Thanks for adding the photos!!! You guys are fast!! I'd still like to know how to do it.
I've also attached some e-mail correspondence with Amsoil Technical Services.
The above are 3 photos of an Amsoil SDF20 oil filter that I just removed from our 2003 Accord (same filter as MDX) and cut open. As you can see - the element failed catastrophically!!! It appears to me that the element cannot handle the pressure drop across the filter under some conditions and has collapsed. The bypass relief valve was functional and not stuck.
The inner screen failed and the paper element ripped apart and it is clearly evident that it allowed unfiltered oil to enter the engine!!!
The filter had been on the vehicle since Dec 15, 2002 and had seen 7462 KM (4664Miles)
It was on the vehicle during some very cold weather this winter (-40) and this may have been a factor - but obviously I cant tell now.
In my other thread, I thought that Amsoil filters were well designed - but I was obviously wrong.
No more Amsoil filters for me!!!! (I installed a Fram X2 filter for now)
I later found out that the 2003 Accord is supposed to use a SDF13. Thinking that that may have been a cause of the filter, I advised Amsoil and this is their reply:
"I guess we didn’t get a chance to jump right on your issue the morning you sent it in because our server was down for a while and when the gates opened and someone saw the words “catastrophic failure” and the heads had to get together to look at the issue. While, I guess nobody stopped to think to check the usage application. Kind’a a first things first approach to problem solving. Anyway, about the time we get it altogether your second e-mail arrives and yes…. there is a difference in the filters although they will fit similar applications.
The filters use the same media but SDF13 has a lower pressure differential operating range for the by pass valve than the SDF20. Perhaps under “normal temperature” conditions (some thing warmer than 40 below) you may not have not had a media separation with the SDF20, but at that temp and the psid difference your Honda was pushing the SDF20 to its max.
Thanks for getting to us as soon as you did so we didn’t spend a lot of resources digging into the issue.
AMSOIL Technical Services
I then asked them about the differences between the SDF13 and 20 and this is the reply:
I asked Amsoil about the differences between these 2 filters and this is the reply:
"The SDF13 has a by-pass valve differential pressure range of 12-16 lbs. with an OD of 2.56” and a height of 2.625”. The SDF20 has a by-pass differential pressure of 18-20 lbs. and has a 2.92” diameter with a height of 3.451”. "
My next question was:
"Being an Engineer- I now have to ask you the really hard question!!! Why would the filter bypass on the SDF20 open at a pressure at or close to the element collapse pressure under very cold conditions? I would have expected a few psi of margin??"
Amsoil reply
"Filter design parameters follow the basic concept of your question. It is unclear what caused the failure; the by-pass valve, the by-pass valve differential pressure range, the viscosity of the engine lubricant, the media itself, or the incorrect application. It has been my experience that nothing seems to perform as expected at 40 below.
AMSOIL Technical Services"
