Ok, may not be an issue, but this is the first time I've had this happen. Wondering if it's common, etc. I removed the filter canister and the filter wouldn't come out. I could shift it side to side and turn it inside the canister but it was stuck and wouldn't release. I finally clamped the canister in a bench vice (lined with poly and careful not to over tighten) so I could get two hands on the top of the filter and pull hard enough to get it pop loose and found this attached to the canister side. That's the plastic guide. By the time I had it pried loose from the filter the filter was mangled and destroyed. Not a problem obviously since it was headed for the trash anyway but just a sign of how stuck it was. When the guide came out with the filter, the spring fell out as well. I reassembled, the guide popped back on and all seems fine now...I think. Again, I realize this may be perfectly normal, but I've never seen it. I thought I'd broken the canister assembly at first. So, normal? Is this the way it usually goes and I've just had it easy until now?
Also, what brand filter were you using ? I am confused now, b/c my MINI does not have that guide tube... Maybe mine being an 03, has something to do with it ?
Well, it doesnt seem normal that the filter stuck to it the way yours did, but now i am concerned about mine. NVM. Guess thats the difference between a just-a's oil filter housing and an S until the facelift. SSheewwww, was slightly scared for a moment there.
If I was new to not only this canister type filter change but oil changes in general I might have tossed the filter with the guide still attached. It felt like it was permanently bonded on there. I can see how someone might even compare it to a new OE filter and decide it was just from a different manufacturer and built differently since the OE filters have a plastic structure down the core.
So there's a difference here between S and non-S? Didn't know that, I figured this was one of the many identical parts. I thought they even use the same filter element...maybe not. Didn't suspect a difference either since I've never worked on an S and the diagram in my Bentley manual only shows the version with the guide or core or whatever it is. Normally if there's an S v non-S difference Bentley will spell it out and/or show separate pics/diagrams. The Bentley manual diagram looks almost identical to this one from realoem: Still wondering whether others have had this stuck guide/filter thing happen, but I guess I'm talking to a much smaller crowd than I thought.....
Well i am not certain that is the case. I too opened my Bentley up to see if there were any notes about it, but nothing... I came to the conclusion after visiting a site that has real photos of the product thats listed. The one on my car: Oil Filter Housing Cover | Mini Cooper Engine Parts at MiniCarParts.Net Yours: Oil Filter Housing Cover | Mini Cooper Engine Parts at MiniCarParts.Net
Sorry, but I can't help ya Steve. I quit changing my own oil years ago, as I just don't have the time or place to do it anymore. :nonod: Jim
The R50 and the R53 have different oil filter canisters. (for those who don't know) This used to happen to me every time with my wife's MC. What I did was to use a screwdriver to pry the filter off the cage. That way the cage did not separate from the canister. And I too always used OEM filters - I saw posts back in 03 of people who used aftermarket filters that got crushed. No thanks.
Got it, thanks, though if those links to minicarparts.net are correct this is only through June 2004; from July 2004 on they use the same canister. (pointing that out only for the sake of clarity for those still learning)