Amsoil EA Filters 2022 vs 2024

[ZeeOSix]

I agree with you that the notion of "seal" is very weak. Also- that tightness is a poor descriptor of leakage probability, regardless if true. My only intent is to show that the design changes between these years increased the likelihood and quantity of bypassed oil. The older spring has reliefs or notches in the spring and a nubs in the filter - the new one only has a nibs on the spring, while the metal ring in the filter cartridge on the new filter is smooth, ensuring a larger gap. On the older filter, the nubs and the reliefs line up and help to minimize the gap.

In either case, the bottom line is that there is no sealing going on in the area where the nubs are located, because there's still an air gap in that area with the leaf spring is installed ... unless the leaf spring is tapered purposely to close up that air gap, but I don't think that's the case.

All the "sealing" is (kind of) happening between the part of the leaf spring that has the ruffles and that narrow raised ring around the end cap hole that the leaf spring sits on when installed - you can see that ring on both filters in the photo above. That's the "seal" area, and if the leaf spring isn't smooth and flat (ie, not warped, because if smooth but warped it could still leave a gap), then there will be oil leakage at that interface.

Note the "groove" in the leaf spring on the left filter is simply the impressions the nubs on the ID of the hole made when the leaf spring was forced into the hole. You could clock it differently, force it in the hole and make new matching grooves. Those grooves were not made in the leaf spring to match up and fit with the nubs before those two parts were ever put together.

 

[Tribology]

In either case, the bottom line is that there is no sealing going on in the area where the nubs are located, because there's still an air gap in that area with the leaf spring is installed ... unless the leaf spring is tapered purposely to close up that air gap, but I don't think that's the case.

All the "sealing" is (kind of) happening between the part of the leaf spring that has the ruffles and that narrow raised ring around the end cap hole that the leaf spring sits on when installed - you can see that ring on both filters in the photo above. That's the "seal" area, and if the leaf spring isn't smooth and flat (ie, not warped, because if smooth but warped it could still leave a gap), then there will be oil leakage at that interface.

Note the "groove" in the leaf spring on the left filter is simply the impressions the nubs on the ID of the hole made when the leaf spring was forced into the hole. You could clock it differently, force it in the hole and make new matching grooves. Those grooves were not made in the leaf spring to match up and fit with the nubs before those two parts were ever put together.

I agree- regardless of how the relief is formed or de-formed though, It still fits better and may leak less, than the newer filter on the right. I still have several of the older filters, and for me- I am planning to use them in the cars I have that take that filter. I will also continue to monitor performance via used oil analysis- but I am moving away from new Amsoil filters until this is resolved. I also have a new EA15k50 with an orange relief plug from 2025 that I will be cutting open. Not putting that on my car

 

[OVERKILL]

He might be upset if I give his name, but I will give you a Hint! The 1st letter is an O

Know exactly who you are talking about! It's @OilStainedNapkin right?

 

[ZeeOSix]

I agree- regardless of how the relief is formed or de-formed though, It still fits better and may leak less, than the newer filter on the right.

At least the older model on the left has a smooth leaf spring. If it sits down all the way on that raised ring on the end cap then that's the best you can hope for with this metal-on-metal type "seal" design ... as long as the leaf spring is also flat (smooth - no ruffles, but warped). Even if the one on the right with the ruffled leaf spring sits down flat, there's still going to be leakage through the ruffled area.

 

[OilStainedNapkin]

Know exactly who you are talking about! It's @OilStainedNapkin right?

Rent free