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RonelEllis

Hi
I got my vehicle serviced and when I got it back, the guy told me that they did not realise that it was a 60k service and that I would need to come back when they have the parts they need to replace (cambelt, air filter, spark plugs and oil) However he mentioned there was a noise in the engine. My car sounded like a tractor. This was not the case when I dropped it off so I had my partner listen to it, and we decided to take is straight back (2km round trip). The service centre re-looked at it and found that the Oil Filter seal was distorted. They fixed it for us and I got the car back without the noise. My partner is very concerned that the top of the engine was not lubricated enough during the time we drove it, which he believes could have done enough damage to shorten the life of the engine. What am I to do here? The service centre told us to bring the car back if it gives any problems in the next few months, my partner believes the engine needs a rebuild. What say you?

Anon

Hi there,
If there was an oil supply problem, it would be more a pressure failure and the warning light would come on. Also if the filter was an internal cartridge type that was not quite seated correctly, the oil should still be travelling to the right places. The problem you mentioned might be more likely to do damage if it was an external oil filter and all the oil leaked out from the seal and the engine actually ran low on oil (there would also be a massive oil mess to clean up). The oil path to the top of the engine starts at the sump in the bottom and is fed via various tubes and gelleries to the top, so not always 100% related to the oil filter position.

RonelEllis

Thank you very much. If I understand your answer correctly, as long as there was no oil leaking out or my oil lights did not go on, I should be fine?

Anon

Yes this is how I would see it.

RonelEllis

Thank you very much, that makes me feel much better.