Oil filter blowing up

I just got done replacing the timing cover gasket and the oil pump seems to be cloged or something.It blew the rubber gasket out of the oil filter like the return is plugged has any one had this happen.It's been ok for about a week then this started

I've seen this happen with FRAM oil filters. Chunks of anti-drain back gasket, bypass assembly material or actual filter media winds up in the sump & on your oil pump pick up screen. Stay away from FRAM oil filters. Cut one apart & you'll see what I mean- really bad! :uhoh: .
Joel

Man thats bad news probably have to pull the oil pan now.Been kinda busy so I did not start fixing it yet.I may have got some crap in the oil pan when I had the timing cover off.I'm gonna start by pulling the oil pump and timing cover off and hope to get lucky.We had it changed at a minute lube and they put one of there filters on it but more then likely I got just enough crap in the pan when I cleaned the mounting surface to re apply the cover to clog the pick up tube.When I get the job done I'll post my results

I believe you're going to need to replace your oil pump. My husband & I had the exact same thing happen to us (over and over). We believed too it was buying the "cheap" filter, but it continued. Also thought maybe all the stores were giving us the wrong information & called numerous garages----it was the right size oil filter. Changing the oil pump fixed it.

I was wondering about that because just the pick-up screen being clogged would not cause the problem.A freind of mine is having the same problem with his new girlfreinds windstar.It's been snowy and cold so I did not finish the job yet but I did pull the pump.There is no way the return on the pump could be clogged.I have to pull the cover again and I will let you know what I find.

One thing is for sure these vans are a pile of junk.All the post about tranny problems.We had a $2500 tranny job as well.Brakes seem to be messed up for the 2 years weve had this van as well.First time I changed the brakes I found that the pads were wrong.I't takes a special brake pad that can easily replaced by a lower grade pad that warps the rotors.So I did pads and rotors.Brake lights are on again 3 months after the first brake job so I have even more work to do on them as well.luckily the rotors did not warp this time as I put the right pad on it.

The way I finally figured it out was by going to www.2carpros.com 'cause no on in our area had even heard of the ring blowing out on an oil filter. I highly recommend their site. You can search either by Make/Model, or by specific parts/conditions (like wont start). I happened to be browsing "oil" when I came across someone else who posted w/ the same question, and their recommendation was the oil pump. I'd almost bet on it...it's the only thing I've ever heard of that will do that.

Well like I said I pulled the oil pump off and it has no problem with it.The ring is blowing off because the oil cant return to the oil pan because of a blockage.Do you have a windstar?The oil pump can be removed because it is an external oil pump.There is no way the return could be blocked on this pump.I have a 1995.I'm not sure about the other models.When I take the cover off if I can find no other cause I will replace the pump.At this point I can almost bet you the return is clogged with debris that was left over from the cover job.

Got the cover off.It has a oil presure valve in the cover.my guess is this is the problem.Gonna get a new cover.This could be considered part of the oil pump I guess.Would have been cheaper to change the pump.I guess having the cover off and cleaning it caused the valve to fail?

At this point I think your guess is as good as mine...I just thought it was ironic that the only other person besides myself that had this issue (until I read your post that is) happened to need an oil pump, and when we changed ours, the filters held together. It's been a while since we had that situation (over 2 years I think) but at that time, I believe my husband was saying the same thing as you...that it appeared a return was plugged, but he couldn't figure out how. Someone even suggested at that time that the pump was pumping TOO HARD...lol-everyone has their own ideas I guess:) It's really hard to diagnose a problem when you're not right there looking at the thing I guess. I only added my 2 cents 'cause like I said, I now know of only 3 people in the world that has had this problem, and back then, the garages in our area didn't think they were hearing us right when we'd call for advise;)

Hope yours is fixed.

I have not seen a complete drawing of the oil pump for the ford 3.8L, but it is an odd-ball external design. The oil pump is built into the timing chain cover on the front of the engine. Most oil pumps have an internal pressure relief valve that will divert oil back to the pan on cold startup (when the oil is thick & heavy) to prevent exploding oil filters. I'm not sure if our pumps have this. Or maybe they do & it stuck causing the blown filters? I would not run heavier than 5w-30 in these engines to keep the pressure down on cold start. In fact, the 3.8 does extremely well on 5w-20.
G/luck
Joel

I called the local dealership and asked them .They said replace the return valve.This part is in the cover and does not come seperately.So I bought the cover.They had it in stock $300. Hmmm in stock huh.And just to be safe I also replaced the pump as well.The pump was only $125.Fixed the problem with the oil filter.However when it blew all the oil out, the engine was damaged and I now have a rod knock.Were gonna drag it to a dealership and try to get $200 or so for it.Told my Wife she can't have a Ford.

EVER AND I MEAN NEVER EVER AGAIN!!!!!!!
EVEN IF ITS FREE FROM MR FORD HIMSELF!!!

I joined and e-mailed them 2 times and never even got a reply from them.Sure looked like a good website

Whoops.^^^^^^^^^^^
I joined the Car Pro's you talked about but they never answered my e-mails.They must be too busy.