Never considered how much damage a tow hook can cause
I agree with you on the engine part, there are zero signs of any problems before the spin.
Failure at the oil filter caused the accident.
car doesn't look that bad:
*UPDATE*
I started tearing the car down today.The culprit for the oil?The oil filter gasket. For ***** and giggles, I tried to start the car when unloading it.It started right up,but was puking oil, so I killed it. The puddle of oil was right below the filter,so I grabbed it and was able to turn it about a half turn. I spun it back off, and the gasket was almost doubled over on itself. I'm not sure if maybe I didn't put enough oil on the gasket and maybe it "grabbed" the block when I installed it,stretching the gasket. Maybe that led to it eventually blowing out that section?I'm very ---- about the prep of the car,and I installed this filter the day before the event(last sunday), and I distinctly remember tightening it correctly. There was still almost one quart of oil left in the pan,so I dumped over 4.5 quarts on the track.The coolant I'd seen was from a hose that got pinched and busted from the impact.
I know this was a freak deal,but I'm still going to start safety wiring the filter.
Oil filter(gasket has returned to it's normal position:
I started tearing the car down today.The culprit for the oil?The oil filter gasket. For ***** and giggles, I tried to start the car when unloading it.It started right up,but was puking oil, so I killed it. The puddle of oil was right below the filter,so I grabbed it and was able to turn it about a half turn. I spun it back off, and the gasket was almost doubled over on itself. I'm not sure if maybe I didn't put enough oil on the gasket and maybe it "grabbed" the block when I installed it,stretching the gasket. Maybe that led to it eventually blowing out that section?I'm very ---- about the prep of the car,and I installed this filter the day before the event(last sunday), and I distinctly remember tightening it correctly. There was still almost one quart of oil left in the pan,so I dumped over 4.5 quarts on the track.The coolant I'd seen was from a hose that got pinched and busted from the impact.
I know this was a freak deal,but I'm still going to start safety wiring the filter.
Oil filter(gasket has returned to it's normal position:
car doesn't look that bad:
Doesn't look like anything under the body work got damaged. Just fenders, bumper, windshield, and remove the air bags.
How do you safety wire an oil filter? I don't think anyone does that. I'd first investigate installation procedure and the quality of my filter.
How do you safety wire an oil filter? I don't think anyone does that. I'd first investigate installation procedure and the quality of my filter.
Only done it on motorcycles. We are required to put a large hose clamp on the filter then wire the hose clamp to a nearby location on the motor.
I realize this is a bit old, but on the odd chance the tow hook helped with the damage (I doubt it, honestly), just another good reason to use a soft tow strap instead of the hard tow hook.
+1 for the soft tow straps. Easier to make them work for a custom setup if you don't have the typical mounting points too.
I doubt the hook had any major role in the amount of damage. The guy hit a barrier at like 90 mph. The cause of the damage is not a mystery.
I doubt the hook had any major role in the amount of damage. The guy hit a barrier at like 90 mph. The cause of the damage is not a mystery.
My engine builder safety wires my oil filter every time using a hose clamp + safety wire.
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