Having done countless oil and filter changes in the past, I'm a bit baffled 
by this one. I just recently did one on a Diesel Vauxhall 1.7, but now every 
time I start the engine the oil pressure light stays on for a minute or so 
while the oil filter fills up again, which is something I've never 
experienced before. Even if I park outside the local supermarket for half an 
hour it will drain back into the engine.

Does anyone know why this is happening, and what can be done about it?

On Thu, 21 Jul 2005 19:41:00 +0100, "Sparky"  wrote:


>Having done countless oil and filter changes in the past, I'm a bit baffled 
>by this one. I just recently did one on a Diesel Vauxhall 1.7, but now every 
>time I start the engine the oil pressure light stays on for a minute or so 
>while the oil filter fills up again, which is something I've never 
>experienced before. Even if I park outside the local supermarket for half an 
>hour it will drain back into the engine.
>
>Does anyone know why this is happening, and what can be done about it? 
>

Cheap aftermarket filter without one-way valve? It's for this very
reason that Saab enthusiasts will only fit genuine Saab filters.

The only thing you can do about it is to replace the filter again, but
be more fussy about the make & specification.
-- 
Regards,  Chris    (Please take out my car to reply by email)     
----1961 Austin A40 Farina----1966 Triumph Herald Estate---
---1967 Riley Elf---1965 Hillman Minx---1969 Morris Minor--
-1972 Mini Clubman estate--1957 Standard 8--1979 Ford Capri
    ********** Please don't email in HTML! **********

"Chris Bolus"  wrote in message 
news:5lsvd11r0sukhe2j99fdakrle2a3a0grbv@4ax.com...

> On Thu, 21 Jul 2005 19:41:00 +0100, "Sparky"  wrote:
>
>>Having done countless oil and filter changes in the past, I'm a bit 
>>baffled
>>by this one. I just recently did one on a Diesel Vauxhall 1.7, but now 
>>every
>>time I start the engine the oil pressure light stays on for a minute or so
>>while the oil filter fills up again, which is something I've never
>>experienced before. Even if I park outside the local supermarket for half 
>>an
>>hour it will drain back into the engine.
>>
>>Does anyone know why this is happening, and what can be done about it?
>>
> Cheap aftermarket filter without one-way valve? It's for this very
> reason that Saab enthusiasts will only fit genuine Saab filters.
>
> The only thing you can do about it is to replace the filter again, but
> be more fussy about the make & specification.
> -- 
> Regards,  Chris    (Please take out my car to reply by email)
> ----1961 Austin A40 Farina----1966 Triumph Herald Estate---
> ---1967 Riley Elf---1965 Hillman Minx---1969 Morris Minor--
> -1972 Mini Clubman estate--1957 Standard 8--1979 Ford Capri
>    ********** Please don't email in HTML! **********


Thanks for that :-)

Interesting, I never even realised that there was a one-way valve in oil 
filters. It is a Halfords filter, which I thought were OK - I take it I was 
wrong about that?

"Sparky"  wrote in message
news:Y7OdnRjcZbDfZkLfRVnyhA@pipex.net...

>
> "Chris Bolus"  wrote in message
> news:5lsvd11r0sukhe2j99fdakrle2a3a0grbv@4ax.com...
> > On Thu, 21 Jul 2005 19:41:00 +0100, "Sparky"  wrote:
> >
> >>Having done countless oil and filter changes in the past, I'm a bit
> >>baffled
> >>by this one. I just recently did one on a Diesel Vauxhall 1.7, but now
> >>every
> >>time I start the engine the oil pressure light stays on for a minute or
so
> >>while the oil filter fills up again, which is something I've never
> >>experienced before. Even if I park outside the local supermarket for
half
> >>an
> >>hour it will drain back into the engine.
> >>
> >>Does anyone know why this is happening, and what can be done about it?
> >>
> > Cheap aftermarket filter without one-way valve? It's for this very
> > reason that Saab enthusiasts will only fit genuine Saab filters.
> >
> > The only thing you can do about it is to replace the filter again, but
> > be more fussy about the make & specification.
> > --
> > Regards,  Chris    (Please take out my car to reply by email)
> > ----1961 Austin A40 Farina----1966 Triumph Herald Estate---
> > ---1967 Riley Elf---1965 Hillman Minx---1969 Morris Minor--
> > -1972 Mini Clubman estate--1957 Standard 8--1979 Ford Capri
> >    ********** Please don't email in HTML! **********
>
> Thanks for that :-)
>
> Interesting, I never even realised that there was a one-way valve in oil
> filters. It is a Halfords filter, which I thought were OK - I take it I
was
> wrong about that?
>

