Hi all - I've done a search but not found anything - could be I'm not used to your search function.

I read somewhere that it is vital the anti-drainback valves operate correctly to protect the engine on startup....

fiatforum dot com /500/269353-changing-oil-1-2-petrol-500-a

I always buy named quality oil filters, like Mahle.

Does the Mahle 986 have this anti-drainback valve? I cannot see how they would sell them for the 500 if it didn't.

Thanks!

I just buy mine from Fiat far easier, one of the few branded items I buy.

sure.... and thanks for the quick reply.

But i buy my oils and such stuff from an Indy specialist (Opie), and so have ordered a named brand oil-filter at the same time, i.e. the Mahle.

...and Fiat don't make oil-filters

It should be fine.

I think what John was getting at was buy genuine Fiat branded filters.
They really are as cheap as any other and no worries if they fit or not.
Everyone's favourite auction site is full of them.

Mahle is good. You can test for a return valve by sticking your pinkie into the hole and pressing down on the metal plate you see when you look inside it. The plate should be sprung.

Don't cut yourself on the edges though.

Fiat genuine parts filters seem to be made by various manufacturers. Most recently they're made by Clean Filters (www.clean.it) which is a brand of Delgrosso SpA... (kind of industrial conglomerate) but in the past they've also been made by Bosch and Mahle too.


Ralf S.

The anti-drain valve is actually the rubber membrane under the ring of outer holes.
Generally the oil flow will be from the outside inwards. The rubber flap pushes away with oil flowing in, but should seal adequately to prevent the oil draining back out.

So, easy to tell, just open the box and look at it.
I did once buy a filter from Halfords that was missing its seal. All the others of the same part number had it. Had to explain to the young lad what was wrong and why.

The valve in the bottom centre is a by-pass valve. If the filter becomes clogged, or even if internal pressure gets too high, this allows oil to by-pass the filter and maintain flow.

Here's a thought. Replacing the filter too frequently can be worse than extending change intervals. This is why on older vehicles the first oil change after running in usually was oil only, not filter.
When new, oil passes through the filter paper freely. As it traps particles, mostly soot rather than metal, the trapped stuff attracts more, so fewer contaminants pass through.
Not seen Fram filters for sale for some time, but they used to have a factory in Wales, at Llantrisant, opposite the Royal Mint. I've spent a bit of time there watching filters being made. Surprising just how much paper is folded inside each little pot. And how cleverly the machine does it.

thanks all - especially Bill

That's why I love forums such as this - full of proper old skool knowledge.

I even saw a post once (not on here) where someone had taken three different-make oil filters and cut them open to show the difference between Manufacturer branded, OEM, and cheap version.

The differences were well worth taking action over! one of which was the amount of filter-area / number of folds - there was much less in the cheap aftermarket version.

Goudrons said:

It should be fine.

I think what John was getting at was buy genuine Fiat branded filters.
They really are as cheap as any other and no worries if they fit or not.
Everyone's favourite auction site is full of them.

Click to expand...

My issue was getting the RIGHT filter as there seems to be some variation as my local Fiat dealer is a 5 min walk and have had expensive issues using pattern part oil filters in the past, the extra few ££'s is worth it for a genuine part.
(I used a new pattern part oil filter on my last Accord, a shard of metal from it blew the balancer shaft oil seal, my wife was driving the car and only just got home without knowing oil was pouring out of the engine, there was nothing on the dip stick when I checked, the engine survived and a new seal fitted by the dealer, almost £300 later all good, just to save £5 vs the genuine part cost, suffice to say I only bought Honda filters from then on.)

thanks all!

As a follow-up, the Mahle 986 does have the rubber membrane behind the holes, so forming a one-way 'valve', and it does fit a MY12 1.2 engine

I'll post up a photo when I have time.

orangecurry said:

thanks all - especially Bill

That's why I love forums such as this - full of proper old skool knowledge.

I even saw a post once (not on here) where someone had taken three different-make oil filters and cut them open to show the difference between Manufacturer branded, OEM, and cheap version.

The differences were well worth taking action over! one of which was the amount of filter-area / number of folds - there was much less in the cheap aftermarket version.

Click to expand...

Pretty sure thats been done on here too.