GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Has anyone had a problem with oil filters coming off of their Vibe? My 2005 Pontiac Vibe's oil filter mysteriously came off and all the oil drained out of my car. I did not hit anything before hand. I had an oil change done previously 2 months before.I'm wondering if it's possible the last mechanic didn't put the oil filter on tight enough. There was no sign of leaking before this happened.

you are the first, that I have heard... one of two things could have happened, an upset boyfriend/exhusband removed it to make your car a paperweight. Or, the mechanic didn't tighten the filter enough... But, if it losened up over time there would have been a noticeable leak.Did you catch it before you blew the engine?

I agree with keithvibe. I haven't heard of this happening either. The mechanic either didn't tighten it enough (or never put one on), or somebody sabotaged your car. Either way, you should have noticed a significant leak. It is nearly impossible to hit something that would take off the oil filter.

...double check the filter number, could somebody possibly have installed a wrong filter?

Thanks for all the replies, I'll check the oil filter...The deal is this. I drove to work in the morning, there was no problem, no idiot lights on. When I got into my car that night to go home, the oil light immediately came on. I drove home, thinking I was only maybe one quart down. My car broke down after 10 mins of defrosting my window and about 10 mins on the road. There was NEVER any oil leak, to clue me in to any problem. I called work later on and a co-worker found my oil filter in the parking lot where I'd been parked and ALL of my oil (or most of it), the rest must have pumped out when I drove.My car broke down, not sure if the engine seized or if there was an automatic oil pressure shutoff safety feature to save the engine before this happened.

Sorry to hear about this, as the odds are that the bearings are now toast. I really dislike warning lights because most people react as you did, thinking you had time to get to where you needed to go. When these lights come on....it is imperative to shut the engine down immediately, to minimize the risk of wiping the bearings out. Once pressure is lost, the oil film that the crankshaft and connecting rod bearings "float" on is gone, leaking metal to metal contact. Bad thing.Top end of the engine can survive a bit longer, but wear on valvetrain and cylinder bores happens quickly as well.Fingers crossed that you Vibe somehow survived this, but with almost total loss of oil at parked locataion, and then driving......doesn't bode well.

Does anyone know if this vehicle has an automatic engine shutdown feature if oil pressure gets too low? From what I've heard some vehicles have this feature now.I called the dealership where I bought my car and they said they couldn't tell me that, even if I gave them a VIN #.

yet another reason not to have your oil changed by a stranger. sorry.

I do not believe that the car has a low oil pressure shut off. Not 100% positive though.If you go back through my years of posting here an over riding theme will become obvious..... I HATE (yes, I know hate is a strong word but let me repeat...HATE) "PROFESSIONAL" MECHANICS!!!! As with other skilled trades the truly skilled people are dying off or retiring leaving in their place a bunch of trade school "schooled" kids who think they know everything and also lack attention to detail.So sorry this tragedy happened to you!There is a good lesson here for others to learn though. Idiot lights were installed on a car to alert the driver to SERIOUS issues with the car. When one comes on STOP!, TURN OFF THE CAR...NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then figure out what is wrong.With the ever lit "check engine light" on modern cars that means very little we've become jaded to dash lights and ignore them. Low washer fluid, low oil, antilock brake and all manner of other annoying lights has made the serious ones to be often ignored and not taken seriously.My niece was just here to get a new TPS on her car and she came in with the LOW OIL light visibly lit, along with low washer fluid and check engine light and change oil soon light all glowing. The oil light was meaningless to her and she ignored it! (18 yrs old) I put in 2 1/2 qts of oil in an engine that takes 4 1/2 qts.Best of luck but I'm afraid your Christmas just turned into an Engine replacement!!FYI engine oil is in the oil pan, it gets sucked up into the oil pump, pushed through the oil filter and then fed throughout the engine. Without an oil filter ALL the oil leaves the engine right quick and does zero lubrication.Dave

Quote, originally posted by jmvvibeowner »Does anyone know if this vehicle has an automatic engine shutdown feature if oil pressure gets too low? From what I've heard some vehicles have this feature now.I called the dealership where I bought my car and they said they couldn't tell me that, even if I gave them a VIN #. No it doesn't. You toasted the engine...your going to have to spent about 2k for someone to put in a new engine now. So many things are wrong with this thread I just don't know wear to start.And being my mother always said if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything.....The only thing I will say is this, you have no body to blame but yourself.

