Improperly installed oil filter

[dibbleda]

Over the weekend I experienced a traumatic engine failure. Upon leaving the harbor, we opened up the throttle, and within a few seconds, an unmistakable knocking was heard coming from the engine compartment. We immediately killed the engine and looked to find a significant amount of oil in the bilge. Luckily for us, we were fortunate to have a passing boater give us a tow back to shore.

Upon pulling the boat out of the water and inspecting the damage, we could immediately see that the oil filter was sitting a pool of oil in the bilge. We proceeded to take it into a local marina to have them give a professional diagnosis of the damage. The diagnosis was knocks on multiple cylinders as a result of an improperly installed oil filter. The damage is a new or rebuilt engine.

For years we have taken the boat to a (different) local marina to have all winterization and oil changes performed. I have years of past work orders to prove this, the last one being September 2010 for the winterization and oil change (itemization showing the new oil filter).

For anyone who reads this, do you feel that I have any chance of filing a claim against this marina and/or mechanic for the workmanship?

I understand that routine maintenance and inspection is a part of boating, but I didn't assume checking the 'tightness' of the oil filter was part of the job.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or advice.

-Dave

 

[reddogg]

Re: Improperly installed oil filter

I'd definatly give it a try, I mean, how hard is it to tighten an oil filter so you you may have a case for neglect. As a recomendation, don't always depend on someone else to do it right, get in the habbit of checking the work that was "supposed" to be done.

Red

 

[Mark42]

Re: Improperly installed oil filter

An improperly installed oil filter that fails is the fault of the installer. A properly installed filter that fails is the fault of the manufacturer. Determine the actual cause of the filter coming off (ie, wrong filter/thread size, missing/damaged seal, etc). I believe you can hold the mechanic/shop liable if the filter is the correct model, and it shows no mechanical failure.

Of course, this is just my personal opinion. An attorney needs to be consulted for a more qualified answer.

Good luck!

 

[Gettinther]

Re: Improperly installed oil filter

If you paid someone or some business for a service that was incomplete or incorrect then they should be responsible.

My opinion is they pay!

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Improperly installed oil filter

Mark42 is onto something... I bet it's the wrong filter or defective.

The correct filter would have a lot of turns to go, and you would lose pressure and destroy the engine long before it fell all the way off.
wrong or faulty filter just flew off when the pressure came up.