Would an incorrect oil filter lead to engine failure?

Question

I recently had my car serviced for a simple oil and filter change. Normally I perform this myself, however I recently moved to a complex where I cannot in their lot. Immediately after I pull out of the service center, the engine was running noticeably louder and very rough. I asked a tech to look at it, and he just stated that the engine is old is going to get louder (which is true, 218k miles). But this highly noticeable change only occurred after the service...

I take the car home, still running rough. After sitting for a day, I go to take the car out, and it stalls shortly after starting, and refuses to start. When turning the ignition, the belts move, but the engine does not start.

Later in the day I get the chance to open the hood and take a look; oil levels are fine, but then I go to inspect the filter, and it was just the incorrect one! The filter they installed was too small, for a different filtering setup, and was just loosely sitting in the filtering compartment.

I brought this to the attention of the service center, and they're stating that using an incorrect filter would not cause this... and that they can't accept responsibility because they didn't take the filter out themselves.

Basically my question is, can the use of an incorrect oil filter, which wouldn't provide a proper seal in the filter compartment, lead to an engine failure as discussed above, in such a short period of time?

Vehicle - 2000 Saturn LS1 2.2L

Answer 1

somebody got in a hurry at the teenage lube n screw, and they got you.keep that filter and your receipt, they are going to try to blame it on anything else including you. what you need, is a mechanic with enough guts to inspect what happened and make a statement that he is willing to go into court and say "yes your honor the cause of engine failure was an incorrect oil filter." then send a copy of the mechanics report to the oil change place, with a demand for a replacement motor. More than likely they will ignore you. then you have to sue in small claims court to get there attention. I has one of these screw n lube places leave my oil plug off the rear end because I refused to pay for a service I didn't need. also word of mouth is your best defense tell everyone you know not to go there because they are worthless and screwed up your car

Answer 2

Yes! The wrong oil filter can destroy a motor. The oil filter has to allow a certain amount of oil to flow or else the motor will burn up because of lack of lubrication. In the past, there were many cars in the junk yard because of Fram oil filters. They filtered too well, and prevented enough oil to pass to lubricate the engine at high speed. Today, there are some Japanese cars that require an internal valve in the oil filter to keep the oil from draining out every time you stop the motor. If you use a cheap filter, you usually mess up your motor. Always use the factory recommended filter for your car if you want it to last. Your engine sounded louder because it wasn't getting enough oil, because of the defective (wrong) filter. If they put the wrong filter in, then there is no telling what else they did to mess up the oil change. A few grains of sand can destroy a motor. If they changed the oil and filter, and used the wrong filter which damaged the motor, then they are responsible. I don't understand why they said they are not responsible because 'they didn't take the filter out themselves'. Did they charge you for a filter change? It sounds like they are full of it. If the motor ran fine before the wrong filter was put in, and then messed up right afterward, then they are responsible. If they are bonded, then they should have business insurance. If not, there is always small claims court. Like the sign in an antiques store says, "You break it, you buy it!"

Answer 3

Small Oil Filter

Answer 4

Hi, sorry this answer is coming to you 4 years too late, but I am surprised that none of the folks responding actually looked at the pictures you posted. Those are not oil filters. Those are air filters. Oil filters look like metal canisters, and you cannot actually see the "filter" part. Oil does not flow through the filters that you posted.



A different AIR filter can most definitely change the sound of your engine, as it lets in more or less air.

Answer 5

I had that same problem with the gasket/o-ring staying on the block. When I started the car I heard a weird noise that I've never heard before, must have been the oil being forced between the two gaskets spewing all of the garage floor. Luckily I was still in the car when I heard it and turned off the car in a panic. Now I always look for the gasket on the old filter before I put in the new one and I always do a spot check before driving off the ramps. Another thing I also do is put a little bit of the new oil on the gasket of the new oil filter. I'm not sure why the gasket got stuck on the block but it's a lesson learned.

Answer 6

Absolutely yes! My mom did oil change at an independent shop for her MB. Worst idea ever! The shop used wrong oil filter. Engine started running rough like a diesel tractor. I brought the car to a MB dealer for inspection. They discover the wrong filter and replaced it with a correct one. Engine problem reoccurred. Probably engine damage. Dealer charges 4k for engine teardown for further inspection. Back to subject, wrong oil filter caused engine damage for my case.

Answer 7

Only thing I can think of in design of filters is maybe a smaller bore through inlet and out let. But even if it was only half the size that wouldn't restrict it enough to cause damage. If the filter blocked the flow of oil completely, I don't think you could have even made it home.

I don't know how the filter sits or connects and everything I've said is my opinion. But the oil levels were good with a filter that wasn't sealed.

Answer 8

if it leak yes many cars have same type filter an dlong as it doesnt leak and you replace oil when it should be then it wouldnt hurt a thing



first sign of a problem you took it for a oil change and after oil change it didnt sound same as it did when it when in that was a problem they covering it up



highly noticeable change only occurred after the service...

think about that a minute was ok then had it repaired then it made a highly noticeable change then something wasnt right then



if it was wrong filter and leaking yes that would cause motor to run out of oil

Answer 9

i used to work at a car dealership, and yes weve seen vehicles come in with burnt up motors, because all of the oil leaked out. u need to make sure the right oil filter i sbeing used

Answer 10

As well as fitting the wrong filter (which won't cause trouble short term) but it would seem that they have refilled with the incorrect grade of oil (too thin) you should go back but can you trust them?

cowboy's springs to mind.

Answer 11

it would,nt be the filter, at least not the oil filter. it either fits or not fit. it might be the fuel filter or a plug cutting out from a bad plug wire but the oil filter would,nt do that.

Answer 12

if oil filter did not leak out all the oil it would only bypass filtering any oil in the worst case. so the short answer is no with he information you have provided.