Oil Filter? how old do you think it is?

[Deleted User]

This is a picture of the oil filter in my car - was brought in for a service last week and this was supposed to be changed... does this look like a 4 day old oil filter to any of you? - thanks

CHR15

It doesn't look good does it but are you sure the whole filter body is required to be changed?

It may be just a paper element filter for your car. If that is the case they would have removed the case (you can see the scratches and grooves where they removed it), replaced the element inside the case, and refitted it.

Either way it looks like they didn't replace the seal when (if) they did it


What type of car is it?

anewman

You tend to get grime build up like that over time where oil leaks. If it was 4 days old and there happened to be an oil leak there I'd expect it to be mostly plain oil - unless you'd done intergalactic mileages. And I mean like driven non-stop for 4 days. Even then I doubt it would look like that.

[Deleted User]

Nissan almera tino di se (2.2 diesel) straight after I got the service I noticed the fuel filter hadn't been changed and took it back immediately - just today managed to look under the car to check the oil filter...

anewman

CHR15 wrote: »

they would have removed the case (you can see the scratches and grooves where they removed it), replaced the element inside the case, and refitted it.

I'd have expected the greasy marks to have shifted more leaving a bit of clean area. Or to see some sort of obvious marks where they've spinned it off and spinned it back on. I presume the line in the middle is where the OP has dragged their finger along it.

[Deleted User]

CHR15

THIS ONE ON EBAY seems to suggest it is an element type filter so I don't think you can assume it hasn't been changed.

If the Oil hadn't been drained for long enough, there would be enough left to discolour the new oil quite quickly.

I jumped to a similar conclusion when I put my Saab Diesel in for its first service. It was black within a day.
When I used to change my petrol engined cars, the oil remained fairly clear for ages. The only way to avoid it would be to flush the oil.

It is a blimmin mess though :)


I would give it a good wipe over cleaning the whole area.
You will then see if there are any leaks and take it back to them.

anewman

Actually there is kind of a cleanish ring around the bottom - so if it is the type that CHR15 mentions....

[Deleted User]

yes - so maybe it has been changed... I am perhaps a little paranoid because they didn't replace the fuel filter

I always assumed an oil filter was replaced as a whole - not just an element

hewhoisnotintheknow

looks like its undone with a socket, so i would assume its done (if its a paper element)

CHR15

Still not very good work by the garage though. They could have at least given it a wipe over