the dual swinging pick-ups have issues sometimes. I always used the static dragster pick-ups. that being said i'll be the odd man out here. try a different filter first before dismantling the mechanicals. I've had trouble with drain back on every wix, napa, k&n, and I hate to say but baldwins too. baldwins used to be top notch. the anti-drainback in the wix, etc, etc, doesn't work when the filter is in the horizontal. people will argue this but I doubt most people know or understand drain back. currently i'm using purolator pl30001's without issue. other brands may work too. a $10 test is where i'd go first.