HELP ! KEEP BLOWING OIL FILTERS 1998 2.4

[GCCUDA]

Hopefully someone can help. My son and I changed his head gasket on his 1998 frontier 2.4 . turns out the timing chain guide let go. wore a hole in the timing cover we repaired the cover and reassembled the engine
End result we had sludge and we swapped out the oil after 20 minutes of running.
After 5 days and about 200 miles my son went to the corner gas station and blew the oil filter at the seal (thank god he was smart enough to roll home) . we though it was because we used a cheap filter . So we swapped in a new fram filter. after about 60 miles while he was in a walmart parking lot it happened again ! errrrrrrrr!

So I have read that the oil pressure relief valve may be the issue ? any thought's?
If so where is it located on the 1998 2.4 liters? my son says it is a ka24de . also there is a regulator valve in the pump ?

[themadscientist]

we though it was because we used a cheap filter . So we swapped in a new fram filter.

That was a joke, right? Don't use Fram filters, please. They are crap. For the time being, though, DO keep using them so you don't tear up more expensive quality filters trying to sort out this problem. Even a Fram shouldn't be failing like this.

I have seen timing chains slap holes in covers, it's wild. I wonder if the failure of the tensioner and the sludge are not connected. If the tensioner is oil pressurized and every Nissan chain-driven engine I have dug into was, I bet the failure was due to the sludge denying proper pressurization of the tensioner. That the relief valve is probably jammed up with junk is a safe bet. It sounds pessimistic, but it's what I would do in this position, not trying to be mean, just realistic. New engine.

I know, it's extreme, but you have two likely choked up oil system-driven problems back to back. That's just the tip of the iceberg. If the system is plugged up there are other parts getting tore up. Your connecting rods are likely the next thing to blow and they will take the crank and the block with them.

Pick up a decent secondhand engine and pull this one out. That will get you back on the road the quickest and with the least amount of BS. If you are game, maybe rip this engine down and see if you can rebuild it. It can be fun when the truck is sitting in the driveway with a functional used engine while you go through the original one. Or, throw it up on craigslist and some 240SX drifter guy will give you his mom's money for it.

[nalz]

As unlikely as this is , you should check it just because it's easy and cheap to fix. Sometimes the o-ring/seal of the old oil filter sticks to the engine when the filter is removed, no one notices, and when the new filter is spun on you end up with two seals where only one should be. You end up with a big oil leak very soon afterwards

[Ken@PTUNING]

The oil pressure relief valve is located inside the lower timing cover next to the oil pump. There is also an oil bypass check valve on the block behind the oil filter housing (the aluminum piece the oil filter screws on).

[whomadewho]

Just an opinion. A good start would be to focus on the oil filter. Like Nalz stated check the housing to ensure the old gasket isn't stuck on the housing. Check the oil filter application - could be using the wrong filter. Most applications cover x year to x year. I would consult with a Nissan dealer and get the Original part number. You can then interchange with you're brand of choice. Check the threads on the oil filter housing. Does the filter turn on easy? I experienced the same issue on my 1997 d21. I had saved the old filter and compared the threads to the replacement filter,turns out the filter screwed on but the threads were different so the filter wasn't sealing causing a oil leak. The filter didn't leak at idle but leaked shortly after driving. Just my opinion I have been using K&n oil filter it's a quality HP filter and the filter has a 1 inch nut built into the filter so removing and installing the filter super easy. You can use a 1 inch socket or a box end wrench. You could also use some product to flush the system to remove the sludge. Use CAUTION when flushing. You don't want the sludge to loosen and get in a undesirable area.

[whomadewho]

One would assume, if the relief valve was stuck to the point where the filter was leaking,the filter would show signs of bulging or deformities.

[GCCUDA]

So The oil filter seal is not the issue . Just so every one knows this is the first generation frontier 2.4 . built during the first run into north America. The engine changed in sept.98
As for the motor it blew again this morning after about 200 miles .
We looked at the filter housing when the filter was removed and did not see any relief valve in it . That was why I was asking if the pressure relief was in the pump . It is an external PUMP

[Ken@PTUNING]

There is the bypass valve on the block:


This is the pressure relief valve for the oil pump. The pressure valve is located (in the picture) on the lower right. It is the gold bolt.:


What blew on the engine? If you're having that high of a pressure, then likely something was clogged in the engine block preventing oil flow would be my guess.

[GCCUDA]

Those are not the cover or the oil filter for the first generation frontier 2.4 .

[Ken@PTUNING]

I can tell you that the bypass valve in my first picture exists on all KA's. It is located directly on the block, behind the oil filter housing/bracket. You will need to remove the 4 bolts that hold the housing on to confirm that.

You're right, the KA24DE's on the Frontiers have an external pump. My mistake. It's still located in the (large) gold bolt in the picture below.:

[GCCUDA]

As for the pump I thought as much. And the filter housing I would like know if there is another one behind the housing . cant see from side of the block

[Ken@PTUNING]

Should be located directly on the block.