The importance of an oil filter...

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blackdiamond

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How important is the oil filter in a modern engine? How much different would a UOA look on an engine if it didn't have a filter installed? It seems that if the filter makes a significant difference in a UOA then comparing UOA's would be pointless unless the same filter was used and if the results are not significantly different, what's the reason for running a filter? For example, my 2004 Toyota Sequoia V8 is known for being "easy" on motor oil and I've even read that I should expect the oil color to appear nearly new up to 10,000 miles. If this is the case, can I assume that the oil particles suspended in the oil are extremely small and might not even get caught in a filter? The reason for my answer is that I am currently running M1 filters, that I believe to have the best filtration for my OCI, but is the $13 filter really making any tangible difference compared to a WIX or even an orange garbage can?
 
I think Bypass spring function and ADBV quality are more important than filter media. THe filter IMO is a safety device to catch any incidental large particles that may occasionally enter the engine ormay be shed by the engine in deposit sloughing or rarely a piece of a broke ring or something to prevent further damage. Bob Winters(the Original Bob is the oil guy) did a cross country trip without any oil filter media to demonstrate this.
 
IMHO oil filter is not the be-all-end-all kinda deal for it typically deals with anything 15microns (nominal) or larger. It is good to have it in place so as to deal with larger particles/insolubles that otherwise would cause additional harm and wear to the lubricated moving parts/components. "Easy on oil" is just means that the engine doesn't wear out the oil additives or shear down as quickly as possible. That does not necessarily implies that you can do away without an oil filter. For example: silicon reading comes from airborne grit (dust storm, sand storm, regular dirty air from the intake side), once they get into the oil, they will be trapped inside the oil filter. That is something that has nothing to do with your engine being "easy on the oil" part. Q. I personally don't fall for boutique oil filters for I believe that my operational conditions and environmental conditions and also given my OCI, anything that does the job around 15 microns (nominal) and conforms with all the required SAE tests shall get my vote.
 
I would add that I believe in having a filter media..I use a Motorcraft filter in both my 4.6 v8 explorer and my Jeep Wrangler. I also ran them in My Toyota trucks and suvs regularly. Wix is a dood deal for the quality too.
 
As I recall, the original Bob The Oil Guy ran his Escort without a filter for an OCI or two and did some analysis, there is lengthy thread dating back probably 2003 or earlier. As I recall he didn't have any significant problems.
 
My '61 VW with a 1192cc 40hp has no filter.... It does use a very good oil bath air cleaner which I'm sure helps a lot. I do 1500 mile OCI with Motorcraft 30wt diesel oil with 1/2 bottle of GM EOS and the oil always comes out very dark, what ever that means.
 
 Originally Posted By: TallPaul
As I recall, the original Bob The Oil Guy ran his Escort without a filter for an OCI or two and did some analysis, there is lengthy thread dating back probably 2003 or earlier. As I recall he didn't have any significant problems.
Any link for this thread?
 
I think running without one is like playing the lottery. And realize that you can't see anything less than 40 microns in size. Here are a few used filters.
 
Oil filters prolong the engines life greatly. The greatest jump in engine life came when the manufactures changed from bypass type filters to full flow type oil filters. My opinion on filters is as the oil change interval increases so does the benefits from premium oil filters .
 
It's a mixed bag. Engines have reduced byproduct production a good bit. Some a great bit. This, with other advancements, has extended the oil life and lengthened OCI's. So, if you're talking advantage of all this neato progressive stuff, you get the safety chunk catcher ..and a fine soot controller too.
 
 Originally Posted By: jimvegas
My '61 VW with a 1192cc 40hp has no filter.... It does use a very good oil bath air cleaner which I'm sure helps a lot. I do 1500 mile OCI with Motorcraft 30wt diesel oil with 1/2 bottle of GM EOS and the oil always comes out very dark, what ever that means.
I just put a filter kit on my '69 Bus so I can run synth longer and make it worth the money. There's a post on it here somewhere with pictures.
 Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
So, if you're talking advantage of all this neato progressive stuff, you get the safety chunk catcher ..and a fine soot controller too.
Couldn't have said it better.
 
 Originally Posted By: blackdiamond
How important is the oil filter in a modern engine? How much different would a UOA look on an engine if it didn't have a filter installed? It seems that if the filter makes a significant difference in a UOA then comparing UOA's would be pointless unless the same filter was used and if the results are not significantly different, what's the reason for running a filter?
There probably wouldn't be much difference if the engine used good oil and the engine was not ran hard at all. But, use [censored] oil and/or beat the [censored] out of the engine and you'd see a big difference because with high loads and [censored] oil, there is going to be much more stress on metal-to-metal parts, and more wear as a result.
 
 Originally Posted By: Steve S
Oil filters prolong the engines life greatly.
-except if the filter is a bottom line Fram!
 
 Originally Posted By: blackdiamond
 Originally Posted By: TallPaul
As I recall, the original Bob The Oil Guy ran his Escort without a filter for an OCI or two and did some analysis, there is lengthy thread dating back probably 2003 or earlier. As I recall he didn't have any significant problems.
Any link for this thread?
I was hoping a newbie would relentlessly search for it. Actually, it won't be easy. Search function says max 5 years back. Also would help if I could remember his username and what forum it was in.
 
It's Bobistheoilguy I just checked, it only goes back the indicated 5 years. Just leave the word part blank and use his user name. You'll get a mention of the no-filter test ..and also get to see XS650 in his more colorful and graphic days
 
 Originally Posted By: TallPaul
I was hoping a newbie would relentlessly search for it. Actually, it won't be easy. Search function says max 5 years back. Also would help if I could remember his username and what forum it was in.
I use the search feature for finding UOA's, but this seemed like a difficult one to track down. I'll check it out tonight.
 
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