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I am currently going through a re-commissioning process which naturally includes an oil change and I thought I would share this experience. I sourced the oil and filter from very a well known Triumph specialist believing I could be sure I was using quality parts for the job.
Many years ago I was told that with engines of this era (1968 13/60) 80% of engine wear occurs when the engine is cold and with this in mind I have the habit of turning the engine over a few times before using the choke to ensure there is oil pressure before firing. After the Oil and Filter change there was a ludicrous amount of turning required before any oil pressure registered on the gauge. My gut feeling was the pump was filling the filter at each start up however the advertised oil filter stated that it had an anti-return valve fitted.
With no other explanation and for my own piece of mind I sourced a MANN 713/14 filter which reassuringly stated that it had two anti-return valves. With the plugs removed I filled the new filter and then left the vehicle for a day. On return the difference was obvious, from the first turn of the key oil pressure instantly registered at the gauge and rose rapidly. Only the filter had been changed which logically concludes that the filter was the issue.
The MANN filter was £3.21 more expensive than the Powertune filter I had been sent and in terms of engine protection I would say that it is money well spent! Apart from the wasted expense it is a concern that I had been sent the first filter as a viable option. The term “Original Equipment Part” seems to come with the caveat that products weren’t that great in their day so we only need to match them.
I have seen comments in forums suggesting that if something was considered good enough at the time of manufacture why should it matter. It was also considered acceptable that an engine could need a total rebuild at 30K miles and personally if we are capable of better quality today then I would rather have that. A lesson learned for me.
Rant over and I hope this helps someone avoid buying a bad oil filter!
Many years ago I was told that with engines of this era (1968 13/60) 80% of engine wear occurs when the engine is cold and with this in mind I have the habit of turning the engine over a few times before using the choke to ensure there is oil pressure before firing. After the Oil and Filter change there was a ludicrous amount of turning required before any oil pressure registered on the gauge. My gut feeling was the pump was filling the filter at each start up however the advertised oil filter stated that it had an anti-return valve fitted.
With no other explanation and for my own piece of mind I sourced a MANN 713/14 filter which reassuringly stated that it had two anti-return valves. With the plugs removed I filled the new filter and then left the vehicle for a day. On return the difference was obvious, from the first turn of the key oil pressure instantly registered at the gauge and rose rapidly. Only the filter had been changed which logically concludes that the filter was the issue.
The MANN filter was £3.21 more expensive than the Powertune filter I had been sent and in terms of engine protection I would say that it is money well spent! Apart from the wasted expense it is a concern that I had been sent the first filter as a viable option. The term “Original Equipment Part” seems to come with the caveat that products weren’t that great in their day so we only need to match them.
I have seen comments in forums suggesting that if something was considered good enough at the time of manufacture why should it matter. It was also considered acceptable that an engine could need a total rebuild at 30K miles and personally if we are capable of better quality today then I would rather have that. A lesson learned for me.
Rant over and I hope this helps someone avoid buying a bad oil filter!
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