I did my oil change yesterday, went to start the car and saw the oil lamp on. After checking the pressure switch, I popped the filter out and saw the crappy little plastic plunger lying there in the housing.

Honestly, not a happy guy right now. I was supposed to drive about 700 miles to visit my parents today and this completely messed my plans up. Seriously, what an awful and fragile design.

I ordered a replacement from Outmotoring but struggle to find installation instructions anywhere. Does it just pop in? How do you replace it? Not sure if it matters but I have an r53.

Are there other tiny delicate plastic parts like this I might as well take care of sooner than later so this situation doesn't repeat?

 

It just pops right into place. Just make sure you get any remaining pieces from the old one. I had no issues doing mine...long as you go straight.

They can break bc of crappy aftermarket filters sometimes.

 

Edit: seems like I'm talking about the wrong thing, see below message.

Does your oil filter lack the integrated plastic cage? Old-style filters didn't have a cage and could collapse if they are installed without the crappy plastic cage, that's part of the old-style filter housing. This was done away for facelift 1st gen Minis.

This change is really old, so all filters you buy now should have this plastic cage, but for some reason there are still filters without the plastic cage around.

People have reported driving around with new-style filter in an old-style filter housing without the built-in plastic cage (generally lost or broken with age). The official recommandation is to upgrade the oil filter housing to a new one.

More infos with pictures: https://www.minimania.com/MINI__02_0...roblem___Hints

 

Thats the aftermarket check valve if yours is all busted up.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-dorman-p...e/904-261~dor/

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...y-on-idle.html

It just pops back into place.

 

Do you just have to feel for it and pop it in? Can't really see anything I'm doing..

 

Would call Aaron at Outmotoring where you bought this one and ask him these exact questions. Full disclosure: subscribed to this thread wondering the same thing; considering a preemptive replacement of the OEM one before it predictably grenades at some inconvenient time and place.

 

That's what I did. You guys are really over thinking this. It's not rocket science

 

Good to know. But it's also a critical part - f*** it up, and well, you know the rest...

Hence the prudent caution.

 

Done! No issues. So far atleast