So. I just did my first oil change on the Vantage . Drained oil at all the points required ,new filter cleaned front and rear bypass screens etc . Had a B$&?#h of a time getting the screws out on the front screen . Ended up cutting a slot in the heads and using a super sized screwdriver to get them out . Now replaced with just regular 6mm bolts .
So my question is I cleaned the front and rear screen and was looking around admiring my work and checking for leaks after and noticed this in the pic .
Is the item in the centre of the shot another bypass screen or is it some kind of thermostatic bypass valve for the oil cooler . Does it need removal during regular oil changes ?

 

160 + views and no one knows what this is ?

 

what I do know, its not one of the screens or access points you need to worry about.

 

If I don't get an answer on here I will just open it up next oil change and figure it out myself . The cover looks identical to the screen covers . I like to get to know what stuff is and how it works .
Everything I learned about Healeys and rebuilding them is self taught . The Vantage is no different just more of a challenge .

 

open it up!! im curious too!

 

Looking through the AM Workshop Manual, it appears that the object in question would be the oil thermostat housing.

FYI, there is about one quart/liter of oil trapped in the oil cooler and its associated lines which can't drain out. To remove it you either have to loosen one of the lines to the oil cooler or snake a small hose down through the oil reservoir and vacuum the oil out.

 

Just went to the good book myself and Sir you are in fact correct. lubrication system page 3-2-14 says it is the thermostat housing.
Even more amaizing is how one is almost compelled to go and help a fellow AM owner when we have questions

I belong to a few forums (aviation, boring i know) and this is my the one i enjoy and value, so my thanks and Christmas wishes to the mods

 

I wonder why that screen or access port is not recommended to open and clean... maybe because its post filtered oil.... maybe its there to protect the engine if something downstream should break or come apart.

 

Why does vantage have these screens to clean? I haven't had to do that on any other exotics that have dry sump. Or is this just extra work that no one else normally do for oil changes?

 

Only the 4.3 engines have the screens...when AM went to the 4.7 engine, they removed the screens and replaced them with drain plugs.

AFAIK, the screens were a "good idea" of a designer who may have had an prior issue with an engine problem that resulted in debris in the oil which the filter was unable to catch?
Speaking from ignorance with an educated guess .

Welcome to any other interpretations...