I suppose it's possible that you could have been the random target of a cruel prank. I find it hard to believe that the filter would have unscrewed itself w/o warning signs (oil drops on your driveway, etc). Do you work days or nights? I'm not sure why someone would crawl under your car in the daytime with the risk of being seen, but you never know these days. Any chance where you park has security cameras?

Quote, originally posted by lovemyraffe »Somebody sabotaged your car.This is the only conclusion I can come to with the info provided.If the oil filter started to loosen off it would have puked all the oil out well before it fell off the engine.Question: Where you parked your car at work, is there a puddle? Is there a trail of oil coming in off the street to your parking spot or does the oil trail begin at your parking spot and lead off from there? Are there security cameras pointed in the general direction of your car? Could you watch the video from said cameras?Sucks what happened... Quote, originally posted by keithvibe » you have no body to blame but yourself.I'll agree with Keith...Quote, originally posted by jmvvibeowner » When I got into my car that night to go home, the oil light immediately came on. My car broke down after 10 mins of defrosting my window and about 10 mins on the road.

Quote, originally posted by DeClerq »I suppose it's possible that you could have been the random target of a cruel prank. I find it hard to believe that the filter would have unscrewed itself w/o warning signs (oil drops on your driveway, etc). Do you work days or nights? I'm not sure why someone would crawl under your car in the daytime with the risk of being seen, but you never know these days. Any chance where you park has security cameras?I'm guessing wrong filter, threads are close but not exact. It hung on for awhile and then upon start up in the afternoon the pressure was too great and it just let go, the oil pressure just pushed off the oil filter and he drove off and the oil light came on. It will interesting to see what his filter brand and number are when he posts them.There is too much thread before seal contact to not have a very noticeable oil leak before it came completely off it was installed loose.When I worked for Volvo in the 70's they had a serious oil seal issue where the oil pressure actually blew the seal off the oil filter!! I drove a demo and carried extra oil, oil filter but no wrench! I actually did have to replace one, it blew at the mall and I went to Sears and got a GIANT pair of slip joint pliers to get the filter off. I still use those pliers to this day, actually I did use them today!Dave

There was no trail of oil coming into the parking space, and no sign of problem on my dashboard. There was a huge puddle of oil and the tracks from my parking space after the oil came out. There are security cameras supposedly that pointed in the direction of my car, but I havent seen footage yet. Called the police cause figured it was vandalism.It was 1130pm and too dark in the parking lot to see anything out of the ordinary before I pulled out.

I work days, but this particular day I worked until 1130pm instead of my normal 730pm. Supposedly there are security cameras that point at the parking lot.

I looked on the web site for the oil filter that was supposed to be installed in my car, and it looks like it should be #61396? The filter that was installed in my car was a Parts Master oil filter #61356.Sounds to me like the wrong filter, could he have mixed up the numbers 61356 and 61396. Any feedback on that anyone?

Quote, originally posted by jmvvibeowner »I work days, but this particular day I worked until 1130pm instead of my normal 730pm. Supposedly there are security cameras that point at the parking lot.Must work at a hospital with those types of hoursSomeone took your filter off is my guess

I understand how one would just drive off without ever thinking you lost oil let along the filter. I for one thinking it was fine in the morning would be confused if it happened the next time you start the car. I would of first think it was an faulty oil pressure switch yet the oil is flowing just fine. Who did the recent oil change for you? How long did you own the Vibe? Did you buy it as a used car? Something like happened to me (and I did the oil change!!! just a half hour earlier. In my case (and I blamed the design of the 2.5L Chrysler.) I was at the recyling dropoff to give them the old oil that I just removed. Just as I was giving them the oil, the fellow there said you are dripping oil from under the car. Luckily they contained the spill. After opening the hood, I found that a rubber plug that is just press fitted to the back of the header block (at the cam shaft end) popped off and was still laying there on some hoses and the wheel well top. Oil was leaking out of the cam shaft bearing. I quickly replaced the plug and returned home. Luckily, I knew about how easy it was for this plug to come off, for I once found it partially loose before. As for your misfortune, I hoped you retrieved the found oil filter for inspection of the threads. Is this a normal CAN filter or is it of the cartridge type replacement filter element design? And for all herein who know, (I don't know) can one put a CAN filter on the engine that should really have a Cartridge filter? (just thinking the mechanic could not get the correct filter at the time) The car lasted for two months. And a question to Mr Star Deciever... is the Cartridge can made of plastic? It just looks like it is from the picture you provided in my thread.If this happen to me, and I could not afford to rebuilt or replace the engine, I would just try to fix the oil filter problem then give it an oil change and see if it will still run as before. I am of the thinking that any remaining film of oil would of kept it from burning the moving parts. It is a long shot I would try at first, you have nothing more to lose.

