Oil Filter Science - EXPLORED!

[Zembonez]

Everybody has a favorite. Much like anything else, some opinions are justified and some are just what people have come to believe is "best" for some reason.

Try reading this page. http://people.msoe.edu/~yoderw/oilfilterstudy/oilfilterstudy.html The information there is somewhat dated but still gives you an idea on different filter construction methods and their effectiveness.

I'll try to find some current study information and post it here.

Feel free to do the same if you have something available - OR - voice your opinion on oil filters and why you think what you do.

 

[Stumpuller6.5]

good info, but man that is old!

"This page is maintained by Russell W. Knize and was last updated 09/02/99."

 

[Black02Silverado]

Oh Boy an "oil" filer thread, Yeppeeeee!!!!

OK now seriously, since that above was posted technology has come a long way in how oil filters are manufactured.

The filter media has changed and is more advanced now. The more expensive ones like the Mobil 1, Donaldson Endurance and AMSOIL have the synthetic media which filter more efficiently.

The bypass valve designs have changed as well as where they are placed inside the filter and how that effects oil flow through the filter.

Anti-drain back valves and the material used has improved.

As for which is better it all depends on the application and if it is going to be used in extended oil drains. For the normal 3k or 5k oil drain the standard filter will be sufficient. That is if you plan on changing out the filter with each oil change.

Oil analysis is the best determining factor when it comes to how well an oil filter is accomplishing it's job. The amount of insolubles that is recorded during the analysis is the key to how well the filter is doing.

I have already had analysis come back that the oil was needing to be changed but the filter was still doing a great job and was told to leave it on. In this case if you ran say the EaO AMSOIL filters and used just conventional oil you could go three oil changes without having to change the filter. Just drain the oil and fill back up with fresh oil. Again this is confirmed by an oil analysis and once that is determined then you can follow that routine knowing you are still protected. So in a sense that expensive oil filter isn't that expensive it you can get three or more oil changes out of it.

Then there is the use of oil by-pass filters. I guess this could be a topic for a whole new thread.

Hopefully this will not turn into a bashing thread.

 

[Zembonez]

90% of the "facts" out there are opinion. Truthfully, there aren't that many large particles in oil if it is changed on a regular basis unless an engine is in realy terrible mechanical condition or routinely run without any intake filtration. I seriously doubt there is a commercially available name brand filter out there that is "bad" for an engine. There may well be filters capable of better filteration but how much "better" is actually needed?

 

[Stumpuller6.5]

90% of the "facts" out there are opinion. Truthfully, there aren't that many large particles in oil if it is changed on a regular basis unless an engine is in realy terrible mechanical condition or routinely run without any intake filtration. I seriously doubt there is a commercially available name brand filter out there that is "bad" for an engine. There may well be filters capable of better filteration but how much "better" is actually needed?

 

[Zembonez]

What we are being "SOLD" on is mostly marketing voodoo. Just because a better filter medium CAN be made doesn't mean one is needed. I use AC filters and synthetic oil in my trucks. I doubt anybody's research will ever convince me to change that.

 

[Black02Silverado]

What we are being "SOLD" on is mostly marketing voodoo. Just because a better filter medium CAN be made doesn't mean one is needed. I use AC filters and synthetic oil in my trucks. I doubt anybody's research will ever convince me to change that.

For the average oil change what is out there is sufficient.

As for the filter medium the synthetic made filters are the ones you would want if you run extended drains. Which is 10k or more. They are made to be able to hold more in the filter and be more efficient through out it's filtering life. Give the capability to be able to stay on the vehicle for extended periods at a time. The average filter is not made for that. They are tailored more on the lines of the 3k oil changes.

As I stated above, you can keep the high end filters on longer. Even to the point of just changing the oil out but leaving the oil filter on.

I do remember back a long time ago that it was in the owners manual that you changed the oil out and the filter out every other oil change. Can't remember when that was exactly.

But again for the most part. What most run for the average 3k to 6k oil change will work just fine. That is on a clean well kept engine.

 

[merlin5577]

From my own research, K&N seems to fit my needs best. High flow rate, lowest micron rating, high burst PSI, and larger capacity. Plus being able to use a socket on the end of the filter is just so convienent in tight spots. I know oil color is a marginal indicator of the oils condition but they always seem the cleanest with K&N. Wix/Napa gold & Mobil 1 are also great filters too.

 

[Stumpuller6.5]

looking at oil colour as an indicator the purolator pure 1`s were amaizing on my 1980 and 98`, but these baldwins so far are good...and a fraction of the price. got almost 10k kms on the wifes car so far so good, although i`m gonna change it anyways...

ford recommends 8k intervals.

 

[OldCracker29]

I use Purolator Pure One on my truck. I change it out with the oil every 3K.