Old oil filters

[Bamaro]

There is a lot of discussion about old air filters filtering more with age. Doesn't this happen also with oil filters up to the point where the bypass would cut in? How old can a filter be before the media would break down with age. Some manufacturers used to say (some may still do) you could change the filter with every other oil change.

 

[T-Keith]

This may be true to some extent, but more likely the filter will clog and the ADBV will harden with age.

-T

 

[Bamaro]

One other thing that I should add, I have an old car that only gets driven a few times a month, at least 20 miles each time, that I usually let go more than a year between filter changes. I'm concerned that the media may break down with age after soaking in oil for a year or more but dont want to change the filter if I dont have to.

 

[TC]

The 'ol K&N filter theory! Most or all filters filter better with clogging since the dirt prefilters out other dirt (a pretty funny concept when you think about it). But overall, dirt accumulation is not a beneficial thing, and filters are designed to filter well -- down to a given micron rating -- even when brand new. If a given auto manufacturer recommends filter changes every OTHER oil service, it's due to a desire to ease maintenance, rather than the idea that an "old" oil filter will perform better and is therefore desirable.

"How old can a filter be before the media would break down with age?" Nobody can answer that -- it all depends -- but I've read that one reason for newer synthetic oil filter medias is to counter media deterioration caused by acids accumulating over extended drains. That said, I'd never change a filter due to a concern that the media may be "breaking down." Not an issue in my opinion -- all oil filters are designed for 7,500+ mi extended service these days.