Two MC-FL820s Filter Dissections; Differences?

[UNC151]

Gang,

No scientific methods to use to prove or disprove anything and it is more for conversation and curiosity, but after opening the filter from my recent 15K/4 months run of Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0W-20 and comparing with the 10K/5 months run I did with previously Mobil Super 5000 5w20 I see some noticeable differences. Namely the residue in the oil at the bottom and sides of the shell of the filter used with Mobil Super 5000 (the residue floating in the oil on the Mobil Super 5000 run is from cutting the filter open--paint from the can). However, there is darker carbon at the bottom and the "stuff" on the sides are not present in the AFE filter. Note, I use a filter cutter to open all of my filters.

Any thoughts on why the differences? Obviously, one is conventional and the other is synthetic, but that cannot be the reason, can it? Insolubles with Mobil Super 5000 at 10K was 0.4 and with M1 at 10K was 0.1 (I do not have the 15K run UOA yet).

10,020 miles over a 5 month period with Mobil Super 5000 5w20 SN

15,372 miles over a 4 month period with Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0W-20 SN

 

[Billy_D]

Thanks for sharing !

 

[johnachak]

In my humble opinion, I would figure its because you overran the Mobil Super 5000. and the Full Synthetic was still in its sweet zone. JMHO

 

[volk06]

It looks like the mobil 1 was able to dissolve and hold the contaminates in suspension better.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: johnachak
In my humble opinion, I would figure its because you overran the Mobil Super 5000. and the Full Synthetic was still in its sweet zone. JMHO


I don't agree. I saw this grin on many MANY runs with Mobil 1 (including AFE) and it eventually tapered off.

Here's some in my Mobil 1 Extended Performance filter:

AFE 0w30 (Motorcraft):

PC 0w-40 (Motorcraft):

AFE 0w30 PureONE:

Mobil 1 0w-40 (Motorcraft):

Mobil 1 5w-40 (Fleetguard):

Mobil 1 0w-40 (Fleetguard):

Note that these aren't in any particular order, but the ones with less or no particulate are more recent.

 

[UNC151]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: johnachak
In my humble opinion, I would figure its because you overran the Mobil Super 5000. and the Full Synthetic was still in its sweet zone. JMHO

I don't agree. I saw this grin on many MANY runs with M1 (including AFE) and it eventually tapered off. Note that these aren't in any particular order, but the ones with less or no particulate are more recent.

Was this in your Expedition? If so, did not have a varnish or sludge issue? I thought I saw some photos of crud between the filter pleats (or I am I thinking of some else's vehicle)?

 

[jorton]

Looks like there's water inside the first shell.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: 2010_FX4
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: johnachak
In my humble opinion, I would figure its because you overran the Mobil Super 5000. and the Full Synthetic was still in its sweet zone. JMHO

I don't agree. I saw this grin on many MANY runs with M1 (including AFE) and it eventually tapered off. Note that these aren't in any particular order, but the ones with less or no particulate are more recent.

Was this in your Expedition? If so, did not have a varnish or sludge issue? I thought I saw some photos of crud between the filter pleats (or I am I thinking of some else's vehicle)?


Yes, all from the Expedition. It had light varnish (and not acres of it or anything) definitely no sludge.

And yes, the pictures of "between the pleats" were mine too. The assumption was that it was from the ring-land area.

 

[UNC151]

Originally Posted By: jorton
Looks like there's water inside the first shell.

Nope; no water. The UOA had no water present.

 

[Jim Allen]

Some Questions:

-Were the filters cut immediately or did they sit for a while?

-How much do the filters get jostled before and during the cutting?

-Were the filters drained before cutting and, if so, how was that accomplished?

-If the filters weren't drained, did they contain approximately the same amount of oil?

-Is the material in the can soft or hard?

Have some theories on this.

 

[UNC151]

Please see below for the answers. As a general note, I can say I perform the same "procedure" when cutting the filters open and they are not handled roughly or very much prior to cutting them open because I am still changing the oil in the truck--they are set to the side and not touched again until after I complete the oil change. Thanks for your thoughts.

Originally Posted By: Jim Allen
Some Questions:

-Were the filters cut immediately or did they sit for a while?
They were both cut within 2 hours of removal from the truck.

-How much do the filters get jostled before and during the cutting?
I typically take them off and turn them upside down to drain any residual oil then place them gasket up into the box. I then remove them still gasket side up and attach the cutter and cut them open.

-Were the filters drained before cutting and, if so, how was that accomplished?
Only the residual; they are still full of oil when they are cut open.

-If the filters weren't drained, did they contain approximately the same amount of oil?
Yes; both are full save for the amount that drained from the center tube.

-Is the material in the can soft or hard?
I am not able to answer this one because I have not checked.