Does an oil filter get affected by time?

[The motor guy]

Let's use my boat for example. It doesn't get but maybe 25hrs a year put on it and I end up changing the oil because it's 3 years old and it may only have 80hrs on it at that point, but I worry about the filter coming apart after a while. I'm sure it's fine sitting on the shelf for 3 years, but I wonder if the oil starts affecting the adhesives over time after being installed? And just the overall filter media.

 

[TheOilWizard]

Sure, I would think time plays a part in oil filters service life. The number of hot/cold cycles while soaking in oil/gas, it can't last forever. Now how long exactly is a different topic.

I have a similar perspective on engine air filters. I run them 2-3 years and replace them not because they are plugged up or restricting air flow, but because I don't like the idea of the paper element coming apart as it ages. I know many here run them way longer with restriction gauges, but it's just not my outlook.

 

[The motor guy]

Sure, I would think time plays a part in oil filters service life. The number of hot/cold cycles while soaking in oil/gas, it can't last forever. Now how long exactly is a different topic.

I have a similar perspective on engine air filters. I run them 2-3 years and replace them not because they are plugged up or restricting air flow, but because I don't like the idea of the paper element coming apart as it ages. I know many here run them way longer with restriction gauges, but it's just not my outlook.

I have one of those, never seen it move an inch. I don't think they work to be honest. They start sucking from the ccv

 

[Urshurak776]

1 year max is all any filter would stay in one of my engines (boat, car, motorcycle, lawn mower, blower, generator, etc.) Typically it's no more than 4 months.

 

[Mewbs]

I'd say organic materials such as cellulose media material would be more impacted to material degradation compared to a synthetic media materials such as microglass and polymer microfibers which are by design to address the natural flaws of pulp paper based media.

Maybe @NashNative can get some thoughts from their engineers about this.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Just don't keep a Motorcraft with the black glue that comes off on for too long ... like more than an hour.

I think a quality oil filter would be fine for 2-3 years. I've had some on that long on low use vehicles, and cutting them open found zero degradation.

 

[TheOilWizard]

Just don't keep a Motorcraft with the black glue that comes off on for too long ... like more than an hour.

I think a quality oil filter would be fine for 2-3 years. I've had some on that long on low use vehicles, and cutting them open found zero degradation.

Honestly, I'd bet the majority of that happens in the first couple of hours... it either comes loose and gets caught by the filter or gets sucked into the engine. I have some FL910s installed and although I won't install another, what's done is done.

 

[oil pan 4]

Let's use my boat for example. It doesn't get but maybe 25hrs a year put on it and I end up changing the oil because it's 3 years old and it may only have 80hrs on it at that point, but I worry about the filter coming apart after a while. I'm sure it's fine sitting on the shelf for 3 years, but I wonder if the oil starts affecting the adhesives over time after being installed? And just the overall filter media.

I just cut open old fram oil filters that had been installed since 2016 a few weeks ago and they were perfectly functional.

 

[sdowney717]

They will NOT fall apart if on the engine in oil for many years, if they did that proves them flawed. Hot oil and pressure, they made to resist that or they would fail and engines ruined. And an engine is not running continually for years, so they are not under pressure or heat all that much during their life, especially on a boat engine. The outer can could rust but you see that.

 

[RaymondP]

Let's use my boat for example. It doesn't get but maybe 25hrs a year put on it and I end up changing the oil because it's 3 years old and it may only have 80hrs on it at that point, but I worry about the filter coming apart after a while. I'm sure it's fine sitting on the shelf for 3 years, but I wonder if the oil starts affecting the adhesives over time after being installed? And just the overall filter media.

I have a older Universal M25 diesel in my boat. Like you, low hours of use each year due to the shorter sailing season - May to October. I can confirm NO ISSUES with changing the oil/filter every two years and considering extending to every three years but will run an oil analysis before I do.

Using Rotella T6 15W40 full syn. as widely available ($22 @ Tractor Supply, $26 @ Walmart). Engine seems to be happy.