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Oil Filters, whose is best, and Why?

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Comments

  • adc100adc100 Member Posts: 1,521
    A filter must perform two tasks- filter particles and pass flow. By purchasing a filter with a good efficiency and then utilizing the largest available you have the best of both worlds. By utilizing the small inefficient filter you have the worst of both worlds. Lower efficiency and when it gets plugged-inadequate flow. I'm not about to sit around waiting for my filter to get dirty so it can do an adequate job.
  • deepdivotdeepdivot Member Posts: 13
    If you use both a more efficient and larger filter, you do have the best of both worlds...however, if you just go to a larger filter with the same media, things aren't so clear. For example, assume you have 2 filters with identical media, but one has twice the area. Both filters will have similar ratios of 'large', 'medium' and 'small' passageways. The oil will tend to take the easiest path through the filter, ie. the large passages, until they catch enough gunk to limit their size, wherein the filter will become more efficient. The larger filter will take twice as long to do this, which means the large gunk will be circulating for twice as long. Ergo, more engine wear. The only advantage I can see for using a larger element that specified is that longer intervals can be used before bypassing the filter. However (one hopes!) that the engine manufacturers have specified filters and change intervals that would prevent bypassing in most situations.

    IMHO, all this doesn't really mean that much anyway. Change oil at a reasonable interval using any approved oil and filter, and the engine will likely outlast one's desire for the car.
  • adc100adc100 Member Posts: 1,521
    That is good logic, but I don't think it is accurate. Imagine a large particle coming into a filter. It will impinge on the filter paper and it doesn't really matter how big or small the filter is. It either goes thru or it doesn't. In the smaller filter it will get clogged earlier and will become more efficient sooner, but at the price of flow. And keep in mind the larger filter has twice as many "smaller traps." I could be wrong, but to me more filter area is better.
  • zr2randozr2rando Member Posts: 391
    I'm a poet and didn't know-it he he!
    If a filter has twice the paper then it has twice the filter CAPACITY, (and twice the big holes/medium holes/small holes), the flow is possibly limited by the same size inlet/outlet holes, consequently the paper will just give it a longer life before it clogs up. Imagine a highway that has 2 lanes but the exit is still 1 lane . Now make the highway 4 lanes but still exit is 1 lane.
    There will be 4 lanes of traffic but each lane would be just moving slower now...just as many big trucks and small cars (same ratio) at that point as before. If the inlet/outlet (exit lane) is actually the choke point then each lane/pores would clog up in twice the time,same amount of dirt--true enough, but twice the time.
    But if the inlet/outlet is NOT the choke point, then you double the lanes and you double the flow and everything fills up at the same rate as before,,,but remember, you doubled the flow, and that is a good thing!
    reading back over this sounds like I just said 2+2=5, generally speaking , as far as filtration goes, more filtration media is always desirable..either you get twice the service life or you get twice the dirt holding capacity, either way is good....ya with me?
    Smaller filters definitely have shorter lives there is no question about that, so if you have the option of a larger filter take advantage of it.
    I've been thinking about a 5 gallon bucket out in my garage and a triple roll of Bounty here lately that I would mount in the bed of my truck....maybe get it patented...maybe retire to a chalet in the mountains.....
    see ya
    Rando
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Guys, one factor in the efficiency of filtration is face velocity. That is the amount of flow per unit area of media. Other things being equal, putting the same gallons per minute through a larger number of square inches of media means a lower face velocity. This is good for efficiency, since the particles have more chance to settle out in the thickness of the paper somewhere.

    tom
  • zr2randozr2rando Member Posts: 391
    MY 5 gallon bucket idea is sounding better!
    Good morning
    Rando
  • wainwain Member Posts: 479
    TRUE - LOWER FACE VELOCITY IS GOOD FOR FILTRATION, ESPECIALLY IN HOME HVAC SYSTEMS.

