe a stuck pressure relief valve in the pump. So, I added some seafoam and she ran fine for a few days. Today I started it with trouble, thought the trouble came from the cold temps, so I turned her over again and it started. I let it warm up, drove away, parked for a min, piled away and drove 2 miles until the engine died, pulled over, thought it was electrical, so I restarted it no problem, then turned it off to inspect. The oil filter at the crimped point blew apart and the dipstick read empty. She has been towed home. What are my problems? Areas of concern? Diagnoses? Is the engine done, or maybe a new oil pump? Thanks

[TylerDurden]

Yikes.

If the motor can still be turned by hand, it may be wounded... how badly is the question.

The oil-pressure relief valve may be stuck. It is integral to the oil pump.

Bentley does not describe it. Libbypapa posted a generic diagram:

oilpump.jpg

I would replace the pump with the later version (higher output) and install a pressure gauge.

[82vdub]

Wow, that's a first for this problem that I've heard. I'm thinking that either the bypass valve is stuck, or somehow you got a bad batch of filters (if the flange split), or somehow the sealing surface is messed up allowing the seal to push out. However, that doesn't explain why different problems happened. But, it sure sounds like too much pressure to me.

You may be able to fix the pressure issue and refill with oil and the engine may be fine, but it may not be fine. Depending on how starved for oil it was, you could have wiped out the bearings. You'll have the whole bottom end of the motor apart to fix the pump, so maybe you can pull off a rod cap or two and check the bearings while you're there.

[robbertwilliams]

Back on the road! A friend stopped out yesterday and started the process alone. Dropped the pan, pulled the pump, and pulled #3 rod cap. Everything looked quite fine, no marring of any surface. Today, used some plasti-gauge to measure the clearance (just to make sure) and were well within the factory tolerances. Also checked the oil pressure, figuring it may have dropped, and it looked good (60). She drives great.

[robbertwilliams]

Thanks Charlie!

[82vdub]

Did you take the old pump apart to check if the relief valve was stuck?

[Dakotakid]

......and the Oscar goes to:........

Shell oil company, makers of that fine Rotella oil.......
Any one ever heard of an oil pan with roughly 7 thimblefuls of oil in it????
You heard it here first!

Rob's got a higher pressure pump now.

[coke]

I use Rotella oil all the time. I love it. Good stuff.