It only comes into play in the event that a filter is fitted above
horizontal, i.e. with the open end below the closed end. The catalogue they
use to select your filter may specify whether it has an anti-drain valve
and/or a bypass valve. I have an old AC filters catalogue which gives this
info.

I would go back to halfords and check the catalogue, stressing that you
believe they have sold you the wrong filter. Take the number of the filter,
check the book in the store, and if it gives a different filter from the one
thy sold you, insist that they change it for you. Make them fit it.

Steve

"Sparky"  wrote in message
news:Y7OdnRjcZbDfZkLfRVnyhA@pipex.net...

>
> "Chris Bolus"  wrote in message
> news:5lsvd11r0sukhe2j99fdakrle2a3a0grbv@4ax.com...
> > On Thu, 21 Jul 2005 19:41:00 +0100, "Sparky"  wrote:
> >
> >>Having done countless oil and filter changes in the past, I'm a bit
> >>baffled
> >>by this one. I just recently did one on a Diesel Vauxhall 1.7, but now
> >>every
> >>time I start the engine the oil pressure light stays on for a minute or
so
> >>while the oil filter fills up again, which is something I've never
> >>experienced before. Even if I park outside the local supermarket for
half
> >>an
> >>hour it will drain back into the engine.
> >>
> >>Does anyone know why this is happening, and what can be done about it?
> >>
> > Cheap aftermarket filter without one-way valve? It's for this very
> > reason that Saab enthusiasts will only fit genuine Saab filters.
> >
> > The only thing you can do about it is to replace the filter again, but
> > be more fussy about the make & specification.
> > --
> > Regards,  Chris    (Please take out my car to reply by email)
> > ----1961 Austin A40 Farina----1966 Triumph Herald Estate---
> > ---1967 Riley Elf---1965 Hillman Minx---1969 Morris Minor--
> > -1972 Mini Clubman estate--1957 Standard 8--1979 Ford Capri
> >    ********** Please don't email in HTML! **********
>
> Thanks for that :-)
>
> Interesting, I never even realised that there was a one-way valve in oil
> filters. It is a Halfords filter, which I thought were OK - I take it I
was
> wrong about that?


Why on earth are you buying filters from Halfords when the genuine GM is
less than 3quid?! Their 10w-40 semi synth oil for 9 quid is a bargain too.

Even less if you;re in the trade club.

Tim..

"Sparky"  wrote in message 
news:Y7OdnRjcZbDfZkLfRVnyhA@pipex.net...

>
> "Chris Bolus"  wrote in message 
> news:5lsvd11r0sukhe2j99fdakrle2a3a0grbv@4ax.com...
>> On Thu, 21 Jul 2005 19:41:00 +0100, "Sparky"  wrote:
>>
>>>Having done countless oil and filter changes in the past, I'm a bit 
>>>baffled
>>>by this one. I just recently did one on a Diesel Vauxhall 1.7, but now 
>>>every
>>>time I start the engine the oil pressure light stays on for a minute or 
>>>so
>>>while the oil filter fills up again, which is something I've never
>>>experienced before. Even if I park outside the local supermarket for half 
>>>an
>>>hour it will drain back into the engine.
>>>
>>>Does anyone know why this is happening, and what can be done about it?
>>>
>> Cheap aftermarket filter without one-way valve? It's for this very
>> reason that Saab enthusiasts will only fit genuine Saab filters.
>>
>> The only thing you can do about it is to replace the filter again, but
>> be more fussy about the make & specification.
>> -- 
>> Regards,  Chris    (Please take out my car to reply by email)
>> ----1961 Austin A40 Farina----1966 Triumph Herald Estate---
>> ---1967 Riley Elf---1965 Hillman Minx---1969 Morris Minor--
>> -1972 Mini Clubman estate--1957 Standard 8--1979 Ford Capri
>>    ********** Please don't email in HTML! **********
>
> Thanks for that :-)
>
> Interesting, I never even realised that there was a one-way valve in oil 
> filters. It is a Halfords filter, which I thought were OK - I take it I 
> was wrong about that?


