You wrote:
"They said that there had been
a problem with the type of adhesive used and that it had been corrected.
(This was in conflict with my findings when I took a filter apart and found
no adhesive on the drainback at all.) "
Actually in the world of corporate doublespeak that is a typical statement.
Rather that admit that the adhesive was left out altogether they concoct a
better sounding story that is technically correct but misleading.
Ralph
----- Original Message -----
From: Dick Dell <rddell@mindspring.com>
To: <triumphs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, December 27, 1999 7:59 AM
Subject: Oil filters
>
> Since a couple of folks have asked I'll share my story about oil filters.
>
> A few years ago I had a small restoration shop, working on mostly MGB's
and
> keeping my own cars running.
> I had been a Fram user since my hot rod days (still had the Fram window
> sticker on my old Falcon Sprint), so I used Fram filters exclusively. In
> fact I even used one on my Ferrari 308GTSi (no, don't have that one
> anymore, wish I did.)
>
> One day we were working on an MGB that we had just done a complete engine
> rebuild on. I started it up for the first time and I watched to ensure
that
> the oil pressure came up to the proper level. When first starting the car
> with no oil in the filter it takes 10-15 seconds to get pressure. As
> expected it came up properly and I shut down the car to check everything
> out. Upon restarting the car I watched the oil pressure again expecting a
> quick rise in pressure. Instead it took 10-15 seconds again. This is not
> right. With the filter full of oil you should have pressure almost
> immediately.
>
> I checked everywhere for leaks, loose oil connections or any other source
> of the problem. Finally I replaced the filter and when I restarted the car
> the oil pressure came up immediately after the first start. Closer
> inspection of the filter (I took it apart) showed that the rubber
drainback
> gasket had separated from the filter and oil was allowed to drain back
into
> the crankcase when pressure dropped. I chalked it up to a fluke.
>
> Coiuple of days later a customer drove up with an MGB with low oil
> pressure, down to about 30 lbs instead of the 50 it should run. We had
done
> an engine rebuild on his car only a few months earlier and it should have
> still been a good tight engine. Starting the car I saw that the oil
> pressure came up very slowly. Opening the hood I saw the bright orange
Fram
> filter and I pulled it off. In this case the oil drainback had come loose
> completely and it had been sucked into the oil return holes, blocking
about
> 50% of the flow. New filter, no more problems.
>
> I had about half a case of new filters and upon inspection I found that
> they were ALL defective. Thinking that I had found something that Fram
> would be very concerned about I called the company. Yes, they were aware
of
> the problem. Were they concerned? Not really. They said that there had
been
> a problem with the type of adhesive used and that it had been corrected.
> (This was in conflict with my findings when I took a filter apart and
found
> no adhesive on the drainback at all.)
>
> Was there a recall? "No, but if you take your unused filters back they
will
> probably give you a replacement." Would they stand behind engine damage?
> "Well, if you have everything documented and can prove that the filter was
> the only cause of failure, maybe." All in all not very concerned.
>
> And that's why I will never use another Fram oil filter.
>
> Dick Dell
> Raleigh NC
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