It does matter how it came off. Knowing this would preclude (if fixed properly) it from happening again. You're assuming a slight leak in the filter started all this. But it could be a few things, so whether it's the truth or a lie; what did they say?

 

What I meant was that whatever went wrong, they have to fix it. That's what doesn't matter. I know it matters what actually happened in terms of what's wrong with the car, and I plan to find out. They seemed skeptical when I told them what I thought had happened on the phone and said they would have to look into it first and would probably call the dealer (the one that isn't there anymore) and ask about it. While being skeptical and deducing it for yourself is a good idea as a mechanic, they do ask those preliminary questions for a reason. They need a starting point. What he got out of it was: Serpentine belt is off, oil leaking from somewhere onto the engine and pulleys (possibly the oil filter cap), and hopefully if he was listening- not to start the car until a belt is put on.


On a side note, I found it quite comical when I told him that I thought it might be from oil leaking out of the filter housing because of an incorrectly installed filter, he asked, "So what you're saying is that they didn't put the filter cap back on?" Yes. Exactly. 6,800 miles ago, the dealer never put the filter cap back on and I've only NOW had problems.

 

I changed my oil about 2,000 miles ago. All was fine until two days ago when I noticed some oil under my car: This was new as I check under the hood regularly. I took it for a drive and noticed fresh oil leaking from around the filter housing. This was a surprise as I am **** about installing the filter and "o" rings, and the cap was snugged to specs. I stopped by an auto parts store, purchased a new filter and drove home to change it. When I pulled the cap off, the filter slid right off the spindle and fell into the housing: This was the top-of-the-line Purolator. I cleaned everything, installed the new "o" rings and filter, checked the oil level, and all seems to be fine. There seems to be a felt-like bushing around the filter holes and it just didn't grip tight enough. It slipped down the spindle causing the oil leak. Since I usually have to give a tug to remove the filter, this was new experience. Just thought I would share this with everyone, and needless to say, this is my LAST Purolator. TBW

 

I think that's actually what I had them put in last time... whoops...

 

Some of the filter kits that are listed for the XF have O rings that are too thin !!!! They Will leak!!! The Mann will not. But it would be hard to imagine a Chrysler dealership not using an OEM kit?? So, they either didn't tighten it down or didn't actually put the O rings from the new kit on....lazy?

 

Well, I gave them a purlator filter to put in last time. I didn't know what they would put in so I thought I would buy my own oil and filter and just have them do the job.

 

Keep in mind that Purolator = Mann = Bosch. Bosch and Mann+Hummel acquired the Purolator filter business a few years back. I think that for the 3.2L MB engine, Mann makes the filters and commonly packages them in the popular Purolator name.

 

So I should not buy any of those?

What filters are people using around here? I'm probably going to change the oil as soon as I get the car back.

 

What kind of oil did you give them to put in?

 

No, they are fine to use. Mann filters are a little less expensive than Hengst (another OEM oil filter provider).

Probably the single biggest issue related to the oil filter for the Crossfire is IMPROPER INSTALLATION. The filter must be seated fully per the instructions, and the O rings must be in good shape and in the proper place.

The second issue you will often see discussed is the preference of FLEECE filters over PAPER (cellulose) filters. The fleece filters are designed to last for EXTENDED oil change intervals, but since the Crossfire doesn't use an extended interval, paper filters are also suitable (despite what some forum members will suggest). However, since you can find deals on the Mann fleece filter for $10 or so, it never hurts to get the longer lasting filters for around the same price as the paper one.

 

X2, good advice. The Fleece filter IMHO is a no brainer. It gives you a cushion if you can't get to your oil change right away(or afford itright away).

 

Mobil 1 0-40 Full synthetic.

 

Ok. Thanks for the advice. I'll look into finding some.

Long story short, I have my car back, and she's running great from what I can tell.

The problem turned out to be exactly what I thought it was. The dealer that did the oil change last never changed the o-rings, which caused the filter to seat incorrectly, which in turn caused an oil leak that got all over the belt and the engine and caused the belt to slip off.

The tech cleaned up the engine, the pulleys, the belt and put it back on, and changed the oil filter and the o-rings and seated them correctly. Also, he put a quart in from the oil loss.

All in all, it was actually quite a smooth experience. The car seems to run better now, probably due to the fact that the pulleys aren't all slick anymore, which means the belt can operate how it should. The engine seems to run smoother also. Despite the fact that the tech said they never get crossfires in, he did a good job and seemed competent when I talked to him.

Glad to have my XF back. Now I just got to get some ramps, a large enough oil tub, a filter, a drain plug washer, and a few more quarts of oil.

 

Even with my strapped budget, I always change the oil before it hits 7,000. There was only one time where I went over by 50 or so miles, and that that was the first oil change.

 

I'm curious; how do you know "The dealer that did the oil change last never changed the o-rings"? What kind of proof did the dealer offer?

 

I am glad that you got it back and everything was ok. It may be no big deal, but I would be concerned with them cleaning the belt and putting it back on. If the oil penetrated the belt, you may have a problem down the road. Be cognizant of any belt slip (which may be hard to detect), and I would inspect the belt every so often for a while to look for any signs that oil is being dispersed from the belt.

 

Dealership reps lie all the time and they know all the excuses. They expect the customer to accept their BS as the truth, so no proof is required.
Their whole business is based on BS and lies, they do not know where the truth ends and lies begin.
As you can see I am not one with any respect for them at all.

 

You should tell us how you really feel about dealers 180. LOL I'm w/ you on this 100%. Also, I agree how wrong it is that the dealer just cleaned an oil soaked belt and put it back on because they felt they could get away w/ it. OP never mentioned if he got charged for the cleanup or not. You just know they did.

 

Sorry I didn't mention it. I wasn't charged.

As much as I hate dealers, this one was probably my best experience at one. While they weren't the nicest people, they did seem competent. I don't think this one tried to screw me over.

I talked with the tech for quite some time about what he did and what he found. While I admit, I was bothered by the fact that they didn't replace the belt, he did tell me exactly what he did with it, and it should be fine until I put a new one on, which I planned to sometime soon. Until then I plan to watch it. I'm already watching the oil filter to see if it leaks and I can happily say he must have done what he said he did (replace the filter and o-rings) since it's not leaking at all anymore. I checked the pulleys, and while not the cleanest, the running sides where they contact the belt are clean- that means no oil on them.

EDIT:

Forgot to mention, he said the filter that was in there was slightly crushed because some of the aftermarket ones are very slightly too large. He said the ones they get from MB don't do that. I believe someone here mentioned that the purlators don't fit correctly. I won't be buying them again.

 

For now, it seems ok. But yeah, as soon as I find a suitable replacement, I plan on changing it, just for that extra security.

It's on my list of things to do, which now includes:

-buy oil filter, ramps, oil drain tub, a few more quarts of oil
-check and replace belt (eventually)
-clean up skid plate (still has oil on it)
-buy new rotors, pads, and brake fluid to put on/in car
-find replacement oem front rim
-buy/install new tires

I'm just glad this got fixed, didn't destroy anything when it broke, and that it didn't cost me anything except 2 days.