Is this a newer engine with the replaceable element or the older engine with 
a spin on filter?

Regardless off the engine, there is no one way valve in the filter (there is 
a pressure relief valve/spring in the spin on filter so the filter is 
bypassed if it blocks, but it doesn't affect oil drain back).
Depending on the engine there could be different faults.

I think it s called drain-back. Maybe on this engine there is a valve which 
is stuck open or leaking.

or maybe the oil filter should have a flap valve fitted, but has not.

Try fitting a new filter and see if the problem goes away?

(Assuming there is enough oil in the engine that is - or are you parking on 
a sideways slope, which leaves the oil pickup pipe above the oil in the 
sump?


"Sparky"  wrote in message 
news:cYudnRENptmncULfRVnyhg@pipex.net...

> Having done countless oil and filter changes in the past, I'm a bit 
> baffled by this one. I just recently did one on a Diesel Vauxhall 1.7, but 
> now every time I start the engine the oil pressure light stays on for a 
> minute or so while the oil filter fills up again, which is something I've 
> never experienced before. Even if I park outside the local supermarket for 
> half an hour it will drain back into the engine.
>
> Does anyone know why this is happening, and what can be done about it?
> 

What part number did they sell you, and exactly which engine do you
have ?

"NT"  wrote in message 
news:1121983612.362484.202400@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...

> What part number did they sell you, and exactly which engine do you
> have ?
>


It was part number HOF226, and it's the older normally-aspirated 1.7 Diesel 
(made by Isuzu I believe). I might add that there were no problems before I 
did the oil change, but it's started happening immediately afterwards, so I 
doubt it would be a problem with the engine itself (which has only done 
15,000 anyway).

"Moray Cuthill"  wrote in message 
news:42e02a40$1@news.greennet.net...

>
> "Sparky"  wrote in message 
> news:Y7OdnRjcZbDfZkLfRVnyhA@pipex.net...
>>
>> "Chris Bolus"  wrote in message 
>> news:5lsvd11r0sukhe2j99fdakrle2a3a0grbv@4ax.com...
>>> On Thu, 21 Jul 2005 19:41:00 +0100, "Sparky"  wrote:
>>>
>>>>Having done countless oil and filter changes in the past, I'm a bit 
>>>>baffled
>>>>by this one. I just recently did one on a Diesel Vauxhall 1.7, but now 
>>>>every
>>>>time I start the engine the oil pressure light stays on for a minute or 
>>>>so
>>>>while the oil filter fills up again, which is something I've never
>>>>experienced before. Even if I park outside the local supermarket for 
>>>>half an
>>>>hour it will drain back into the engine.
>>>>
>>>>Does anyone know why this is happening, and what can be done about it?
>>>>
>>> Cheap aftermarket filter without one-way valve? It's for this very
>>> reason that Saab enthusiasts will only fit genuine Saab filters.
>>>
>>> The only thing you can do about it is to replace the filter again, but
>>> be more fussy about the make & specification.
>>> -- 
>>> Regards,  Chris    (Please take out my car to reply by email)
>>> ----1961 Austin A40 Farina----1966 Triumph Herald Estate---
>>> ---1967 Riley Elf---1965 Hillman Minx---1969 Morris Minor--
>>> -1972 Mini Clubman estate--1957 Standard 8--1979 Ford Capri
>>>    ********** Please don't email in HTML! **********
>>
>> Thanks for that :-)
>>
>> Interesting, I never even realised that there was a one-way valve in oil 
>> filters. It is a Halfords filter, which I thought were OK - I take it I 
>> was wrong about that?
>
> Is this a newer engine with the replaceable element or the older engine 
> with a spin on filter?
>
> Regardless off the engine, there is no one way valve in the filter (there 
> is a pressure relief valve/spring in the spin on filter so the filter is 
> bypassed if it blocks, but it doesn't affect oil drain back).
> Depending on the engine there could be different faults.
>


