Here's a few ML articles that allow some insight.
- for a filter to essentialy be a problem, the water content has to reach the saturation point
- the tested filter in the ML article had a pore size of 3um; WAY smaller than a typical FL400S (or equivilant)
I don't think the OP has a filter problem; I think he may have contaminated tranny fluid.
Again - get a UOA on the tranny fluid !!!!
My point is that I SERIOUSLY doubt there's enough moisture in the air to cause a typical cellulose filter to just essentially swell shut. I think it's far more likely the filter was reacting to conditions in the sump well past it's design intent. Heavy water contamination in lube systems can wreak all kinds of havoc.
Much has been said about particle contamination and its effect on component longevity. It is well known that an improvement in particle contamination by one ISO Cleanliness Code can...
www.machinerylubrication.com
While water can enhance a filter’s ability to capture particles, if the filter is exposed to too much water, it can lead to damage or even failure of the filter.
www.machinerylubrication.com
The amount of water that is acceptable in oil (and thus acceptable in the machine's exposure) will depend on several factors, including the sensitivity of the machine and the lubricant to wa…
www.machinerylubrication.com