Mazda3 2.3 to 2.0 Filter Conversion Bypass Needed?

[D Bone]

Alright guys, I have a 2006 Mazda3 2.3 that came equipped from the factory with a cartridge style oil filter. A popular Mazda3 mod, is to convert the 2.3 cartridge filter, to the Mazda3 2.0 spin on filter. The conversion uses all OEM Mazda parts, and only the filter housing is changed.

My question is, I did NOT find any type of relief psi valve when I removed the 2.3 cartridge housing. Nothing in the housing oil passages, and of course, nothing where the filter actually sits. Yet the 2.0 filter size that we all use (Bosch 3330), has a 12-15psi valve built into the filter itself. There is another filter (Bosch 3400) that is 1" longer, and has no relief valve.........All filter. You can read about it here: http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=159444.msg3397318#msg3397318

So what is your opinion? Does the 2.3 use a relief valve somewhere inside the engine, since there was no evidence of a valve in the oil filter housing? Would you use a filter with a relief valve, or one without?


Darryl

 

[mshu7]

Hmm....Unfortunately, this one is beyond me. The relief valve has never crossed my mind when picking a spin-on filter. Hopefully some one else with some more knowledge than me can chime in. I'm interested to find out.

 

[LC]

I did that mod on my 2.3 Milan. I have used Motorcraft FL910 and the FL400S both with no problems. I have 98,000 on the car with no problems. Use a filter with a relief valve. In the old cartridge style the relief valve was built into the male part of the cover that the filter slid over.

 

[D Bone]

Originally Posted By: LC
I did that mod on my 2.3 Milan. I have used Motorcraft FL910 and the FL400S both with no problems. I have 98,000 on the car with no problems. Use a filter with a relief valve. In the old cartridge style the relief valve was built into the male part of the cover that the filter slid over.


You listed 2 different filters that you used, does one of them not have a relief valve? I'm looking at the black, plastic filter cap/tube, that holds the cartridge filter in place. It has a spring tension to it, but in my opinion, that spring tension is to hold the filter in place once it's installed. Without the spring tension, the filter wouldn't seal properly at either end. Is that the mechanism that you believe is the relief valve?

 

[millerbl00]

I am think about doing this for my Fusion. Can you tell me the part #'s and where you got the kit?

Thanks

 

[LC]

Originally Posted By: D Bone
Originally Posted By: LC
I did that mod on my 2.3 Milan. I have used Motorcraft FL910 and the FL400S both with no problems. I have 98,000 on the car with no problems. Use a filter with a relief valve. In the old cartridge style the relief valve was built into the male part of the cover that the filter slid over.


You listed 2 different filters that you used, does one of them not have a relief valve? I'm looking at the black, plastic filter cap/tube, that holds the cartridge filter in place. It has a spring tension to it, but in my opinion, that spring tension is to hold the filter in place once it's installed. Without the spring tension, the filter wouldn't seal properly at either end. Is that the mechanism that you believe is the relief valve?


Both filters have relief valves one filter is a little longer than the other. Yes the plastic tube w/the spring. You are correct it does hold the filter tight and also acts as the relief valve.IMO
http://www.finishlineperformance.com/store/product.php?productid=16840&cat=288&page=1

 

[D Bone]

Thanks for the link.......That's what it looks like guys.

 

[brandini]

I have that on my Mazda6 2.3

Amsoil EAO33 then the 57 when they updated their application guide. Never had any issues except they were discontinuing the eao57...