Defective Filter. Should I send it back?

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What state are you in?
DO NOT send them your evidence it could get lost... What happened to the engine? What engine,year and mileage?
I may be able to point you in the correct direction i do engines and my wife does Law,

Dont lose that filter!
 
I would work with the filter company to find a remedy/solution.

You're going to spend a few hundred dollars with an attorney to document the filter failure and correspond with the manufacturer.

This may or may not be recoverable from the manufacturer.

Most exposure the filter manufacturer has is the installation of a replacement engine.
 
Originally Posted By: Dave33
Originally Posted By: Pajamarama
Originally Posted By: Dave33
Long story short I lost my engine to a defective oil filter.


How did you come to the conclusion that it was the oil filter's fault? I do not mean to contradict you but I would like to know the steps you took to deduce the cause of the engine failure.

Let me start by saying I have wrenching on cars for many years including full engine rebuilds.
I Changed oil and filter on my '63 VW Beetle. Drove the car for a couple days and then the car started losing power. Being close, I drove it home. Checked and adjusted valves, checked carb and timing and found nothing. Started the engine and then noticed internal noise. I pulled the dipstick to check the oil and noticed metal particles. I drained the oil and it was full of bearing material. I pulled the filter and this is when I noticed the inside of the filter was collapsed and crushed. There are no dents, scratches, or any visible defects on the outside of the filter and there is no way 40 psi oil pressure would do the damage that is done to it. I do have pics but don't want to post anything until this is settled. I also took it to 2 machine shops and both had never seen anything like it and agreed had to have happened during the assembly process.


Could it be that your crank bearings were worn out? I had that happen to my old 60's VW. It only had that screen filter but it was full of "aluminum foil"(the bearings). That could have gone into the filter and clogged it. Bearings got so thin they just circulated away. I figured the previous owners never changed the oil.
 
I would prepare a complete report with photos and make several copies. You may want to send the oil to Blackstone for analysis and add to your claim. Then send it to them with a nice but firm and respectful letter.

Since the car is a 1963 ask for the cost of a complete rebuild. Get a written quote and include that with the report.

Documentation is key to any claim..in case you have to go to small claims court. Don't forget the sales receipt for the oil and filter. Document then document then document more.

Take your photos and report to Kinkos and have the photos blown up to 8.5x11 and bound into the whole report including scans of the Blackstone report and rebuild quote.
 
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Originally Posted By: Kruse
Originally Posted By: QuOk
63 Beetle didn't have a oil filter, Just a screen.
Is this a aftermarket setup?


This was what I was wondering after I saw it was a VW Beetle.
If it has an aftermarket oil filer setup (uh...the original had just a metal screen, didn't it?), I'd bet money that you will be out of luck. And it's my opinion that you would be out of luck with any oil filter brand that you have on there. But best of luck. Sometimes they will throw a bone to the customer as a good-will gesture.

+1 Unfortunately adding an aftermarket remote set up adds other variables including the entire set up itself that would all need to be accounted for outside of the filter.

And afiak, filter manufacturers warranty the filter as designated for the specific vehicle application. As this filter was not spec'd or listed for said vehicle, very doubtful any filter warranty would apply here.

That said, good luck.
 
So, basically you are saying that the filter prevented oil from lubricating the engine, which, normally, would cause the engine to seize not come apart.. It could be just coincidence that the Bugs engine died. I had a early 60s where a valve went thru the piston so they were known,some years to have issues. Is the filter condition consistent with teh damage is my question?
 
Seems like there is a chain-of-custody question regarding the filter. I would see what a lawyer says, if you can find a decent one.

Most lawyers I've ever met just tell you what you want to hear.
 
Thanks for all the reply's. I will post pics of the filter tonight after work.

Ta answer questions regarding the engine, it was rebuilt by me 2 years ago. All machine work was done at a competent shop. The engine has about 8,000 miles since being freshened. The car is only driven in the summer months. It's not a beater car at all. More of garage queen.
 
Originally Posted By: JerryBob
Seems like there is a chain-of-custody question regarding the filter.


It's not a murder weapon, and this is a civil matter not a criminal one.

The OEM has to trust that the filter you send in was really used on the engine that died. You have to trust they will examine your filter and handle your case fairly.

He can take all the pictures and consult all the lawyers you want, but at some point the OP needs to hand over the filter if he's going to make a claim.
 
Originally Posted By: Pajamarama
Originally Posted By: Dave33
Long story short I lost my engine to a defective oil filter.


How did you come to the conclusion that it was the oil filter's fault? I do not mean to contradict you but I would like to know the steps you took to deduce the cause of the engine failure.

I think everyone is wondering the same.
OP left out a lot of important details. Filter brand, model, pictures, car in question, service history, oil used, UOA, and I'm probably missing a few more.
 
No bypass on the filter (linked in the Purolator catalog) spells trouble-anything plugs it, the tube & media would collapse. Unless the VW engine had an internal bypass? Which unfortunately wouldn't be the filter's fault if it got stuck.
 
Originally Posted By: gtmaster303
Originally Posted By: Pajamarama
Originally Posted By: Dave33
Long story short I lost my engine to a defective oil filter.


How did you come to the conclusion that it was the oil filter's fault? I do not mean to contradict you but I would like to know the steps you took to deduce the cause of the engine failure.

I think everyone is wondering the same.
OP left out a lot of important details. Filter brand, model, pictures, car in question, service history, oil used, UOA, and I'm probably missing a few more.

Reread the second page of this thread. The OP provided a link to the Puro filter that he used. Car information was on page 1, 2 and 3 including the history of the engine rebuild.
 
I dont think the filter mfg co will be responsible with an aftermarket filter set up
I think they are only guaranteeing their filters for the correct application of car,engine,year,etc
Anyway,good luck
 
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