Why does my external oil cooler filter keep coming loose?

I will check this tomorrow, but think it’s highly unlikely the systems worked fine for the last 12-15k throughout the winter.

 

Worth a check, I think. Can't think of anything else, apart from the filter head surface being poorly machined or the threaded part wonky. Not sure what the effect of running the oil filter "backwards" would be.

Worst case, just get another filter head. Plenty around, and not that expensive.

 

The valve doesn’t usually need any maintenance.
I’d concentrate on the filter, if it is the only part you have changed. Most filters have an internal relieve valve but not all lift at the same pressure.
Is the new filter exactly the same as the ones you have used previously?
What is the manufacturer and part number of the new filter?
Are you sure the threaded part is screwed into the filter head correctly and is undamaged?
Are you sure the filter is not cross threaded as it’s screwed onto the filter head?
Do you happen to know what size oil pump Robert fitted to the engine?

 

Cheap oil filter, bad batch etc. Etc.

 

It still could be plumbed backwards : the relief valve is there to prevent damage to the element in extreme cold weather or if the filter is blocked, oil can flow through the filter element in either direction normally even if the pipes are backwards.

It is worth checking, rather than simply assuming that something is correct.

My oil pipe once popped off the cooler on a -3 degrees C startup some time in January.
I must have left it slightly loose some time earlier in the autumn when I used the connection to drain oil during an oil change, and did not do up the clamps enough. It made several thousand miles before popping on an extreme start.

 

@Mathew Clarkson did you find the problem?

 

Hi, sorry for the delay.
Yes, problem solved the thread the filter screws onto had worked loose by about 3/4 of turn so the filter wasn’t seatings fully, causing the rubber gasket to push outwards. (Not sure why it worked loose)
I’ve been busy with work but managed to find a spare hour yesterday morning and fingers crossed problem solved.
Thanks for the advice!

 

The thread comes loose when you undo the filter and the stamped thread in the filter is rougher than the machined thread in the filter head.
Also as I mentioned its worth getting a 25mm (is on my EMPi ) deep hex socket on the threaded bit in the filter head and doing it up tightly.

It can also be caused by being distracted and just forgetting the 3/4 turn tightening after first contact.