Mulitple Exploding Oil Filters
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Mulitple Exploding Oil Filters
Here's a strange one. I just drove my 76 F-100 360 from North Dakota to Texas and back. I use 10W-40 in warm weather and 10W-30 in cold. I started the truck up in Oklahoma after sitting all night. After it ran for about 30 seconds the oil filter (Purolator) exploded at the weld at the base. Two days later I'm back in North Dakota and started my truck after sitting all night. About a minute after starting it happened again. The oil filter (AC Delco) separated from the weld at the base. Normally I use NAPA filters and have never had this problem. What could cause it?
Elder User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 940
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From: LAT 46.55501° & LON -122
Mulitple Exploding Oil Filters
It could be your oil pump. Most oil pumps have built-in pressure relief valves to compensate for when the oil is cold and/or your RPM's are high. If yours is stuck closed, then it could be causing too much pressure in your system. There may also be a clog somewhere in your engine--after the filter.
Either way you should get it fixed because not only are you destroying filters, you are also causing extra strain on the distributor gear and the driveshaft that goes from it to the pump.
You might want to install a temperary pressure guage, one that reads from 0-500 psi. You can get one from a hydraulic equipment supplier for about $15. Most automotive type gauges do not read past 100 psi and they will be damaged if pushed beyond this. On a cold engine at fast idle, you should not have any more 80psi; I am guessing you are pumping out at least 150 if you are blowing filters.
If you must drive the truck, let it idle slowly for about 10 minutes when it is cold and keep your speeds to a minimum for 15 minutes after that until the oil is well warmed up.
Either way you should get it fixed because not only are you destroying filters, you are also causing extra strain on the distributor gear and the driveshaft that goes from it to the pump.
You might want to install a temperary pressure guage, one that reads from 0-500 psi. You can get one from a hydraulic equipment supplier for about $15. Most automotive type gauges do not read past 100 psi and they will be damaged if pushed beyond this. On a cold engine at fast idle, you should not have any more 80psi; I am guessing you are pumping out at least 150 if you are blowing filters.
If you must drive the truck, let it idle slowly for about 10 minutes when it is cold and keep your speeds to a minimum for 15 minutes after that until the oil is well warmed up.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,415
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From: Lower 48
Mulitple Exploding Oil Filters
Don't let the thought of changing your oil pump concern you. I ran into a streak of bad luck with oil pumps on FE blocks for awhile, and changing it is a piece of cake. Let me know if you want more details.
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