It's the older engine (late 2000) with the spin on filter. The engine has 
15,000 miles on it only and it was fine until immediately after I did this 
oil change.

> It's the older engine (late 2000) with the spin on filter. The engine has 
> 15,000 miles on it only and it was fine until immediately after I did this 
> oil change.


Are you *sure* it's a normally aspirated engine?

The once badged "1.7 DI" as opposed to "1.7 DTI" were still turbocharged.

Don't know the exact difference between the two, but I know they were both 
turbocharged - maybe one was a lower power version or something.

Peter

"AstraVanMan"  wrote in message 
news:LG4Ee.2897$bT4.1882@newsfe1-gui.ntli.net...

>> It's the older engine (late 2000) with the spin on filter. The engine has 
>> 15,000 miles on it only and it was fine until immediately after I did 
>> this oil change.
>
> Are you *sure* it's a normally aspirated engine?
>
> The once badged "1.7 DI" as opposed to "1.7 DTI" were still turbocharged.
>
> Don't know the exact difference between the two, but I know they were both 
> turbocharged - maybe one was a lower power version or something.
>
> Peter


This is where the confusion comes in.

In the old astra-f, in the last few years off production you could get 
either the GM 1.7, or the Isuzu 1.7.
The GM engine was originally used as a normally aspirated engine, but to 
clean up emisions and get a couple more years production out it, they added 
a low blow turbo.
They also used the Isuzu with a higher output turbo with an intercooler.
Then when they went onto the Astra-H, they done away with the 1.7 GM engine 
(the 2.0 GM was an option), and used the isuzu engine. It was still turbo'd, 
but I'm fairly sure it was only a low blow (from what i remember at work, 
the 1.7s were only used for pool cars, with the 2.0s being the preferred 
choice for group managers).
About 2000/1 the Isuzu was changed to fly-by-wire and Direct Injection, but 
my works contact with Astras diminished as the standard company car was 
changed to a Vectra.

From what I remember all the 1700 astras had a front mounted oil cooler, 
which on some cars was prone to leaking either at the cooler itself, or the 
connecting pipes.

I have also seen an oil pump fail on one off the diesels, which could give 
the symptoms you describe.
Personally, I'd be looking at changing the oil and oil filter again (you did 
use the correct grade oil???).
If that doesn't cure it, then the next step would be an oil pressure check, 
to ensure that the pump is working correctly.

The fact the engine is low mileage doesn't mean a thing. Low mileage would 
indicate the cars been used for short journeys, which will wear an engine 
far quicker than if it was doing long journeys.

just in case this hasn't been covered before, there is a one way valve in 
the filter that stops the oil from draining back into the sump
on most filters it is clearly visible at the base of the filter body (if you 
look through the hole)

unless youhave one of them different filter set ups it should be easy to go 
back to halfords and see if the other filters in the box have the same clear 
to the back of the filter or valve fitted


on a separate note, I'm going to link this someone so if you get strange 
questions from people, you can blame me :)

"Sparky"  wrote in message 
news:cYudnRENptmncULfRVnyhg@pipex.net...

> Having done countless oil and filter changes in the past, I'm a bit 
> baffled by this one. I just recently did one on a Diesel Vauxhall 1.7, but 
> now every time I start the engine the oil pressure light stays on for a 
> minute or so while the oil filter fills up again, which is something I've 
> never experienced before. Even if I park outside the local supermarket for 
> half an hour it will drain back into the engine.
>
> Does anyone know why this is happening, and what can be done about it?
> 

" dojj"  wrote in message 
news:dbstfv$r92$1@newsg1.svr.pol.co.uk...