    BIG point missed by everyone is at what particle size does the "dirt" not make any difference?
    25 microns?
    10 microns?

    at some point the small impurities do not matter.
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Right! Somewhere way back about a million posts ago, I made the same point. Automotive experts can't even agree among themselves on which size particles need to be removed and which are harmless.

    tom
  • adc100adc100 Member Posts: 1,521
    GM did a study and found a 50% wear reduction rate when switching from a 40 micron filter to a 30 micron filter. Switching to a 15 micron filter gave a 70% reduction in wear rates. Now the article didn't specify whether these were absolute or nominal filter rating. Also we don't know how signifficant the wear is.

    We do know that tests were run by Mobil and probably others where changing filters at 7K intervals with synthetic oil allowed engines to go 200K with almost no wear. These were 1994 tests where filters probably were on the order of the 40 micron variety. My guess is that filters with efficiencies of 80% or so (20 micron particles) would be more than adequate to allow engines to run hundreds of thousand miles. Probably the biggest factor is quality of lubricant and not particles. Thats why I think the bypass filters that get rid of the 1 or 2 micron particles are probably not that meaningful.
  • zr2randozr2rando Member Posts: 391
    I know most, maybe all engine filters these days use the pleated paper/synthetic fiber media these days. Hastings used to make one filled with cotton filling years ago. Anybody make that kind of filter these days? Anybody know why they were better or worse than pleated material?
    The one time I tried one years ago I noticed a very high oil pressure with it and took it back off, never tried another one.
    Rando
  • armtdmarmtdm Member Posts: 2,057
    I looked at a filter web site yesterday, cannot remember the name, they make racing filters but they stated on their site that anything under 20 microns did not cause wear!

    I think that the bypass filters, like the Amosil one, use cotton or some heavy fiber material but not 100% sure. But those only filter about 10% of the oil at any given time so that flow is not an issue.
  • adc100adc100 Member Posts: 1,521
    A couple of years ago when I was on good terms with the Parker Fitting Engineer- He told me that you need to be careful in automotive filter market. He indicated if you got into the very low micron range that additives could be removed. Not saying this is gospel or how low you need to go.
  • wainwain Member Posts: 479
    I think some of the Toyota factory filters are depth - based on their ads and pictures.
  • silvercoupesilvercoupe Member Posts: 326
    Anyone know about the quality of these filters? Saw them advertised at a local discount house super cheap.
  • brorjacebrorjace Member Posts: 588
    Gee, I should have posted in here a while ago.

    My view on filtration is similar to that of Rando's. I learned that sort of thing while playing in seasonal streams as a tiny tot. You can't catch the little bits of floaties until your dam (or in this case, filtration media) starts to fill in with the large and medium junk. >;^)

    I'm not sure if catching things smaller than 15 microns is going to make a big deal but, without resorting to some Frankenstein's monster of a bypass contraption, I'd like to do it anyway. Think of how polishing compounds work on metal. They use lots and lots of microscopic abrasives to eventually wear away metal wherever they are applied. Knowingly leaving grit in an oil just doesn't sit well with me ... it's just a bad principle. I might not care if I were using a racing engine and I know I'd only be putting a few dozen hours on it before a tear-down and rebuild ... but then again, I might even be running with no air filter if this is the case. But, for some vehicle I might drive every day for a decade, we can do better.

    Personally, I'd like to see spin-on canister filters the size of coffee cans. I'm guessing that the auto companies don't really want to do this because of cost, which is just pennies and just silly, and space requirements under the hood. Knowing where Honda and so many others like to locate their filters (between the engine and firewall) there isn't a lot of extra room to use for a jumbo-sized filter and mounting one remotely poses problems because of more hardware, weight, cost and the greater possibility of leaking from all the plumbing and connection parts.

    Still, I'm blown away when I see a V-8 or V-6 with a dinky little filter I'd expect to find on a 600cc motorcycle. What's the point of being so darn chinsy on a car costing 20K or more ... sometimes a LOT more?

