Why would an oil filter...

[CharBaby]

...that traps more deposits, be the filter that people want to use for extended periods?

This is just my way of thinking!

Using a filter such as PureOne, Mobil 1, Bosch Distance + or any of the other high end filters, wouldn't they only trap more particles sooner and stop flowing sooner(than later)? Considering one would use the filter long enough!

I guess there are things about an oil filter that I have never understood. Nor have I searched much about this in particular.

Is it the synthetic filtration media compared to paper filtration media? Or is it the syn media that can withstand longer periods of time under extream conditions where a lesser media can not?

Do the higher end filters trap more/finer dirt(smaller particulates/lower micron) and flow better all at the same time?

I once called the Purolator 800# and asked a question about filtration only...

I was told by the tech that both the PuroPremPlus(Classic) and the PureOne both trap 10-20 micron particles. But, the PureOne traps more of those particles.

OK, I get that! But, my question is, why would you want to use it longer(extended OCI's) than the Classic? Or use the PureOne for 2 UOA's, e.g.?

I realize that filter become more efficient at trapping dirt as they get dirty. Dirt, traps dirt! But as the filter gets dirty, it doesn't become more efficient for flow!

Maybe I'm reading into this all wrong. Any comments/help me understand?

 

[440Magnum]

The filters you named also have more surface area than some other brands in a given filter model/size, so even though they might load up with particles faster, they have more pores to trap particles.

Also, filters just don't come ANYWHERE near loading up to the point that they "stop flowing" in normal usage. It would take something like a coolant leak generating a lot of sludgy grit, or a lot of sludge breaking loose in a neglected engine to plug a filter in normal usage, even with pretty long drain intervals.

 

[JOD]

It's all about surface area--the more surface area, the more the filters capacity....

....however, surface area just doesn't mean "total amount of media". That's one variable. The other variables are the amount of space between the pleats, and more importantly the amount of space between the stands of paper/fiber/glass doing the filtering. So, a synthetic media which may be more fine (and offer better filtration) may also offer more holding capacity. All of the variables above determine the filter's holding capacity.

I believe the ISO4548 test has a provision for testing capacity in grams of how much a filter can hold and still flow to a baseline level. A filter can filter more finely and still offer higher holding capacity. All that said, if your engine is already clean I think most filters can tolerate some pretty long OCI's. It's when you're filtering out a lot of gunk is when you need to worry.

 

[Artem]

Isn't the whole point of a filter is to Capture as much dirt as possible? So over an extended OCI (i'm talking about 10k here) i'd want a filter to catch as much [censored] as possible during the entire 10k worth.

I don't want a filter to let a bunch of dirt through AND THEN right around 10k miles or so, after its beginning to get "more efficient" as a result of dirt catching dirt to FINALLY begin to capture as much dirt as possible only to [censored] out on you and go into bypass mode shortly after

 

[Torino]

The trash that any filter media traps serves as a filter. Yes, as a filter becomes loaded it filters better as regards subsequent particle size and amount. As is common there is a trade off. It requires more energy (read pressure) to maintain a given flow. Your call. John--Las Vegas.

 

[widman]

Synthetic fibers are stronger and thinner. Therefor there are more fibers, more spaces that are thinner. I have pictures and a video on my site

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: Char Baby
I once called the Purolator 800# and asked a question about filtration only...

I was told by the tech that both the PuroPremPlus(Classic) and the PureOne both trap 10-20 micron particles. But, the PureOne traps more of those particles.

OK, I get that! But, my question is, why would you want to use it longer(extended OCI's) than the Classic? Or use the PureOne for 2 UOA's, e.g.?


If you look at Purolator's website, they recommend changing their oil filters (Classic or PureOne) based on the car manufacture's scheduled service information. Almost all filter manufactures do the same CYA statement. Only a few manufacturers will make a claim that their filter is a long OCI filter.

See FAQ #1:
http://www.purolatorautofilters.net/resources/Pages/FAQs.aspx

In other words, most filter manufactures do not say their filters are good for XYZ miles. It's the end user(s) (ie, BITOG 'experts') that decide if they think a certain filter will go a certain mileage of OCI regardless of the filter manufacturer's recommendations.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: Artem

I don't want a filter to let a bunch of dirt through AND THEN right around 10k miles or so, after its beginning to get "more efficient" as a result of dirt catching dirt to FINALLY begin to capture as much dirt as possible only to [censored] out on you and go into bypass mode shortly after

Originally Posted By: Torino

Yes, as a filter becomes loaded it filters better as regards subsequent particle size and amount.


Actually, per Purolator Tech Dept, their filters are most efficient when new. The efficiency decreases some as the filter gets loaded, but then does turn back up some towards the end of it's life. The efficiency vs. loading curve looks like a hockey stick.

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[CharBaby]

Many good answers crew, thanks!

 

[maersk]

Originally Posted By: Torino
The trash that any filter media traps serves as a filter. Yes, as a filter becomes loaded it filters better as regards subsequent particle size and amount. As is common there is a trade off. It requires more energy (read pressure) to maintain a given flow. Your call. John--Las Vegas.


That's what I keep telling people who insist on changing oil and filters like socks.

 

[walk23]

Royal Purple says filter changes may be extended to 12K. Why not change a mid tiered filter at the midway point midway through the extended OCI and sleep better ?

 

[river_rat]

Originally Posted By: maersk
Originally Posted By: Torino
The trash that any filter media traps serves as a filter. Yes, as a filter becomes loaded it filters better as regards subsequent particle size and amount. As is common there is a trade off. It requires more energy (read pressure) to maintain a given flow. Your call. John--Las Vegas.


That's what I keep telling people who insist on changing oil and filters like socks.



And also why I can't understand the constant advise on this site that a low efficiency filter is OK for 5K mile changes, and save the higher end ones for long OCIs.
That's backwards. I say use the relatively porous filters for longer OCIs where they might have a chance to load up some and get a good average.

Kind of like the study that showed more wear when people change their air filters too often.

 

[Virtuoso]

I'm with you on that train of thought. I think the industry works against us there, though. Most of the lower-efficiency filters are not built as sturdy as the higher-efficiency ones.. not making them the best choice for long OCI's.

I know my Quaker State's get the [censored] beat out of them in my 7-9k changes. Purolator's media seems to get wavy faster than others though.

 

[JOD]

Originally Posted By: walk23
Royal Purple says filter changes may be extended to 12K. Why not change a mid tiered filter at the midway point midway through the extended OCI and sleep better ?


...because I'd much rather have better filtration from the moment I spin on the filter rather than wait for it to load up to become more efficient.

Here's a link to my Ford Racing filter at 10K. It has similar efficiency to the RP filter (lightly less, 99% @ 20U), but less capacity, 11 grams. I'll sleep fine using that filter on my engine for 15 or 20K.

 

[river_rat]

Thanks for the link, JOD. Motorcraft filters are excellent, IMO.
I want the good filtration, too.
Currently have a Mahle OC47 on my '69 VW van and it is a true, Eurostyle long life filter. It is sturdy, but the media is visibly much more porous under magnification than most filters. I don't know what the efficiency numbers are on that Mahle, but probably not too good until it gets loaded up some.

I chose it because I run 20W-50 dino oil, and will leave the filter on for more than one oil change. Normally on the "daily drivers" I go for reasonably high efficiency but change the filter every oil change.