ascMcLaren Enthusiasts

My friend has Ford F-350 or 450 for landscaping he took to an oil change place and something happened.

Ford says to make certain to use the correct filter for the truck or major damage could result.

After the maintenance was performed, damage ocurred in the form of bent valves and a destroyed spark plug and possibly a cracked head or block.

The cylinder was the closest to the driver, and I think the closest to the filter.

Has Anyone heard of, experienced, or know of this phenomenon?

Only if you use the wrong size filter/part number? Which is almost unheard of. Brand of filter doesn't really matter, so to speak. I know a lot of people will beg to differ. I'm speaking in generalities when it comes to basic engine protection.

Ford recommends motorcraft filters and oil for obvious reasons. I only use motorcraft in my fords mostly because of loyalty I suppose, original equipment is another. I had a 1999 f-150 that started to knock on cold starts with 18,000 miles on it. I bought it new and back in those days ran Pennzoil through it with frequent oil changes. Engine had to be replaced 18,500. Ford said quiet recall but I dont know.

Bottom line, for what ever reason the engine was not getting enough oil circulated through it and unless the oil filter was too small, defective or was not on tight enough to keep oil from coming out of it, I doubt it is the culprit.

It sounds a little hoaky to me too.

I just wish I could get a motorcraft battery for original equipment.

Now it's oringinal equipwent.

haha good analogy.

Yeah I am still looking for an original battery too, but I believe it is a lost cause. Cant keep myself from looking though.

darkhorse40 wrote:After the maintenance was performed, damage ocurred in the form of bent valves and a destroyed spark plug and possibly a cracked head or block.

if he bent valves it was not because of an oil change.

That's what I thought too.

Funny thing......I get the coupons for the Ford Dealers maintenance services and they picture a Motorcraft battery where it says they use original parts.

I saw some 6 volt motorcraft batteries for some vintage cars on ebay. I believe those systems had a positive ground until some time in the forties.

I am an aircraft mechanic and I have never heard of valves bending because of an oil issue. Even if it was the wrong filter or not letting oil flow the pistons would have overheated and scarred/welded themselves to the walls along with the bearing before the valves were ever effected. Generally you bend valves during a serious hydrolock issue, if the cylinders got flooded with fuel due to a stuck fuel injector it could have happened. Was the truck a diesel of gas burner? I don't think they used gas engines in the 450s but I may be wrong. It is possible that the spark plug came apart, dropped into the cylinder and that is what caused the valves to bend, but still should not have been caused by an oil change.

I believe it's a gas burner, not diesel.

Thanks for the feedback...I'll be forwarding the posts to my landscaper pal.

tfs2121 wrote:

darkhorse40 wrote:After the maintenance was performed, damage ocurred in the form of bent valves and a destroyed spark plug and possibly a cracked head or block.

if he bent valves it was not because of an oil change.

Isn't about the only way to get that is a broken timing belt or a spun bearing?

Lack of oil could make a bearing spin I suppose...but I'd say it's have to be one screwed up oil change to have that happen.

-Mike

Or way too much liquid in a hole! Water doesn't compress. But that's more common in Diesels with their much higher compression ratios.

I've seen a vehicle drive into a puddle that turned out to be deeper than the carb/intake. Does a nasty job to the pistons and valves! Mostly to the pistons.

The radiator keeps on radiating and the brakes keep on braking but the pistons can't p**s at all!

A timing belt or chain may have done it, but you would more than likely see the same damage on the entire engine, not just one cylinder as there is usually enough momentum to keep the engine turning even if the top quits turning, causing several of the valves to contact the pistons in multiple cylinders. A spun bearing would not do it, generally if you spin a bearing the oil pressure drops to nothing in a portion of the engine and then you get the overheat issue.