ok to use over-szied filter?

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I just acquired a 2001 Nissan Sentra (cannot recall the engine but it’s there infinity line-up in that particular make and model with the 2.0 16 valve. My friend who sold it to me always used a higher capacity oil filter that is about an inch to inch and a half longer. Is it better to use the oil filter that is recommended by the manufacturer? My thought was that the engine was designed to push oil through the filter at a particular flow rate and wondered if using an over-sized filter inhibits this in any way which could cause the engine to not be lubricating the way it should?
 
Go at it!

The "flow rate" is a function of the bypass valve pressure. If it's in the filter, I assume your friend found one with the same pressure. If it's in the block, no worries.

Make sure the can won't hit anything, obviously.

wixfilters.com has the specs when you look up a part number, either theirs or a competitors. Plug in the number on the car now then look at what they recommend stock. You want the gasket, threads, and bypass to be the same.
 
Well that's just it...he does not or did not know anything about the flow rate. He only did it on the presumption that a bigger filter will help him extend drain intervals while using M1 EP and I'm not confident that is a good logic. the filter is up where nothing will hit it.
 
I am not sure what the point is. The amount of extra oil in the system will be trivial and unless you are really extending OCIs then the filter will never fill up. And if you are extending OCIs you should be using a filter designed for that or changing it 1/2 way through.
 
yes...this is sort of my thought as well. He also came from the standpoint that more oil in the engine will not degrade as fast. HE is pretty excited about his new car that holds 7 quarts of oil...LOL
 
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I use a 95 Ford Taurus V6 filter on my Tacoma. Same diameter, just an inch longer. Been doing this for 8 years with no issues. Oil capacity gave me .2 of a qrt more. That's it.
 
ARB1977.... basically what you just told me is that it's pointless to use a bigger filter. That's pretty much what I gather from everyones response...thank you for your help.
 
With 2x the media it might be in bypass less, which would be a good thing, if the media is the same quality.
 
like eljefino mentioned, more of the same quality media will have less psi drop' less bypass especially on cold oil.
I don't see how a bigger filter with more oil cooling will hurt.

Plus maybe once your ride got use to your friend using the longer one it might not like you using the shorter one?
 
Originally Posted By: Donald
There can also be too much of a good thing. The Cummins is 12 QT for a 5.9L engine. Thats $75 in parts for an oil change (T6 oil and M1 filter).


So you wanna find a smaller filter or just run a qt low? lol If it makes you feel better the 7.3 took 4 gallons of T6, I figured maybe there is something with more oil capacity?
 
Originally Posted By: Mark72
basically what you just told me is that it's pointless to use a bigger filter.
Well, it's pointless to your engine.

I do believe that peace of mind has a value, and that's why I always told the Jiffy Lube people (I know, I know...it's the company's van and they make us go there) to use the PF52-sized filter on my van that specs the PF47. I'm positive it makes no difference whatsoever, but it made me feel warm and fuzzy...until they consolidated filters and now there's a thimble on it.
happy2.gif
 
Originally Posted By: Mark72
My thought was that the engine was designed to push oil through the filter at a particular flow rate and wondered if using an over-sized filter inhibits this in any way which could cause the engine to not be lubricating the way it should?


No, a bigger filter doesn't change the flow rate going through the engine at all. The reason why is because the oil filter is a positive displacement oil pump. I forces all the volume through the filter and engine until it goes into pressure relief.

So in fact a larger oil filter will help to keep the oil pump out of pressure relief because a bigger oil filter should have a little less pressure drop across it.

As others have said, there really isn't any negative aspects of using a larger oil filter, as long as it fits the mounting base correctly, has close to the same bypass valve setting and doesn't hit anything to cause damage to the can.
 
If there are benefits why was the oversize filter specced from new?

Or at least the oversize filter given as an alternative fitment

Fitment of an aux oil cooler makes sense

As does fitting a full bypass system

But i must admit i can't really see the benefit it fitting a bigger oil filter

I am sure there is one

I just don't see it
 
Originally Posted By: bigjl
If there are benefits why was the oversize filter specced from new?

Or at least the oversize filter given as an alternative fitment


Some filter manufacturer's do list two fitment sizes for a specific vehicle.
 
Originally Posted By: GutsyGecko
I would keep using the oversize. There are only benefits.


Where is there any proof of this?
 
Originally Posted By: rrguy
Originally Posted By: Donald
There can also be too much of a good thing. The Cummins is 12 QT for a 5.9L engine. Thats $75 in parts for an oil change (T6 oil and M1 filter).


So you wanna find a smaller filter or just run a qt low? lol If it makes you feel better the 7.3 took 4 gallons of T6, I figured maybe there is something with more oil capacity?


His point is, why get a bigger filter and have to add more oil since it already uses alot of oil... I'm happy my OCI only needs 4 liters of oil LOL..
 
Originally Posted By: bigjl
If there are benefits why was the oversize filter specced from new?

Or at least the oversize filter given as an alternative fitment

Fitment of an aux oil cooler makes sense

As does fitting a full bypass system

But i must admit i can't really see the benefit it fitting a bigger oil filter

I am sure there is one

I just don't see it

Initially the Neon oil filter was an oversized one, and it said in the manual that you only needed to change the filter every two oil changes. But the oversized filter was the lowest point on the car(duh, what could happen?), so they now spec a smaller filter to be changed with each oil change.
 
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