Media shedding

[Hatsuwr]

With synthetic media filters often containing fiberglass, I started wondering about media shedding into the oil.

I did a quick test with some Fram filters. I attached a vacuum to the outlet of the filters with a ~1 psi differential and a t-shirt to catch debris. Results were interesting, and I would be very curious to see another test done with a differential closer to the bypass pressure, a better material to catch debris, and better imaging.

Anyway, here are some pictures of what I found. There were more small pieces than large, but they were harder to show with my phone looking into my cheap microscope. I'm guessing most of what is being seen is fiberglass or other media material, except that orange blob is probably from the ADBV.

 

[ZeeOSix]

More BITOG mad scientist testing. The first photo looks like more than just shredded media. Sure those weren't made in a shop with a dirt floor somewhere.

I did a quick test with some Fram filters. I attached a vacuum to the outlet of the filters with a ~1 psi differential and a t-shirt to catch debris.

So the t-shirt was between the filter outlet hole and the vacuum source to act like a debris catching filter?

 

[Hatsuwr]

More BITOG mad scientist testing. The first photo looks like more than just shredded media. Sure those weren't made in a shop with a dirt floor somewhere.

So the t-shirt was between the filter outlet hole and the vacuum source to act like a debris catching filter?

Yea I was surprised by the amount of larger debris that came out.

And yup, that's how it was setup.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Where were these filters bought from?

 

[Hatsuwr]

Where were these filters bought from?

Walmart, AAP, and RockAuto.

 

[Jetronic]

I think vacuuming filters before fitting will become standard practice now...

 

[CharlieBauer]

I think vacuuming filters before fitting will become standard practice now...

Followed by a boroscope inspection.

 

[Urshurak776]

If we zoom out for a second, it really is funny what we discuss and worry about on this forum.

I picture all of our panic, then look at the average oil change place out there. Bazillions of them. Spinning all kinds of oil filter garbage onto cars. Yet millions and millions of these cars are motoring along just fine.

 

[Hatsuwr]

If we zoom out for a second, it really is funny what we discuss and worry about on this forum.

I picture all of our panic, then look at the average oil change place out there. Bazillions of them. Spinning all kinds of oil filter garbage onto cars. Yet millions and millions of these cars are motoring along just fine.

Damage isn't usually catastrophic or nothing. We use good oil and filters to reduce wear, not eliminate it. If media shedding turns out to be an actual contributor to wear and if it can be minimized by taking 10 seconds to vacuum it out (or if it suggests using a different media type), then why not?

 

[Urshurak776]

Damage isn't usually catastrophic or nothing. We use good oil and filters to reduce wear, not eliminate it. If media shedding turns out to be an actual contributor to wear and if it can be minimized by taking 10 seconds to vacuum it out (or if it suggests using a different media type), then why not?

Absolutely, but you proved what I was saying.

No quick lube and boob/BBQ or even a dealership service dept is vacumming out a filter (They won't even look in the hole 99.9% of the time)........that was my point. Sample size of them versus BITOG fanatics? I mean, we have to laugh at ourselves a little bit here.

 

[Glenda W.]

I’ve found metal shavings in FE’s from the threads being cut. Always worth a look no matter what brand.

 

[CharlieBauer]

Remember folks, it's the stuff sized 5 to 20 microns that damages your engine.

The stuff you can see is harmless.

 

[OLEJOE]

Remember folks, it's the stuff sized 5 to 20 microns that damages your engine.

The stuff you can see is harmless.

Until it stops up a piston cooling jet.

 

[Hatsuwr]

Absolutely, but you proved what I was saying.

No quick lube and boob/BBQ or even a dealership service dept is vacumming out a filter (They won't even look in the hole 99.9% of the time)........that was my point. Sample size of them versus BITOG fanatics? I mean, we have to laugh at ourselves a little bit here.

Reason #37 not to go to those places?

Remember folks, it's the stuff sized 5 to 20 microns that damages your engine.

The stuff you can see is harmless.

Unfortunately the smaller stuff isn't going to be captured well by an old t-shirt lol. But the smaller strand at the end is around 20 microns. There were plenty of them, it's just a bit harder to image them, especially since I don't want to cut the shirt up.

 

[CharlieBauer]

Reason #37 not to go to those places?



Unfortunately the smaller stuff isn't going to be captured well by an old t-shirt lol. But the smaller strand at the end is around 20 microns. There were plenty of them, it's just a bit harder to image them, especially since I don't want to cut the shirt up.

I meant to ask you if it is possible to put some sort of scale into the images. Had no idea what size they were.

 

[Fair enough]

It seems Asian companies may pre vacuum for you and put a plastic over the end, but I have no first hand knowledge of that. They often say leak tested on the can too. There was some video of a guy doing the leak test in a factory.

 

[Urshurak776]

Reason #37 not to go to those places?

You're just not getting it. Most people do go to these places. Even a lot of BITOG folks don't change their own oil.

I'll try one last time. Do you know of one of these places that vacuums out a filter? IF you say yes, I won't believe you. Now, pay attention, how many people DO go to these quick lubes on a DAILY basis? They still getting 200, 300, 400 out of a car? Yup.

People that vacuum out their oil filter before use: .000000000000000000000000000000000000000001 %
People that don't: 99.9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999%

I have personally NEVER vacuumed out an oil filter. Ever. Maybe make a poll to see how many BITOG folks do vacuum out a filter before use? Maybe there are some? I always inspect my oil filter before use. Sure, if I saw something in the hole, I would get it out before use. I doubt a quick lube would even look and just spin it on.......

Hopefully you get what I'm trying to explain to you. If not, I'm out. Good luck with your Dyson and your oil filter stash.

 

[kschachn]

Motorking said they vacuum filters:

E

Thread 'Vacuuming the oil filter'

Jun 13, 2014

I have for the past several years taken to vacuuming out the new oil filter before pre-filling it. Using Fram Ultra for 20k miles with M1 at 10k miles.

Thinking that the manufacturing process probly leaves some particles inside; can't hurt to try to get rid of them.

• Ed_T
• Replies: 9
• Forum: Engine Oil Filters

 

[OLEJOE]

In those countries, workers have an incentive to produce good products. If there is a quality issue they run down what or who the issue was and replace or fix it. Millions of people on the sidelines wanting and waiting for someone to screw up.

 

[cptbarkey]

I attended a fleetguard zoom meeting yesterday and they specifically called out micro-glass media for shedding materials. I'm not smart enough to comment on your results but personally I enjoy backyard shed science stuff. You will get the ones here riled up for certain.