I think I was the first one to notice the spring was loose because I get a syringe and tube to suck all the old oil out the housing and that's how I noticed it. It's a bit of a poor design really but I now lube the end of the filter to give it the best chance to not drag it off the post with friction as you tighten the filter. [ I see you are in Telford if you ever need help with anything].

I still can't quite understand what this small return passage does if there is a large oil return passage in the base of the filter housing? 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

Cheers Kev, likewise. Jay Jag implies it returns via an oil separator and if it leaks during running it overloads the separator and excess oil is fed into the intake air flow, hence the blue smoke, who’d have known? 2011 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography Ipanema sand
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JayGee wrote:

I still can't quite understand what this small return passage does if there is a large oil return passage in the base of the filter housing?

Ah thanks that makes sense 😊 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

Now we make these rubber parts

Excellent! How can I get hold of a couple?

Looks different to the one that I took out. Is this a new design or does the lip wear away on the original? 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

When used, it turns into a pancake. Аnd the new one is just like that.