1999 Chev Tahoe - 5.7L Oil Filter Missing

[spencersauto]

Had a customer call in this morning saying his oil filter was gone and engine smoking.

Oil changed on Monday. Vehicle has a 5.7 Liter Jasper engine that was installed 3 1/2 years ago. After looking the customer found the oil filter on the front differential. The oil filter had the stud in it where is screws into the block. If it just had been the filter we could see the tech not getting it tight or a faulty filter, but since the stud came out with it we are at a loss of what happened here.

Anyone seen this or have any ideas??

[brianp87]

I say one like this once from a quick lube. Its been a few years and dont remember what it was if I remember correctly was the cooler adapter

[jbadenoch]

I've seen this one time before. My assumption was that on the last filter change, or even several before, the filter had been on too long and when trying to remove it the stud started its un-threading. I just replaced the stud and filter and never had an issue.

[ricmorin]

I've seen a few loose studs when doing a filter. One had almost come all the way out. Now I check them.

[wbuxton]

No help from me on this one. I have "double" gasketed a filter twice, drug a mop bucket 1/4 mile. Why it took twice I'll never know.

[fortknoxx]

when was the last lof? who did it?

[steven kiser]

i'm leaning towards the possibility the stud came out with the old filter (seen this a lot) the tech screwed the stud into the filter and then installed it. if this is what happened the stud only screwed in a few threads. the block side of the stud is shorter than the filter side. when the filter is changed it only climbs up 1/2 way on stud. this is fine because it's long enough. when the stud is installed on the filter first it will shorten the reach on the block side. call your insurance company and have the paper work on the reman ready. getting an honest answer from the tech may be an issue. if he's experienced he may not admit to a stupid mistake.