As I noted in one of the above threads. The oil filter was a "Parts Master" and the part # was 61356...not sure if it was the correct one. I'm also not sure if it was a can filter or a cartridge filter.I may try to just put oil in and start it, if its fried its fried, dont see how much more damage it could do. But have to wait for the damn insurance adjuster to look at it first. Also, since I reported this to police, want to check with them. The cop didnt seem to think anything of it, so god knows what he wrote in his police report.

Did ya park in somebody's spot ?Back in Philly thay kill ya for doing that.

Quote, originally posted by jmvvibeowner »I looked on the web site for the oil filter that was supposed to be installed in my car, and it looks like it should be #61396? The filter that was installed in my car was a Parts Master oil filter #61356.Sounds to me like the wrong filter, could he have mixed up the numbers 61356 and 61396. Any feedback on that anyone?Ok, here is your problem.The 61356 has the same exterior dimensions as the 61396.The difference is, and it is a big difference is the thread. The 61396 has a 3/4 - 16 threadThe 61356 has a 20mm - 1.5 Thread.20mm is 0.0374 bigger in diameter than the 3/4, over 1/32 of an inchIf you don't think that is a big difference go get a thread sizing gauge and stick your finger in a 3/4 hole and then put it into a 20mm hole, the difference is HUGE!!The 16 pitch thread is 16 threads per inch, th 1.5 mm thread is 16.93 threads per inch.Bigger hole, different thread = Failed connection!! Figure your oil is pushing 30 pounds or more of pressure into that can, it is only a matter of time before those few threads on the filter can fail and the unit is blown off by the pressure.My opinion anyway. No vandalism here, just an error on the part of the oil change shop.I'd find my receipts, I'd keep the filter that blew off and I'd make an appointment with the manager of the repair shop. Even go and purchase one filter of each type so you can demonstrate with a simple finger insertion test the difference in hole size. Calmly request a replacement engine from the shop.Although, me being me (my feelings about repair shops and those who work in them), I would NOT trust that shop to put the engine in if they can't be trusted to screw on the proper oil filter!!!!!!I bet if you cleanup and carefully examine the threads inside of the failed oil filter, you will find that they are mangled and distorted, the highs of the thread are probably shaved off from when the oil pressure pushed them over the threaded pipe on the engine.DO NOT SURRENDER THAT CAN TO THE SHOP!! you may need it if you pursue legal channels to get your money.dave

Unfortunately you had the wrong oil filter on with wrong thread size and pitch. 2005 vibe had 2 engine options. Vin 8, 1zz-ge takes Parts Master 61396 according to some of these sites, which cross references to Purolator pl14476, Fram 4967, O.D. 2.69, height 2.93, thread pitch unf-2b, threads 3/4-16. VIN L 2zz-ge takes Purolator pl14477. O.D. 2.69, height 3.52, thread pitch unf-2b, threads 3/4-16.The parts Master 61356 cross references with Purolator l14610, Fram ph7317, O.d. 2.69, height 3.52, threads m20x1.5 Please double check my info cause I am prone to mistakes. Purolator lists a couple of these as 3.52 inches, and I thought they were closer to 3.25 inches. It confounds me a little that vibe OEM is not threaded metric. I can see where a mistake could be made.http://www.purolatorautofilterst/Pages/ ... plabs.com/ They manufacture many so called high performance brands including K&N, Mobil, Royal Purple, probably some of Bosch, STP, Walmart Super Tech, possibly Penske, Mopar, VW, etc, and some they probably can not tell about.http://showmetheparts.com/champlabs/htt ... yc....html, great site and cross reference and oil discussionshttp://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/

