No oil in oil filter

[naterice]

I changed my oil last week and discovered that the oil filter still looked brand new and unused. The mileage between changes was about 5000. I have a 1996 Camry 4-cyl with 178k. The oil filter was a Bosch. I did not see an obvious clog on the engine block or in the filter. No unusual engine performance has been noted. No check engine or oil pressure lights came on.

I changed the oil as usual and put a new Bosch filter on. A few days later I pulled the filter and it still looked like no oil had reached it. Any suggestions? Thanks!

nate

[DxElite]

Has this happened before or is this your first time changing your oil for the car?

Since the filter is mounted angled down like that, it's normal for the oil to drain out and look like there's no oil in the inner part of the filter, but there is oil in the outer casing.

If you want to really see it, you can try cutting open an old filter or crush it to see if there really is any oil or deposits. Since there was no unusual engine performance issues, doubt there's a problem.
But you can, drop the oil pan and check the oil intake screen for clogs.

I know I was surprised the first time I changed it for my car. I'm used to having a rag ready to wipe the oil that spills but it was a clean removal. All the other cars I've changed the filter for were bottom faced down or horizontal so there was always some oil left in the filter. Personally I like the clean filter removal, much less of a hassle.

[naterice]

I have changed it many times before and some oil is always left in the filter (maybe 1/4 cup or so). This time it looked new and dry inside the filter.

How hard is it to find and clean the filter intake? Are the two hoses that are adjacent to the filter from the oil pan?

Thanks for the help.

[carsrus]

Hmm are you sure the filters just not draining out on you?

Theres really no way that the filter couldn't be getting oil to it, without the engine being toast.

Cut it open, but there's a 99.99999% chance that everything's fine, considering your car runs fine.

[DxElite]

Have you always been using Bosch filters? Maybe there isn't an anti-drain back gasket for it?

If anything, you can check the oil pressure with an oil pressure gauge to really be certain that there's oil being pumped.

[Hajoca]

Nate,
The oil in the center portion of the filter drains into the engine block once the engine oil pump stops. If this filter does look dry, and you want to just be sure, do what Carsus suggested and cut it open. If you just want an indication, punch the can open with a screwdriver.

Dx,
The Bosch filters that I have seen appears to have a very good anti drainback valve, so good that there may be no oil spilling out when it was being removed.
But a faulty anti-drainback valve is not impossible.

[SexieWASD]

What number filter is it?

[naterice]

The model number is 3311, Bosch Premium Oil Filter - in a black box from AutoZone.

I punched a screwdriver into the end of the old filter and a bunch of oil poured out. So I guess they improved the anti-drainback valve from the last time I changed the oil.

[JohnGD]

It's a lubrication system design problem, not an oil filter problem. Bosch Filtech (they also bought Purolator) makes a decent filter.

Originally Posted by naterice

I changed my oil last week and discovered that the oil filter still looked brand new and unused. The mileage between changes was about 5000. I have a 1996 Camry 4-cyl with 178k. The oil filter was a Bosch. I did not see an obvious clog on the engine block or in the filter. No unusual engine performance has been noted. No check engine or oil pressure lights came on.

I changed the oil as usual and put a new Bosch filter on. A few days later I pulled the filter and it still looked like no oil had reached it. Any suggestions? Thanks!

nate