Hello,
This is my 2003 Preditor. Is this filter in backwards?

As far as I can remember the end with the rubber seal and spring goes toward the engine. Looks like it's right. OPT

I thought this was the way it came out but I'm having some serious issues with the gasket and now cover. Today at normal operating warm up the filter cover blew. Prior to that I blew the gasket out.

The part detail seems to show it with the raised seal out. I wonder if I have it installed wrong?? Somethings up.....
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IF it does have the rubber seal on one side(which I'm thinking it does),this side is supposed to go into the engine cavity first with the spring so it can filter the oil properly. Been a while since I worked on a Predator,but I'd do some more checking. Plus if the filter cover was torqued too much or the filter didn't align with the cover properly,could be why the cover cracked? OPT

OK. Thank you for the replies. It does have the rubber that was on the inside like you said. I did torqe the bolts to try to stop a leak. Sounds like that may have been the source of the crack. I have been battling a oil leak from the seal and not sure why. A new cover and gasket is on order. I will need to get the torque specs and start over.

These little 8mm bolts shouldn't be torqued over about 8 to 10 foot pounds max! OPT

That oil filter IS in backwards!

You are absolutely right! Didn't look at the break down close enough.Dirt Cheap Yamaha & Polaris OEM Parts & Accessories – Cycle Parts Warehouse

I know that thread is 2 years old but not much on the net out there about this and I'm sure alot of people found this and put it in backwards as I did and had a leak and cracked cover just like I did due to the extreme pressure, until I figured it out...

Lucky it's not like the Honda set up. If the filter goes in backwards the oil flow stops and the motor blows.
Stupid setup it should go in right or not fit in that case.
I think all ATVs should just use the spin automotive type filters nowadays.