Cut open oil filter posts, are they useless?

[WellOiled]

Originally Posted By: 4WD
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
I've seen some good looking filters that would've looked even better if the person had just simply changed the oil out sooner. What's the point in running an OCI until you see black oil and gritty crud in the filter ? Is that supposed to be impressive ?


That … and when I started running the same filter on the same motor twice as long … (two OCI) you bet I cut it open to see how it held up … not allot of work and safe if you have a proper cutter …

In my view this is the next best way to see what may be happening in the engine without having to pull a valve cover. I think this brings value to the oil change. I cut every filter whether I post it or not. My oil change habits have improved greatly since doing it.

 

[Linctex]

Originally Posted By: rollinpete
I like looking at oil filter porn

I really appreciate the efforts of those who cut 'em open and post pics.

It's good information about build quality, anyway - -
- even if filtration efficiency can NOT be determined.

 

[4WD]

Working heavy industries for decades I have seen more and more engineering, modeling, and FMECA work etc … yet have not seen non destructive tests, destructive tests, and visual inspections go away. …

 

[Garak]

I check all the threads. Obviously, we're not going to be able to tell much about efficiency, or even the finer details of fit and finish, but it's nice to see the construction techniques and hardware used, and the obvious fails.

If a company isn't going to address obvious fails for years, one might be hesitant to trust them on the bigger issues.

 

[JeepWJ19]

Don't care if its useless, I want to look at some gosh darn cut open filters.

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: BobsArmory
I have been watching all these cut open filter posts for a few months now and I have a question. Unless there is a horrible tear or missing louvers/holes/ADBV. How can we look at photos of a filter and say, yeah that's a great filter run that sucker 30,000 miles! Or man, that filter is [censored]! I wouldn't take that for free if someone gave it to me!

Lately on BITOG if a cut open filter "looks nice" it's a great filter, run that sucker for ever. If it looks like something else, it's [censored].

So, is there any other way to judge a filter and is qualities or short comings other than internet photos?

Is it possible to ascertain that a filter is good or bad just by looking at photos posted on the internet? Come on people, a Fram Ultra or NAPA Gold could look great in photos but still fail the basic purpose of a filter.

With internet photos, can we tell if the filter media is plugged and used up or still good? I think not.


Nope, not a waste as discussed. It's good to know if filters have definitely failed. It's also good to know if they develop wavy pleats, are not glued properly, or if the center tube holes are blocked for some reason. Opening a filter also allows a check of the condition of the ADBV.

Compare a Fram Ultra picture of a filter with over 20000 miles -

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/4236540/Fram_Ultra_XG7317__24,362_mile#Post4236540




to a torn Purolator with only 7500 miles and I'm sure you will see the value.

https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3313897/%5BCut_Open%5D_Purolator_Classic_L


Although the Purolator isn't that bad, yet, it shows a failing filter which will soon not be filtering your engine oil.

 

[650NutKase]

Originally Posted By: 4WD
Things like this have been posted and this particular brand has improved ~ as a result? Not sure, but one reason I have migrated to them is they have an active member here who helps out plenty …
Wish other companies did.






Looks good. Leave it on another OCI.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: 2012AccentSE
Originally Posted By: 4WD
Things like this have been posted and this particular brand has improved ~ as a result? Not sure, but one reason I have migrated to them is they have an active member here who helps out plenty …
Wish other companies did.






Looks good. Leave it on another OCI.

I AGREE! Those of you that run multiple OCI's on the same filter, this is your kind of filter!

These are the type of filters that I WANT on my engine! That way when it catapults through the hood, falls out in pieces, makes meteal to metal noises, I know my filter is doing its job!

Also, I'm one of those new snarky members that used to be a torn PUROLATOR oil filter in a past life!

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Comments like "looks nice" just means it visually looks good and no failure issues seen. No, you can't tell if he media is plugged by looking at it unless it's super obvious like crammed with sludge. So if you want to know how long to run an oil filter, go by the manufactures use recommendation (ie, if it's rated for 10K, then it's good for 10K in a clean engine). If the engine is dirty and sludged up, then cut back the use miles on the filter accordingly. If you want to know how well the filter performs, all you can do is go by the published efficiency claims.

Most people get concerned over seeing repeated failed media examples and find something better/less risky to use ... who wouldn't.

I'm going to go out on a twig and state that this might be me? I mean, there are "THOSE" around here that have accused me of this.......just sayin'........

 

[kschachn]

Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter
I AGREE! Those of you that run multiple OCI's on the same filter, this is your kind of filter!

These are the type of filters that I WANT on my engine! That way when it catapults through the hood, falls out in pieces, makes meteal to metal noises, I know my filter is doing its job!

But this is OK?

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: kschachn
Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter
I AGREE! Those of you that run multiple OCI's on the same filter, this is your kind of filter!

These are the type of filters that I WANT on my engine! That way when it catapults through the hood, falls out in pieces, makes meteal to metal noises, I know my filter is doing its job!

But this is OK?

If you keep posting the same pic over and over you're going to burn that image into every BITOG's PC screen!

