I no longer use an oil filter.

[Mystic]

I no longer use an oil filter in the classic sense-my new car uses just an oil filter element minus the can and the valves inside the can. I have changed oil for the first time (at 477 miles to be safe) and I really kind of like this concept. There is less waste-the only thing to throw away is the oil filter element. Plus you can check out the oil filter element without cutting a can open and see what the filtering material looks like (before and after an oil change).

The oil filter element is marked as being made in France. I would guess that it is probably a quality unit. But I wonder how common this concept is and how hard it might be to find oil filter elements (unless they became commonplace on all cars and trucks). Hopefully high performance oil filter elements will become available.

Perhaps kits could become available so that somebody if they wanted to could install this type of filtering concept on any car or truck.

 

[sbc350gearhead]

What kind of car is it?

 

[Tim]

VW TDIs are set up like this, as well.


Tim

 

[Mystic]

The car is a 2003 Saturn Ion. I think all new Saturn cars and the Saturn SUV use this technology. Apparently some GM vehicles are using it also. From what I hear, this concept is common in Europe.

 

[jsharp]

Some of the Acura models in the 80's used an internal type filter. The small block Chevys in 1955 used a canister type filter. Spin on filters are also a recent addition to most motorcycles. They used internal or canister filters for years...

[ September 25, 2003, 09:17 PM: Message edited by: jsharp ]

 

[F1Crazy]

Lots of European cars use it and I bet that what you see on Saturn is taken straight from Opel parts bin.

 

[mormit]

Everything old is new again.

Cartridge style filters were replaced by the now common canister type about fourty or so years ago. My FIL's 58 Willy's pickup has one.

In the last five years most European manufacturers have gone back to this style of filter. My 02 Volvo S40 has one. I like it for the same reasons you mention.

 

[crossbow]

The Mazda 6i also uses a filter element/canister type.

However you still need to replace the little rubber gaskets every couple of oil changes, if not every time.

I'm still trying to find a really heavy duty can opener I can pop the top off a normal "oil filter".

My dremel method was extremely messy.

[ September 26, 2003, 08:07 AM: Message edited by: crossbow ]

 

[Blokey]

My '01 Olds Intrigue with the 3.5L V6 uses this type of oil filter too.
I like it but I just don't see why these filter elements cost more than the spin on canister types?!

 

[TooManyWheels]

Although this sounds like this was done just for purposes of better maintenance, I doubt if that is the real reason. "Green" design philosophy has been receiving increasing interest and I would bet that the real purpose was to reduce the amount of material which would be consumed and thrown away into a landfill over the lifetime of a vehicle.

 

[Pablo]

I like this old tech 360° thing. First oil filters were indeed seperate filter elements and I agree with you and the others on the pluses, a bit messy but there's your filter. Yeah too bad they still charge for the "whole filter"

Your topic is a bit misleading - you DO use an oil filter!

 

[Speed racer]

I hated the "removable canister" method of oil change whenever I had a car cursed with this system. On the several Mercedes I've owned; the oil changes were messy, complicated and with all the o-rings that must seat properly; no room for error. I've started up the motor and had oil go everywhere because the canister didn't seat "just perfect". (I'm a careful guy) It was easy for crud to fall into the canister as you are fumbling to put it back on the car; If a tiny bit of crud fell in or you suspected' some fell in; you had to re-clean the inside of the unit again.
Also The elements were more expensive than 'can' filters.
You can freaking keep this antiquated method; Been there done that.

 

[labman]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Speed racer:
I hated the "removable canister" method of oil change whenever I had a car cursed with this system. On the several Mercedes I've owned; the oil changes were messy, complicated and with all the o-rings that must seat properly; no room for error. I've started up the motor and had oil go everywhere because the canister didn't seat "just perfect". (I'm a careful guy) It was easy for crud to fall into the canister as you are fumbling to put it back on the car; If a tiny bit of crud fell in or you suspected' some fell in; you had to re-clean the inside of the unit again.
Also The elements were more expensive than 'can' filters.
You can freaking keep this antiquated method; Been there done that.

