looking for some expert advice on bypass or filter relocation

[matrass]

I have a 2002 Chevy Trailblazer to change the oil filter location. you can not see it and being mounted vertical it gets oil all over the place when draining it. Have tried the suggestion of placing a zip lock baggie over the filter when removing it and it is not an easy task. been looking for an oil relocation kit or even a bypass kit and would like some advice. the truck already holds 7qts of oil. currently using Mobil 1 5-30. I am looking for the most reliable way to relocate my filter without having any problems with the dealer, it is under extended warranty.Amsoil has a kit that may be what is needed BMK-14, only thing is it is expensive and am I stuck using their filter? looking for other options that are not too expensive, want to avoid a 200 dollar bill for the kit. the other thing is that I may have to have a mechanic get it on a lift and install.I would install this myself but I can not see the filter when changing it and would not be able to get a wrench on the sandwich adaptor or tighten the hoses on the adaptor.
thanks for any help you guys can provide

 

[olympic]

Sounds like you just want a single remote mount full flow kit. Summit racing has a bunch of them starting at around $40 including hoses and fittings. Any local speed shop should have them as well.

As far as warranty concerns go, this is an aftermarket modification and could be used as an excuse by GM to void your warranty should a problem arise. Talk to your dealer, if they say it's OK, get them to install it if the price is reasonable.

 

[matrass]

Olympic, I have the same feelings that you do about the afternarket add on, GM and other car makers look for reasons to void a warranty. can not say I blame them dealing with all kinds of mods then. just hoping that maybe somebody else has run into a similar issue and the dealer did actually agree. I really wanted to do this myself but you are correct that I will have to talk to the dealer and see if warranty will be an issue as we suspect it will be.wish GM had their own approved version of a remote oil filter relocation kit.the truck only has 33,000 on it and I am good on the warranty until 78,000 or 2008. by this time it will be paid off and I can get rid off it if there are any major problems. ( so far knock on wood, no problems in 1 1/2 years)

 

[Dick in Falls Church]

Well, it occurs to me that GM would have a problem claiming that relocating an oil filter could void any warranty. If you look at most of the 4WD pickups over the past few years, you'll see the filter has be remoted from the engine to the corner of the engine compartment.

Actually, remoting the filter will affect performance just about as much as adding pinstripes!

 

[Dick in Falls Church]

The AMSOIL BMK-14 is a remote full flow setup which does what you want to do. A bit pricey, for sure, but quality. You don't have to use an AMSOIL filter with this--but you do have to get one with 3/4-16 thread.

For a few bucks more, you can get the BMK13 and have the added benefit of bypass filtration.

 

[matrass]

**** in Falls Church, thanks for the information, a bit expensive as you say but it seems to be high quality. just want to get some opioions on quality in these units instead of buying a cheap unit only to see leaks or repairs needed down the road. hope I can do this but have a feeling the dealer will balk at the idea. I can hear it now " why change the location of the filter, if you have a problem we can change it for you" "also any mods will void the warranty" these things are not made well and will blow your motor, you need to change oil every 3,000 " wanted to run CG in the 4.2 but if they ever see the green elixir there are going to be questions raised I am sure. you guys know how they are and I feel better doing oil changes, tune ups, and external care myself as much as possible so that I know how the job is being done.
I love this board as I have been using ARX, FP and LC knowing that my truck is all the better for it.

 

[RalphPWood]

A warranty enthusiast normally doesn't change anything. They use only GM filters and the oil GM recommends and they change them when it is recommended. I get my adapters from www.jegs.com because they get them to me fast. I haven't delt with Summit but I'm sure they are good to deal with.
I normally don't relocate the full flow filter. I just ordered and received a Ford diesel remote filter adapter because I want to use the motor oil to heat my fuel tank. Jegs had to order it from Perma-Cool. Some things they don't stock. I don't see the flex-a-lite adapters in the catalog but they sell them to me if I ask for them. I can do a lot of things with these adapters including eliminating the nearly useless full flow filter. A good engine will have almost nothing in the oil large enough to be filtered out by the full flow filter.
Full flow filters are useful for new engines and engines under a lot of stress, such as, racing, trailer towing or, in short, when the engine is generating a lot of large metal particles. My Camry, for example, generates virtually no engine damaging particles. Only engine wearing particles that don't even slow down for a full flow filter.

Ralph

 

[matrass]

**** in Falls Church, I would agree with your statement that an oil relocation kit should not void any kind of warranty. my 96 Blazer has an oil cooler on it from the factory and what do you know, they have similar lines running to the filter that the relocation kits do ! just hope the dealer will see it this way. lol on the on the pin stripes comment, it was a classic.

 

[matrass]

RalphPWood, I hear you on the issue where people that are suckered by GM to believe that only their oil and filters are approved in the trucks and cars. myself I use Wix oil, air and fuel filters in my SUV'S. my reason for getting the extended warranty is the complaints that other people have had with this SUV. I took it to my mechanic that does all my major repairs for an inspection ( before buying) with a fine tooth comb and he said it was a go.picked up the extended warranty in case something major should go. for oil I use Mobil 1, since the Pep Boys half off coupon came out I have purchased a few cases of it at a great price, a little over 2 a quart and the truck uses 7 quarts. my primary interest is to relocate the filter so that I can get away from the PIA filter removal and oil leaking all over the place. that plastic baggy helps but not a whole lot.

