Cartridge vs. cannister style oil filters...pros/cons?

[TiGeo]

What are the differences and what are the advantages and disadvantages of the two types?

To me cartridge is nice because the drain back valve bits are separate from the filter and its engineeeing/design/function is fixed..you just change the filter media. Some allow draining of the oil before removing it (3/4 of my VWs are this way) which is also a nice feature.

This post is set up as a question so please remember to vote for the best responses/answers so I can choose the best!

 

[MParr]

I like the cartridge filters. Both of our vehicles have them mounted on top of the engine

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

How? My top mount ones can't get any easier and cleaner. Bottom mount with drain is clean and easy.

I've never heard of the housings failing.

BMW plastic oil filter housing fail on their current ICE It's around $3k on an I6 because of all the stuff in the way.

 

[TiGeo]

BMW plastic oil filter housing fail on their current ICE it's around $3k on an I6.

Wow. The VW ones all seem fine. Have 5 of them and no issues.

 

[marc1]

Right now, for the first time in my life, all my cars are cartridge. I am tipped slightly in favor of cartridge.

1 - Less mess. The Tacoma has a drain plug on the housing so after draining the housing, it comes off clean. The Impala has a massive canister that houses the cartridge, the level is below the lip when removing.

2 - Media inspection. I can instantly inspect the media for tears, improperly glued ends etc. on a new filter. What you see when you take a cartridge out of the box is what you get. Similarly, when I remove the old used cartridge I don't have to cut the canister to see the media, it is readily apparent. I can comb through the pleats etc.

3 - Simplicity. No ADV, bypass valves etc. depending on design. That is all in a different area. The filter is just a raw filter.

4 - Impala only advantages. The filter surface area is massive. In 1967 the recommended interval for cartridge oil filter cars was every third oil change. When Chevrolet went to the spin-on starting in 1968, it was every second oil change.

5 - Impala only disadvantage. This is not a function of the cartridge filter per se but rather the age of the vehicle. I cannot buy higher end filters. There are very few filter options. I use Wix right now and a Fram is also available which I would use as well. It is cellulose media either way, I don't have any synthetic media options. I do with the Tacoma, the full suite of high end filters is available. When the day comes and I can't get any cartridges anymore for the 67, I can easily convert to traditional Chevrolet spin-on filters and that is what I will do when or if the old cartridges run out.

I also had a cartridge filter on my 2001 Jetta TDI (long gone), same sentiments, didn't mind the filter at the time. I honestly can't remember what I used for filters, probably dealer OE / VW.

 

[RF Overlord]

BMW plastic oil filter housing fail on their current ICE It's around $3k on an I6 because of all the stuff in the way.

This forum needs a "dafuq" emoji...

 

[factorytuned2012]

How? My top mount ones can't get any easier and cleaner. Bottom mount with drain is clean and easy.

I've never heard of the housings failing.

On the Kia I dealt with step 1 remove center plug on housing drained around 1/4 of a Qt into a Tupperware type container which I had to hold because it wasn’t positioned on the vehicle where it would be a clear shot to drain into the catch pan. Step 2 replace center plug with new o-ring step 3 remove canister pull off o-ring and replace step 4 install new element step 5 re-install canister.

Easy is spin off old kiss the gaskets together and spin the new one on. The rest is history

 

[TiGeo]

On the Kia I dealt with step 1 remove center plug on housing drained around 1/4 of a Qt into a Tupperware type container which I had to hold because it wasn’t positioned on the vehicle where it would be a clear shot to drain into the catch pan. Step 2 replace center plug with new o-ring step 3 remove canister pull off o-ring and replace step 4 install new element step 5 re-install canister.

Easy is spin off old kiss the gaskets together and spin the new one on. The rest is history

The part you left out is the big mess you had to deal with when you spun off the canister one. Also having to deal with BITOG-induced drain back valve anxiety

 

[Sayjac]

In my experience, spin on type filters easier and faster to replace/install and generally speaking significantly less expensive than cartridges.

In my observation and experience, cartridges best adapted with engine top housing for ease of access and install. That said, those on top have been noted for some start up rattle on Hyun/Kia and Pentastar engines. Seems H/K has now gone to engine bottom housing location. Being able to see the filter element also an advantage to cartridges.

Interesting that Toyota went back to spin on filters from cartridge type on some vehicles. With their Rube Goldberg (imo) housing set up on engine bottom, understandable 'to me.' It's also less expensive per vehicle unit to make with spin on type.