---

Sorry about your German engineering. Reminds my of the 57 Chevy I had. With the Ecotec, a dab of oil on the bottom O-ring, and it goes back together like putting the lid back on a jar of pickles. In 7 oil changes, I haven't had a bit of trouble with it, once I found the thing. I spent an hour looking at all the hard to see places on the bottom of the engine.

I am hoping the market ends the outrageous rip off of the price soon. I just paid over 7 dollars for a WIX yesterday. Looks good, lots of pleats.

 

[Dick in Falls Church]

My 1960 Peugeot 403 went one better. The filter was a screen unit. Pull it out, clean it up and put it back in. Far as I could determine, didn't do a great deal for longevity. Left that one behind when I left Bangkok in late 1967.

 

[edwardh1]

I have not see the german filter set up but IMO if they can, they will make it with as many parts as possible.

 

[Kestas]

I agree with Speed racer. I too have a Mercedes. I don't see the advantage of having a cartridge type oil filter on these cars. The environmental aspect of this design pales when they charge twice as much for the filter element as others charge for the spin-on design. I too have trouble keeping the o-ring in place (just one on mine).

Labman, you must've had a V8 in your 57 Chevy. My 57 Chevy had no filter on the engine! It had the L6 engine. Specified oil change intervals were every 2000 miles.

 

[TC]

This matter is also addressed on another topic in the Oil Filter forums entitled "BMW filter 'philosophy' vs old fashion canister filters."

In those postings, I thought "pgtr's" post was insightful:

"For those of you unfamiliar w/ BMW it is essentially a return to the old canister style filter and all you buy and install is a simple refill cartridge (yes you get to touch the paper and count pleats and all that junk to you heart's content)."

Now I sat back and thought about this. The arguments for it are:
- More environmentally friendly (fewer throway maerials)
- BMW controls the engineering of the filter mechanism such as bypass and drainback and such since that is all part of the permanent filter equipment
- reduces cost (in theory).

Arguments against:
- Few filter companies support these
- Requires humongous socket (that was BMWs intentional choice as they strive to make the car difficult for the DIYer to do PM and thus coerce you into bringing in for just about anything) (NOTE: My Bimmer used a standard bolt.)
- Is dramatically more expensive for the filter in reality." (End of pgtr's comments.)

My '94 BMW 6 cyl had such a canister filter, and I actually preferred it to a spin-on, mainly because the Bimmer filter couldn't possibly be easier to access -- it was located at the very top front of the engine, with a single standard bolt holding the cap on. No need to worry about gaskets bonding, filter wrenches slipping, or ever having to "spike" the filter with a screwdriver to remove (as in "Cool!! You managed to twist that oil filter like a wash cloth!").

I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I even used a few Fram filters on that car, and Fram even managed to screw-up one of those simple filters. Actually, they provided the wrong sized O-ring for the cap, although it wasn't obvious during installation. A day later, when I noticed oil all over the engine compartment and underside, I realized I had been Frammed!

 

[unDummy]

The only thing I don't like is "how does the OEM address ADBV/bypass valves" with these cartridge filters. I'm assuming that they engineered these components to last forever

Filter inspection is great. But, if you find something in the filter worth worrying about, isn't it too late already?

Give me a canister any day. There are plenty of filter cut open inspection tools if you really want to inspect it and aren't too good with the hacksaw/dremel.

 

[F1Crazy]

I have cartridge type filter in my BMW and I don't think it costs more than any quality filter, I pay around $7 at my dealer for a kit that includes filter, gasket and drain plug washer. I can find Mann or Mahle aftermarket kit probably for less.

For comparison OEM Denso canister filter for Lexus/Toyota is more than $8 and Mobil 1 and K&N are even more.

The person who placed the filter on RX300 must be the biggest moron, filter is extremely hard to replace and even dealership always manages to spill oil all over when attempting to remove it.

Even though I had to buy additional socket to remove oil filter cap on a BMW I still will take this kind of setup over any canister.

 

[Mystic]

The things I wonder about are how well does this setup filter and also how do the bypass valves and advb work.

I do wish the filter element was less expensive. Perhaps when this becomes a more common thing the prices will go down. I hope to be able to find replacement filter elements from WIX or some other quality manufacturer.