oil filters work or not ???????????????

[bradnree]

If oil filters work, why does the oil come out so darn dirty after just a few thousand miles ?? Are we wasting our money ?? What do filters actually "trap"...........Brad

[N8N]

Most of the dark dirt you see in the oil is smaller than the filter can filter out - usually around 20 microns or so. If you use a sexy racing filter like Canton/Mecca you will go down to 8 microns-ish, but eventually your oil will still look dirty.

nate

--
55 Commander Starlight
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

[JDP]

Just googled this:


"The Dark Oil Myth
Dark oil does not indicate the need for an oil change. The way modern detergent motor oil works is that minute particles of soot are suspended in the oil. These minute particles pose no danger to your engine, but they cause the oil to darken. A non-detergent oil would stay clearer than a detergent oil because all the soot would be left on the internal engine parts and would create sludge. If you never changed your oil, eventually the oil would no longer be able to suspend any more particles in the oil and sludge would form. Fortunately, by following the manufacturer's recommended oil change interval, you are changing your oil long before the oil has become saturated. Remember, a good oil should get dirty as it does it's work cleaning out the engine. The dispersant should stop all the gunk from depositing in the oil pan."



JDP/Maryland
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[DEEPNHOCK]

I can answer your questions.
You want the short version, or the long version?

For the long version, go to:
http://www.luberfiner.com/resources/tsb.html#lubea

A lot of good info there from 'The Filter Council' and from Luberfiner.

In reality, the color change in oil is usually not contaminants that are large enough to cause damage.

Filters (fluid) are rated by micron rating and contaminant capacity.
You can build a filter that catches everything, but it's service life won't be long at all, and it will clog up.
You can build a filter that will last forever, but the filtering will be minimal.

A bypass filter (like used in non full-flow Stude's)will only filter a small amount of oil, but even that is better than nothing.

Spend some time reading those Tech bulletins.
They are enlightening.
Jeff[8D]

quote:Originally posted by bradnree

If oil filters work, why does the oil come out so darn dirty after just a few thousand miles ?? Are we wasting our money ?? What do filters actually "trap"...........Brad

DEEPNHOCK at Gmail.com
Brooklet, Georgia
'37 Coupe Express (never ending project)
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[Mike Van Veghten]

Interesting. The first one I read (filters) supposes that all filters are designed and built the same. As we know...they are not!

I guess I'll have to read further and hope one of the other bulletins explaines this better.

Mike