> just in case this hasn't been covered before, there is a one way valve in 
> the filter that stops the oil from draining back into the sump
> on most filters it is clearly visible at the base of the filter body (if 
> you look through the hole)



That valve is not a one way valve. It is a low pressure bypass valve, which 
allows oil to bypass the filter element should it become blocked.


> unless youhave one of them different filter set ups it should be easy to 
> go back to halfords and see if the other filters in the box have the same 
> clear to the back of the filter or valve fitted


Some filters incorporate a simple one way valve in the form off a rubber 
seal/flap just below the oil entry holes into the filter (that's the holes 
between the centre hole and the outer seal ring).


> on a separate note, I'm going to link this someone so if you get strange 
> questions from people, you can blame me :)
>
> "Sparky"  wrote in message 
> news:cYudnRENptmncULfRVnyhg@pipex.net...
>> Having done countless oil and filter changes in the past, I'm a bit 
>> baffled by this one. I just recently did one on a Diesel Vauxhall 1.7, 
>> but now every time I start the engine the oil pressure light stays on for 
>> a minute or so while the oil filter fills up again, which is something 
>> I've never experienced before. Even if I park outside the local 
>> supermarket for half an hour it will drain back into the engine.
>>
>> Does anyone know why this is happening, and what can be done about it?
>>
>
> 

"Moray Cuthill"  wrote in message 
news:42e24310@news.greennet.net...

>
> " dojj"  wrote in message 
> news:dbstfv$r92$1@newsg1.svr.pol.co.uk...
>> just in case this hasn't been covered before, there is a one way valve in 
>> the filter that stops the oil from draining back into the sump
>> on most filters it is clearly visible at the base of the filter body (if 
>> you look through the hole)
>
>
> That valve is not a one way valve. It is a low pressure bypass valve, 
> which allows oil to bypass the filter element should it become blocked.
>

it was explained as the valve that stopped oil returning to the sump from 
the system after you turned off
that way you had oil in all the important nooks and crannies when you fired 
up again in the morning



>> unless youhave one of them different filter set ups it should be easy to 
>> go back to halfords and see if the other filters in the box have the same 
>> clear to the back of the filter or valve fitted
>
> Some filters incorporate a simple one way valve in the form off a rubber 
> seal/flap just below the oil entry holes into the filter (that's the holes 
> between the centre hole and the outer seal ring).
>
>> on a separate note, I'm going to link this someone so if you get strange 
>> questions from people, you can blame me :)
>>
>> "Sparky"  wrote in message 
>> news:cYudnRENptmncULfRVnyhg@pipex.net...
>>> Having done countless oil and filter changes in the past, I'm a bit 
>>> baffled by this one. I just recently did one on a Diesel Vauxhall 1.7, 
>>> but now every time I start the engine the oil pressure light stays on 
>>> for a minute or so while the oil filter fills up again, which is 
>>> something I've never experienced before. Even if I park outside the 
>>> local supermarket for half an hour it will drain back into the engine.
>>>
>>> Does anyone know why this is happening, and what can be done about it?
>>>
>>
>>
>
> 

" dojj"  wrote in message
news:dbtj9g$62p$1@newsg2.svr.pol.co.uk...

>
> "Moray Cuthill"  wrote in message
> news:42e24310@news.greennet.net...
> >
> > " dojj"  wrote in message
> > news:dbstfv$r92$1@newsg1.svr.pol.co.uk...
> >> just in case this hasn't been covered before, there is a one way valve
in
> >> the filter that stops the oil from draining back into the sump
> >> on most filters it is clearly visible at the base of the filter body
(if
> >> you look through the hole)
> >
> >
> > That valve is not a one way valve. It is a low pressure bypass valve,
> > which allows oil to bypass the filter element should it become blocked.
> >


I'm afriad the one-way valve is just that. The valve you can see down the
center hole is indeed the by pass valve if the filter becomes blocked, but
the one way one is just visable through the small holes and take the form of
a rubber flap which seals against the steel end of the filter. (oil
direction is through the small holes and out the center one)

Tim..

