The Mann OEM Audi filter question

[Georgi1]

I have always used the original Mann filter on my 2.8 V6 Audi and over the years it got updates. The anti drain back valve was rubber and then it is white silicon, the filter media itself was that dark brown/orange and is now very bright yellow - most likely blend media. However the design remain the same.
What is very strange for me is the ONLY 4 RATHER SMALL HOLES for oil to pass. There are another 10 different brand oil filters for my engine and none of them has such a small number and size of holes. In Germany for example the second most used best filter after OEM/Mann would be Mahle. Even their filter has double the number holes.

This is an example with the cross ref filter from Purolator. Although smaller it has double the overall holes. Even this small tiny Toyota filter has more overall holes than it.

Any thought on that?

 

[ZeeOSix]

The pressure drop across that base plate with 4 holes must still be acceptable for the engineer(s) who designed it. They just don't make a design like that without verifying the flow performance. Most people can't get a good estimate of how something like that flows oil just by looking at it ... it needs to be ran through a flow analysis.

Besides, engines use a positive displacement oil pump for a reason, to ensure it forces oil adequately through various components that have different flow resistance. The engine's oiling system is typically has 12-15 times more flow resistance than an oil filter.

 

[shortyb]

Odd if another German filter (ie; Mahle, Hengst) would be different in the same application. The design parameters are very specific among auto manufacturers and finding something as "insignificant" as an oil filter that is drastically different across suppliers would be rather unusual. For example, my 2.0T CCTA engine uses a metal can spin-on with a plastic standoff for "upside down" mounting and all of the OE "German" ones available (VAG, Mann, Mahle, Hengst) are identical except for part numbers and labeling.

 

[Chris142]

For example, my 2.0T CCTA engine uses a metal can spin-on with a plastic standoff for "upside down" mounting and all of the OE "German" ones available (VAG, Mann, Mahle, Hengst) are identical except for part numbers and labeling.

And if you use ANY other brand it will dump oil all down the front of the engine when removed.

 

[shortyb]

And if you use ANY other brand it will dump oil all down the front of the engine when removed.

Always amazed that it doesn't dribble even a drop when spun off. Yet another reason to use the OE speced "German" ones (my last Mann was made in Spain though).

 

[ZeeOSix]

Always amazed that it doesn't dribble even a drop when spun off. Yet another reason to use the OE speced "German" ones (my last Mann was made in Spain though).

Does that filter have an ADBV? If not, then the oil is draining out so there isn't anything to dribble when the filter is removed.

 

[shortyb]

Does that filter have an ADBV? If not, then the oil is draining out so there isn't anything to dribble when the filter is removed.

Yep. White silicone one. 5-hole base plate too.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Yep. White silicone one. 5-hole base plate too.

Then it probably isn't sealing very well if other oil filters with an ADBV will retain oil that comes out when the oil filter is removed. Or the oil might be draining out the center tube if the media is pretty porous.

 

[shortyb]

Then it probably isn't sealing very well if other oil filters with an ADBV will retain oil that comes out when the oil filter is removed. Or the oil might be draining out the center tube if the media is pretty porous.

Oh there is still oil in it when taken off. Just nothing comes out when you do. Likely what oil that would, has already drained from the center tube back into the engine after shutdown.

 

[Chris142]

Always amazed that it doesn't dribble even a drop when spun off. Yet another reason to use the OE speced "German" ones (my last Mann was made in Spain though).

I get ones with fram, stp etc and they make a mess