 

[Ken2]

Read the fine print in that extended warranty. If you don't follow that fine print, the extended warranty company doesn't have to pay anything in case of a claim. A so-called extended warranty is legally not a warranty; it is a service contract. As with any contract, both sides are bound by the contents of the contract. If it says that you have to change your oil on the recommended schedule, and you have to retain to paperwork to prove it, then that's what you do, or you forfeit the service contract. If it prohibits engine modifications, and they consider the filter a mod, you're out of luck.


Ken

 

[matrass]

Ken2, you have a great idea for me as far as a starting point, will have to read all the fine print in the info they gave me. if that does not give me an answer either way for sure I will have to talk to the dealer. here is a line from their list of things not covered, it can be taken a couple ways I feel, things that are not covered under warranty ( as expected )
"Components not installed by the vehicle manufacturer " so are they going to use that as a crutch any time their is a problem? also now that you have mentioned it and since I change my own oil ,what if they want proof that it has been changed on their specified oci ? can the OLM tell them that data in any way or will they say I could have just reset it when I felt like it ?

 

[msparks]

quote:

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Originally posted by matrass:
Amsoil has a kit that may be what is needed BMK-14, only thing is it is expensive and am I stuck using their filter? thanks for any help you guys can provide

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Not true, you can use any of the Ford Type FL1 or Fram PH8a Filters. Just go cross reference one of those and they will all fit.

 

[Gary Allan]

"Components not installed by the vehicle manufacturer " so are they going to use that as a crutch any time their is a problem?

This is a pretty standard clause. It simply means that ..let's say you have an electric hydraulic pump for your snow plow. It goes bad ..it's not covered. Your engine/trans goes bad while plowing ..and your rig is designed for plowing ..their problem.

It's a common clause in vehicles that are frequently modified for special service (police, ultility, etc.).

This would also typically include stuff like modifications that are done to enable a car to be towed byhind an RV/motorhome.

Now to offset that assertion, those mods, typically, are done as "packaged" deals ..where the given sector (RV, service package provider, etc.) has consulted the OEM for "approved" installation guidelines ..or are well within the OEM capacity for tolerance (like in terms of ampacity in the power distribution center).

I would talk to the dealer and get their take on it. Get the service manager ..not a service writer. I've had some that could care less if you have an aftermarket oil cooler installed ..and others tell you that you're on your own. The installation of a non-OEM part like this usually doesn't relieve them of their obligations under the contract ..but it does add a toe-hold for them to attempt to exploit in any claims. It all depends on the disposition of the provider.

 

[matrass]

msparks, thanks for the updated info on the BMK-14 unit. any chance you carry these units? if not can you refer me to anybody? I was on a Amsoil dealer website and the price was $181. I like the looks of this unit but that is a bit steep for my reason for buying one. if my capacity was not 7 qts I may feel otherwise.

 

[matrass]

Gary Allan , you and I are thinking alike on this issue. some dealers are easy to deal with while others can be a real PITA.will have to seek out the service manager as you suggest. will also have to say that my concern was them using this mod as an excuse to give me a hard time if any issues arise down the road. thanks for the analogy and your time

 

[RalphPWood]

If they don't want to cover an engine problem under warranty they can say putting the filter in another location and running hoses to it caused a restriction. They can say the WIX filter didn't have the correct spring tension in the relief valve.
We have a large GM dealer here that is known for treating people right. That is why they are so big. You could just as easily run into a dealer that doesn't value your business enough to treat you right. You are at the mercy of the dealer unless you have a lot more money than they have to hire a better lawyer.

Ralph

 

[matrass]

RalphPWood, would have to say that I can hear a dealer now saying exactly what you said about restriction.I am going to have to pay a visit to a Chevy dealer I only dealt with once where I actually met the manager through my mechanic.if worst came to worst on the Wix oil filter Advanced Auto carries the Delco filter I need for 3.99. it really comes down to what everybody is saying that my filter relocation depends on the dealer.

 

[msparks]

quote:

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Originally posted by matrass:
msparks, thanks for the updated info on the BMK-14 unit. any chance you carry these units? if not can you refer me to anybody? I was on a Amsoil dealer website and the price was $181. I like the looks of this unit but that is a bit steep for my reason for buying one. if my capacity was not 7 qts I may feel otherwise.

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Sorry don't carry them. Too expensive for me. I would rather put a dual remote bypass which you could get for about that price with the filters included.

 

[Jim 5]

Matrass,

I put an oil filter relocation kit on my Chev K1500 because changing the filter caused a mess (runs all over the front axle U-joint).

I'm pretty pleased with the install. I think it was a transadapt 1150 kit. You can buy the adapters at just about any speed shop.

I mounted mine in the extra battery compartment with a custom bracket. I undo the one stainless cap screw so that I can bring the filter to upright when changing. then I just screw it down again to the stock battery bolt hole. You can see the supply lines snaking their way down beneath the exhaust manifolds.


I doubt if this set-up would cost more than $50 at JEG's. Plus you get to run a large PH8A (Ford) filter. Here's a pic in case this would help.

 

[Shaman]

If they have problems, remind them that the 4 by 4 versions of their own Blazers and Jimmy’s come stock with a relocated oil filter. It might actually be a good idea to ask if they can install one of those on your car.