Any functional dangers with 'lifetime' oil filter?

[dailydriver]

Could there be any functional dangers/problems with using a cleanable element/lifetime billet type oil filter?? (Taking for granted that one has the smarts/wherewithal to clean it out every OCI.

)

I ask only because the many companies which make them only build a few models (based mostly on the fitting thread size), and was wondering how they could possibly cover ALL of the various pressure/flow/etc. needs of the thousands of applications which would use their ONE size??

 

[tommygunn]

Whatever seals it uses failing, including drainback valves and bypass valves wearing out. Springs getting soft/hard over time or metal fatigue.

I'd expect cleaning it properly to cost more then the filter is worth, too, to get one that filters to any decent micron rating.

 

[wirelessF]

When I was young (god knew where I blew my money) I bought a Trufilter SS filter for my truck. It has no bypass valve, no anti-drainback valve (didn't worry about that in my app), had Viton o-rings and seals, aluminum casing and the media can be cleaned out using a solvent.

I guess the SS media can handle massive pressure/not very restrictive to not have a bypass valve.

I was getting tired of cleaning that rock catcher (read somewhere that it did not trap soot like paper media, and the proper way to clean it via ultrasonic methods) so I went back to paper filters.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: dailydriver
I ask only because the many companies which make them only build a few models (based mostly on the fitting thread size), and was wondering how they could possibly cover ALL of the various pressure/flow/etc. needs of the thousands of applications which would use their ONE size??

The steel mesh filters flow like crazy, and they can handle pressure from any vehicle on the road, so there really isn't an issue with making a few sizes work with almost any vehicle.

 

[JHZR2]

Time at temperature for rubber/polymer parts would be my concern. Also the ability to completely clean the media, as while most of the dirt will be there as 'cake', which should be removable mechanically or with high pressure, some particles will get caught in the mesh and over time may contribute to less actual flowable area...

 

[SteveSRT8]

Just as long as you don't mind huge particles passing through.

Don't think I've seen one filter below 30-60 microns.

Not on my car.

 

[dailydriver]

^^Most of them claim filtering to MUCH lower micron levels than that.

Now, whether or not they actually DO is another story.

 

[SteveSRT8]

perhaps this is a new design, as the ones I saw were very high flow units designed for race cars.

I'd like to see the specs on the ones you mentioned.

 

[EricF]

They want like $230!! that thing had better block every piece of dirt for that price!
(Glad I didn't know about them back in the day, I woulda had to have one just because)

 

[Malo83]

I'll stick with Wix

 

[ahoier]

Originally Posted By: dailydriver
many companies which make them only build a few models (based mostly on the fitting thread size), and was wondering how they could possibly cover ALL of the various pressure/flow/etc. needs of the thousands of applications which would use their ONE size??

Look at the latest "FRAM CORE" thread......regarding the new FRAM CORE filters....which are widely used in Walmart TLEs......they have replaced roughly 20+ filters, with roughly 9 (again, roughly.....it's been a while since I read the thread so can't recall exactly).


One benefit of the "one size for multiple applications" - is the fact that a smaller filter SHOULD result in BETTER start up flow and/or compression....

But yea, the "pros" around here will scoff at this new "line up" due to the fact that yes, it appears FRAM is designing this filters simply based on the "thread pattern" alone.....i.e.: 3614, 3600, and there was one other filter, all is getting combined to a single, FRAM CORE filter, For example, if I recall, the COR3614TLE is roughly a quarter-inch shorter than the 3614

And sure enough, found it.....the FRAM CORE 3614 replaces PH3614, PH3600, PH8316

All, of which have the same thread type...

Now....compare the specs (from FRAM themselves):

Product Type PH3614
Anti-Drain Valve YES
Gasket I.D. 2.47"
Gasket O.D. 2.75"
Gasket Thickness .19"
Gasket Usage Base
Product Height 3.34"
Product I.D. 3/4-16 Th'd
Product O.D. 2.98"
Relief Valve Setting PSI 12

Product Type PH3600
Anti-Drain Valve YES
Gasket I.D. 2.47"
Gasket O.D. 2.75"
Gasket Thickness .19"
Gasket Usage Base
Product Height 4.92"
Product I.D. 3/4-16 Th'd
Product O.D. 2.98"
Relief Valve Setting PSI 12

Product Type PH8316
Anti-Drain Valve YES
Gasket I.D. 2.41"
Gasket O.D. 2.77"
Gasket Thickness .08"
Gasket Usage Base
Product Height 4.06"
Product I.D. 3/4-16 Th'd
Product O.D. 2.98"
Relief Valve Setting PSI 14


Soooo.....notice the bolds.....the Inner Diameters and Outer Diameters are the same across all 3 filters....

But with the 8316 - the GASKET inner and outer diameter has a tad of a difference....