There you go, two answers, same result. Wrong filter for the engine.Dave

djkeev,You beat me to it!. I have been lurking for a while and when I saw this post a few hours ago I started to put a post together. By the time I registered and posted I saw you already answered. Oh well, it was the final straw that got me to stop being a lurker and to join the grid and register.Cheers.PS: I have a 2010 base vibe auto preferred package, ultra white.

Quote, originally posted by 10vibe1.8auto »djkeev,You beat me to it!. I have been lurking for a while and when I saw this post a few hours ago I started to put a post together. By the time I registered and posted I saw you already answered. Oh well, it was the final straw that got me to stop being a lurker and to join the grid and register.Cheers.PS: I have a 2010 base vibe auto preferred package, ultra white. Welcome!!!! Doesn't matter who was first, it was just nice getting our research independently validated!!Dave

Thank you both for your great information and research. I had a feeling it might be the wrong oil filter. If I pursue legal action against this place, I will certainly not take it back there to have an engine put in, like you said, if they can't even put the correct oil filter on right!Thanks for all your help. I appreciate it!

Quote, originally posted by 10vibe1.8auto »djkeev,You beat me to it!. I have been lurking for a while and when I saw this post a few hours ago I started to put a post together. By the time I registered and posted I saw you already answered. Oh well, it was the final straw that got me to stop being a lurker and to join the grid and register.Cheers.PS: I have a 2010 base vibe auto preferred package, ultra white. welcome fellow '10 owner!

I wish you luck with your case, from someone who's been victimized by flying monkeys with crowbars too. Please, PLEASE, PLEASE help out other consumers by making a complaint to the BBB in your state (they should have a website) AND if you have an office of consumer protection in your state, do that too!!

Quote, originally posted by jmvvibeowner »Thank you both for your great information and research. I had a feeling it might be the wrong oil filter. If I pursue legal action against this place, I will certainly not take it back there to have an engine put in, like you said, if they can't even put the correct oil filter on right!Thanks for all your help. I appreciate it! Keep us updated.My guess is going to be that you are going to have to have an engine put in at your expense so you have transportation. Then you will have to pursue your money. SAVE THE OLD ENGINE!!! Document the damage by an "expert". (God only knows what that means any more, probably a Pontiac servicing GM dealer??)Dave

Very interested in this discussion as I came upon the following ad this evening on the local Kijiji site:-"2004 Vibe, automatic, only 157,000 km on it. Oil plug came out and motor went dry of oil and I didn't know....so I would say she is toast. Rest is real good - $300" Perhaps the demise of this Vibe was also oil filter related?Just wondering as to extent of repairs & cost to get this Vibe running again - replacement engine (perhaps from auto salvage yard) versus fixing seized engine (lot of labour no doubt)? I currently drive a 1991 Toyota Corolla 4WD wagon (All Trac) with 305,000 km, now 20 yrs old but still runs like a charm. A Toyota Matrix or Pontiac Vibe would be a logical successor.Update - this 2004 Vibe @ $300 was quickly sold to first viewer - I guess a nice side project for a mechanic on his own time.I see "seized engine" is #1 on the following list of bad news:-1. Seized Engine Due to Lack of Oil“The reason your engine stopped running is that it’s now a melted mass of amalgamated metals. What used to be aluminum pistons, steel cylinder walls and an iron crankshaft is now a 900-pound garden sculpture. The Smithsonian wants to put it on display.”Cost: $3,000 for a used engine, up to $10,000 for a remanufactured engine.The lowdown: A “seized” engine means that your lubrication failed (that is, you had insufficient oil or oil pressure), and the expensive moving parts of your engine scraped each other into a heated glob of useless scrap metal. Unfortunately, there’s no way to fix a seized engine. Instead, the engine needs to be replaced with a used or remanufactured engine. What happens to your old engine? A recycler will finish the melting job, and the engine will be transformed into thousands of tiny Bic lighters.>