Foil in Engine??

[FPoitra]

Just finished reading article in TDR mag about foil falling in filter during priming. I could'nt believe what I was reading. I never heard of this in my life but sounds pretty serious. And of course I just got my free oil change and wondered if the techy was careful while priming my oil filter with the foil ridden Rotella Jugs. Why doesnt Shell just change their containers to eliminate the problem. All the little things I tell ya!!! I hope I dont lose any sleep.

 

[Diesel Gunner]

Delo changed their little foil thing because of this problem, believe it or not. Cat does not encourage filling filters with oil. Think about it. Given that you will have boundary lubrication all over the engine, and the volume that the oil pump is capable of pumping, how long will it take to have oil pressure after startup with an empty filter?



Sure it may take several rotations, maybe even 20? But, that is far less damaging than having PCN's or J-Jets clogged. It was also discovered that the foil seals were being introduced into the engines when the neck of the bottle was removed from the oil filler port and scraping them off.



Moral of the story? If you prefill your filter, make sure to carefully remove the foil seals on the oil containers. And, do the same before refilling the crankcase or topping off.

 

[Ramrod]

The shell Rotella I purchased the other day at Wal mart WAS different. Instead of a flat foil that you would have to penetrate and remove they now have the same set up with a flap that you can pull a tab and pull the whole foil cover off as a whole. I read that too, but was happy to find what I purchased the other day was a fix in my opinion.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Besides getting lube quicker I like to prefill my filter so there's not as much shock to the media from the inrush of oil at startup. It's probably not that hard on it, I'm just a bit anal



Vaughn

 

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by Diesel Gunner

Moral of the story? If you prefill your filter, make sure to carefully remove the foil seals on the oil containers. And, do the same before refilling the crankcase or topping off.

I cannot imagine that anyone that is mechanic enough to change the oil would not make sure that the foil is removed from the cap before putting the oil in his crankcase/filter. If it is that much of a worry then just use one of those funnels with a strainer in it. I suppose you could drop the plastic cap in the crankcase, too, if you tried hard enough.



Dean

 

[rbattelle]

So simple, yet so brilliant

Great idea with the filter funnel, Dean. Wish I had thought of it!

 

[DPKetchum]

Folks that don't know how to use RTV also create problems. Have found RTV worms in all areas of motors,transfers cases and differantials.

 

[CROW]

The problem of foil getting into engine internals was in this last issue of the TDR and in one a couple years ago. Did a couple of changes using the gallon containers, had a little trouble being sure the foil was all off, and then changed where now I buy two gallons and four quarts since the quart bottles do not have a foil seal. Also it seems easier to prefill the oil filter using a quart container rather than a gallon container. If Rotella has changed the seal that will solve the problem. Oh the things we do to keep these trucks -or is it us-happy.

 

[Diesel Gunner]

Well, Dean, I don't know if you use the Delo or Rotella (and for that matter any other oil product in one gallon plastic bottles, since they are all probably made by the same manufacturer) but that is exactly why the foil seal was changed to the paper and foil seal with the pull tab. There had been enough cases of engine damage and or failure due to small pieces of the foil seal getting into the engine. Granted, I would not want some nimrod who simply pokes his finger into the seal to break it doing my oil change. But, those Waldo's are out there.



It's sorta like the lowest common denominator theory. So, the lubricant manufacturers change their packaging for the complete idiot ( no offense to any idiots, of course ). You know, if it can happen, it will.



Having said all that, I tend to agree with you.

 

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by Diesel Gunner

Well, Dean, I don't know if you use the Delo or Rotella (and for that matter any other oil product in one gallon plastic bottles, since they are all probably made by the same manufacturer) but that is exactly why the foil seal was changed to the paper and foil seal with the pull tab. There had been enough cases of engine damage and or failure due to small pieces of the foil seal getting into the engine. Granted, I would not want some nimrod who simply pokes his finger into the seal to break it doing my oil change. But, those Waldo's are out there.



It's sorta like the lowest common denominator theory. So, the lubricant manufacturers change their packaging for the complete idiot ( no offense to any idiots, of course ). You know, if it can happen, it will.



Having said all that, I tend to agree with you.

And I with you, Gunner . I think the change in packaging is a good idea. I've used Rotella for years.



Dean

 

[Duck]

I like to buy the gallon containers because the lids are larger and I don't drop so many into the crankcase. Also, be sure you get the containers with the plastic caps. They break apart faster and stand a better chance of being chewed up and dissolved than the metal caps.

 

[scotty1]

Plastic is an oil based product anyway...

Originally posted by Duck

I like to buy the gallon containers because the lids are larger and I don't drop so many into the crankcase. Also, be sure you get the containers with the plastic caps. They break apart faster and stand a better chance of being chewed up and dissolved than the metal caps.

So it should fit right into the crankcase and we'd never have a problem. Hey, since plastic is oil based and so is diesel... maybe I can dump all the lids into the tank and improve my lubricity and cetane levels? YEAH YEAH thats it... I'm onto something... or maybe ON something. Oo.

 

[sag2]

OK, I want to know how the foil gets through the filter or the pick up screen???

 

[Crunch]

Originally posted by sag2

OK, I want to know how the foil gets through the filter or the pick up screen???

When people fill their filter with oil they often pour the oil into the center of the filter, which feeds directly back into the engine. Once in the engine who knows how it will circulate...

 

[DPKetchum]

No problem here I've never primed a filter unless its a fresh start after a rebuild/new engine etc.