Unused Toyota 90915-YZZD3 tested and cut open

[Hatsuwr]

Just purchased yesterday from Lexus dealership.

Everything external looks great.

Vacuuming out yielded no debris from the filter itself.

ADBV and plate-can interface had zero leaking, up to the 30 PSI I tested.

Gasket comes pre-lubricated and has a good profile for sealing. Burns with black smoke.
ADBV is very pliable. Burns with white smoke and ash, so probably silicone.

Pressure differential is shown in comparison with other filters that fit the same vehicle, although the other filters are quite a bit taller so comparison value is limited. It is interesting though that the smaller Toyota is much less restrictive that the larger Frams.

Total filter surface area, excluding the glued ends of the pleats, is 2 * 43 pleats * 71.1 mm * 20.8 mm = 127,184 sq mm = 197 sq in.

Case is about 0.5 mm thick.

Information on bypass leaks in first comment.

Gasket

Relative pressure differential

Lines on scale are 0.5 mm spacing.

 

[Hatsuwr]

Everything so far was great, but now of course is the bypass.

I cut viewing holes in the top of the case to inspect the bypass while still assembled

Flashlight test revealed some small leak paths, but disassembly showed some bigger issues.

The glue used at the ends of the media is too hard to conform at all, even if there was pressure applied. But since the metal core is longer than the filter, even when fully seated into the ADBV, no pressure is applied. The media will move freely up and down the core a small amount. The primary interface is going to be between the bypass plate and the core. I expect that in operation the pressure differential will push the media toward the ADBV end.

Additionally, the core has a large slot at the end that meets the bypass.

Finally, the top of the filter media either isn't very flat or isn't perpendicular to its length. Probably the latter, but I cut it open before checking which.

The last picture shows a worst-case configuration where the media is seated against the ADBV and rotated so the low spot aligns with the slot in the core.

Besides this, assuming there is a gap between the glued filter end and the bypass plate, oil can very freely bypass the media via the gap between the core and the media.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Pressure differential is shown in comparison with other filters that fit the same vehicle, although the other filters are quite a bit taller so comparison value is limited. It is interesting though that the smaller Toyota is much less restrictive that the larger Frams.

Less flow restriction (and much less efficiency) due to very open pores in the media. And of course if it's leaking at the center core that doesn't help.

 

[Hatsuwr]

Less flow restriction (and much less efficiency) due to very open pores in the media.

That, and the leaks lol. Seems worse than the Fram leak springs.

 

[ZeeOSix]

I can't really tell, but is the leaf spring sealing (around the red area) or not sealing on the hard resin ring around the center tube? The leaf spring should not be touching and trying to seal on the end of the metal center tube. Is the metal center core too long?

Slip the center core out and see how the leaf spring sits and seals on the resin ring.

 

[Hatsuwr]

I can't really tell, but is the leaf spring sealing (around the red area) or not sealing on the hard resin ring around the center tube? The leaf spring should not be touching and trying to seal on the end of the metal center tube. Is the metal center core too long?

Slip the center core out and see how the leaf spring sits and seals on the resin ring.

Yea, if you check the second picture in the second post you can see how the tube protrudes when the media is against the ADBV. In the flashlight test pictures, I think the media happened to be pushed more toward the bypass side (it can move up and down the core a millimeter or two when assembled from the factory), but even then there's was a small gap.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Yea, if you check the second picture in the second post you can see how the tube protrudes when the media is against the ADBV. In the flashlight test pictures, I think the media happened to be pushed more toward the bypass side (it can move up and down the core a millimeter or two when assembled from the factory), but even then there's was a small gap.

I've cut a few Toyota filters like this apart before and inspected, but don't recall the center tube being too long where it would cause the leaf spring not to seat down on the resin ring where it's suppose to seal around the center tube, instead of being held up above the resin ring by the center tube being too long. Is the center tube really protruding out the end of the media that much when the filter is assembled? If so, that's a design problem.

 

[Reloader59]

I cut open a similar Toyota filter and when the engine is up to temp, the filter and the resin at the top is very pliable. This may then allow it to seal better. Cut one open immediately after you remove the filter. The whole thing will flex

 

[Fair enough]

I mentioned before the center tube is slightly above the resin seal, but not like this one. I cut the N1, both green and black adbvs. The tube pushes into the adbv but not enough. I think the old ones were fine. The media has changed color from the old yellow. Thanks for all the work and expense.

 

[Glenda W.]

Thanks. Great detailed testing.

 

[Chris142]

That's the same # that fits our fj. I have used it 2x and both times it drained back overnight and caused a severe rattle when started the next morning.

I found one completely empty one morning after it sat all night. I won't use them again. Even the cheap orange can holds oil overnight.