Oil Filter Gasket Failure - Westerbeke

[pma_foyl]

Hi There,
I recently changed my oil on my Westerbeke 64A. All seemed fine; drained/refilled oil; replaced Westerbeke Oil Filter with Sierra equivalent. Started engine to ensure no leaks; all still good. But when I rev'd the engine to put a little pressure on the system (nothing extreme, just up to 1500rpms), the oil filter gasket gave way, sending oil everywhere.

I shut down the engine, and removed the bad filter. I put another one on; refilled the oil (to the prescribed level) and tried again. SAME result. Anyone have any experience like this? I'm thinking maybe the Sierra filters are at fault (perhaps not really identical in their sealing configuration).

I don't have an "old gasket" remaining in the bracket and the bracket appears to be free from debris or deformity. Kinda at a loss. I have ordered some Westerbeke oil filters to see if a genuine filter will resolve the problem.

But I would love any knowledgeable thoughts about what might cause this or any other insights

Thank you,

Paul

[rbk]

You took my guess with the old gasket. Just a thought if you’re still using the old clamshell style filters, there are adapters for new filters that fit Perkins, might be worth seeing if they fit your westerbeke and they’re generally under $30.

[motion30]

I have had good results with the Napa Gold filters, still cheaper than westerbeke, and probably a better filter

[fox9988]

Hows your oil pressure at 1500 rpms?

[pma_foyl]

My oil pressure is generally consistent around 50psi.

[Captain Bill]

Perhaps there was an error in the cross reference table and you got the wrong filters. What numbers were the originals and replacements?

[pma_foyl]

The Westerbeke OEM is 40154. The Sierra is supposed to be 23-7826. In fact, the Sierra box even says "westerbeke 40154 equivalent".

BUT I just found a thread on this forum that mentions Sierra Filter gasket failures on Westerbeke engines... so this may be the clue I was looking for.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...er-149123.html

[pma_foyl]

I can now confirm. The Sierra "equivalent" filter for the Westerbeke 040154 is NOT, in fact, equivalent. The gasket dimensions are significantly off. What's more, Sierra has known this for several years and hasn't bothered to correct it, even though the box says it's for the 040154 (*in fact, this is the only filter it claims to be a replacement for). HORRIBLE.

[thuss]

I had the same thing happen to me. The Sierra equivalent filter was not equivalent at all, now I just get the Westerbeke filters and they work great.