Oil Filter Life

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GMFan

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I run a SuperTech oil filter (ST3614). I run conventional most of the time but right now I currently have Mobil 1 5w30 in my engine. I'm asking mainly because I'm curious, but how long would this filter work effectively before it moves to bypass or lets extra crud go by? Would it be bad to change it every other OCI (5k miles)? I'm not considering it since the filters are cheap to begin with but like I said I'm just curious.

Thanks.

edit - How many miles would you think the oil filter could filter properly? For example, 8,000 miles.

My car has a 4.5qt sump for the record.
 
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Originally Posted By: GMFan
I run a SuperTech oil filter (ST3614). I run conventional most of the time but right now I currently have Mobil 1 5w30 in my engine. I'm asking mainly because I'm curious, but how long would this filter work effectively before it moves to bypass or lets extra crud go by? Would it be bad to change it every other OCI (5k miles)? I'm not considering it since the filters are cheap to begin with but like I said I'm just curious.


Considering that Honda is now saying change the filter every other oil change I think that would say at least 10k of use safely. Filters usually filter better as they get dirty so maybe that was what they found when they recommended that.
 
So would it be a good idea to change my filter every other oil change? That would be a total of 10k miles per filter. I mean, they're cheap ($2.78 per filter) so it wouldn't be an issue to change it but if I can keep it on and it would filter better I would leave it.
 
I would be more worried about durability. I doubt it would go into bypass even if you ran it out to 10k because modern engines just run much cleaner. I'd be more worried about the filter media tearing or collapsing from getting weaker as time passed.
 
Super Tech filter's don't come with a silicone anti-drainback valve. The longer you leave it on your engine the less effective the anti-drainback valve will become as nitrile hardens with heat and age.
 
I personally wouldn't run a $3.00 filter past 3,000 miles.

If you're wanting to go 5,000 or 8,000 miles, I think you should spend a couple bucks extra on your filter and have the peace of mind that a higher quality filter can deliver.
 
This topic is kind of weird but, I guess I change out the filters more than oil. I change out filters every 3000 miles and keep the oil for 7000-10,000. Sorry, this sounds like more a opinion than a contribution. Oil can be extended but, changed filters can only help.
 
I rather doubt that the filter would go into bypass, unless there is some unforseen event that would shake loose a huge amount of crud all at once. The engine itself represents the bulk of the resistence to flow; the filter will likely not see the typical 15 psid across the media to open up the bypass.

With that in mind, the questions more appropriately asked are this: Can my filter sustain a 10k mile FCI? A) does is have the filtering ability? B) does it have the construction?

I don't think long FCI's are a bad thing. I just don't know enough to comment on the ST brand of filter. I do know that some reputable people on this site have used the Wix/Napa Gold filters for 10k mile FCI's, though, with good results. Further, don't forget that in a bypass filter system, it's not unheard of for the FF and BP filters to be used for 20k miles, or more. Typically, the systems are of a better construction and filtering media.

So it's not so much that the longer FCI is a bad idea, but perhaps a better quality filter should be used to achieve that desired result?
 
I've yet to understand why people insist on running cheap filters, then get get concerned with durability and life.

Pay me now or pay me more later.
 
I'm simply asking this because I'm curious.

Thanks for the replies.
 
Originally Posted By: cmhj
I've yet to understand why people insist on running cheap filters, then get get concerned with durability and life.


A cheap filter being what brand exactly? The orange can fram?
 
Aren't all of your approximate $2-$4 nitrile filters "cheap filters"? The term to describe those filters are not isolated to any one brand. The term is used to describe the price.

Another poster mentioned that changing filters every 3K helps. Many on this board claim just the opposite - that they trap more contaminants way-beyond 3K -- actually filter better. There's a recent UOA here that shows reduced wear on the 2nd run of the filter. I read it just yesterday - so it's not far back in the UOA archives.
 
Right after I typed my post above, I went to the basement to discard my two month-old furnace filter. Here in Michigan, the 3-pk furnace filters that we find at our superstores like Home Depot and Lowes - which sell for around $8.99 is what I will cite in my example on how filters become more efficient with age.

Right after I first installed this furance filter in mid-December, six days rolled by and I need to dust-off the front screen of my 36" Sony TV. That 6-day ritual continued three times (18 days) - then it expanded to 8 days before I needed to dust again. That ritual was three times also (24 days). So now we are into 42 days of a two-month long furnace filter run of 60 days.

The next time the same amount of dust accumulated was 10 days (at 52 days) - so I decided to extend-over a couple of days -- in order to meet another 10-day run perfectly. Well today I noticed this 2nd 10-day run looked better on the TV screen than the first 10-day run. There's living proof that fileters can become better trappers as they age.

Lastly, I need to mention that the last 30 days were colder outdoors - more frigid than the first 30 days outdoor temps - so the furnace was being used more. I'm not certain that oil filters will perform the same as furnace filters in age-use progression - so I won't elaborate that if one does -- then the other one will also. But I did find my furnace filtering test interesting & can see that it might also apply to oil filters..
 
Originally Posted By: Triple_Se7en
Aren't all of your approximate $2-$4 nitrile filters "cheap filters"? The term to describe those filters are not isolated to any one brand. The term is used to describe the price.


Inexpensive would be the word to describe most of the $2-4 filters. Cheap to me usually means low quality, which any Champion Labs certainly isnt.
 
The Super Tech filters are recommended for 3-5k oil changes. The only issue that keeps these filters from being used in extended changes is the nitrile adbv. All in all, a very good quality filter at a very reasonable price.
 
Originally Posted By: PW01
This is just my opinion but, I wouldn't run one past 3000 miles.


Thats 2000 short of the 5000 mile OCI though.
 
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