    Moving to a larger filter, say double the size of those currently in use, seems like it would be an easy way to ensure that motors get an ample supply of clean oil over the somewhat extended drain intervals often recommended by today's manufacturers. The fact that such a simple measure isn't done makes me suspect that they don't really want our cars to routinely last 200,000 miles or more. But then again, I suspected that anyway with questionable moves to things like 5W20 motor oil and drain intervals of 10-12,000+ miles. :rolleyes:

    --- Bror Jace
  • zr2randozr2rando Member Posts: 391
    You want to go in with me on the 5 gallon bucket/triple roll of bounty idea? (post 704)
    you're right about the extra hardware, but PVC pipe is cheap, and duct tape holds anything wherever you need it.
    Maybe I'll schedule a meeting with Chevrolet..
    Oh yeah, your example of dam'ing up a creek, you must have learned your first example of VERY efficient filtration and flooded someone's house huh?
    HMMM, I'm getting worried bout myself
    Rando
  • csandstecsandste Member Posts: 1,866
    but the bucket of Bounty idea is nothing more than a big Franz filter:


    http://home.earthlink.net/~goodspeeds/LSANDRA.HTM


    I remember these being tested in various road test magazines. They were supposed for work just fine. Don't think you were supposed to ever have to change your oil, just put in a new roll now and again.

    If this is to believe it actually was supposed to filter to 5 microns:

    "How is an engine treated if it has a Franz type oil filter?
    The particles of the Microlon resin range in size and some of the larger particles may not pass through the Franz type oil filter. This cartridge must be removed or by-passed during the treatment period to avoid a possible loss of some of the particulate. A Franz type oil filter resembles a toilet paper roll, not a conventional oil filter. Nothing is bigger than 5 microns."

    http://www.microlon.com/More_FAQ/more_faq.html

  • vwracervwracer Member Posts: 90
    Just a few quick questions.

    1.Is there a difference between the filter paper when using virgin paper pulp as opposed to recycled paper?

    2. which is cheaper to manufactor virgin paper or recycled paper?

    3. Is there a difference in filtration quality between the two?
  • zr2randozr2rando Member Posts: 391
    Does this mean I can't invent the triple roll of bounty/5 gallon bucket filter?
    Oh well, I guess I wasn't really meant to keep this house after all. (my wife is out in the living room singing along with the cd machine--kareoke thing--maybe I can get her to.....
    oh well, back to Kmart, or rather Walmart maybe for filters,,, and live like the rest of us here,
    regular filters,every 3k ...
    oh well, I'm bummed out now,
    see y'all
    Rando
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    We use only virgin fiber to make our filter paper grades. We do use our own "broke," however, which is unsaturated base paper generated while we "run for spec."

    Broke is a paper mill term for scrap generated while making paper. In our case, broke is the unsaturated paper that we produce between grades. When we get through with one grade of paper and switch to the next, we take the resin out of the sheet by dropping the pan containing the resin solution, so that the applicator roll no longer picks up any resin.

    We take repeated samples as adjustments are made to the machine set-up based on our lab tests. When the base sheet tests show that we are "on grade," we begin saturating again. The raw (unsaturated) paper made during the grade change can be re-pulped and the fibers re-used.

    The fibers used in the manufacture of automotive filter paper are not available as "recycled fibers" from the secondary fiber market. Most recycled fibers are too short for making good automotive filter paper, because they have been too heavily refined in their original use, or because the type of fibers are just not suitable to begin with.

    tom
  • vidtechvidtech Member Posts: 212
    several months ago i purchased a couple purolator premium plus oil filters.I had noticed that the base had changed over previous filters and the shape of the can was slightly different.I installed the filter and ran it for 3500 miles.After i had changed the oil,i cut open the revised filter and was troubled after seeing the construction.it resembled a beefed up fram.gone were the metal end plates and replaced with a thick fiber or paper board.the end where the spring goes had the "fram"hole where the center of the spring fit in.if purolator did this to this line of filter is the pure one next?
    the string was still there.shortly,i will be putting on another brand of filter.
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    You might actually have a Fram filter there. Can't say for sure. All the big filter makers make filters for each other. They can't all make every single type of filter, so they buy filters from each other, especially on the small volume filters.

    tom
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Wasn't it you that warned me about Maxlife oil causing a leak on someone's car? I went ahead and gave it a try, and I'm on my second cycle with it. No problems so far, but I do appreciate your input when I was seeking info about it.

