When people use a larger filter on their car, or a better flowing filter such as the K&N, does this lowered restriction equal lower oil pressure? Considering that the engineers have designed our cars to operate within certain specifications, does the added benefit of higher flow or more surface area for better filtration change too much of what they have so carefully thought out?
Does higher flow equal lower oil pressure?
- Thread starter JPowers
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In the real world, numerous Toyota Camry and Corolla owners have gone hundreds of thousands of miles using the stock oil filter that is only HALF the size of a can of soup!! So while the idea that larger than stock oil filter provide (in theory) higher flow or more surface area for better filtration this does not mean that fantastic engine life cannot be attained with the small stock filter.
Same deal with oils. While Mobil Oil boasts of a BMW that went 1,000,000 miles on Mobil 1, it is also true a 1995 Chevy truck owner went 1,000,000 miles without an overhaul using plain Pennzoil Conventional oil.
Same deal with oils. While Mobil Oil boasts of a BMW that went 1,000,000 miles on Mobil 1, it is also true a 1995 Chevy truck owner went 1,000,000 miles without an overhaul using plain Pennzoil Conventional oil.
The oil pump may have trouble supplying pressure to the reduced resistance at idle, but above idle the regulator will govern pressure.
[ February 18, 2003, 02:10 AM: Message edited by: Jay ]
[ February 18, 2003, 02:10 AM: Message edited by: Jay ]
No. The oil pressure is determined by the combined resistances from the pump to the sump and the rate of oil flow. The oil flow is determined by the oil pump speed and the amount of oil that the pressure control valve is dumping. More resistance will make the oil pressure control valve dump more oil from the pump directly back to the sump. Less resistance from your filter allows more oil to flow to the bearings. If the oil pressure gauge connection is downstream from the filter, the low restriction filter will cause higher oil pressure to show on your gauge.
Ken
I recall reading something that after you switch to synthetic it is common and understandable that pressure will drop. I'd love to hear about that (makes sense but that doesn't prove it) then again I don't have an oil pressure guage...YET
I've seen lower (closer to normal) oil pressure with syn oil when it's cold, 'cuz if flows better. My hot oil pressure is the same.
Ken
[ February 18, 2003, 11:06 PM: Message edited by: Ken2 ]
Think of oil pressure like blood pressure in our bodies. The oil like the heart pumps thru tiny passages like our capilaries and that is what creates pressure. Also in an engine, if the liquid is thick, then naturally the pressure will be greater since it's having a harder time to get thru those little passages. The oil filter only filters the oil from the main oil line before it branches out to the tiny orifices, so that has nothing to do with oil pressure. Pressure is measured at the point of most ressistance and that are the tiny oil passages, and not the filter.
Leo
[ February 19, 2003, 05:01 PM: Message edited by: pedaltothemetal ]
Leo
[ February 19, 2003, 05:01 PM: Message edited by: pedaltothemetal ]
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