Just to let everyone know, I got the filter exchanged at Halfords and 
everything is now bak to normal, with the oil-prssure light going out after 
a couple of seconds.

Interestingly, the warning light went out after about 10 seconds after 
putting the new (and completely empty) filter on, which suggests there might 
have been more to the faulty filter than that it was just letting the oil 
drain back, as it was keeping the light on for at least a minute after every 
engine start.

I'm going to have to think hard about Halfords stuff in future, one of their 
batteries packed up on me after a few months as well, which either means 
that I'm very unlucky or their quality control isn't all that it might be. 
Unfortunately Halfords is just round the corner, but I don't have any 
Vauxhall dealers around for miles :-(

Many thanks to you all for your help.

"Tim.."  wrote in message 
news:dbto78$c0h$1@nwrdmz03.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com...

>
> " dojj"  wrote in message
> news:dbtj9g$62p$1@newsg2.svr.pol.co.uk...
>>
>> "Moray Cuthill"  wrote in message
>> news:42e24310@news.greennet.net...
>> >
>> > " dojj"  wrote in message
>> > news:dbstfv$r92$1@newsg1.svr.pol.co.uk...
>> >> just in case this hasn't been covered before, there is a one way valve
> in
>> >> the filter that stops the oil from draining back into the sump
>> >> on most filters it is clearly visible at the base of the filter body
> (if
>> >> you look through the hole)
>> >
>> >
>> > That valve is not a one way valve. It is a low pressure bypass valve,
>> > which allows oil to bypass the filter element should it become blocked.
>> >
>
> I'm afriad the one-way valve is just that. The valve you can see down the
> center hole is indeed the by pass valve if the filter becomes blocked, but
> the one way one is just visable through the small holes and take the form 
> of
> a rubber flap which seals against the steel end of the filter. (oil
> direction is through the small holes and out the center one)
>


And for a one way valve to work it must be combined with a centre tube 
running from the neck by the thread to very near the base of the housing and 
overlapping the by-pass valve unit.

Huw

Sparky wrote:
<snip>

> 
> Interestingly, the warning light went out after about 10 seconds after 
> putting the new (and completely empty) filter on  <snip>


Next time you change the filter part fill it with clean oil and you will 
find that the oil light extinquishes quicker!

Did they give you another filter of the same part number ? Or did they
give you a filter with a different part number ?

ie was it a faulty filter, or had you been given the incorrect filter ?

"NT"  wrote in message 
news:1122191340.225631.232260@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

> Did they give you another filter of the same part number ? Or did they
> give you a filter with a different part number ?
>
> ie was it a faulty filter, or had you been given the incorrect filter ?
>


I got another with the same part number, the first one was faulty.

"Sparky"  wrote in message
news:c4KdnVtUTeIELX7fRVnytg@pipex.net...

>
> "NT"  wrote in message
> news:1122191340.225631.232260@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> > Did they give you another filter of the same part number ? Or did they
> > give you a filter with a different part number ?
> >
> > ie was it a faulty filter, or had you been given the incorrect filter ?
> >
>
> I got another with the same part number, the first one was faulty.
>


I would be following that up with a letter to Halfords HQ especially as you
say the oil light was staying on for about a minute after start up.

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the
drugs began to take hold. I remember "Sparky"  saying
something like:


>
>"NT"  wrote in message 
>news:1122191340.225631.232260@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>> Did they give you another filter of the same part number ? Or did they
>> give you a filter with a different part number ?
>>
>> ie was it a faulty filter, or had you been given the incorrect filter ?
>>
>
>I got another with the same part number, the first one was faulty. 
>

It'd be interesting to find Halford's attitude to your wrecked bearings
if you'd gone on long enough with the faulty filter.
-- 

Dave
SE6a