Stew

iTrader: (11)

Anyone know where I can find a diagram of the Evo oil filter as sold by Mitsubishi? I am having my filters analized professionally and the filter present on the vehicle before my engine blew is something that the specialist has not seen ever during the 500,000+ filters he has analyzed.

Any oil filter guru's out there?

nothere

iTrader: (23)

well you can tell us, was he impressed or angered?

Stew

iTrader: (11)

The filter element did not have any end-caps. The end caps are what direct the oil flow through the filter element. With no end caps, oil flow takes the path of least resistance, which is not through the filter element. This is the only one he's seen in 30+ years of experience, and the 500,000+ filters he has analyzed himself. This filter was installed until 200 miles before the engine blew. His full documentation/photographs are on their way back to me as we speak.

bluebyu36

it was a oem filter?

nothere

iTrader: (23)

you have to figure you were the lucky one who caught the one in a million goofed filter. I don't see that being a designed element.

Stew

iTrader: (11)

Yessir. Purchased at a Mistubishi service department.

Schuyler

iTrader: (2)

Here's the real question - is a brand new OEM filter designed the same? If not then you had a manufacturer's defect. If so then well....

Stew

iTrader: (11)

Luckily I sent the filter analysis company the OEM filter (which was included on the vehicle at the time of purchase) AND the filter in question, and while the original filter DID include filter element end caps, the second filter (sold to me by Mitsubishi) did NOT have end caps.

This could be the nail in the coffin.

barneyb

Have the person inspecting the filter check carefully that all the filter media is there. Not having a filter (what this amounts to) shouldn't destroy an engine. They were still selling cars in this country that came without oil filters back in the '60s. But if the filter media started leaving the filter and entering the oil galleries that is a different story.

Stew

iTrader: (11)

The filter is being closely inspected, so that will defintiely come with the documentation. While not having a filter installed may not kill an engine by itself, the potential for damage is increased for sure.

While I'm sure Mitsubishi would deny a warranty for a owner installing the wrong filter, they should undoubtedly hold themselves responsible for selling a wrong (or faulty) filter due to the *potential* for damage alone.

Stew

iTrader: (11)

For all those with access to diagrams, the filter is:

Denso PN: BT115010-4870
Mitsubishi PN: MZ690116

barneyb

You could buy another filter and take it to a shop that has a band saw.

Stew

iTrader: (11)

I actually have another filter at home that was purchased a month after the filter in question, might tear that one down tonight.

deadbeatrec

iTrader: (9)

i myself am confused as to what the end caps on an oil filter are.

Stew

iTrader: (11)

They're inside the filter on either end of the filter element. They direct oil flow through the filter element, so that it actually gets filtered and does not just re-enter the engine dirty.