Oil filter flow direction?

[ryan2022]

Hi guys, just wondering about the direction and path of oil flow through a filter.

I ended up picking up some strong magnets for about $2 and thought I'd slap them on my existing filter.

I know the filtermags cup around the sides of the filter. Does the crud from the oil sit in the cup itself? In other words, If I stick this magnet to the bottom of the filter instead of the sides, would it effect it the same way?

I'm assuming this wont hurt anything, I'm just tinkering.

 

[bepperb]

Through the little holes on the outside, past the ADBV, through the media, out the big threaded hole in the middle.

The magnets can go on the sides or the end, it won't matter. They will pickup some gray matter. Whether this would have just been caught by the media is the question. I guess at least the media is that much cleaner.

 

[ryan2022]

So, no matter where the magnet goes it'll be stopped around the inside of the cup?

My only concern would be, that if a magnet fell off, would any goo that it trapped leave the filter. I'm guessing no, because it would have to go against the flow of oil and back past the anti drainback valve.

 

[Blokey]

No, it would simply be caught in the filter media as if the magnet wasn't there in the first place.

 

[ryan2022]

Thanks for the replies

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Except when the filter bypass opens and washes the bigger chunks off the magnet and into your bearings ! Mags are prob better on the drain plug of the pan.

 

[Gary Allan]

The main problem with having them on the bottom, if you can call it a problem, is that it's going to be exposed to much less flow. Fe particles may be attracted to the magnet while the engine isn't running, but the higher up on the filter that the magnets are placed, the more Fe particles are going to be taken out of the dynamic flow ...or so I reason (it's a reasoned opinion).

You will collect any Fe stuff that's able to fall out of suspension. I'm unsure how the orientation would alter the effect (horizontal vs. vertical).

 

[labman]

One thing you could do is next time you have the filter off, locate the outlet from the engine. Put the magnet as close to is as possible.