I'm curious though, how this new CORE filter "meets in the middle" as far as the Relief Valve Setting PSI.....since the 3600 and 3614 are both 12 and the 8316 has a relief psi of 16....or is this supposed to be a nill issue..?

And well....an internet search for COR3614TLE or COR3614 is currently not bringing any viable results....and no reference to COR3614TLE even on the framcatalog.com site.....so I can't verify the relief PSI setting from them either....

 

[flstffxe]

Pure Power/K&N = 22 microns

Professional Products(can be had for around $90-$120)
STD element = 45 microns
Performance element = 10microns (around $20-$40)

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Just as long as you don't mind huge particles passing through.

Don't think I've seen one filter below 30-60 microns.

Not on my car.

 

[Shannow]

Chuck it in a bath of solvent, and you get particles on both sides of the media.

 

[flstffxe]

That depends on how deep the solvent is. No one said you need to drown it.

No reason the bath of solvent can't only come 5/8 3/4... the way up the element then flip it to do the remaining half.

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: ahoier
Originally Posted By: dailydriver
many companies which make them only build a few models (based mostly on the fitting thread size), and was wondering how they could possibly cover ALL of the various pressure/flow/etc. needs of the thousands of applications which would use their ONE size??

Look at the latest "FRAM CORE" thread......regarding the new FRAM CORE filters....which are widely used in Walmart TLEs......they have replaced roughly 20+ filters, with roughly 9 (again, roughly.....it's been a while since I read the thread so can't recall exactly).


One benefit of the "one size for multiple applications" - is the fact that a smaller filter SHOULD result in BETTER start up flow and/or compression....

But yea, the "pros" around here will scoff at this new "line up" due to the fact that yes, it appears FRAM is designing this filters simply based on the "thread pattern" alone.....i.e.: 3614, 3600, and there was one other filter, all is getting combined to a single, FRAM CORE filter, For example, if I recall, the COR3614TLE is roughly a quarter-inch shorter than the 3614

And sure enough, found it.....the FRAM CORE 3614 replaces PH3614, PH3600, PH8316

All, of which have the same thread type...

Now....compare the specs (from FRAM themselves):

Product Type PH3614
Anti-Drain Valve YES
Gasket I.D. 2.47"
Gasket O.D. 2.75"
Gasket Thickness .19"
Gasket Usage Base
Product Height 3.34"
Product I.D. 3/4-16 Th'd
Product O.D. 2.98"
Relief Valve Setting PSI 12

Product Type PH3600
Anti-Drain Valve YES
Gasket I.D. 2.47"
Gasket O.D. 2.75"
Gasket Thickness .19"
Gasket Usage Base
Product Height 4.92"
Product I.D. 3/4-16 Th'd
Product O.D. 2.98"
Relief Valve Setting PSI 12

Product Type PH8316
Anti-Drain Valve YES
Gasket I.D. 2.41"
Gasket O.D. 2.77"
Gasket Thickness .08"
Gasket Usage Base
Product Height 4.06"
Product I.D. 3/4-16 Th'd
Product O.D. 2.98"
Relief Valve Setting PSI 14


Soooo.....notice the bolds.....the Inner Diameters and Outer Diameters are the same across all 3 filters....

But with the 8316 - the GASKET inner and outer diameter has a tad of a difference....


I'm curious though, how this new CORE filter "meets in the middle" as far as the Relief Valve Setting PSI.....since the 3600 and 3614 are both 12 and the 8316 has a relief psi of 16....or is this supposed to be a nill issue..?

And well....an internet search for COR3614TLE or COR3614 is currently not bringing any viable results....and no reference to COR3614TLE even on the framcatalog.com site.....so I can't verify the relief PSI setting from them either....

I won't waste a lot of time scratching my head over it, I just don't buy Fram.

 

[HerrStig]

Hey, maybe those filters which used toilet tissue rolls are "sustainable".

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: HerrStig
Hey, maybe those filters which used toilet tissue rolls are "sustainable".


The Trasko brand is the ONLY one I've seen so far which uses a t.p.-like material/media, which instantly eliminated it from my consideration.

 

[AuthorEditor]

My time is worth a lot to me, so the hassle of cleaning the darn thing and then disposing of the dirty solvent would cost me more than the lifetime filter is worth. Plus, I often don't have a lot of time to do the oil change and it is nice to whip off the old filter and put on a new one in a few minutes and be done with it.

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: AuthorEditor
My time is worth a lot to me, so the hassle of cleaning the darn thing and then disposing of the dirty solvent would cost me more than the lifetime filter is worth. Plus, I often don't have a lot of time to do the oil change and it is nice to whip off the old filter and put on a new one in a few minutes and be done with it.


Basically, the same here, BUT, I wanted to know if these could reduce strain on the oil pump/engine in general because of their higher flow rates, while still filtering to the same micron levels as the premium disposables.

THAT'S where they could be 'worth it' to me in terms of time/money costs.