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Dry oil filter

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Chief1500

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I notice that the new oil filter that I installed a few months back on my '78 1500 Spit is dry. I removed, cleaned and checked clearances on oil pump. The valve springs looked well lubed. I welcome any suggestions.
Chief
 
Can you define dry? You mean you removed it and it has no oil inside?
 
That is correct. I prefilled the filter at installation, but when I removed it it was clean and dry, like a new filter.
 
this is what's known as a miracle. Or, it could be an omen (for instance, your wife is consulting with an attorney and you are soon to be clean and dry...)or it could all just be a bad dream...probably other possibilities as well...
 
I had the same thing happen on an '89 Ford 302 engine...never did figure it out but the engine had oil pressure and ran fine.
 
Should be full of dirty oil.

Maybe the oil filter fairy made a visit the night before! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

Did you just install a new spin-on adapter at that time? If so, what orientation is the filter? Blocked oil passage maybe?
 
This model doesn't require an adapter. When I remove the filter everything looks clean and open, and I know the pump is spinning.
 
I didn't need an adapter. The stock filter spun right on. Does the 3/4" threaded stud that I screwed the filter on to an adapter?
 
Chief1500 said:
That is correct. I prefilled the filter at installation, but when I removed it it was clean and dry, like a new filter.
Click to expand...

Interesting. I changed the oil in my Spit last night (well tried to anyway, more on that later). Does the filter smell like old oil? Is the filter media saturated and discolored? Hard to believe that oil isnt flowing in/out of the filter.

I'm a big fan of WIX brand filters. The WIX# 51374 (1.5L B/L engine) uses a different adapter than the one in the block for the Crossland 595 I removed. The WIX adapter is part number 24037. The filter has both a bypass valve and an anti-drain back valve. Better made than a Fram; about a buck or two more expensive.
 
Cut the filter open with a hack saw. Then you will know for sure if it is dry or just draining back into the block. If you are still unsure, install a new filter, but not fully tight. Start the engine and look for spray. It will be a little messy to clean up, but you'll know for sure if there is pressure to the filter.
 
bobh said:
...Start the engine and look for spray....
Click to expand...
Agreed; in fact, I think I'd be tempted to go one step further. Remove the filter, and pull the HT lead from either the coil or the distributor cap. Then crank the engine over while watching to see if oil comes out of the block below the threaded hole (or post) where the filter screws on. It seems unlikely that this hole would be blocked, but.... ?

I'd also consider temporarily adding an oil pressure gauge and seeing what -- if any -- oil pressure you have.

Given the failure rate of 1500 engines, I'd want to find out what's going on before doing much more driving! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/shocked.gif
 
I want to say don't worry. But this is the sort of thing I worry about. The 1500 engine as far as I know does not have a check vavle in the oil pump feed. My Spitfires have NEVER had any oil in the filter a day or two after running. There is definately oil circulating properly, but the oil(and everything that was just strained out) flows back into the pan when the engine is shut off. I don't like this at all, but for some reason I haven't remedied it. I drive my car a lot(daily driver), and if anyone has any other ideas for anti-drain back valves would be appreciated. Next week I am driving back to Victoria which is a 200 mile trip.


Adam.
____________________________________________________________________________
1973 Triumph Spitfire.
 
The 1500 oil filter does sit with a near 30 degree down angle don't they. Shouldn't be too surprising that they do drain back.
 
TheAssociate said:
I drive my car a lot(daily driver), and if anyone has any other ideas for anti-drain back valves would be appreciated. Next week I am driving back to Victoria which is a 200 mile trip.
Click to expand...

Why not just install a filter with an anti-drainback valve in it?
 
Some filters are noted for having a leaky anti drain back valve. A few, don't have a valve at all. A "good" filter, not Fram, will have a valve that will keep the filter full for days. Without it, you will have dry starts every time.
D
 
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