I'm not so sure about 'extended' drain on filters

[glenncof]

I have little experience looking at media on dirty filters.
[image]http://shim1.shutterfly.com/procgserv/47b7d622b3127cce98548a7474be00000027108AcOGzhu4aNZ[/image]

Right filter is Mahle OC-54 at 3K miles, vehicle at ~170K miles.
Left filter is MC FL-820S at 5K miles, vehicle at ~21K miles.
Center is Fram PH3980 at 3K miles, vehicle at ~137K miles.

The right and left filters look like they are just soaked in dirty oil while the center one has an appearance of a dark viscious substance. This looks similiar to other filters I have seen posted here.

The history for the vehicles filters on right and left were consistent with the current OCI.

The vehicle for the center filter the following sequence
3K OCI ending @ 112K GTX 10W30
6K OCI ending @ 118K Syntec 5W30
6K OCI ending @ 124K Syntec 5W30
4K OCI ending @ 128K GTX 10W30
6K OCI ending @ 134K Syntec 5W30

Right & left vehicles are ~3.0L each, 1985 and 2005.
Center vehicle is 5.7L, 1997.

My analysis:

Right and left filters look fine. 3K on an old but clean engine is OK. 5K on a new clean running engine is no problem.

The center filter has me concerned. It is only at 3K. It is ~1/2 size filter and x2 engine displacement (1997 engine).

Prior to the above history it was 3K OCI for all its life.

My conclusion: Not all applications and filters can go on extended or x2 filter intervals. Intuitvely, big engines with small filters are suspect.

Question: What is that black stuff in the media ? Oxidation ?

 

[Tempest]

Quote:

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Intuitvely, big engines with small filters are suspect.

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I agree. That's why I get the largest filters that will fit on my vehicles. Going EAO for extended drains is a no brainer.

Not sure what the junk is.

 

[TallPaul]

Given an appropriate size, I believe Wix will suffice for reasonable length extended drains, say 7 to 10K. Of course if the engine is sludgy, all bets are off.

 

[Gary Allan]

Well, this isn't the whole story here. We don't know how long the 3k takes to accumulate ..nor what service each engine sees in the trip from zero to 3k.

..but being a Fram ...I'd doubt that it would make 3k without added sound effects of a lame ADBV.

There are "sensible" limits to extended drains. Those things that effect the oil life surely effect the filter life too.

 

[Nebraskan]

Best time to change a Fram filter is while you still have in in your shopping cart!

 

[Gary Allan]

Click me!!

 

[glenncof]

All of these were from vehicles in nearly daily duty.

Given the 5.7L GM has only 5 qt capacity, I suspect the Syntec was taking a beating out to 6K and the small filters could not keep up. Then residuals of this were not "cleaned" out until this last 3K run.

I have since changed again under 3K (but 10 months). I have reason to believe it was not dirty like the one in picture.

 

[Gary Allan]

From your post it appears that these engines take some time to accumulate their mileage. If there's a bit of idling involved, then you can gauge your usage by fuel consumption. 10months is a long time in service for any oil/filter if the mileage is low and there's little full warm up achieved. (about 20 minutes)