Oil filter fell off while driving!

Always shut the engine off immediately (if possible) when you see the oil light come on, hop out and inspect. That light only comes on once oil pressure is critically low

 

Did it not leave a trail of smoke?

Last (and first) time I had an oil dump was in the early 90's. Pan dropped its plug, enough oil hit the exhaust that my car smoked out anyone riding behind. it was like Spy Hunter, only less rad.

 

4cyl or 6cyl? The 6cyl oil filter is pointed more horizontal/slightly up, I don't know about the 4cyl one though.

My wife's Rav4 has an oil filter that goes straight downward, one of those newer designs where you just replace the filter element and aren't supposed to tighten the housing very much (or it'll crack). I always feel wary about it falling off after I change it out.

 

I had an interesting oil dump on a 389 GTO. Blew out the pressure sender just above the filter mount.

Plenty of smoke/stink. Only 1/2 a block till I had it parked at work. Dad to the rescue, brought a new sender and installed it. Had not lost much oil quantity wise, but sure made one whopping mess.

 

not sure if it's been mentioned, but I would send an oil sample off to Blackstone Labs for analysis and see what they say. If there's hints of worn bearings or other damage from this event then it will show up in the analysis

 

Oopsie on you. 30 days of community service plus court costs.

 

This was precisely my first thought…

 

I had my oil filter come loose and start leaking a bit at higher RPMs, could smell the oil burning. That was enough concern for me to get out and check, sure enough I saw oil all over the skid plate and LCA. All told it was only 1/2qt low and about 1/2 turn loose. Idk how it would completely fall off without there being signs of a leak first

 

I see where you are located... close to me. I'd pull the oil on road pics just because we live in the area we do. Don't need DEQ or whomever tracking your ass down.

 

Looks like to me with the oil pressure it would have been harder to spin off. A nut or bolt is always harder to turn while under pressure or tension.

 

A failing oil pressure relief valve can cause oil pressure to exceed max pressure . This can loosen or even blow a oil filter off

 

Honestly I don't know that knowing that would make any difference. If the motor still pulls, maybe a I loose a little efficency, but I'm don't thtink I'll rebuild the engine. I hauled a 1/2 yard of gravel the next day so it still works fine.

People are lining up to buy these trucks too. I just checked local craigslist and they are going for more than I paid for it 13 years ago. I might just sell...

 

Sorry. I shall refrain from the ill placed logic.

 

If it ran with no oil pressure to the point that the engine siezed up it's very likely to have spun main and/or rod bearings even though it restarted and may not be making noise yet.
It would be a good idea to drop the oil pan and at least inspect for bearing material.
Potentially expensive lesson, if the oil pressure light comes on always stop and investigate as soon as possible.

 

And this is why I'm going to insist on having an oil analysis done before I buy any used vehicles in the future lol.

 

Howdy Neighbor! Crazy we live in a place where we're on hold on 911 for 2 hours, we just had our 1000th shooting of the year, I've never heard of anyone being pulled over by the police for any reason the whole time I've lived here, I've seen multiple hit and runs, had my truck and car broken into on a yearly basis, had my house burglarized... but spilling oil on the road they send out the freaking FBI or someting! hahahahah

 

Wouldn’t really help after the oil has been changed a couple times I would think. Especially if it’s done right before you but it.

 

I wouldn't stop anyone from testing the oil if they want to. I'd let them know its been hit, its been totaled, its been ran dry of oil. Not trying to rip anyone off. I've bought a lemon before, (A GM with a slipping crankshaft timing ring... requires engine swap > than price of car) I'm sure the guy knew it too and chose not to tell me. Not gonna do that to someone. Someday the bearings might fail.

I think more pressure was on the cylinder walls (rings) though. Higher up, more leverage.

The nice thing about all the oil spraying is that enough got on my alternator belt that it no longer squeaks when cold

 

Having been a prior CA resident, it wouldn't shock me. The state EPA and DMV had impressively rapid response times to complaints (my roommate got called in for his NY plates after we moved in)

The local PD...not so much.

 

Also it will help with rust prevention