Oil Filter Question

Post by **MattRuch** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 12:38 pm

Good Sunday morning to all.

1969 Morris Minor w/ 1098 A-series engine and original oil filter housing.

I've been turning the engine over in anticipation of installing the plugs and starting it for the first time since the engine out service I've done.

I've got a significant leak from the oil filter housing...right at the bolt. It is NOT running down from the rubber oil seal.

This is the order I installed it (if you were looking at it as it's installed with the bolt head at the bottom) in ascending order:
Bolt
Washer
O-ring
Canister
Spring

Also, what is the purpose of the spring?

Perhaps the o-ring installs directly below the spring? If so, the spring seems too short to be compressed by the oil filter bracket.

What am I missing?

Post by **mike.perry** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 12:52 pm

There should be a plate under the filter element so that the element pushes down on the plate which compresses the spring and the whole unit should bolt up tight with the rubber washer stopping leaks past the bolt.
On the Series MM the whole assembly is held in place by a circlip.

Post by **MattRuch** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 1:29 pm

Mike-

Thank you for the reply . It seems that I'm somehow missing the plate...I'm not quite clear on how it all fits together...

Is the rubber washer fitted inside or outside the canister?

Sun Jan 18, 2009 1:47 pm

matt look on the old oil filter.. it is not uncommon for the plate to stick to the old paper filter ( seems to happen every time i take mine apart) as you take it out and if you are not expecting it to be there it is easy to miss with all the oil

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 2:37 pm

If that plate is missing - then there is NO filtration taking place. Most common cause of wrecked Minor engines - apart from simply neglecting to keep the oil up to the dip-stick of course. The spring goes under the plate -and the filter element on top. As for sealing - there should be a rubber seal under the bolthead.

Post by **MattRuch** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 2:48 pm

Thanks again. The old filter likely had the metal plate attached to it, and it has been taken away months ago by the dust bin man...

I'll procure another and also obtain a new O-ring washer.

Brilliant again lads-thank you for your time.

PS-The rope trick to hold the piston so I could attach the flywheel nut worked brilliantly!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 2:56 pm

Flywheel nut ??????????????
BTW - there must also be a little felt washer between the plate and the oil filter element. This is mentioned - with no picture - in page AAA of the workshop manual. Sadly - the whole oil filter assembly is very poorly dealt with in the manual.

Post by **MattRuch** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 3:09 pm

Correction...crankshaft nut pulley.

Copy on the felt washer. I hope to procure the bits I need tomorrow.

PS-Any chance you plan to re-locate to Norfolk? I sure wouldn't mind you as a neighbour!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 3:14 pm

Is it warm and sunny ?? Cos it's anything BUT up here in Ecosseland at the moment!

Post by **MattRuch** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 3:16 pm

It's gorgeous and sunny. Not warm, but all in all, a fantastic day.

Post by **PSL184** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 3:20 pm

Matt - a while back the metal discs were almost impossible to buy new and could only be got secondhand - I don't know if this is still the case now, but, even after you have bought the new bits you wil be well on the way to spending a similar amount to a "spin on conversion kit" £20 ish from the online suppliers... It makes the job of changing oil and filter so much easier, cleaner and you'll never loose the bits or get a leak again - Personnally, I also tink you get better filtration too....

http://www.morrisminorspares.net/shop_item.php?ID=2046

Post by **MattRuch** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 3:31 pm

I'm not opposed to that, PSL (I wish you lads used your real names!). I'd not even considered that. Hmmmm...

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 3:43 pm

Easy enough to change the standard filter - just don't lose the plate! Not too hard to make a plate - that's all it is (some originals were dished - but can be flat) with a hole in the middle for the bolt! Perhaps the workshops could run one up for you Matt!! 1.5/2mm thick - and diameter of the paper filter should do it.

Post by **PSL184** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 4:32 pm

Matt, my "real" name is Rich! As BMC (Roy) says, its not that hard to change the canister type filter but it is a lot easier to change the cartridge type! Each to there own really but if you plan on keeping the car for a while and want to make life easier then my choice would be for the conversion - esp as it's relativly a cheap one and even cheaper if you went to the local scrappy and got one off a mini or some other similar A Series engined car....

Post by **MattRuch** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 4:39 pm

Roy/Rich-
I'll check with DSN classics (just up the road) and see what my quick options are. I'll let you know-thanks again
Cheers

Post by **iddy** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 11:46 am

The part costs about £2 from ESM spares.
I've got a gif diagram showing the assembly of the three types of paper filters. If anyone wants a copy email me.

iddy

Post by **IslipMinor** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 4:05 pm

Matt,

Quick visit to the breakers for the later 'spin on' filter head. Late Mini's and all A-Series engined Metros had them. Makes filter changing a real doddle! If you have a choice, get one with the full length top strengthening 'rib', the short ones are known to crack at the top of the housing.

Post by **alainmoran** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 4:27 pm

There is something to be said for the lower environmental impact paper filter though ;)

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 7:23 pm

Flares up nicely in the fire too!