 

[TiGeo]

We have a cartridge type on bottom of the Passat Atlas and GTI. Had one one the Lexus too. Top side on the Sportwagen is the best. The more I think about it maybe folks are right. Bottom side canister would be easier but I like that I can drain it before removing even if it adds a few steps.

 

[Sayjac]

...Top side on the Sportwagen is the best....

Son's Audi S4 (sold now) had top side cartridge. For oil changes he used Mightvac fluid extractor, never touched the drain plug. Said to me "the only way to go".

 

[TiGeo]

Son's Audi S4 (sold now) had top side cartridge. For oil changes he used Mightvac fluid extractor, never touched the drain plug. Said to me "the only way to go".

For sure. I just like to get under my cars, really a good thing to do a few times a year. Just caught a torn CV boot on my Passat that way that would have been missed with a top side change.

 

[Sayjac]

For sure. I just like to get under my cars.....

The other factor on the S4, had a pita to remove belly pan to get to the drain plug. So, extractor eliminated that.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I have never owned a cartridge filter. In general they seem like a good idea because you can inspect it. Having said that, how many people had a engine issue due to a canister filter. Seems maybe a cartridge is a solution in search of a problem? Its not like I am going to make my auto purchase decision on that either way.

I've never heard of the housings failing.

I think the Pentastar 3.6 is famous for it. I think there is an aftermarket replacement thats like $300 that is better but there still seems to be much debate on that as well. Never owned one.

I had heard about the older BMW's having leaking issues as @BMWTurboDzl mentioned - but I had no idea it was a $3K repair.

 

[TiGeo]

I have never owned a cartridge filter. In general they seem like a good idea because you can inspect it. Having said that, how many people had a engine issue due to a canister filter. Seems maybe a cartridge is a solution in search of a problem? Its not like I am going to make my auto purchase decision on that either way.


I think the Pentastar 3.6 is famous for it. I think there is an aftermarket replacement thats like $300 that is better but there still seems to be much debate on that as well. Never owned one.

I had heard about the older BMW's having leaking issues as @BMWTurboDzl mentioned - but I had no idea it was a $3K repair.

I'm stuck on the advantage of a well engineered and consistent drain/pressure valve/system vs. relying on the filter to have this which of course will vary manufacturer to manufacturer/filter to filter as the main advantage of doing it this way.

 

[TiGeo]

The other factor on the S4, had a pita to remove belly pan to get to the drain plug. So, extractor eliminated that.

All of our cars are straightforward to do that - just zip off the torx screws with an impact driver zip zip zip done!

 

[Sayjac]

I'm stuck on the advantage of a well engineered and consistent drain/pressure valve/system vs. relying on the filter to have this which of course will vary manufacturer to manufacturer/filter to filter as the main advantage of doing it this way.

In 5 decades of diy oil and filter changes, none of that has ever been an issue and/or concern using spin on filters. Clearly you prefer cartridges. While it wouldn't be a purchase deal breaker either way, I prefer spin on type.

 

[TiGeo]

In 5 decades of diy oil and filter changes, none of that has ever been an issue and/or concern using spin on filters. Clearly you prefer cartridges. While it wouldn't be a purchase deal breaker either way, I prefer spin on type.

I actually don't have a preference/isn't a deal breaker. I'm trying to explore the +/- of them is really all, there has to be +/-...

 

[IveBeenRued]

Interesting that Toyota went back to spin on filters from cartridge type on some vehicles. With their Rube Goldberg (imo) housing set up on engine bottom, understandable 'to me.' It's also less expensive per vehicle unit to make with spin on type.

My guess is that lube techs were screwing things up. If I were having others do my oil changes, I’d much prefer canister as there is less opportunity for the lube tech to screw up.

As for cartridge vs canister, I prefer canister. They are cleaner to change out and more convenient for me. I don’t have to worry about different filter housing wrenches or anything. I just reach for my three-claw filter wrench and my 3/8” drive ratchet and I’m good to go on all of my cars, mowers, and tractors.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Wow. The VW ones all seem fine. Have 5 of them and no issues.

Ya. It's found towards the rear of the current B-series engines. It's awful design compared to the prev-gen which were mounted at the top front and made of metal.

 

[Sayjac]

I actually don't have a preference/......

I guess my conclusion based on "I'm stuck on the advantage of a well engineered and consistent drain/pressure valve/system vs....." Imo, reads like a preference based opinion. Thus my response, that none that a consideration or factor in my practical experience with spin on filter use.