Bosch N55 Oil Filter Fail - 800 Miles

[JD!]

Definitely not ideal. Had a couple of low oil pressure codes (last thing I want to see in an N55) and decided to spin off the filter cap on a whim.

This was a Bosch workshop filter I got for cheap on RockAuto. I always check that the cage is properly snapped onto the filter cap on these and ensure that the filter is properly seated before spinning it back on.

I've owned quite a few N series engine cars by now and noted that this oil filter fit very tight, the o-ring for the stem was difficult to get on, and looking back it probably required more force to tighten down than usual. I imagine the dimensions on this weren't quite right causing it to get crushed.

Additionally, due to the tight fit, the cage holding the filter separated from the cap when undoing it causing the filter to remain in the housing and oil to spill all over my engine bay, ruining my brand new serpentine belt in the process.

What concerns me is that bit of plastic missing from the top endcap. Wondering where that ended up will probably keep me up at night.

Thoughts?

 

[JavierH19]

Looks like it just split in half instead of having two splits and a piece breaking off. I'm pretty sure these don't have a bypass in the filter just the housing so a broken piece couldn't get past the clean side unless there was a hole in the media that was large enough. Another benefit of wire backing and a wire mesh filter inside the oil filter bypass valve like with racing frams.

 

[randomhero439]

Dang, sorry to hear that happened. I bet this will be the last time you use something other than a Mann filter.

 

[fantastic]

Like @JavierH19 stated it looks like it just cracked and no other prices are missing. You can sort of see how the felt material looks stretched out in that area. I'm not certain what quality this filter is and it seems to be a low tiered rebranded Bosch.

Regardless, not appealing to see upon removal. Vietnam has shown very consistent quality control so the odds of it happening again should be low. I've seen other filters be a bit off from other brands and that can certainly have a negative effect on installation.

It does look like this was under quite a bit of stress cracking the end disc like that. You're going to look elsewhere but Vietnam is the new source that is widespread. Otherwise grab a Boss or old Ultra that has media support.

Thanks for sharing this unfortunate experience.

 

[JohnnyG]

Is Vietnam the new China?

 

[CleanSump]

BMW owners know: Mann, Mahle, Hengst, or Perflux. Everything else is a gamble.

 

[BHopkins]

I've never seen a filter failure like that. That's crazy. Assuming the OP is correct, and it was installed correctly, what would cause that?

BMW owners know: Mann, Mahle, Hengst, or Perflux. Everything else is a gamble.

And I would add UFI to that list.

I would also put conditions upon Mann, that you are speaking of European manufactured filters. I'm totally good with Mann filters from Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Germany. Maybe even India. But not so sure about products from their other facilities.

It might be more correct to say that you are safe with Mann filters for European cars. But caveat emptor for Mann filters for an Asian or American car, unless it comes from one of the European plants.

 

[JD!]

Well, even more great news!

Was at Advance Auto and the counter guy informed me that all of their Fram filters were on clearance. Not willing to pass up a deal when maintaining a $2k car, I bought their remaining "Force" (packaging looks Tough Guard adjacent) and "Titanium" (looks like an Ultra) filters, one of each.

Wanting to save the best for later, I put the Fram Force filter in after installing a new $40 belt from AutoZone. I've used Fram Tough guard in an N52 in the past and can't recall having any problems with it. This one looked different though - black O-rings instead of red, and plastic endcaps with a fiber sealing surface instead of the usual resin. Made in Korea. Noticed an unusually loose fit with the filter and the O-rings felt a bit stiff and rough, like nitrile rather than silicone.

Storms were coming so I shoved it in despite my reservations. After driving it I noticed a leak coming from the O-ring between the cap and housing. There goes another belt...

 

[JD!]

To add to my previous post, I was under the impression that after 20 years the aftermarket would have this filter design figured out, particularly a somewhat trusted(??) name like Fram.

So far the brands that haven't let me down are STP (have used the XL in N52/N54 many, many times), Mann, Hengst, and Mahle. I'll stick to these from here on out and hope that AutoZone doesn't screw up whatever good thing they have going with their filters if I need one in a pinch.

 

[fantastic]

Is Vietnam the new China?

IMO No, Vietnam is producing very good filters, overall, & on a social level more inline with the west.

 

[Zee09]

That turd looks like it had 80K miles on it... Another RockAuto collectible.