1/2 disintegrated oil filter?

[jaded996]

I was having my 60k service and they said 1/4 to 1/2 of the oil filter is "missing". They said it looked like someone blew it up with a fire cracker. I just got this car and don't know if the previous owner neglected it and it was just a really old filter.

Has anyone ever heard of this happening? Any ideas. So far the car ran fine. He is concerned about the oil pressure not going past 4 when driving it. He hopes that when a new filter and oil is in everything will be ok. He is worried something will eventually get stuck and cause a oil starvation issue.

Has this ever happened to anyone??

The car is a 2002 targa 6spd with 59k.

Edited September 7, 2006 by jaded996

[jaded996]

I just got off the phone with the shop. They said that the last time (unknown) someone did an oil change on the car it was done incorrectly. There is a tube that the filter is suposed to tightly fit into and it was not seated properly. The pressure from the oil inlet (might be using the wrong term) tube crushed the filter and sucked it into the tube. The remaining filter is in that tube blocking flow of oil. This is the cause for the lower oil pressure.

Hopefully when it all goes back together and is cleared it will be fine.

I guess it means to be very carefull to seat your filter properly in the housing before screwing on the filter cap.

Fingers crossed!!!

[Tool Pants]

This is a new one. Didn't think you could get the plastic cannister back on if the filter was not seated in the tube properly, but stuff happens....

See if you can get a picture of the filter.

[jaded996]

He has the filter there. Wanted me to come see it but i just couldnt make it. When I go pick the car up i will defiantely take a shot of it. Im just praying the oil pressure is correct after the new filter and oil. Thankfully it has never shown a low pressure or oil warning while driving the car and I only have gotten on it hard once while i have had it. He is optomistic that everything will be ok.

I am thinking if it runs good when i get it back I might just pick up a extended warranty to cover the motor. The only engine mods I have are fabspeed headers and a cat delete. Those could be returned to factory if i had a problem.

Edited September 7, 2006 by jaded996

[jaded996]

I am picking my car up today. The car is operating properly with the new filter and oil change. He thinks the car "should" be fine. Since it was only a little low on pressure due to the blockage not starved and he found all of the "missing" filter.

I will take a picture when i get there tonight.