Wix Filter Failure - WOW

[JOD]

Originally Posted By: hate2work

This thread should be re-named "Wix Install Failure".


I'm not sure why everyone is so quick to claim that's the case?

Maybe, but if you read the thread, the guy seemed to do everything correctly. He lubed the base gasket and turned it 1/2 a turn (which is, on most filters, the correct angle torque). Whether or not he used a filter wrench to tighten it means nothing--angle torque is angle torque. And if you read the thread, he simply used the filter wrench for clearance issues.

He was also backing up just to watch and check for leaks, so he was even doing that correctly (not just getting in and driving away). In other words, he seems like a guy who has changed his own oil before, and knows what he's doing...

Maybe he's misremembering--or maybe the gasket was actually defective. Bottom line is that it's a good reminder to always check for leaks after changing your oil.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: JOD

Maybe he's misremembering--or maybe the gasket was actually defective.


After reading the linked thread, I don't think the guy over tightened the filter. He makes it sound like he might have only got about a 1/4 turn on it by hand (due to access and slippery a hand), and then another 1/2 turn after that. I think the gasket somehow popped out of the gasket groove and got pinched during tightening. If not, the it probably did have a defect that made it fail when it got stressed during tightening.

 

[kender]

Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: JOD

Maybe he's misremembering--or maybe the gasket was actually defective.


After reading the linked thread, I don't think the guy over tightened the filter. He makes it sound like he might have only got about a 1/4 turn on it by hand (due to access and slippery a hand), and then another 1/2 turn after that. I think the gasket somehow popped out of the gasket groove and got pinched during tightening. If not, the it probably did have a defect that made it fail when it got stressed during tightening.


How can you make that conclusion by looking at the photos?

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: kender
Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: JOD

Maybe he's misremembering--or maybe the gasket was actually defective.


After reading the linked thread, I don't think the guy over tightened the filter. He makes it sound like he might have only got about a 1/4 turn on it by hand (due to access and slippery a hand), and then another 1/2 turn after that. I think the gasket somehow popped out of the gasket groove and got pinched during tightening. If not, the it probably did have a defect that made it fail when it got stressed during tightening.


How can you make that conclusion by looking at the photos?


Someone has a bunch of sand caught up in the private area.

Still sore there?

 

[kender]

Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: kender
Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: JOD

Maybe he's misremembering--or maybe the gasket was actually defective.


After reading the linked thread, I don't think the guy over tightened the filter. He makes it sound like he might have only got about a 1/4 turn on it by hand (due to access and slippery a hand), and then another 1/2 turn after that. I think the gasket somehow popped out of the gasket groove and got pinched during tightening. If not, the it probably did have a defect that made it fail when it got stressed during tightening.


How can you make that conclusion by looking at the photos?


Someone has a bunch of sand caught up in the private area.

Still sore there?

Nope! Just an "observation" LOL

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: kender

Nope! Just an "observation" LOL


Well, I'm observing someone that's sore over something. Get over it.

 

[kender]

Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: kender

Nope! Just an "observation" LOL


Well, I'm observing someone that sore over something. Get over it.

Ummmmmmm, OK LOL

 

[Pete C.]

Originally Posted By: JOD
How can you make that conclusion by looking at the photos?


I can say that, because I've seen hundreds of those returned to us as "defective" filters. Plain and simple the person installing the filter did not lube the gasket/ make sure the gasket was properly seated and over tightened the filter until the gasket was pinched between the mounting flange and the radius on the outer edge of the gasket retainer. Then he started the vehicle and without checking, decided to move it.

This is a repost from the MOPAR site. the OP here had it correct when he stated " Something amiss with the installation I suppose."

 

[JOD]

Originally Posted By: Pete C.
Originally Posted By: JOD
How can you make that conclusion by looking at the photos?


