Saturn 2.2L Ecotec

[ryansride2017]

Does anyone have any knowledge of Saturn's 2.2L Ecotec engine relating to the oil filter. It has a replaceable cartridge. I always hear of oil filters that have no anti-drain back valves and how its best to avoid them (FRAM). When the engine is shut off, all of the oil is drained from this compartment where the cartridge is kept. There is a cap you remove on top of the compartment that reveals the filter cartridge. If anti-drain back valves are beneficial, why would Saturn engineer such an oil filtration system? I would think synthetic oils are critical for this engine to ensure quick lubrication on start-up. Any thoughts?

 

[Ken2]

Why did Saturn engineer such buzzy engines? Why did Saturn (and Cadillac) engineer pistons where the rings got too hot, the excess oil can't drain, the oil baked to carbon, and the rings no longer scrape the oil off the cylinder walls the way they should?

Why does anybody buy GM? They love piston slap? They love being treated like a tester for the new pickup truck's $5000 4-wheel steering that's failing?


Ken

 

[mkosem]

Ken: The 2.2L ecotec engine is nothing like the infamous 1.9L LLO engine that burns lots of oil. He'll have no such problems with that engine.

Ryan: I believe there is just a cap that resembles an oil filter over the element.

--Matt

 

[mkosem]

hmm, I'm really not very familiar with the ecotec engine as far as that go's. I recommend you drop into one of the following saturn boards:

http://www.xtremesaturn.com/phpbb
http://www.saturnfans.com/forums

There's lots of saturn drivers and a few techs on those boards that'd be happy to answer your question.

--Matt

 

[ryansride2017]

Matt,

There is a cap that I unscrew (with 1.25 inch socket) which holds the filter element into place in the filter assembly. At the bottom of the assembly, there are holes which allow the oil to escape once the engine is shut off. I would like to hear from someone who is familiar with the engine to explain to me the filtering process in this engine. I would imagine the engine is "starved" for oil (just like engines with filters that do not have anti-drain back valves) at start-up (while this assembly is filling with oil) and using synthetic oil is critical to ensure that the assembly fills up with oil as quick as possible so the top side of the engine can be lubricated at start-up.

[ February 04, 2003, 12:35 PM: Message edited by: ryansride2017 ]

 

[labman]

I am new here, and I just found your question. I have an 02 Caviler with likely the same Ecotec engine. GM claims it is going to be a very high volume, widely used engine. I am still waiting for the price of the oil filter cartridges to drop. It burns me to pay $8 for plastic end caps and no metal housing. I recently came by the WIX and Hastings numbers, 51365 and LF548 if you want them. My local parts store doesn't have a listing in their book. Next oil change, I will see what they have on the shelf.

As for the anti drain back valve, likely it is designed in somewhere else. If your oil light goes out as soon as the engine starts, and you don't hear any knocking or rattling at start up, there isn't a problem. I am changing oil every 3 months, and with 20,000 miles, haven't added any between changes. I am using regular Pennzoil 5W30.

I discovered the same oil filter socket as fits the PF 47, 52, etc. also fits that plastic cap. I already had a 5/4 socket and have been using it.

 

[manualman]

Saturn was one of the earlier makers adopting the anti-drainback valve. In the early 90's dealers new car clinics always pointed this feature out and encouraged owners to make sure they used a filter with such a valve. Thus, I'd be shocked if they just plain "forgot" to ensure this issue was addressed in the engine that now powers 90% of the cars they sell.

Ken, no need to be a troll. This is a civilized site.

 

[darrenc]

Cartridge type replacement oil filters are not unique to Saturn. BMW and Volvo both use them, and have used them for some time. Prior to the invention of the spin-on Purolater filter, most vehicles used them. In the Volvo application, the filter is mounted vertically (like a GM small block V8). In this configuration an anti-drain back valve really doesn’t matter since gravity will always keep oil in the filter. In other applications where the filter isn’t mounted vertically, the manufacturer will have the anti-drain back valve built into the crankcase such as in the current GM trucks. I wouldn’t worry about it. Instead, have satisfaction that you may be eliminating the steel filter casing from a landfill (unless you live in an area that crushes and recycles your filter steel, which is also wasteful). I would also source your filters from Napa or Carquest. That way you get a quality filter at a reduced price.

I think we will see more and more cars moving away from the spin-on filter and moving towards the reusable case/cartridge insert filter.

 

[vvk]

MANN HU 69/2 will fit.