    tom
  • wainwain Member Posts: 479
    what model car does the Purolater filter with the fram inside fit?
  • zr2randozr2rando Member Posts: 391
    I never saw the Frams use the string around the cartridge, sounds like a Fram/Purolator hybrid??
    Was the cardboard ends the same as Fram or thicker? Maybe it's just a new material that would be similar to Fram visually but maybe a better quality material? Was the bypass button the same plastic with a weak spring? maybe a purolator and a Fram went behind the counter and ... maybe now this is a Framolator????
    see y'all
    Rando
  • vidtechvidtech Member Posts: 212
    the purolator i use for my ford is the L30001 which is the same as motorcraft FL1A or fram PH8A.
    the end plates were thicker than fram's.made of some kind of fiber board.the end plate opposite the mounting side had the big hole in it where the tension spring fit into.the mounting plate did not even resemble the typical purolators i have used in the past.the end crimps on the can even looked different.
    i did have some leaks pop up while using max life.the leaks stopped when i changed back to valvo's regular 10/30 brew.i must have had bad luck i guess.
  • vidtechvidtech Member Posts: 212
    forgot to mention the bypass valve on my funcky filter.it was mounted to the mounting base. i tried to remove it to take a look at it.i couldn't get it off the plate as if it were pressed on somehow.tomorrow before the big game i might try to pop it off with a chisel or something.
  • zr2randozr2rando Member Posts: 391
    Interesting, sounds like they have made changes, If that is true I would not be surprised if the pure-one also starts showing the change before long. I would almost expect them to advertise something though---NEW! HIGHER EFFICIENCY!---if they wanted anyone to know it though. If it had been a Fram clone I think it would have had the distinctive plastic button bypass...Looks like you found a new critter ther pardner, let us know if it behaves any better/worse.
    Good luck.
    Good morning,
    Rando
  • wainwain Member Posts: 479
    I will take one off a Camry this next weekend and cut it up.

    Also I e mailed purolater and asked them about the report that "cardboard" was now being used

    will let u know on both.
  • adc100adc100 Member Posts: 1,521
    (the Premium Pus was new)in the last month. They are not Frams.
  • wainwain Member Posts: 479
    Maybe a false post?
  • zr2randozr2rando Member Posts: 391
    on the Framolator-should be interesting. Started thinking about the pf52 filter that MY Chevy uses and checked out the used ones out in my garage...Made me start thinking about the difference in the filters, they were alot more different than I thought. I have a couple of the used filters for the Chevy out in the Garage and I just checked them....
    WOW!
    3 filters:
    Castrol Plus Kmart Ac-pf52 Wmart Ac-pf52
    cart length 3 11/16 4 3/16 4 0/16
    pleat depth 10/16 13/16 8/16
    2 sides each pleat...
    number of pleats 47 36 61
    sq inches of paper 216 244 244

    The castrol plus had noticeably thicker material
    carton says synthetic blend, and the pleats showed compression strain..curved..(tension spring in can too strong.
    see ya
    Rando
  • brorjacebrorjace Member Posts: 588
    Rando, PVC? Bounty Paper products? duct tape? I'm sorry but I'll have to put an abrupt end to our business relationship right this instant. Call it 'creative differences'. >;^)

    I'd be thinking more along the lines of aluminum mounting plates with a rubber isolation bushings to minimize vibration, brass fittings and braided stainless lines and I'd be calling up our buddy Tom for the best, high-efficiency resin-impregnated filter media money can buy. >:^D

    Watching the Rolex 24 hours of Daytona makes me want to over-engineer everything for the long haul. >:^)

    I'd keep an eye on the Purolator Pure-One filters but I'd doubt they'd cheapen them anytime soon. Everyone wants to have a premium line to brag about ... and a cheapo line to appeal to the cobble-kickers. >;^)

