350i oil filter drain-down trauma - do i have the wrong one?

[sprevett]

I noticed after my oil & filter change that on start-up from cold I had no oil pressure for a good 6 seconds after firing. and when i removed the filter (which sits face down in the engine bay) it was empty! Sooooo...it must be draining down?

Can anyone confirm/deny my diagnosis and tell me which filter is the right one - and should it be a not-draining-down-type? I was recommended to fit a FRAM PH5534 (might be 5543 can't remember) but this looked identical to the suspect one I removed...

I have now fitted a Wix 7114 which is taller than the FRAM and looks like its internals are anti-drain like...but this might not be right either?

[cuneus]

Did you fill the filter with oil ?

How long before refilling ?

[350zwelgje]

Think that no oil pressure is not linked to the filter. If there is no valve in the filter it just takes a bit more time to get to operating pressure, but no problem in the short term.

Did you take a long time to put filter and oil back in? If yes, it is possible that the oilpump is not primed anymore.
I would prime the oilpump and try again. For priming the oilpump you have three possibilities:
1. The vaseline method (not recommended, and you need to take the oilpump apart.
2. The Adam Q. method: open the pump up, and squeeze oil in until it runs out (more details in the wedge bible, or you can ask Adam online).
3. My preferred method: take distributor out, fit a tool to a drill and turn the oilpump until primed. Put distributor back (make sure it is the same position!), and Bob is your uncle. Have done it twice is didn't take more than 10 minutes, without taking oilpumps etc. apart.

Think that the good news is, that if you didn't try longer than 6 seconds no harm is done to the engine. Start the engine after priming and you probably are fine.

Rob

[sprevett]

thanks guys but I forgot to mention that I get good pressure after 6 secs every time I start the car - i just don't remember it taking that long to get pressure up on a cold start, before the oil & filter was changed.

So I assume the pump is primed OK (following the oil change) as the car runs fine with good pressure, but the next day it takes 6 secs at least when I start the car from cold. Maybe it's just normal, but I have assumed that the filter is draining down overnight and that a different filter would fix it?

[350zwelgje]

sprevett said:

thanks guys but I forgot to mention that I get good pressure after 6 secs every time I start the car - i just don't remember it taking that long to get pressure up on a cold start, before the oil & filter was changed.

So I assume the pump is primed OK (following the oil change) as the car runs fine with good pressure, but the next day it takes 6 secs at least when I start the car from cold. Maybe it's just normal, but I have assumed that the filter is draining down overnight and that a different filter would fix it?

What oil are you using? At this time of year in the cold a 20w.. something together with no valve in the filter, and very low oil level (but probably not the case I hope) it could happen. I have the same oil as last summer and it takes double the time to build up the pressure during winter. Don't think it is six seconds, after a day, but more like 4 seconds after a week or so.....(car living outside). At the moment it has 20W50, and know I should have now 15 or even 10W40 (for the winter only).
I would try to change the oil to a 15 or even 10W.... to see if it is still happening.
By the way, the sensors and switches can be temperamental as well, only making you feel bad and restoring to old settings of no reason or intervention.

Rob

[sprevett]

ah good point Rob - yes Im using 20/50, so might just be that. I'll see what happens with the new filter I fitted today and report back!

[thomas7037]

Hey a good tip instead of buying a tool you can use a socket extention and a 12mm socket i seem to recall. make sure its good gear though dont want a lose tool running round your timing chain. cheap tools don't make sense anyway.

[leorest]

350zwelgje said:

For priming the oilpump you have three possibilities:

... My method is to pour oil down the oil filter housing and also prefill the filter with oil. It's a bit messy when you invert the filter and screw it on but with plenty of rags and newspaper around you can contain the situation. I've always had the oil light go out quickly after a filter change using this method

[pwd95]

Just changed my oil from 20/50 to 10/40 and it takes 3-4 secs quicker to get oil pressure.

[sprevett]

today car cold start much better with the WIX WL7114 filter fitted. 3-4 secs quicker to gain pressure and looking at the innards of the 7114 I think it has better anti-draindown design compared to the filter that came off.

[adam quantrill]

350zwelgje said:

2. The Adam Q. method: open the pump up, and squeeze oil in until it runs out (more details in the wedge bible, or you can ask Adam online).

Rob

I don't open the pump, I squirts it down the hole in the remote filter housing. The whole point is to avoid opening the pump (and wasting all that loverly vaseline!)

Anyway, glad it's sorted.

[danny hoffman]

The correct FRAM part number is PH2821A

[sprevett]

thanks Danny - that's the number I came up with, which is equivalent to the WIX item I have fitted and is working well. what a carry on....do you think filter makers do this on purpose?

[grady]

Just why are the V-8 filters mounted "upside-down"? Is there room to reroute and tip over - or is that extra space the major advantage of 2 less cylinders?

[shpub]

Space. It does make them very easy to get to as well.

[TVR 3X]

I have upended the filter on the 390, it is simple if you don't have cissy power steering.

Russ