Oil Filters - Interesting Analysis

[David B.]

The link below is an interesting site, of which a portion is devoted to oil filters. I know everybody has an opinion about what they like, so I'm not trying to start a controversy. But, some of the information is surprising and is causing me to personally switch from some name brands I would have normally used. Make sure you look at the Recommendations portion also.

http://www.knizefamily.net/minimopar/oilfilters/index.html

Dave B.

[Joe L.]

Re: Oil Filters - Interesting Analysis

Dave-----

Most of the current AC-Delco oil filters have internal construction like that shown in the line described as "2008 Ecore" and not like that shown on the first line of the pictorial on filter construction. There are still some AC-Delco filter models that use the construction shown on the first line, but I believe they are being phased out rapidly. The "E-core" construction involves the "glued-on" element ends (which can be seen in the photo) as well as a plastic, perforated inner core material (instead of steel which was formerly used for most filters).

Are the "E-core" filters inferior to the old style with steel end caps and steel core? I don't know, for sure, but I'm highly suspicious that they are. However, many European manufacturers (like, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche) have been using the "E-core" type filters for quite awhile. I wouldn't think that those manufacturers would compromise on filter design.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Oil Filters - Interesting Analysis

also GM warranties the engines now for 100,000 miles so i would guess their filter are OK

[Chuck S.]

Re: Oil Filters - Interesting Analysis

Not only that, but GM recommends oil changes by their oil monitor, which if run to 0%, would probably would give you 15-20K miles on that first oil change.

You can argue about the material of the center tube, and the way the filters are assembled, and square inches of filter media, but I'm guessing that GM may have some inside info that AC-Delco filters are probably OK.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Oil Filters - Interesting Analysis

i run mobil 1 so i change once a year but change the GM oil filter every 4000 miles

[Chuck S.]

Re: Oil Filters - Interesting Analysis

Clem, changing the filter and a half quart of oil every 4000 miles seems very conservative. It's true that filters are relatively cheap, but have you cut your filters open to see if you need to change them that often? Filtering efficiency should be unaffected by trapped solids, and flow rate would only be reduced in cases of extreme accumulation.

Back when recommended change intervals were 3000 miles, owner's manuals said to change the filter EVERY OTHER oil change...what a joke. I never bought into that idea...I could never stomach putting clean oil through a dirty filter, and I was already under there anyway.

[Duke W.]

Re: Oil Filters - Interesting Analysis

I've got a SAE published study that shows that engines develop particles early in life, but after breakin, particle generation drops off dramatically to a very low level.

At end of life particle generation increases, but the results support the argument for filter change frequency less than oil change frequency, and certainly argues that changing the filter more often than the oil is not beneficial.

The only time I recommend a filter change without an oil change is after a "cam breakin" where the engine was assembled with assembly lube on the valetrain components because the solids in assembly lube can plug the filter. I recommend another filter change at about 500 miles and then a full oil/filter change at about 1500.

The above assumes that a bottle of EOS or equivalent is added to the oil at assembly, and you want to keep this extra ZDDP in the oil until the engine is fully broken-in.

For vintage cars that are not driven often the oil should be changed one a year, but if mileage is 500 or less and the oil has not darkened and the car is kept in a non-condensing humidity environment, I think it's okay to go two years as long as the 500 miles was not covered in short trips of less than 15 minutes run time.

Similarly with the filter, as long as the engine is sound the filter will "last" for thousands of miles of normal use.

Duke

[Clem Z.]

unless you block the oil filter bypass valve

any restriction in the filter will allow unfiltered oil thru the engine on startup till the pressure equalizes on both sides of the valve. since the new LS-7 and LS-3 engines have the filter by pass valve in the filter i can not plug them any more.