I can say that, because I've seen hundreds of those returned to us as "defective" filters. Plain and simple the person installing the filter did not lube the gasket/ make sure the gasket was properly seated and over tightened the filter until the gasket was pinched between the mounting flange and the radius on the outer edge of the gasket retainer. Then he started the vehicle and without checking, decided to move it.

This is a repost from the MOPAR site. the OP here had it correct when he stated " Something amiss with the installation I suppose."


As I said, maybe.

However, he claims that he did the following:

-lubed the base gasket

-turned the filter 1/2 turn

-started the car and backed it up to check for leaks

In short, he disputes everything you've claimed. Unless he videotaped the entire procedure, it's his word against random internet speculation. I don't know what the truth is, but I can believe that the gasket can be defective or damaged during manufacture. Things happen.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: JOD


However, he claims that he did the following:

-lubed the base gasket

-turned the filter 1/2 turn

-started the car and backed it up to check for leaks


Here are various cut & paste quotes from him in the OP's linked thread. Note the red text. I think it was tighter than 1/2 turn. but doubt it was over 1 turn tight.

Quote:
I get home and drained the oil out of the 383, removed the filter, lubed up the ring on my new Wix, hand tightened it, gave it another half turn with my filter wrench, and then put some fresh oil in.

I gave the filter a gentile half turn with a filter wrench because the filter was a little slippery with oil, along with its position there in the front of the engine wedged in alongside the lower radiator hose, I couldn't tighten it very much by hand.

The filter on my 383 would be easy to manipulate by hand if I took the lower radiator hose off, maybe not even doing that, but its cumbersome, I don't see that as being necessary if you use common sense, by hand or using a wrench, you can feel how much force your applying and judge if you are overtightening it. I've never had a oil filter I've installed take much effort at all to remove, translated, that means they are not overtightened and I will continue to do the same thing I've done 10X a year for the last 30 years when doing my oil changes.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: JOD
However, he claims that he did the following:

-lubed the base gasket

-turned the filter 1/2 turn

-started the car and backed it up to check for leaks

In short, he disputes everything you've claimed. Unless he videotaped the entire procedure, it's his word against random internet speculation. I don't know what the truth is, but I can believe that the gasket can be defective or damaged during manufacture. Things happen.


I agree it's certainly possible. However, if he did all that he claims to have done, and the gasket were damaged or brittle, how did he not notice this while lubing the gasket? When I lube a filter gasket, my finger would notice nicks or cracks in the gasket and if the gasket were brittle.

It is all speculation, I agree. Even the person to whom this happened is only speculating. He can't be sure that the gasket didn't come off part way and get pinched when he put the filter on. He can't be sure he didn't leave the other gasket behind. He can't be sure the mating surface was clean.

 

[Jim Allen]

None of us can know the true story and it's hardly worth the effort to debate it at all with such a dearth of facts. What's more... who cares?

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: Jim Allen
None of us can know the true story and it's hardly worth the effort to debate it at all with such a dearth of facts. What's more... who cares?


Bingo. I've used hundreds of Wix filters over the years, and I haven't come across anything like this, so I'm not worried in the least.

 

[Virtuoso]

Apparantly we care, or there would not be 53 posts in this thread..

 

[slalom44]

Wix would stand behind the product and reimburse him if the gasket was brittle. It's cut and dried and easy to prove. The guy is just complaining to get sympathy. He didn't even contact wix to get reimbursed.

How can a gasket contained in a groove fracture at two separate places? The gasket would fail at its weakest point, not multiple points unless it had multiple pinch points. Look at the photo carefully - next to the fracture the surface is discolored, like it was pinched.

If it was a brittle gasket, Wix would have gottten far more rejections - they don't make those gaskets one at a time. Besides - I'm pretty sure that Wix doesn't even make the gaskets.

If this guy did have a pinched gasket out of the groove, that would explain why he used the filter wrench to tighten it more.

If the guy did pinch the gasket and install it wrong, do you really think he would post the truth? I'm sure that lots of people want to give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he is honest and intelligent, but the evidence suggests otherwise.