Oil filter bypass

[INTJ]

Hi,

Just a general question on oil filter bypass and a warning light on dash.

I'm curious because someone drove up this weekend in a newer Dodge 4.7L with a sudden warning oil light on half way here. Once here, Jiffy Lube said oil filter was plugged soild with sludge, and did a kerosene flush. The "diesel clatter" quieted after 20 minutes on the new oil.. Sounds as though no damage.

Is this simply the oil pressure sensor that activates the dash light indicating a loss in oil pressure, and a bypass on the oil filter just simulates this condition, thus the light here in this instance?


Thanks

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: INTJ

Is this simply the oil pressure sensor that activates the dash light indicating a loss in oil pressure, and a bypass on the oil filter just simulates this condition, thus the light here in this instance?


The bypass on the filter doesn't "simulate" this, but it could "stimulate" this to happen.

If the filter was clogged enough to make the bypass valve open, then there probably was low oil pressure where the oil pressure sensor was located - which is typically after the filter, which give the oil pressure entering the engine.

The bypass valve may not flow enough oil to keep the oil pressure light off (especially at idle), but probably enough to prevent major damage to the engine if the filter is clogged that bad.

Was the oil pressure warning light on only at idle, or on all the time, even with engine revs above idle?

 

[INTJ]

From the way I heard it, it came on at cruise on the HWY, and once on, the clatter noise started. It sounds as though it was driven many miles, but IDK for sure. Entire road trip was over 200 miles, and somewhere on the HWY he pulled over to check level on the stick, and said the level was "puzzling normal," to paraphrase.

 

[Donald]

Wow - a kerosene flush? Really? Was that 100% kerosene, no motor oil. The kerosene provides no lubrication. Why was the filter plugged? What was the mileage on the filter?

Rule #1 - why a dash oil pressure gauge is a good idea
Rule #2 - never go to Jiffy Lube
Rule #3 - perform decent maint and this won't happen
Rule #4 - while I don't think major damage occurred, I'll bet some minor damage did

 

[zyxelenator]

Most engine flushes contain kerosene.
Sounds like sludge monster.Or neglected oil changes.
Tell that person to change oil per manual with synthetic.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: INTJ
From the way I heard it, it came on at cruise on the HWY, and once on, the clatter noise started. It sounds as though it was driven many miles, but IDK for sure. Entire road trip was over 200 miles, and somewhere on the HWY he pulled over to check level on the stick, and said the level was "puzzling normal," to paraphrase.


It could be that if the filter was that loaded up with sludge, that when the bypass valve did open the sludge partially clogged it too, which would would choke off flow through it.

At any rate ... lots of sludge is an engine killer for sure.

 

[troyb43]

Maybe he has been using the wrong oil? Say an CI-4+ oil instead of a CJ-4 oil?

 

[INTJ]

Originally Posted By: zyxelenator
Most engine flushes contain kerosene.
Sounds like sludge monster.Or neglected oil changes.
Tell that person to change oil per manual with synthetic.


Yes, it was neglect or ignorance. He said he thought he was only supposed to "add oil and not change it." His extended family did it for them when closer, but they moved away from them. Overall, I got the impression by this, that oil changes were optional.

I strongly suggested that they change again at 3k miles, and another short one here. I told him that flush didn't get it all and new oil will lossen more sludge that is headed for the oil filter.

If it were mine I'd use Pennzoil yellow for these short OCI's.

Our son has same motor and but changes every 3k with Mobil One. Overkill the otherway. He's stuck on that old mode of thought from the days of yore, because his shop teacher indoctrinated him this way.

I showed him UAO's from this site and with his motor size in truck going near 11k with Penzzoil Platinum, and still had TBN for more. I said at least run it 7500 and forget 3k forever. He puts on 20k + a year on the HYW.

If he's not a sludger with Dodge design(IDK), then I'd go extended drain intervals with that long driving.

 

[zyxelenator]

^ Also remind him(neglected car owner) to change PCV valve, it's probably gunked up already. Pennzoil oils should work fine for him. I would do 2 PYB for 3k, Then 2 PP for 5k then Ultra per manual, Most cars are 7500 miles nowdays. He can find those in every Walmart and autozone on sales. Also tell him to get some G-oil with $16 rebate. $10 for jug of synthetic oil is great.

 

[zyxelenator]

P.S also consider oversize filters and change in mid OCI for couple runs.

 

[CLeming]

Originally Posted By: INTJ
From the way I heard it, it came on at cruise on the HWY, and once on, the clatter noise started. It sounds as though it was driven many miles, but IDK for sure. Entire road trip was over 200 miles, and somewhere on the HWY he pulled over to check level on the stick, and said the level was "puzzling normal," to paraphrase.


That sounds like a plugged oil pickup screen to me.

 

[wag123]

Originally Posted By: CLeming
That sounds like a plugged oil pickup screen to me.

+1

 

[INTJ]

Originally Posted By: zyxelenator
P.S also consider oversize filters and change in mid OCI for couple runs.


Good point, and my thought too. In fact, I run an oversize on wife's 4.0L Nissan Xterra. The OEM is so tiny that it not much bigger than my riding lawnmowers.' No kidding here.

 

[ted s]

its too late