O I L F I L T E R S

From Crankshaft Coalition Wiki

PREAMBLE

This article is designed to make you aware of what an oil filter contains and what it is designed to do. Even the cheapest oil filter will filter oil, but only for a limited amount of time. We'll try to make you aware of the good points to look for, as well as the pitfalls.

OIL FILTER CONSTRUCTION

FLOW CHARACTERISTICS OF AN OIL FILTER

THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN AN OIL FILTER

Selection

A proper fitting oil filter is paramount. The filter must fit the application in which it was designed for, if not, it can lead to failure, due to sealing, clogging, and bursting under pressure.

Filtering Media

A proper filter must have the ability to filter out the impurities contained in the oil and returned the cleaned oil to the engine. It must continually do this over a prescribed lifetime of the filter. If the filtering media is not sensitive enough, dirt particles will pass right through the media and send partially cleaned oil back to the engine. If the filter media is too sensitive, dirt particles will plug the media and the remaining oil will by-pass the filtering process and return back to the engine- dirty and unfiltered. Getting the right combination is what filter manufacturers strive to achieve as the world of automobile engines and oils is constantly changing around us.

Ask yourself this question. How can an oil provide lubrication for 3,000 to 5,000 miles? Answer, the oil filter!