Oilscreen in wrong way round!

Oh crap...

Drained the oil and found something rather strange:

In the bottom of the tappit I found rather large particles of metal debris wich would normally indicate a rather spectacular enginefailure...

Thing is: my engine runs sweet as a nut, totally quiet and does everything you'd expect it to...

Anyway, I cleaned it all off and refitted the spring, screen and tappit...only...I think I've fitted the screen the wrong way round...as in: opening facing downwards!

God only knows why...

I've also filled her up already so: will fitting the screen the wrong way round damage the engine in any way?

Should I drain my precious Castrol RS AGAIN and refit the screen?

Or leave as is?

You will never sleep at night if you don't...

Hi Guys,

Here's a illustration to follow:

Looking at the diagram provided by Dennis there is potential for allowing small metal particles past the filter screen. My opinion anyway!

Replacing 2.1 quarts of oil is a lot easier to deal with than worrying about
engine damage for the next 2 to 3 thousand miles.

PLEASE right your screen (as necessary) - so we can all sleep at night - especially YOU! You may also be able to salvage your oil if the screen was indeed installed correctly. Good Luck!

I changed the oil in my scoot just before I went to Alaska. (9000 klm.)
When I went to change it upon my return I noticed I had put the screen in backwards.
I must of had a blond moment in the excitement of heading out on such a trip.
Everything works fine. No harm no foul.
Next oil change Do it right.

I've also had the experience of putting the screen in backwards and driving it that way for some thousands of miles, with, as far as I can tell, and this was many thousands of miles ago, no problems. I wouldn't worry about it. Just reverse it next time, or, if you're so inclined, do it now.

I changed the oil in my new to me 2002 after getting it home. I discovered the PO had the screen in upside down as well. It doesn't appear to have harmed anything. Having said that. If it were me, I'd drain and put it in correctly.

I hardly bloody slept last night...so I guess I will right the wrong today...

Live and learn I suppose!

The annoying part about draining the oil is that metal tray under the engine, it catches the oil and you need to mop it up. Looking at the drawing Denis posted it looks easy enough to remove, I will have a look at that next time.

Starship Enterprise wrote:

Live and learn I suppose!

That's what life is all about!

Well I've just drained the oil and refitted the screen the right way round!

Smallest of jobs but messy because of the undertray!

Again some much finer metal debris in the oil...what the hell??

These engines are supposed to be bombproof or....?

That sounds worrying, I'd be giving it another oil and filter change in a few hundred miles.

Is the debris magnetic?

Haven't tried to be honest, the debris looks like brass/steel...strangely enough the engine runs sweet as a nut....

Unless you are the same person, I have only heard this concern on one other S/W and never heard his answer.One area that you could have a problem and not here any noise would be the thrust side of the main bearings.They are pressed into the case and have a composition of brass,aluminum and babbitt.The babbitt is on the surface with the aluminum and brass under.
You could have some side to side end play and start to wear into the babbitt and aluminum then into the brass. It probably would not create any noise but you might loose some oil pressure over time.If this is the case your oil might also start to be contaminated to the point of wearing some other parts.If this is the case you could get another 10k or 50k from the engine.
there are just to many variables.The engines are pretty much bullet proof and usually are replaced with a used unite.Good luck. Howard