Changed oil on my 496HOs last night.
Well, actually, I let them drain through the pan tube and out the transom for 24 hours.

Normally, when you spin off the Oil Filter, you get a bit of spillage, and drips down the oil filter mount.

Last night, port side, was very dry. Not much oil in the 'cup' of the oil filter mount. Very little poured out of the oil filter. SB side had normal amount of 'spillage.'

Could this be because I did NOT warm up the engines, and obviously did not let any oil pressure build the system? OR, did I have a bad Oil Filter, and/or an Oil Filter Bypass kicked in, (do I have one)?

What's the proper way to cut into my oil filter, and remove the element to give things a looksee?

THANKS!!

Old school way is with a hacksaw, New School way is with a Dremel. How many hours have you put on your boat since you got it?

What are you looking for?

After 24 hours you probably just broke the vacuum. I'm not aware of any check valve. I wouldn't worry. On mine, I crack the filter and get 0 leaks, you can hear the oil draining. I also add an extra 1/2 QT and use the 1QT "tall" filter, assuming you have clearance.

Thanks everyone.

I am not looking for anything. I just wanted to take a look at the element and see if I had any glaring big particals or anything.

2003 496HOs. Put 30 hours on them since I bought it the weekend before Memorial Day! 135 Hours total. I still gotta decide on extended warranties or Whipples. I think the warranties are going to win, and I will keep my eye open for some fancy bigger power one day.

Did you change your drive fluid as well?

I changed drive fluid and engine oil when I brought it home from Missouri at 110 hours.

There A Ck Value That Breaks In Every Filter When They Get Full Of Junk.
One Broke The Other Not My Guess

It is best to chisel open the filter. Other methods will create metal chips, flakes that could trick you. Cut around the base of the filter (screw on side). Make sure you are using a filter with anti drainback bladder inside. You will see it when cut open if it is there.

BT

Just curious as to what Brand filter. Also, cutting a filter open results in very sharp edges so be extra careful!