Distorted oil filter

[GTIEagles]

I gave my GTI an oil change tonight and I noticed the fins on the old filter were distorted, is this normal?

[4ndy]

Ive noticed this on a couple of oil changes  No rips tears so didn't think too much of it  Always changed yearly around 5000 miles.  Mann filters

[GTIEagles]

Yeah mine had no tears either. Mine too was a genuine Mann filter but it's the first time I've done an oil change on this car so wasn't too sure if it was normal or not.

[4ndy]

Perhaps it wasn't seated correctly in the base of the housing then force applied to the top when refitting caused the vanes to collapse straight away (guess)

[GTIEagles]

That sounds feasible enough or it might have been fine all along until removal which I guess could twist a soggy filter easily?

[Dan_FR]

You sure it hasn't been scavenging for oil? Ever checked the oil pickup? How long between oil changes?  I've never had this on mine

[GTIEagles]

I have never had any oil issues with it, in fact it hardly uses a drop between changes. I have never looked at the oil pickup, although I would say that the filter almost looked sucked in if that makes sense? It's been 6000 miles/ 1 year since it was last changed but the previous changes were about once every 2 years on a long life interval.

[rich83]

The filter should come out almost a stiff as a new one.... just VERY black. It shouldnt distort really, never had that happen on mine.

[MPS]

Hmmm..... Interesting thread. Mine comes out distorted too. Have to check the pickup pipe as its planted a seed of uneasyness in my head now. Don't want to wreck the engine.