Pre-Oilers & By-pass Filters

[Fred Hammond]

Somebody mentioned getting a By-pass Filter as a way to make a engine last longer. I have also heard of Pre-oilers. Does a By-Pass Filter make sense for short (3000-4000 mi.) intervals? With the use of 0wXX and 5wXX synthic oils, does a Pre-oiler make sense?

I'm interested in learning the pros and cons of these 2 devices. Any info, websites, perferred brands (if allowed), and costs would be appreciated. Fred

 

[Spector]

IMO neither one of these if cost effective nor worth the hassle of installation etc. If you are going to change your oil anyway at 4000 miles you will never ever see the benefit of either of these. Pre oilers, do a search and you will find a few out there but if you start your engine every few days or so I don't see a need, you may extend your engine life from 200,000 to 300,000 who knows, no studies have ever been done.

the bypass, will extend drain intervals indefinitely but must do oil analysis and again, how long will it extend engine life. An operating engine with no car body to place it on will not be of much function. The engine will outlive the rest of the car.

 

[Alex D]

I would really like a pre oiler on my 94 Thunderbird.....I can prime the oilfilters on my Suburban, Corvette and my wifes Trans Am and oil pressure builds up immediately after start up after an oil change......but the Ford has the filter hanging sideways.besides that there is only one way to get the filter to the mount and that is bottom plate down, so no way to prime it with oil.......when starting it up after an oil change the engine knocks audibly for about two to three seconds until the filter is filled and oil pressure builds up.....I hate that and with a pre-oiler I could prime the entire engine before start up.

 

[Patman]

The preoiler would be a great idea for a pleasure driven car that might only get driven on weekends, although at the same time, a car like that might never go more than a few thousand miles a year anyways, so it would never reach a point where it's engine would need rebuilding.

Everyone knows my stand on bypass filters. I do think they work, there is no doubt about that, however I just don't think they are worth the hassle for the average motorist. Not when we can already achieve 200k out of our engines without them, and most people don't even keep their cars long enough to reap the benefits. Heck, I don't even keep my cars long enough to reap the benefits of anything I do to them. I could've probably not done a single oil change on any of the cars I have owned and still not had a problem, since I've traded them so often. (I'm 33 years old and driving car #16)

[ January 04, 2003, 10:29 AM: Message edited by: Patman ]

 

[Fred Hammond]

Thanks, I'm going to study the Pre-Oiler idea.

BTW- I'm 42, married for 15 yrs, both of us work,and have just ordered car #6 (Since I was 18). Car #5 should not count, it was and still is junk. I was raised to make it last, wear it out. Fred

 

[Ken2]

Fred,

Bypass filters are for folks who will own their cars for 300,000 miles or more, will follow the lab analysis for oil drain interval (maybe never--just renew filters and add make-up oil), and maybe move the filter unit to their next car.

Pre-lubers are for some competition engines or engines in situations where they may be required to suddenly start and come up to full speed & power...turbocharged engines on standby generators for example. Pre-lube pumps also are needed for post-lube to allow turbochargers to cool when the engine can't be idled.

In the case of most of us with daily drivers, or weekly drivers, and we're not going to own the vehicle all that long, we get more for our money with better quality lubes (engine, transmission, differential) and better filtration on the automatic transmission.

Ken

 

[RalphPWood]

Bypass filters are for guys you see that don't mind removing the filter and putting it on the next car. I have a Motor Guard submicronic bypass filter that is over 30 years old. I retired my over 40 years old Frantz. They have both saved me 100's times more than they cost me to buy. I don't change oil. I change the oil filter and add a qt of oil. I don't spend much money on oil analysis. I can tell by the look and feel of the oil if it is dirty. I filter the motor oil, fuel and ATF. You don't have to drive 300,000 miles to benefit from bypass filters.
Whether to install a bypass filter depends on the car owner more than the car. If you don't underestand your equipment and are not interested in hooking up oil lines and maintaining the filter you probably shouldn't bother. Be careful about bypass filters that cost more to service than it cost to change the oil. Filters that clean oil have been around since the 1930's. They were almost abandoned in the 1950's.
I wouldn't bother with a preluber unless it was for an engine that set a lot. Such as a marine engine.
You might find the following interesting:

EnviroSense
Department of Defense
Pollution Prevention Technical Library

Bypass Filter for Vehicle Motor Oil Introduction:
Gasoline and diesel fueled internal combustion engines require lubricating oil to reduce friction and dissipate heat. The lubricating oil must be changed once the oil's effectiveness diminishes. Lubricating effectiveness generally does not deteriorate in high-quality oils, but what does occur is contamination of the oil with particles and a breakdown of the lubricating oil's additive package. The additive package, which can be 50 percent of the oil's volume is responsible for maintaining pH and preventing deterioration of the oil. Bypass filters are designed to remove smaller particulate than would normally be removed by the engine's normal filter so that oil changes are not necessary. Oil added during filter changing, and to replace burned oil, is normally sufficient to replenish the oil's additive package."

Ralph

 

[msparks]

quote:

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Originally posted by Fred Hammond:
Thanks, I'm going to study the Pre-Oiler idea.

BTW- I'm 42, married for 15 yrs, both of us work,and have just ordered car #6 (Since I was 18). Car #5 should not count, it was and still is junk. I was raised to make it last, wear it out. Fred

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Fred didn't you just buy a new F150 that you said you wanted to last 300,000 miles?

Then it would be most cost effective to run a by-pass system. As far as the 4,000 mile drain, well after a few oil analysis I'm sure you will feel better about extending it out some, heck even 10,000 is being recommended by most European Autos without by-pass filters.

I agree that most folks don't want to be hassled by doing analysis or keeping up with a by-pass(like changing that filter once a year is a hassle) But in your case the filter would pay for itself probably by 50,000 miles.

Preoiler is a good thing, but with today's lightweight synthetic basestocks I don't think that there would be much advantage. As long as you drive the vehicle somewhat frequently, there should be plenty of barrier lube to hold you over till the pressure gets up and the oil is flowing.

Just my opinion

 

[msparks]

quote:

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Originally posted by Fred Hammond:
Any info, websites, perferred brands (if allowed), and costs would be appreciated. Fred

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Well I feel that the Amsoil Dual remote is a great setup, it is very easy to install, it can be taken off just as easy and transferred to another vehicle if needed. Also the remote filters can be mounted where they are easy to get to.

Mine are mounted in the grill, Also I got to add about 2 1/2 quarts additional oil capacity, which acts as a cooler. The full flow filter that I use is over 2 times larger than the factory filter that comes on the truck. Which I feel is plus as well.

 

[msparks]

quote:

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Originally posted by Fred Hammond:
I Does a By-Pass Filter make sense for short (3000-4000 mi.) intervals?

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A by-pass filter would not be cost effective for that short of drain,

Also neither would using a synthetic base oil for that short of drain, you can find a top quality conventional that will last at least that long.