Here is my first attempt to assess filter/engine size and OCI for my vehicles. I would be happy to receive comments or similair
assessments.
===========
Mahle OC-54, 3.2L Porsche 1985 911 @ 180K miles, (3.75”d x 5.0”l), OCI 3-4K
Fram PH3980, 5.7L Chevy 1997 Tahoe @ 137K miles, (3.0”d x 4.5”l), OCI 3K*
Motorcraft FL820S, 3.0L Ford 2005 Duratec @ 30K miles, (3.75”d x 3.5”l) OCI 5K
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8db00b3127ccec47f4783c8cd00000076108AcOGzhu4aNQe3nwQ[/img]
1, 2, 3 …left to right.
1) OC-54 …. It looks under utilized. It’s the largest filter and on a smaller 3.2L engine.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8db00b3127ccec47e720029b000000076108AcOGzhu4aNQe3nwQ[/img]
2) PH3980 ….Despite being 3K OCI, it looks spent. I believe the primary reasons are the 5.7L engine size, smallest filter size, and three runs of 6K OCI prior* (otherwise 3K OCI’s were used for all engine’s life).
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8db00b3127ccec47f589b097200000076108AcOGzhu4aNQe3nwQ[/img]
3) FL820S…being 2005, the engine probably runs clean and at 5K filter still looks healthy.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8db00b3127ccec47fe34a496600000076108AcOGzhu4aNQe3nwQ
Analysis:
Media surface would be a better metric but volume is easier to calculate.
Filter Can Volume Engine size Can Vol/Engine Ratios
PH3980 32.0cubic” 5.7L 5.6 cub”/L = 1.0 (base)
FL820S 38.6 3.0 12.9 = 2.3
OC-54 55.2 3.2 17.3 = 3.1
The PH3980/5.7L combo looks like it could do 4.5K conservatively on a consistent basis. The owners manual says 6K OCI normal, 3K sever.
The FL820S application manual says 5K normal, 3K sever. Two model years later Ford recommended 7.5K normal OCI for this engine. With ratio x2.3 relative to the PH3980 application, it would be reasonable to expect it to run out to 10K miles (4.5K x 2.3) with similar performance. Overall, Fords recommendations looks much more conservative than GM’s in these cases especially considering a newer/small engine is likely to even run cleaner.
The OC-54 application manual say 15K miles for oil & filter changes. Although this seems high, this is about what is predicted by the above ratio relative to the PH3980 (4.5K x 3.1 = 14K).
Conclusions:
Visual inspection of used media appears to provide useful information to determine life expectancy for oil filters.
The PH3980 app should be held to a 3-5K OCI. The FL820S could go well beyond the current 5K warranty OCI, easily to 7.5K and maybe to 10K. The OC-54 could easily go to my new target OCI of 12K/annual. Of course these findings should be verified with a second inspection at target OCI’s.
assessments.
===========
Mahle OC-54, 3.2L Porsche 1985 911 @ 180K miles, (3.75”d x 5.0”l), OCI 3-4K
Fram PH3980, 5.7L Chevy 1997 Tahoe @ 137K miles, (3.0”d x 4.5”l), OCI 3K*
Motorcraft FL820S, 3.0L Ford 2005 Duratec @ 30K miles, (3.75”d x 3.5”l) OCI 5K
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8db00b3127ccec47f4783c8cd00000076108AcOGzhu4aNQe3nwQ[/img]
1, 2, 3 …left to right.
1) OC-54 …. It looks under utilized. It’s the largest filter and on a smaller 3.2L engine.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8db00b3127ccec47e720029b000000076108AcOGzhu4aNQe3nwQ[/img]
2) PH3980 ….Despite being 3K OCI, it looks spent. I believe the primary reasons are the 5.7L engine size, smallest filter size, and three runs of 6K OCI prior* (otherwise 3K OCI’s were used for all engine’s life).
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8db00b3127ccec47f589b097200000076108AcOGzhu4aNQe3nwQ[/img]
3) FL820S…being 2005, the engine probably runs clean and at 5K filter still looks healthy.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8db00b3127ccec47fe34a496600000076108AcOGzhu4aNQe3nwQ
Analysis:
Media surface would be a better metric but volume is easier to calculate.
Filter Can Volume Engine size Can Vol/Engine Ratios
PH3980 32.0cubic” 5.7L 5.6 cub”/L = 1.0 (base)
FL820S 38.6 3.0 12.9 = 2.3
OC-54 55.2 3.2 17.3 = 3.1
The PH3980/5.7L combo looks like it could do 4.5K conservatively on a consistent basis. The owners manual says 6K OCI normal, 3K sever.
The FL820S application manual says 5K normal, 3K sever. Two model years later Ford recommended 7.5K normal OCI for this engine. With ratio x2.3 relative to the PH3980 application, it would be reasonable to expect it to run out to 10K miles (4.5K x 2.3) with similar performance. Overall, Fords recommendations looks much more conservative than GM’s in these cases especially considering a newer/small engine is likely to even run cleaner.
The OC-54 application manual say 15K miles for oil & filter changes. Although this seems high, this is about what is predicted by the above ratio relative to the PH3980 (4.5K x 3.1 = 14K).
Conclusions:
Visual inspection of used media appears to provide useful information to determine life expectancy for oil filters.
The PH3980 app should be held to a 3-5K OCI. The FL820S could go well beyond the current 5K warranty OCI, easily to 7.5K and maybe to 10K. The OC-54 could easily go to my new target OCI of 12K/annual. Of course these findings should be verified with a second inspection at target OCI’s.
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