ques: engine caught fire, reason unknown

[light]

light have a 98 Mits Galant (150,000 miles). I just perform an oil change (by myself) then took it out for a little run. Within 10 min, the check engine light went red, rubber-burn smell. I pull the car over, pop up the hood and saw a little fire under the manifold. I put out the fire with my bottle water. The oil stick indicates empty(???) i just fill up like ~4.5 quarts. Check oil filter...good. The drain-nut is tight. So the question is what could cause the fire? oil gasket? oil leak? or a sign from above that light need a new car? :) any suggestion?

Thanks

[rand]

hmm... you didn't see the oil leak on the ground where you've changing oil ? you may double check your oil filter when you screw it in! maybe the old oil filter gasket is stick in the engin block. good luck!

[light]

yes...that is exactly what happen....the old oil filter sticks in the block...thanks rand :)

[Phalanx]

Wait a minute. The oil filter gasket is on the oil filter. You only screw the oil filter on the oil filter housing so how could the gasket stick IN the block ???

[rand]

next time go and buy oem oil filter is cost only $1 or $2 more but you'll get peace of mind, the thing is cheap after market oil filter the gasket like stick on double face tape so after period of time is will stick to the engin block

[light]

thanks guys....last night, i drove home like 5 min without any oil in the engine..:( ...this morning, i replace the oil filter (another aftermarket from Napa..haha :) ..i am cheap :) ) put in synthetic ...hoping somehow it will minimize the damage from last night...now the engine feels kinda "out of balance"...not much....the car will last until summer when light replace it...:)