What exactly make an oil filter last?

[KrisZ]

I see people say something to the effect: "for 5000 miles use XXX filter, but if you want to run 10000 miles use XXX filter".

I'm scratching my head here. What makes the oil filter last or not last and how do these people know such things?

From a mechanical point of view, all the components in the filter are glued and then in use they are saturated in oil. Oil is a good preservant, so I can't see how the ADB valve or the media would deteriorate.
I could see issues arising from poor quality control or using the wrong glue that would deteriorate when exposed to oil/temperature. But aside from that, where are all these claims coming from?

 

[UNC017]

ADB valves are polymers, and long-term exposure to heat and hydrocarbons can cause hardening. That's why silicone rubber ADBVs are popular.

The same can happen with the binding materials that hold the filter media fibers together.

Time DOES matter with filters too, and the only way to tell is believe the manufacturers, plus have a fair understanding of how the filter is made. Synthetic-media filters clearly have the advantage for very long-term use.

 

[UNC151]

I think sitting in oil is "static", the problems can arise from heating/cooling, pressure from the system, and overall time in use. Long runs can stress unsupported media to the point of failure (not always, but it is a risk). The recommendations that you see posted are **usually** a repetition of what the filter manufacturer states. For the long runs (speaking for myself), I am more confident in wire backed media (any type) versus free standing media.

 

[OneEyeJack]

Good design and quality components, installed on an engine in good condition under reasonable operating conditions using a factory approved oil of the correct viscosity.

 

[Benito]

My last two Purolator's had very brittle media after 6000 miles.

At some point that media could tear.

 

[Padawan]

Generally most people are referring to:

- The media's capacity to hold contaminants, and its ability to remain intact and free from damage, deterioration, or deformation
- The ability of the ADBV (if present) to remain flexible and maintain a proper seal

 

[KrisZ]

Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
ADB valves are polymers, and long-term exposure to heat and hydrocarbons can cause hardening. That's why silicone rubber ADBVs are popular.

The same can happen with the binding materials that hold the filter media fibers together.

Time DOES matter with filters too, and the only way to tell is believe the manufacturers, plus have a fair understanding of how the filter is made. Synthetic-media filters clearly have the advantage for very long-term use.


Originally Posted By: Padawan
Generally most people are referring to:

- The media's capacity to hold contaminants, and its ability to remain intact and free from damage, deterioration, or deformation
- The ability of the ADBV (if present) to remain flexible and maintain a proper seal


Yes, but where do they get their seemingly definite answers that XX filter is good for 5k miles but not 10k miles?

Synthetic media. It all sounds fine, but isn't it also glued in just like regular paper media?
ADB valve getting "brittle". Do we have documented cases where it stopped functioning after certain amount of miles/time?
Holding capacity. Well I tore into my share of oil filters and besides few specs here and there, the dirty side was as clean as the clean side.

I do understand all the possible points of failure, but what basis do people have on giving such definite and sure recommendations other than just repeating the same old stories?

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: KrisZ

Yes, but where do they get their seemingly definite answers that XX filter is good for 5k miles but not 10k miles?


The filter designers use holding capacity (found by lab testing) as the parameter to determine maximum usage recommendations.

Originally Posted By: KrisZ

Synthetic media. It all sounds fine, but isn't it also glued in just like regular paper media?


I think the glue holding up is the least of the worry inside an oil filter. Seems the glues that have been developed can go way longer than the filter is rated for.

Originally Posted By: KrisZ

ADB valve getting "brittle". Do we have documented cases where it stopped functioning after certain amount of miles/time?


There have been some talk by members where they said a start-up noise started and then later found that the ADBV was pretty stiff. That is why most longer use filters will have a silicone ADBV.

Originally Posted By: KrisZ

Holding capacity. Well I tore into my share of oil filters and besides few specs here and there, the dirty side was as clean as the clean side.


You can't always tell by looking, especially with a full synthetic media since it's "depth filtering" and a lot of the debris is buried down inside the media below the surface. Keep in mind that in a really clean engine the filter could probably go 2 or 3 times as longer than the filter is rated at because the debris loading is at a very low rate on a clean engine.

The designers have probably rated the use mileage on the safe side by assuming a relatively dirty engine and higher than average debris loading rate. The last thing they want is engine damage claims from their filters so there's obviously some safety factor in the use ratings.

 

[ecotourist]

BMW OEM non canister type filters (usually Hengst or Mahle) come out in excellent condition after 22,000 Km (14,000 miles) or 2 years.

 

[Dallas69]

The media is the key.
Everything else is pretty standard between makers.

 

[Nate1979]

Originally Posted By: KrisZ
Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
ADB valves are polymers, and long-term exposure to heat and hydrocarbons can cause hardening. That's why silicone rubber ADBVs are popular.

The same can happen with the binding materials that hold the filter media fibers together.

Time DOES matter with filters too, and the only way to tell is believe the manufacturers, plus have a fair understanding of how the filter is made. Synthetic-media filters clearly have the advantage for very long-term use.


Originally Posted By: Padawan
Generally most people are referring to:

- The media's capacity to hold contaminants, and its ability to remain intact and free from damage, deterioration, or deformation
- The ability of the ADBV (if present) to remain flexible and maintain a proper seal


Yes, but where do they get their seemingly definite answers that XX filter is good for 5k miles but not 10k miles?

Synthetic media. It all sounds fine, but isn't it also glued in just like regular paper media?
ADB valve getting "brittle". Do we have documented cases where it stopped functioning after certain amount of miles/time?
Holding capacity. Well I tore into my share of oil filters and besides few specs here and there, the dirty side was as clean as the clean side.

I do understand all the possible points of failure, but what basis do people have on giving such definite and sure recommendations other than just repeating the same old stories?

The simple answer is because it says it on the box. Anything beyond the manufacturers recommendation is just speculation.

 

[Stewie]

Not all of them are glued tho.

ADV, relief valve and O ring.

 

[SilverC6]

Use an aftermarket filter to the manufacturer's recommended service life or a standard OCI, whichever is shortest.

If the box says 5,000 miles, I wouldn't go past 5,000 miles.

If you're going to rely on your car's OLM, use an OEM filter.

You have to understand most entry level oil filter designs haven't changed in the last 30 years.

But today's EP engine oils are much, much better than the best oils 30 years ago.

As such, I'd recommend using only the best filters along with the best EP oils if you are planning extended OCI's.