Ford Zetec engine filter question

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Mark in NY

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I changed oil and filter on a 99 Contour 4 cylinder Zetec engine the other day. Assumed it was the common Motorcraft 400 (Fram PH3600 for reference)that is used on many Ford products. Double checked to make sure and found it called for a Motorcraft 2005 (Fram PH8316). I was curious and checked the Fram site to check the specs. Both filters are essentially the identical size, so what gives? I buy a couple and compare the 400 to the 2005. The 2005 for the Zetec engine has a plate about an inch down the center tube with only 3 small slits for oil flow. First time I have seen a filter like this.
I always fill the filters before installing it so that there is no delay in oil pressure build-up. With this filter, the oil does not pass the plate so I can not fill it. So I spin on the filter, and even empty, there is absolutely no delay in oil pressure when the car is started.
Can this engine be designed so that the spin-on oil filter is being used as a low volume bypass filter??

[ August 29, 2002, 09:00 PM: Message edited by: Mark in NY ]
 
Here's Baldwin's description of their filter for that engine:
Automotive>1999>FORD>Contour>28512>B1416
PART NUMBER: B1416
Descriptions : Microlite Lube Spin-on
Contains : Anti-Drainback Valve
11-17 PSI By-Pass Valve
Check Valve

Fits : Ford Automotive
Replaces : Ford F8CA-6731-AA

http://catalog.baldwinfilter.com/
 
Some filters have internal anti-drain like this. There is an "identical" filter to the PH-8A for cummins engines that has a solid plastic tube in the center that ends 1/2 inch or so from the top of the filter, so only 1/2" or so can drain back - as long as it is mounted vertically.
 
I see in the catalog listing mentioned that the difference is a "check valve" in addition to the usual anti drain back valve and bypass valve. Out of curiosity I plan on cutting open the filter next oil change to see the detail. From the outside it looks like it is blocking the outlet port.
 
Do you get any piston slap with this engine? I have this same Zetec in a 96 and get what sounds like slap until enigne warms up. Appears to cause no problems, just noisy.
 
I bought the car just this week for my daughter.
It has 35k miles. tight - no looseness even when starting up with a new/ empty oil filter.
Its overkill but I filled it with Mobil 1 0-40 and Mobil 1 ATF.
Now we'll see if we can keep it for 100k without problems.
 
I believe that disc is a flow limiter and not an anti-drainback valve. I believe it works with the bypass valve to equalize pressure (by restricting the flow) and thus equalize pressure spikes. You can fill up the filter as there are 3 holes in the disc. The purpose of those holes is that that they prevent the disc from going completely shut. Once you cut it apart you'll get the idea.

I don't know if its the same filter. I have a '94 Toyota truck that calls for the (Purolator) PL 10241. I decided to use the L 25230(larger) which has this valve. I know its the wrong filter, buy the Toy is still running.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.
 
As you say, there are 3 small slots in the disc. However they are so small that the oil (1/2 ounce) just seemed to stay on top of it when I tried to fill the filter.
Mitchell manual does not go into enough detail about the oil system to explain why a filter like this is called out for this engine.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Mark in NY:
As you say, there are 3 small slots in the disc. However they are so small that the oil (1/2 ounce) just seemed to stay on top of it when I tried to fill the filter.
Mitchell manual does not go into enough detail about the oil system to explain why a filter like this is called out for this engine.
Click to expand...
OK - I never tried it 'cause my filter is horizontal. Sorry.
 
Wait until you try to find the PCV valve. A bummer on this engine. Also, as you may already know, the Zetecs run hot, temp gauge wil be on the r or m of normal especially in hot summer with A/C on. Note also they had a problem with water pumps and plastic impellers breaking after 60,000 miles or so. I had mine replaced with a new pump and metal impeller at 60,000 when the timing belt is due. If you need genuine Ford parts at wholesale prices I have use LoneStar Ford in TX. Much less then dealer even with shipping. www.lonestarparts.com Also for a good Contour/Mystique board with a section on the Zetec go to http://www.contour.org/
 
quote:
Originally posted by Ken:
Here's Baldwin's description of their filter for that engine:
Automotive>1999>FORD>Contour>28512>B1416
PART NUMBER: B1416
Descriptions : Microlite Lube Spin-on
Contains : Anti-Drainback Valve
11-17 PSI By-Pass Valve
Check Valve
Click to expand...
I'm still puzzled to why Ford has gone to this filter design that has the funky "check valve" inside it. Is smoothing out the pressures the only use for this check valve ? Must be or otherwise it seems to duplicate the anti-drainback valve.
dunno.gif


I see that most of these Ford engines are the smaller 2.0 liter DOHC so that must be something to do with it too.
 
