Just did a oil change on the wife's 2007 MCS with 30,700 miles. I noticed the oil filter didn't look right when taking it off. What causes this and does this mean the filter was not functioning properly for the last 5000 miles? Can or did this cause engine damage? The spring inside the housing seems to be functioning as well as the spring in the oil filter lid. I am sending a oil sample out to be tested so I guess I'll find out in about a week. Just wanted to see if anyone can shed some light on this because it has me worried.

 

Looks like the filter deformed where it sat against that spring in the housing.Probably just age related as those filters are pretty flimsy to begin with. How long has it been since the last filter change?

 

About 5,000 miles.

 

OEM filter?

 

Yes will not use anything but.

 

The oil sample was mailed yesterday so we will see how that comes back. Just giving this a little bump.

 

my filter had that same dent on it when i pulled mine today...approx 7k miles on it...thought it was kinda odd

 

Could the engine overheating have done this? The plastic looks like it started to melt.

 

No when you look at the plastic it does not appear melted. Just looks like the valve with the spring on it was applying too much pressure. When I push it with may finger it seems fully functional as does the spring in the oil filter housing except thats a lot stiffer.

 

After 70k w/ oil changes every 3k religiously a few of my filters have looked that way. It's a paper filter with no side support subject to high temps and high pressures. I wouldn't lose an sleep over it.

 

Thanks for everyones input. 70,000 and still going says it all. But I will report when I get the oil sample.

 

I wouldn't worry too much about the oil sample, either, simply record the findings and continue driving. A lot of people don't realize that oil analysis is a trend-finding tool, and without a baseline of many samples to start from, any one result is meaningless.

 

Dogdal24,

Just out of curiosity are you having a oil (I cant remember the name of the test) analysis done? Where did you mail the sample off to? How much did it run you for it? Have you gotten it back yet?

Regards,

Mike

 

Hi Mike, I sent it off to Wix Filters. The kit was about $16 bucks. And no news yet which I am surprised.

 

Hmmm that is odd.....pls keep us posted I am anxious to hear the results!

 

Finally Results Today!

"The results of test performed indicate no corrective action required."

Mobil 1 0W40 European Formula

Sample Taken on 5/13/09. Miles on vehicle 30807. Miles on oil 5500.

Spectrochemical Analysis

Iron 81 ppm
Chromium 1 ppm
Lead 0 ppm
Copper 6 ppm
Tin 0 ppm
Aluminum 6
Nickel 0 ppm
Silver 0 ppm
Silicon 8 ppm
Boron 178 ppm
Sodium 15 ppm
Magnesium 46 ppm
Calcium 3430 ppm
Barium 0 ppm
Phosphorus 1271 ppm
Zinc 1375 ppm
Molybdenum 62 ppm
Titanium 0 ppm
Vanadium 0 ppm
Potassium 0 ppm

Physical Properties

Fuel (%vol) <1
Vis @ 100 C 12.62
Water 0
Soot/Solids 0.1
Coolant No

So it seems all is well.

 

cool beans

 

AWESOME!

 

Results look good. Rest easy!