Well, either it aged, got fragile and broke - or I should have wiped the inside of the oil filter housing (mounted to engine block) with more care after removing my old filter cartridge.

Basically the small black plastic/metal spring assembly 'oil bypass valve' inside the housing broke two of it's three plastic retaining hooks and came out with the rag.
=> it's been documented in these forums as a non-available replacement part unless the whole 'oil filter housing ~ $260' is replaced.

So can anyone help me with the steps to remove and replace the housing from:to the engine block?
=> I haven't read any reports on this - and would like to understand the process before I buy the part..

Thanks

Richard

[PS. I replaced my power steering pump this summer so am up for the challenge].

MCS MT 2002 (one of the first batch off the boat)..

 

Richard, I am going through the same deal right now. My thinking is that if you take off the oil filter housing you should be able to rig some sort of retainer and not only keep the valve in place, but improve on the design of the retainer (not a high hurdle)
Seems to me some stainless steel wire and a small drill bit would be sufficient.
In the meantime, this happened to me last oil change (10K miles and 12 months) and I was able to screw the canister in place without disturbing it. Not so lucky thos time, so I have the idle oil pressure light flicker.
I am going to Mini today & get a gasket, I assume I need one, and will R&R this weekend most likely.

 

Isn't the lesson here to NOT wipe the inside of the filter housing (the part mounted to the engine block) in some misguided effort to remove the last trace of old oil?