I've noticed that some of the higher PSI bypass valves are near the engine side of the oil filter. The lower PSI bypass valved filters usually have it near the wrenching end of the filter. I noticed this an various German vehicles.
These filters are a pain to fill with oil and usually are installed dry. Some people funnel oil through the ADBV which is easy with a small funnel or coffee stirrer to move ABDV out of the way. I guess that filter removal with both valves adjacent to the engine prevents oil splashing/spillage.
 
A bit of an update on this old topic. Since I am now maintaining all 3 cars on an annual oil change interval, this question had been on hold for several months. The interest in this is because I would like to use a Mobil1 filter on this car. Mobil, and Pure One for that matter only make a high performance version of the Motorcraft FL400 and not for this FL2005. Disassembling a filter the other day showed that this additional valve seemed to be a check valve that acted redundant to the usual anti-drainback valve. I emailed various manufactures the following question -

"In reference to oil filter L25230/PH8316/FL2005, there is a check valve in the top portion of the filter that is not typically seen in oil filters. This is in addition to the existing typical rubber flap check valve at the top of the filter and bypass valve at the bottom of filter. I would like to know if you could tell me the purpose of this check valve and if it is also designed to act as a flow-limiter."

One answer I received is -

"The check valve you see at the dome end of the filter is called a clean side anti drain back valve. It is designed to hold oil in the clean side. The ADB that you see on the oil inlet holes is the standard ADB valve."

Another response was that "some turbo equipped engines tend to siphon the oil out of the filter when the engine is at rest".

My first thought was the vehicle OEM's called out a second check valve because of the well known failure of the FRAM anti drainback valve!

Anyway, after looking at the oil system schematic and the inards of the disassembled filter I have decided to use the equivalent FL400 version of the Mobil1 filter.

Many of the Ford/Mazda 2.0L engines I see have seen in the shop have had an FL400 equivalent filter installed anyway so I know engine damage does not seem to be an issue- at least with this motor.
 
My motivation for being able to use a FL400 version is so that I can then use one of the "high performance" filters that are not available in the FL2005 style- Mobil1 or Pure One filter.
I suspect in normal operation that overall filtering is fine either way but since I will be letting it go the distance for 12 months, I would prefer a synthetic/non-paper element.
 
Just to add to the confusion
wink.gif
my 1996 2.0L Zetec motor uses a FL-200 oil filter. This filter is about the same size as the FL-820S on my 4.6L V-8!
gr_eek2.gif
The Purolator equivalent is L14670 and the Wix # is 51085. Go figure about the size differences!

Whimsey
 
one of the first post concerning baldwin numbers may not be exact, they crossed referenced the wrong one for my car. i would call ford and as for the OEM part number. then put it into baldwins, frams, and wixes site and see what you get. then find a aftermarket one that fits them all. i was in the same delema as you.
 
Thanks for the additional info guys.

Those folks on the Focus site that you referred to sure are gettin' spun up on the cross-references!

Sure seems that adding an additional anti-drain back check valve for an engine with a bottom mounted filter is an engineering solution in search of an answer.
I never liked not being able to pre-fill this filter due to the top mounted check valve.

I will have no problem using the FL400 /M1-209 filter from now on in this car.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Mark in NY:
My motivation for being able to use a FL400 version is so that I can then use one of the "high performance" filters that are not available in the FL2005 style- Mobil1 or Pure One filter.
Click to expand...
What do you mean by saying high performance?
How about Baldwin?
Supposedly it is the same or very close to the Amsoil filters.
And Baldwin does make the FL 2005 equivalent - B1416.

BTW, according to the Baldwin's catalog its FL2005 spec filter has the 14 PSI By-Pass Valve
Check Valve.
Its FL400 equivalent - 8 PSI By-Pass Valve.
 
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