Car's Oil Filter Seal Blowing Out

[Lotsokids]

I know there are some intelligent folks here and I need help. My car (Trabant) has a Fiat engine installed. It sat for a couple weeks while I was travelling, but when I returned and started it, ALL the oil blew out of the oil filter seal. I could actually see the seal looped out of it's channel. So I drained the remaining handful of oil left in the engine and got a new oil filter, filled the oil, started it, and all the oil dumped again - same location. The auto parts store here noticed that the shoulder of the filter was nearly even with the center threaded area, so it would "shank out" before the filter's seal would fully compress. They gave me a deeper one today and after installation, it blew out again. Same location. At this point, I've dumped $45 worth of oil onto my landlord's garage floor. I've installed 3 different types of oil filters. Same problem.

Could it be a blockage in the oil system after the filter? That's my only guess. You cannot randomly swap engines here in Hungary without a copy of the registration of the vehicle the engine came out of, owner's name, etc. PLUS it changes the entire vehicle registration and a new technical inspection is required. It's actually very rediculous and would be a painful road to go down.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[weymouth399]

I had a small block Chevy do that after rebuild. I didn't put valve covers that could breath out the crank case pressure. (according to my Chevy mechanic friend) I enlarged the breathers and it was fixed.

This motor had huge oil presure, the pump was hi vol hi pres. And it would blow the oil filter seal out after 4000 RPMs.

Bob W

[Mark Olson]

you have some kind of restriction or excessive pressure build up in your engine.

I am not a fiat guy but is there some kind of oil filter bypass on that turd?

if you put your hand over the breather with it running is there a lot of crankcase pressure? 

is the engine knocking like it is getting no oil to the bearings?

weird shit .

[Lotsokids]

Thanks, good inputs. I did check the valve cover breather as I had problems with that also. Just now I took the valve cover breather completely off so now it's just an open hole. Then I flooded the engine trying to start it.

BUT... during the start attempt, my oil pressure gauge gradually pegged at 7 bar (100 psi). That was with the valve cover breather wide open.

There is not an oil bypass. It wasn't knocking prior. I can rebuild the engine - I've done about 12 Chevy small blocks from the ground up. I would just rather not... especially when all my engine tools are back in the U.S., then there's the language barrier when I order the parts and gaskets.

I found this on a forum:

It takes about 200 psi to blow out the oil filter gasket if the filter is installed right.

Even if that bypass is blocked it will not cause the problem you are having.

Oil preasure is regulated by a preset bypas in the oil pump with a calibrated spring. It dosn't matter whats blocked beond that it will still only make the 50 to 75 psi its suposed to.

If your filter is on right and you are blowing filter gaskets either you have seriosly high viscosity oil or the relief valve is stuck in the oil pump. The later is likely the case due to corrosion if the van has sat for some years.

On a lighter note, I told my son tonight that I think my Trabant is dying. He said, "It's kind of like adopting a 90 year old son. You should know it won't last very long."

[Sideburns]

What kind of Fiat engine is it? Do you know?
A 1000cc 4-cyl Panda engine?

Probably not many small Fiats in the U.S.
I can post a question on the right Fiat forum over here IF you know what engine is in the car

[SkyFive]

I'm not familiar with Fiat engines but all engines have a oil pressure relief valve, as does the Yamaha FJ. I'm also guessing it is in or around the oil filter adapter or on the oil pump itself. Typically, it's a spring loaded valve but could be as simple as a reed like valve. That is where I would start looking.

[Lotsokids]

What kind of Fiat engine is it? Do you know?
A 1000cc 4-cyl Panda engine?

I don't know the exact displacement, but it should be a 903cc with a whopping 44 horsepower! The previous owner told me it was out of a Fiat 127.

This is my engine (but CERTAINLY not my car - that color is painful to look at):

[Mark Olson]

Thanks, good inputs. I did check the valve cover breather as I had problems with that also. Just now I took the valve cover breather completely off so now it's just an open hole. Then I flooded the engine trying to start it.

BUT... during the start attempt, my oil pressure gauge gradually pegged at 7 bar (100 psi). That was with the valve cover breather wide open.

There is not an oil bypass. It wasn't knocking prior. I can rebuild the engine - I've done about 12 Chevy small blocks from the ground up. I would just rather not... especially when all my engine tools are back in the U.S., then there's the language barrier when I order the parts and gaskets.

I found this on a forum:

It takes about 200 psi to blow out the oil filter gasket if the filter is installed right.

Even if that bypass is blocked it will not cause the problem you are having.

Oil preasure is regulated by a preset bypas in the oil pump with a calibrated spring. It dosn't matter whats blocked beond that it will still only make the 50 to 75 psi its suposed to.

If your filter is on right and you are blowing filter gaskets either you have seriosly high viscosity oil or the relief valve is stuck in the oil pump. The later is likely the case due to corrosion if the van has sat for some years.

On a lighter note, I told my son tonight that I think my Trabant is dying. He said, "It's kind of like adopting a 90 year old son. You should know it won't last very long."

I forgot about the spring in the oil pump
so all you  gotta do is replace a oil pump and rock on.

[Lotsokids]

I forgot about the spring in the oil pump
so all you  gotta do is replace a oil pump and rock on.

I saw a picture of the oil pump and it's a big goofy part - a gear type pump. The relief valve is near it, but not part of the pump. I'll be pulling the oil pan tomorrow.

I started it briefly today and when I shut it off, I heard a lot of pressure escaping at the oil filter.

[tqmx1]

By the way when you remover the oil filter (the first itme) did the oil seal come off with it? If not it could still be stuck on the housing if so it will make one heck of a leak.

[FJmonkey]

By the way when you remover the oil filter (the first itme) did the oil seal come off with it? If not it could still be stuck on the housing if so it will make one heck of a leak.

I can second that, made a big spill under my 78' Chevy Malibu . Now I check every time I remove the filter and make sure I get clean metal on the seal seat before installing a new one.

[Lotsokids]

By the way when you remover the oil filter (the first itme) did the oil seal come off with it? If not it could still be stuck on the housing if so it will make one heck of a leak.

Yes, the seal came off with it. I read that was a problem. The oil filter kind of angles down from the top, with fairly easy access under the hood. The bare surface is easily seen. As soon as I post this, I'm pulling the pan and oil pump. Not sure what I'll find. Maybe when someone filled the oil, they dropped their hammer-and-sickle pin down there... 

[Lotsokids]

The oil pump is much different than what I expected. I think the pressure relief is in the center of the body.
Seems the pickup screen is doing it's job. There are literally small rocks and garbage in that screen! Take a look...



Heading out now to get a new pump.

[Lotsokids]

P.S. - This is all that was holding the left side of my front bumper on!

[FJmonkey]

P.S. - This is all that was holding the left side of my front bumper on!

I am sure the bumper on that car is more cosmetic than functional anyway...