First oil change with my 2010 Cooper. Took oil filter off, there was a piece of what appeared to be twisted rubber left behind in the housing (part attached to car, not oil filter cover). I touched it and it fell into the engine, I cannot retrieve it. What was it? A tiny O ring?

I was advised by friend to fill the car with oil, run it for a second, then shut off and drain the oil to see if it will come out. I'm holding off on doing anything until I hear from someone here. Is this good advice?

Next question: The new oil filter that I purchased from the dealer comes with a small metal O ring in the box. I don't know where it goes or what to do with it. Any suggestions?

If you'd like to assist, post your advice here or feel free to call me at 513-708-3362.

Thanks in advance for your help!
Jeff Harper
Cincinnati, Ohio

 

I cannot speak for what fell into the engine I will let someone else advise you on that but the metal ring goes on the oil drain plug on the oil pan to seal it after the oil change. Just remove the old one and replace it.

 

Thanks for solving the mystery of the metal ring!

I just finished running 4.5 quarts of clean oil through the car, ran it through a screen, nothing came out. My neighbor suggested their may be a screen located in the oil pan to screen things out. Does my mini have such a screen/filter to protect it from nonsense such as this?

 

chances are it will work its way down to the pan as long as the path isn't blocked by small passages (not sure which way oil is routed).
If so, you could always drop the pan to look. When they did my timing chain, part of the railing broke and they had to fish it out of there.

 

You need to determine if the FOD (Foreign Object Debris) made it down the inlet or outlet hole of the housing...

Inlet: Hopefully next time you start your engine, the crud will not get caught up in the oil pump and simply get trapped in the filter. Might be risky - I'd still advise removing the FOD somehow.

Outlet: You really MUST find the FOD, and I mean ALL the FOD before you start your engine...

If you know which hole, perhaps someone here might help with the aid of pictures you might have?

Good luck!
E

 

The metal washer is a copper crush washer that needs to be replaced on the oil drain plug with every oil change.

 

How the hell did you drop something into the oil filter hole? Are you sure it didn't just fall into the engine bay somewhere? Did you drop it into the oil fill cap?

 

SI M11 06 12
"During Engine Oil Service a Small O-Ring Is Found in the Oil Filter Housing"

There's a bulletin describing this problem/solution, you'll need to replace the oil filter housing. The o ring is from the drain back valve built into the housing.

 

Thanks, Blind Dog. That would make sense and fits what happened. Car is running very well, I can't believe the added responsiveness of the engine with a simple oil change. The oil was extremely overdue for a change, the long recommended intervals are insane.

I understand that something in the engine may or may not cause problems, I guess it all depends. I drove last night for two hours, so far no issues. If oil pressure drops I'll know to have it towed.

 

As I understand the bulletin, the drain back valve allows dirty oil to return to the sump when the oil filter is loosened during an oil change. This valve also has to be sealed with oil filter in place so that oil does not drain back every time the engine is stopped. The only concern I would have with not repairing this problem is the extended time it would take the oil pump to refill the oil filter and thus longer running time without sufficient oil pressure to the important bits of the engine. If the car is still in warranty, it should be covered under the New Car Warranty. I'd recommend replacement of housing eiather way as there could be some long term engine damage due to lack of lubrication.

 

Gotta deal with this then. I just got off the phone with the mini dealer. I am shocked that they only charge $65 for an oil change. It costs me nearly that much for oil and a filter!

 

I found a small o ring in my oil filter housing in my 2009 Mini I got it out ! and had two nicks out of it ! Where did it come from ??

 

Mini dealer mentioned to me that some of the older model minis used oil filters that had o rings, but a 2009 or 2010 model should not. I'm wondering if the o ring that you and I each found came from the original oil filter, maybe some old stock they were using up at the manufacturing plant?

I did not get mind out, it's still floating around. Next oil change I hope to get it.

 

the oil pickup tube has a screen on it, no objects will get sucked up, and if they do they end up on the filter before the oils gets to the rotating components

 

My O ring had two nicks out of it like a machine did not get it installed right and I also have a WHINE for like two seconds when I start it!!!

 

Thanks BMX, that's what I'm counting on.