oil filter leak

This past week I was driving down a highway doing about 110 km per hour. The low oil (idiot)light came on.
I immediately pulled over to the side of the road and shut off the van (98 windstar gl).
I opened the hood and there was oil everywhere. I called a tow truck on my cell phone. I had the van towed back to my town to a garage that i use to service the van.
They told me that the oil filter was defective and the oil was coming out on the seam of the oil filter. They said that they had to put about 4 litres of oil in and a new filter to fill it back up. They left the engine to get cold. They said that when they started the van the engine had not made any noises so the engine should be ok. The service manager also kept the oil filter for me. When I got the van back I listen to the engine. I think I hear a faint knocking sound when the engine is cold.

I took the filter back to the lube shop that installed it. The manager told me that because it is a manufacturing defect on the filter that they have to let Pensoil (the manufacterer of the oil filter)take care of it. A representive for Pensoil called and left a message that they are doing tests on the filter and will get back to me.

Is it likely that the engine is damaged? I don't think the temperature light on the van went over normal when I pulled over to the side of the road.
What kind of compensation should I expect from Pensoil?

Is there anything else I should do regarding this matter that I dont know?

Thanks,
Andy

Definately hold onto that oil filter for evidence, but I'm wondering if you dont have a stuck pressure relief on the oil pump. This has been an issue in the past with some of the windstar 3.8's. Their are posts floating around out their of exploding oil filters! :uhoh: Since you caught the low oil pressure early, you probably fine, especially on a broken-in engine. Too bad they dont have a real oil pressure gauge. This would help you know if you had a bad bearing (low oil press), or a stuck PRV.
G/luck
Joel

So if I have a stuck pressure relief valve then chances are the new filter will blow up also?

Does anyone else have thoughts on this?

I think your analysis is correct.... if you have a stuck pressure relief valve, another filter cannister (or something) should blow apart.

I would drive the vehicle much the same as before, keeping a watchful eye, as best you can, on oil pressure. I would use a different brand filter. Every mile you drive, helps establish there is, or is not, anything wrong with your oil pressure system.

The chances are good the filter was a dud. Pennzoil can be expected to go into denial, and say their tests conclusively proved the filter was okay. (Don't they all do this?). They should replace the engine or just buy you out... if it turns out they are at fault.

Good luck... be prepared to go to small claims court if the evidence supports this action.