Can you please send that filter to me? I'm sure I can use it again, or I can fix it and send it back to you.
BTW, what's wrong with all of the other pleats? (You're making this too easy for me!)

 

[kschachn]

Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter
If you keep posting the same pic over and over you're going to burn that image into every BITOG's PC screen!

Can you please send that filter to me? I'm sure I can use it again, or I can fix it and send it back to you.
BTW, what's wrong with all of the other pleats? (You're making this too easy for me!)

I don't know, it seemed like a reasonable question given your objection to the other photograph. Granted that is a larger hole in the other one, but besides waviness the rest of the pleats don't appear to be torn either. The size of the hole is a matter of degree. A hole is a hole.

Just wondering, why do you always post in bold? Like animals that puff up their fur, does it make you appear more intimidating? The clown emoji doesn't help either. All I want is a discussion, I wondered why one filter with a tear or hole is "bad" while one was OK and you "trusted" them.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: kschachn
Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter
If you keep posting the same pic over and over you're going to burn that image into every BITOG's PC screen!

Can you please send that filter to me? I'm sure I can use it again, or I can fix it and send it back to you.
BTW, what's wrong with all of the other pleats? (You're making this too easy for me!)

I don't know, it seemed like a reasonable question given your objection to the other photograph. Granted that is a larger hole in the other one, but besides waviness the rest of the pleats don't appear to be torn either. The size of the hole is a matter of degree. A hole is a hole.

Just wondering, why do you always post in bold? Like animals that puff up their fur, does it make you appear more intimidating? The clown emoji doesn't help either. All I want is a discussion, I wondered why one filter with a tear or hole is "bad" while one was OK and you "trusted" them.

Yeah, I post in bold because I'm one bad...............I do it because I can read bold much gooder with my vision, currently. When it gets better, I will stop being so BOLD.

The clown, that was because of the pic of the same filter with the same tear in it is getting to be like a circus.
If you want a good conversation with me, STOP offending me! If you are not sure about what I'm referring to, go back to your original response to me.
Now, can we bury this hatchet, or shall we continue this tug of war?

 

[StevieC]

I'm of the opinion of running a quality built (usually more expensive) filter and then just running it longer. One because it can handle it, it's built better and the efficiency increases as it plugs up slightly with previous contaminants it has caught.

For me that choice is Amsoil Filters because they are the best price here versus the length of time it will last. RP and anything else built by Champion labs to similar spec will do the same. I run my Amsoil filters for 30,000km (18,750 miles) but they are rated for 25,000 miles. 0 Issues and hold perfectly for this long. (Cut open to verify)

Change your oil a few times but keep the same filter. It cuts down the filter cost to that of one of these terrible filters everyone loves to hate and it increases your filtration efficiency over the later OCI's it is run under. Win/Win IMO!

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: StevieC
... the efficiency increases as it plugs up slightly with previous contaminants it has caught.

There was a good thread a while ago showing test data from H+M/Purolator showing that the efficiency actually decreased slightly with use, then the efficiency shot up near the end just before the filter became clogged enough to hit bypass. I'll see if I can dig up up or post the graph.

 

[jj51702]

Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter
Originally Posted By: kschachn
Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter
I AGREE! Those of you that run multiple OCI's on the same filter, this is your kind of filter!

These are the type of filters that I WANT on my engine! That way when it catapults through the hood, falls out in pieces, makes meteal to metal noises, I know my filter is doing its job!

But this is OK?

If you keep posting the same pic over and over you're going to burn that image into every BITOG's PC screen!

Can you please send that filter to me? I'm sure I can use it again, or I can fix it and send it back to you.
BTW, what's wrong with all of the other pleats? (You're making this too easy for me!)

Holy cow, does this derp think it's cool to respond in all bold in every thread?

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: StevieC
... the efficiency increases as it plugs up slightly with previous contaminants it has caught.

There was a good thread a while ago showing test data from H+M/Purolator showing that the efficiency actually decreased slightly with use, then the efficiency shot up near the end just before the filter became clogged enough to hit bypass. I'll see if I can dig up up or post the graph.


Here's the graph showing slight decrease in efficiency until the filter gets clogged and it then shoots up.

 

[StevieC]

Thanks

7 year break is my excuse.

 

[Skanky]

I cut all my filters open and so far they all look fine. I have cut Purone, Subaru, Nissan, Fram. I posted a few but at this point until I find a failure or something of real interest I just don't see the reason. Seems if you have an issue post it and put "fail" in the title so I don't have to look at any more good filters, and if nothing is wrong then why post it? Oh ya so some guy who likes filter porn can enjoy his fetish LOL... Once you have seen one naked filter you have seen them all...

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: jj51702
Holy cow, does this derp think it's cool to respond in all bold in every thread?


penisaurus- one that is "foolish with stupidity" whom goes around criticizing a BITOG member for typing in bold. AKA-jj51702

Hopefully, I should have that P1 filter, and a MC filter cut open this week. I have to buy some Dremel circular cutting blades.