Does size really matter ?

[texasproud]

Oh no...another newbie !! I have been lurking for awhile and there is a LOT to learn about oil !

I have a new 6 liter Chevrolet 2500 HD gas truck w/ 3000 miles that I would like to convert to synthetic from dino. I drive about 12,000 miles per year and would not consider it severe service unless our summer heat is considered severe. Not much dust or frequent heavy towing. My original plan was to use Mobile 1 5w30 and do a filter change(Mobile 1 filter) at 6 months or 6,0000 miles.

When I purchased the oil & filter, I was amazed at the tiny size of the filter(M1-107)! I have a riding lawn mower that has a bigger filter ! I am concerned the filter is too small for an extended OCI. Thanks for your comments

 

[mdocod]

hehe... speaking of small filters... my isuzu rodeo has the same size filter most honda 4 cylinders use... bothers me, considering this engine is going to be pretty hard on oil, being only 3.2 liters dragging 4500lbs around all the time...

bought a suzuki swift recently also... only a little 1.3L engine... but still... if you want to see a small filter.. go open up a Mobil M-103 filter box and take a look at that little marvel.

So.. to answer the question- does size matter... YES- and no... hehe... a larger filter element, has obvious advantages, like less pressure to pump the same volume, more room for contaminants to land before filter clogging, etc... however.. if the engine was *designed* with a filter size in mind- then as long as a reasonable change interval is practised, one should never experience a filter related failure. So- yea- a bigger filter might be better in and of itself- but small filters that get changed apropriotly aren't likally to have any negative side effects that a larger filter could have solved.

 

[texasproud]

quote:

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Originally posted by mdocod:
hehe... speaking of small filters... my isuzu rodeo has the same size filter most honda 4 cylinders use... bothers me, considering this engine is going to be pretty hard on oil, being only 3.2 liters dragging 4500lbs around all the time...

bought a suzuki swift recently also... only a little 1.3L engine... but still... if you want to see a small filter.. go open up a Mobil M-103 filter box and take a look at that little marvel.

So.. to answer the question- does size matter... YES- and no... hehe... a larger filter element, has obvious advantages, like less pressure to pump the same volume, more room for contaminants to land before filter clogging, etc... however.. if the engine was *designed* with a filter size in mind- then as long as a reasonable change interval is practised, one should never experience a filter related failure. So- yea- a bigger filter might be better in and of itself- but small filters that get changed apropriotly aren't likally to have any negative side effects that a larger filter could have solved.

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[Dad2leia]

I have ALWAYS tried to use the biggest darn filter that I could easily remove from the location as the original sized filter. I've had several Dodge products, and the beauty part of those digusting 4 cylinders of theirs was that a standard FL1A sized filter would work, so it gave me a large filter for the oil, plus an extra 1/2 to full quart oil capacity in the crankcase (yes, a bigger filter means you have to adjust your oil quantity in the crankcase fill).

I have a Honda CR-V, and I HATE the size of the filter that they use on it. I don't have access to cross reference materials any more, but I really don't think that I could get a bigger diameter filter in there, just maybe a little longer in length, but I haven't tried to find one. My capacity is 5 quarts with this filter (suprising for a Honda, I know), but I would eventually like to have the extra media in the future.

So find a place that has some books that you can use the filter dimension appendices and have fun finding a larger filter with the appropriate gasket size and thread pattern.

 

[Doc Holiday]

quote:

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Originally posted by Dad2leia:
I have ALWAYS tried to use the biggest darn filter that I could easily remove from the location as the original sized filter. I've had several Dodge products, and the beauty part of those digusting 4 cylinders of theirs was that a standard FL1A sized filter would work, so it gave me a large filter for the oil, plus an extra 1/2 to full quart oil capacity in the crankcase (yes, a bigger filter means you have to adjust your oil quantity in the crankcase fill).

I have a Honda CR-V, and I HATE the size of the filter that they use on it. I don't have access to cross reference materials any more, but I really don't think that I could get a bigger diameter filter in there, just maybe a little longer in length, but I haven't tried to find one. My capacity is 5 quarts with this filter (suprising for a Honda, I know), but I would eventually like to have the extra media in the future.

So find a place that has some books that you can use the filter dimension appendices and have fun finding a larger filter with the appropriate gasket size and thread pattern.

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Not only that but check to make sure the bigger filter has an anti-drain back valve if your requires it. Also if it has a relief valve and the pressure setting of it..example 13 psi.
And remember an engine wasn't designed around an oil filter.....the filter comes last. Ever wonder how one filter can fit so many engines?

 

[labman]

Smaller filters may have about as much media packed in them as larger ones. It is also possible they use a better media. You can at least verify the amount of media by cutting the filter open. Still leaves you in the dark about the quality. Beware of large, empty, orange cans.

 

[Texas Aggie]

Does your truck hold six quarts of oil? A bigger sump may offset the need for a larger filter.

 

[Blue99]

The GM Vortec 6.0L engine typically throws alot of copper in the UOA analysis posted on the UOA forum.

Does anyone think that 5W-40 is a good option for this engine?

 

[MolaKule]

You'll find a filter forum here:

http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=002761

 

[Big O Dave]

quote:

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Originally posted by labman:
Smaller filters may have about as much media packed in them as larger ones. It is also possible they use a better media. You can at least verify the amount of media by cutting the filter open. Still leaves you in the dark about the quality. Beware of large, empty, orange cans.

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So true! The Wix 51215 used on my daughter's Focus has more element than a Fram PH8A (FL-1A equivalent).

 

[Schmoe]

Lurk some more and there is a couple of programs running around here that will give you larger size filters that will work for whichever application you desire. Most of the time, a larger filter will also mean a longer filter. So, make sure you have plenty of PROTECTING filter length cover. You don't want your filter just hanging down with no protection being exposed to the open road. I'm also a firm believe that the more filtering area, the merrier.

 

[Gary Allan]

There are basically two issues. A smaller filter will, on average, have less holding capacity ..and the oil passing through it will be at a higher velocity. Any pulsations will have a more severe effect on velocity based particle infiltration.

That being said, the smaller filter will not last as long (assuming that the larger filter indeed has more media of the same quality/filtering ability) ..but you'll rarely (again "typically") reach that saturation level before changing it out anyway even with a fairly long OCI.

 

[T-Keith]

The filter is not that small. Try looking at a typical toyota filter. I see no problem using that filter for 6k. They did at one point offer a longer filter, but then the PF-46 came out, and I haven't heard a good reason for that yet.

-T

 

[TooManyWheels]

quote:

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and would not consider it severe service unless our summer heat is considered severe

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I hate to break it to you, but yes, Central Texas summer heat would be considered severe service. Arizona and h@!! have it worse, but otherwise your heat is about as bad as it gets.

 

[Bill Kapaun]

If you do experience high temperatures, the larger filter would offer two SLIGHT advantages-
1. A few oz. more oil capacity.
2. A little bit more "can" surface to transfer heat away from the oil.

 

[texasproud]

Thanks to all of you for the info and I feel a little better knowing the M1-107 appears to be acceptable for an extended OCI.

I did check under the truck tonite and it does not appear there is much more "protected room" for an extended length filter. Much longer and the filter will protrude below the level of the oil pan and would be exposed to road hazards.

As I have also learned our Texas heat is "severe service" I will also research a synthetic more suitable to the heat...maybe a 10-40. Thanks again.