Mobil 1 Oil Filter Failure

[Torched 03 Mach]

I have a huge problem:

I have a 2003 Mach 1 with 44k on it.

The other morning on my way to work I hear a slight rattle or knocking sound. Strange I think to my self, I pull into a gas station and raise the hood and sure enough something is not right. My local dealer is just a little ways down the road from where I was so I took it to them. After a fews days last night I get a phone call from the dealer and they tell me that the entire engine is damaged due to oil starvation and that the Mobil 1 oil filter was defective and some type of seal that is normally in it is missing and looks like it was sucked up into the engine. They have a orange silicon substance through out the engine. Then he proceeds to tell me that Ford will not cover this in my extended warranty and it will cost me around $6200 to repair. He then gave me Mobil 1's oil filter hot lines phone number and told me to call and file a complaint. I did and they pretty much denied that it could have been caused by the filter. If anyone has any contacts at Ford about the warranty please let me know, it does not seem fair to the customer to pay for repairs due to a part failure but I am not sure.

Thanks in advance.

[mach1 obsessed]

Man that is horrible to hear. I can see how Ford would deny warranty though as the oil filter is basically an aftermarket part. (they didn't make it or install it) They are right I believe; your fight would be with Mobil. I hope you can provide proof and Mobil will do the right thing. Sounds like a long battle not easily won.

[ZincDude]

Wow Mobil One sounds like the culprit.

[GRB60]

YOU need to hire an independent expert (either an ASE qualified mechanic or an engineering firm) to inspect, determine the cause of the problem, and document it. If you don't, Ford and Mobil will point fingers at each other and you'll be left without your car. Also, notify Mobil of the problem in writing and let them know how to contact you to inspect the damage. If they should eventually be sued they won't be able to argue that they were denied the opportunity to see it for themselves.

[mach1nola]

**** I use Mobile one oil filters!!!!

[JJPMach1]

man that sucks.

I was thinking of getting one of these for my Mach, and then I could just run a regular filter in the Mach. But this wouldn't have even helped in your case.

http://www.oilguard.com/

[FordMan]

Sorry to hear this news. I have just continued to use MotorCraft engine oil and oil filters in mine since the car was new, and never saw any real need to switch to Mobil 1, Royal Purple, Amsoil, etc. products that are often marketed as being "better" than the OEM oil.

[TJ4Cam]

Originally Posted by FordMan

Sorry to hear this news. I have just continued to use MotorCraft engine oil and oil filters in mine since the car was new, and never saw any real need to switch to Mobil 1, Royal Purple, Amsoil, etc. products that are often marketed as being "better" than the OEM oil.

+1!! I never seen the need either, esp the way I drive mine..staying with Motorcraft parts!

[DTMach1]

a seal? The only seal is a little rubber gasket...I doubt that would've caused much engine damage, if at all.

Go down there with your digi-cam and take pics of the "damage" esp. the oil filter. Ask a mechanic to show you what is mising on the filter, and take a pic of it. Then ask him to show you exactly what's wrong with your engine...then take some more pics. You'll need to keep those pics and send some to Mobil-1 or whatever you decide.

Also, please post of pics if you get them. Something does not sound right about this.

[DTMach1]

Originally Posted by Mach1Marauder

The seal that they are talking about is the anti-drain back.

how would that get sucked back through the oil system is my real question I guess.

[RightTime]

Was it the grey filter or the black filter? See attached picture. There is an orange rubber material just inside the top of the filter, can't see how that could have gotten through the filter housing and gotten shredded. Get your hands on that damaged filter element, or at least some pictures!!!!!!!!!
I've gone through 6 Mobil 1 filters and no problems yet!!

[YELLOW_STL_MACH]

The only orange rubber I see in the poic 2 posts ago is a BIG piece. How the hell could that thing get sucked in the engine??

Take LOTS of so you can defend your case.

[YELLOW_STL_MACH]

Originally Posted by Mach1Marauder

I need to remind you guys and the dealer that the Motorcraft filter touts a silicon anti-drainback valve on it's filter also!!!!

