Can a person get a rough idea of how clean the inside of their engine is by inspecting the inside of the used oil filter? I just changed the oil in my 04 dodge dakota 3.7 V-6 and looking at the inside of supertech oil filter it was spotless. Nice and clean with not a sign of sludge or varnish. I use low drain intervals with all the short trip driving done. Around 2000 per change with havoline dino juice. You can also look up at the filter connection base and see into the oil supply area. That area is also spotless and shines. Makes you think the inside of your engine looks that way also. If this is the case then this adds to the question is synthetics are needed.
Oil Filter Inspections
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Not if you change it every 2K
I would go at least 3K and I bet you will be just as good off. Or use Mobil1 and go 6K
I would go at least 3K and I bet you will be just as good off. Or use Mobil1 and go 6K
plus changes at say 4k get rid of acid better than 8 k changes
You've got a '04 vehicle and you're expecting sludge?
If your someone who takes care of your engine and changes your oil as quick as you do, it will be some years before you get sludge.
But a "clean" media does not mean that the filter isn't doing something. As the media is removing particles below what the eye can see. If you "see" stuff, that's when it's not good..
If your someone who takes care of your engine and changes your oil as quick as you do, it will be some years before you get sludge.
But a "clean" media does not mean that the filter isn't doing something. As the media is removing particles below what the eye can see. If you "see" stuff, that's when it's not good..
"Can a person get a rough idea of how clean the inside of their engine is by inspecting the inside of the used oil filter?"
No. Peering at the valvetrain through the filler cap (if you can do so on your engine) is the easiest and best way. A typical engine has been exposed to years of sludge and varnish-forming conditions, while a filter has been exposed for only months, so a visual comparison would be misleading. Also, a filter could be loaded with particles and/or sludge, but it wouldn't be visible unless the filter was cut open -- the media you see through the center hole is the "clean" side of the media, with any accumulated garbage hidden around the interior circumference of the can.
Personally, I too can't see anything more frequent than 3K mi changes except for the rare engine, or one that is rarely operated (in which time becomes the deciding factor). I go dino 5K mi on my 2002 Mitsu-Mopar, and the valvetrain looks like it was assembled yesterday.
No. Peering at the valvetrain through the filler cap (if you can do so on your engine) is the easiest and best way. A typical engine has been exposed to years of sludge and varnish-forming conditions, while a filter has been exposed for only months, so a visual comparison would be misleading. Also, a filter could be loaded with particles and/or sludge, but it wouldn't be visible unless the filter was cut open -- the media you see through the center hole is the "clean" side of the media, with any accumulated garbage hidden around the interior circumference of the can.
Personally, I too can't see anything more frequent than 3K mi changes except for the rare engine, or one that is rarely operated (in which time becomes the deciding factor). I go dino 5K mi on my 2002 Mitsu-Mopar, and the valvetrain looks like it was assembled yesterday.
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