    --- Bror Jace
  • zr2randozr2rando Member Posts: 391
    Sometimes that ol' still out back looks kinda run down 'n tattered 'n all but talk about some fine white lightnin as a product!!!!!
    I think my design would add character to the vehicle, yours would just make it work forever, blah blah blah...he he
    Never know, Ol' Tom may have a setup like I'm talkin bout already, just using his own paper because it is on hand already! Probably just painted the 5 gal bucket shiny silver to camo the thing...he he
    I hope purolator isn't just cheapening up like it maybe looks like...these days we need to see some brands bragging about BETTER quality, IMPROVED this that and the other, I'm sure manufacturing methods would allow for this as materials/procedures get more efficient with time.
    See Ya
    Rando
    Hey , St Louis or New England?
  • vidtechvidtech Member Posts: 212
    i swear my post regarding the card board in my purolator is NOT made up.I feel that this is a revision to their filter because the ones i cut open in the past had metal end plates.I also emailed purolator for an explanation.This filter had a different appearance on the outside as well.
  • adc100adc100 Member Posts: 1,521
    Made by the folks who supply a "lube for life"


    http://www.synlube.com/prod06.htm


    I'm sure its a good filter. But really sure its for me. I'm sticking with K&N for now.

  • wainwain Member Posts: 479
    do you know anyone with a camera - maybe post a pix??
  • brorjacebrorjace Member Posts: 588
    Those Synlube folks crack me up, they really do. Their site has a neat timeline of synthetics (albeit some typos) and their ragging on Castrol is a lot of fun but they strike me as a bunch of whackos. They might have a point about blending but seeing that they seem to be somewhat psychotic, I just wouldn't trust any of their stuff.

    Isn't it also a fortune? Part of their snake-oil like pitch that they use to get their customers to pony up the big bucks all up front? No thanks.

    Rando, I used to drive cars with "character" but that was when I was back in school and had no money. I kind of like stuff to work without leaking, leaving spots on the driveway, rattiling, vibrating, etc ...

    In short, I'm a retentive fuss-budget ... and my car reflects that. >;^)

    --- Bror Jace
  • armtdmarmtdm Member Posts: 2,057
    Believe the web site is maitained by the franchise, actual manuafaturer of this stuff is another company.

    Very old testimonials as well
  • gslevegsleve Member Posts: 183
    Have just visited the website have seen cars with this stuff ranging from 70's to currently a 2001 vw jetta I don't think that very old
  • armtdmarmtdm Member Posts: 2,057
  • wainwain Member Posts: 479
    The Purolater contact wrote back and said that he sent the allegation of "Fram cardboard internals" to the product manager of the Purolater premium plus line of filters.

    when he replies I will pass it on.
  • gslevegsleve Member Posts: 183
    of what relative significance would that be to the oil's ability to fufill it task ? I'm missing something please forgive me I'm not seeing the correlation.
  • zr2randozr2rando Member Posts: 391
    I was in town this morning and checked in an Advance Auto parts just to see if the box mentioned any "NEW IMPROVED....",,nothing advertised but the box design IS new, looks like they have done SOME new changes even if it is only a better looking box. When you get a response from Purolator let us know..
    Rando
  • armtdmarmtdm Member Posts: 2,057
    Just looking at any potential false and misleading advertising. Why is the manufaturer not indicated if it is an above board concern?

    Sort of like if Mobil 1 was in fact manufactured by a subsidiary of Schaeffers but marketed as a Mobil product!!! Would you care, maybe not, I would though! I like to know who is making a product and why they are not stating so for the record.

    Anyway, no one uses this stuff so we can drop it.
  • gslevegsleve Member Posts: 183
    I know of a couple of people using it
  • wainwain Member Posts: 479
    When was it the recommendation was to change the filter EVERY OTHER oil change?

    50s even the 60s???? - wonder what changed that? need for sale of more filters?

    And VW bugs had no filter at all - just a screen?
  • zr2randozr2rando Member Posts: 391
    he he,,,
    We always cleaned spark plugs along with the new filter, and drove 10 miles to get AMOCO white gas to clean the carb.
    Those were the dayyyyyyys!! (sing like Archie Bunker)
    I'm only 41!
    See ya
    You get that email back from Purolator yet?
    Rando
  • wainwain Member Posts: 479
    no not yet
  • armtdmarmtdm Member Posts: 2,057
    Changed the oil every 1000 miles!
This discussion has been closed.