But I'm sure the stealership will claim that THEIR valve is impervious to being pulled into the engine due to their superior design.

[FordMan]

I imagine if you researched the matter nearly all oil filters are made by just a couple of manufacturers. It's mostly marketing that makes this one "better" than that one. I change the oil and filter every 3,000 miles, and thus don't really need to be concerned with whether the Mobil 1 or the K&N or the Amsoil filter is touted as supposedly better than the MotorCraft version.

[Torched 03 Mach]

Originally Posted by Mach1Marauder

The seal that they are talking about is the anti-drain back.

This is exactly what happened and pieces of the seal are through out the engine , he only removed the passenger side valve cover and a piece of it is sticking out of the oil return. Mobil 1 has sent me a return package to return the oil filter and fill out a claim for the problem. If they do find that it was a faulty filter then they send my claim to their liability department to see if they are liable for repairs. This will be a long rocky road I am sure. I will keep you posted and post some pics of the fried cam shaft bearings later.

[Torched 03 Mach]

Originally Posted by RightTime

Was it the grey filter or the black filter? See attached picture. There is an orange rubber material just inside the top of the filter, can't see how that could have gotten through the filter housing and gotten shredded. Get your hands on that damaged filter element, or at least some pictures!!!!!!!!!
I've gone through 6 Mobil 1 filters and no problems yet!!

It was the black one. The orange seal is not in the filter.

[YELLOW_STL_MACH]

dam! Good luck and keep us posted.

[3150Mach1]

This really sucks. Who installed the filter that failed?

[torchredmach]

subscribing...

[Torched 03 Mach]

Originally Posted by 03Mach150BP

This really sucks. Who installed the filter that failed?

I did of course

[StangIT]

WTF difference should that make?!
Who cares WHO installed it, the filter failed due to a manufacturing defect or SOMETHING.
A monkey can install an oil-filter!... Righty Tighty - Lefty Loosey!

Originally Posted by Torched 03 Mach

I did of course

Originally Posted by 03Mach150BP

This really sucks. Who installed the filter that failed?

[Aerowrench]

Read this! Taken from this site - (re: Mobil 1 Oil filter)
Not the same # but same manf. and construction!

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html

M1-301
Like the Champ filter, this filter is made by Champion Labs. However, it uses a unique end plate and a thicker can that make it the strongest filter available for wide distribution retail sale. It also uses a synthetic media, which inproves filtration and flow. I'm happy to say that this filter is not a fake. It is definitely a unique design.

It uses a synthetic fiber element that can filter out very small particles and is very strong. It is rated just under the Purolator Pure One as far as filtering capability, but is still very much above conventional paper filters. It also has a very strong construction to withstand high pressure spikes during start-up. However, as with all Mobil 1 products, expect to pay 2 - 3 times as much for this filter.

I have received many reports of these filters failing at high pressures. It seems that the seam where the backplate crimps to the case can split.
Exploded view:



Average Retail Price $10
Cartridge Length 4.250 inches
Cartridge Outside Diameter 3.250 inches
Cartridge Inside Diameter 1.625 inches
Cartridge Pleats 52
Cartridge End Cap Type Stamped-steel, with bypass valve
Anti-Drainback Valve Type Nitrile rubber diaphragm
Bypass Valve Type Spring-loaded steel, nitrile seal
Element Type Synthetic media, glued seam
Element Length 85 inches
Element Width 4.125 inches
Element Surface Area 351 square inches
Shell Thickness 0.022 inches
Backplate Thickness 0.138 inches
Gasket Type Nitrile rubber

[Aerowrench]

You got yourself a lawsuit, Dude!

[grapony]

Any updates?

[Torched 03 Mach]

Well good news guys, the claims adjuster from Mobil One called me on Monday and let me know that it was a bad filter and Mobil accepts full responsibility for the engine damage and authorized Szott Ford 6,898.45 for the repairs. They also hooked me up with a rental car for the rest of the process. So six weeks later and a lot of hoops and run around Mobil stands behind their product. I am so excited to have my baby back!!!