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MG MGB Technical - Oil filter

I know this has been aired before but thought I would ask. Recommendation for a good screw on oil filter. I done an oil and filter change earlier in the winter and fitted a Comline filter and was informed that a valve was inside it to stop oil draining out when standing idle. This doesn’t seem to be happening as it seems to be taking a bit to long before the oil pressure comes up to normal and the engine rattle stops ,usually 5/6 seconds, and this didn’t happen before, it makes me think that the oil is draining from the filter when the car is idle for a few weeks. Oil pressure is normally 60lb cold and 50lb hot. Your thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.
Trevor Harvey

Mann W916/1, often available discounted from motor factors from as low as £3 (up to £15). Don't let the low price put you off, it's better than some I've had. Not heard of Comline before this.

Inverted filters need the vertical tube in the filter head as well as the anti-drainback valve in the filter itself, which usually consists of a flap over a series of holes towards the outside of the filer base. Confusion can come from a second valve in the filter which is a pressure relief to prevent high pressure on a cold start bursting the filter medium.

Depends how long the car stands after a hot switch-off, mine is pretty well instantaneous over a day or so, getting up to a few seconds for a couple of weeks or more. Doesn't rattle though, that's not so good. Funnily enough mine is quieter before the gauge shoots up, then starts what sounds like a single heavy tappet that it's been doing for the past 35 years.
Investigation of cam, followers, push-rods and rockers showed nothing.



paulh4

Another vote for the Mann 916/1 , much quicker to get up to pressure from cold than the standard ones which were taking over 7 seconds after standing for a couple of days.

I seem to have to pay about £9 for mine but well worth it.
Mike Dixon

That’s prompted me that I ought to do an oil change.

I’ll try a Mann filter this time, having bought a few on eBay some years ago.
Dave O'Neill 2

I'm fortunate in having GSF about a mile away at £6 currently. This seems about the best deal online at £10 including delivery https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/316118894017
paulh4

Trever-
I'll jump on the bandwagon and say that Paul's recommendation of the Mann® oil filter is a good one.
It will strain out particles as small as 3 Microns, which is about as good as it gets. Over here on the other side of the pond the most popular oil filters for our cars are Purolator® and Wix®, although Mann® is also highly-regarded, but is harder to find. However, few are aware that both Purolator® and Wix® are both owned by Mann® & Hummel® of Germany; they fabricate vehicle oil filters under all three names.
Stephen Strange

I managed to find a Mann filter from eBay around £9, I have fitted it and it seems to have improved the lack of oil pressure when stood for a while problem but not by much. Maybe I hadn’t noticed this previously and it might have been like this before . Am I correct in thinking that originally this had a replaceable paper filter type that hung down so oil would not have drained from it, eliminating this problem.
Trevor Harvey

What year? Filters varied between replaceable element and canister, inverted and hanging for both at various times.

The canister briefly changed from inverted to hanging then back again four months later ... perhaps a significant issue reported back by workshops.

Personally having had cars with each type the hanging are messy to unscrew, even when tackled from above as with the V8, even more so from underneath with the ZS. I much prefer the inverted on the 73 roadster, both V8 and roadster require a 'nappy' underneath to catch the oil while being unscrewed, but at least I can grip the canister on the roadster!

I wouldn't worry about a few seconds to get pressure, having dismantled engines that have been standing for days everything was slathered in oil. Ignore scaremongering adverts saying the most wear occurs just after start-up, these engines have been running for decades.
paulh4

I’m coming to the conclusion that I’m concerned unnecessarily as my normal way of starting the engine especially after it’s been stood for a while is to turn the engine over without pulling out the choke for a while to circulate oil before pulling the choke and firing it up, as the battery was getting past its best this tended to almost flatten it but a new battery has sorted this out. In the cold weather it won’t fire up without choke. 71 B thanks Paul.
Trevor Harvey

This thread was discussed between 11/03/2025 and 28/03/2025

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