Fram Ultra Oil Filter Leak Testing Results

[CharlieBauer]

If we took a leaf spring out of the filter ie from an already cut out filter, and poured 15ml in the middle of it, we could time how long it takes for the oil to fall off of it. That would give us a reference point for how fast the oil flows without resistance under the force of gravity.

Then if we have a time for how long it took for the same 15ml of oil in an intact filter, could we use the difference and calculate something from that?

 

[ZeeOSix]

If we took a leaf spring out of the filter ie from an already cut out filter, and poured 15ml in the middle of it, we could time how long it takes for the oil to fall off of it. That would give us a reference point for how fast the oil flows without resistance under the force of gravity.

What makes the oil flow is gravity. And it's a driving force based on the depth of the oil - ie, the head pressure of the oil due to its depth. Just like the pressure of water 33 feet below the surface is basically one ATM of gauge pressure. If the oil depth is only 5 mm, the driving force is very small. Oil is actually less dense than water, that's why oil floats on top of water (ie, "oil slick").

Then if we have a time for how long it took for the same 15ml of oil in an intact filter, could we use the difference and calculate something from that?

Ideally, with an "intact" filter there wouldn't be any leakage. So any leak would be compared to a zero leak baseline.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Here's what the pressure a 5 mm depth of oil would be. The Specific Gravity of oil is typically around 0.85 (ie, 85% that of water). 5 mm = 0.197 inch = 0.0164 foot.

The pressure at a depth of 33 feet of oil with SG = 0.85 would be: 14.7 x 0.85 = 12.5 PSI

So at a depth of 5 mm of oil, the pressure would only be: 12.5 x (0.0164/33) = 0.006 PSI.

In order to get 1.0 PSI, the oil depth would have to be held constant at: (1/12.5) x 33 = 2.64 feet deep.

 

[dkryan]

I have tested 5 Fram Ultra XG2 filters for whether they leak between the leaf spring and end cap.

Here is a summary of the results. In separate posts below are pictures of the test results.

• Manufactured January 13th 2021 - should have seal between the end cap and leaf spring

• NOT a leaker

• Manufactured August 19th 2022 - OG media but likely no seal between the end cap and leaf spring

• Filter #1: SLOW LEAKER: Over 135 minutes for oil to no longer be visible
• Filter #2: SLOW LEAKER: 60 minutes for oil to no longer be visible

• Manufactured June 25th 2024

• Filter #1: FAST LEAKER: 5-7 minutes for oil to no longer be visible
• Filter #2: FAST LEAKER: 5-7 minutes for oil to no longer be visible

About the only thing I can figure out from this thread is:

2021s have a healthy prostate and bladder;
2022s have a swollen prostate making the flow rather difficult, especially at 3 a.m.
2024s have absolutely no bladder control………..

 

[ZeeOSix]

About the only thing I can figure out from this thread is:

2021s have a healthy prostate and bladder;
2022s have a swollen prostate making the flow rather difficult, especially at 3 a.m.
2024s have absolutely no bladder control………..

The typical path as you age.

 

[dkryan]

The typical path as you age.

It “Depends…….”

 

[ZeeOSix]

Need a "Depends" with 99% @ 20u efficiency for the leaf spring.