Why are oil filters made disposable???

[highmilegeguy]

It always seems such a waste of steel to throw away oil filters.
If ever there was a item begging to be made more durable so the steel container could be reused over and over its oil filters.

Think of the millions of pounds of steel not needed if the oil filter was made a permanent part of the auto engine. Sure, it would have to be made with thicker and stronger steel but it would be there for the life of the car.
Just make the media replaceable.

This stupidity extends these days to fuel filters. We used to only replace the paper media in the carborator. But now we have to replace a whole metal canister just for that. What a waste.

 

[tig1]

Well it does give the steel industry a product to produce.
Now if you really care about this horrific waste, buy a Ford Fusion that still uses the cartrage fiter. No steel, clear conscience.

 

[sunfire]

There is limitless credit and credit lending here. We can buy up the entire world and all the steel in it with credit.

But seriously... extending your OCIs with a quality synthetic and good oil filter would minimize the waste.

 

[IntegraVT]

Recycle - http://www.filtercouncil.org/index.php?page=recycle

 

[Jim 5]

Lots of cars have done this. Many german cars and some domestic cars have cast filter housings with lids and you just change the filter element as Tig1 pointed out.

 

[BigCahuna]

There are makers of a washable oil filters, but I believe it's only for motorcycle applications.,,

 

[Eddie]

Most modern engines use cartridges which reuse the container. They became re-popular about 5 years ago.

 

[Robenstein]

They do make stainless steel mesh spin on filters that are reusable.

Most likely today's oil filter was yesterdays can of Chef Boyardee.

 

[CharlieJ]

Originally Posted By: tig1
Well it does give the steel industry a product to produce.
Now if you really care about this horrific waste, buy a Ford Fusion that still uses the cartrage fiter. No steel, clear conscience.

I like the cartridge filter on the 2.3L. You can inspect for debris without cutting open a filter!

 

[George Bynum]

You are hitting 2 different issues, cartridge vs "spin-on" and filtration technology.

I am heavily involved in hydraulics, and feel that the use of spin-on elements, which customers like for convenience, is the best way to maximize the filter manufacturers' and salespeople's pockets. Dollars per gram of dirt is high.

On the disposable vs washable, it is a different matter.

There is specialized media (normally in test labs to collect particulates for microscopic analysis) which collects "dirt" on the surface. These are washable. Tiny amounts of dirt clog it.

Most of our filters (and automobile oil filters) have media many times the particle size in thickness. Assume that we want to catch 99.5% of 6 micron particles in a qualifying test, a common specification. The media is probably 1,000 microns (1mm) thick, so about 200 particles thick. The dirt works its way through the media, getting caught somewhere. The pressure drop (I abbreviate this dP) builds very slowly until the media is about 90% full, then builds rapidly. Out clogging indicator is a dP indicator. It will indicate before the bypass valve opens (an ISO spec requirement).

Does this help?

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: Jim 5
Lots of cars have done this. Many german cars and some domestic cars have cast filter housings with lids and you just change the filter element as Tig1 pointed out.


My 2008 Lexus has the cast housing & replaceable filter element

 

[sangyup81]

 

[labman]

My 8 year old Ecotec has a cartridge, and it wasn't its first year. Now when is the volume and competition going to allow consumers to pay less than for spin ons? Prices are half now as in 02. Need to half again.

 

[Robenstein]

I wish my motorcycle had a spin on filter. Having to replace the cartridge filter sucks on it. I keep having to buy new fasteners from yamaha and o rings for the cover.

 

[labman]

The American engineers did a great job on the Ecotec.

 

[sdan27]

Check out www.gopurepower.com. They make aftermarket reusable steel cartridge filters for several engine applications.

 

[OilNerd]

Originally Posted By: Robenstein
I wish my motorcycle had a spin on filter. Having to replace the cartridge filter sucks on it. I keep having to buy new fasteners from yamaha and o rings for the cover.


Been there. Wix filters include the O-rings.

 

[Kiwi_ME]

I was under the impression that German-market cars were required to have cartridge-type filters to reduce waste.

 

[Robenstein]

Originally Posted By: OilNerd
Originally Posted By: Robenstein
I wish my motorcycle had a spin on filter. Having to replace the cartridge filter sucks on it. I keep having to buy new fasteners from yamaha and o rings for the cover.


Been there. Wix filters include the O-rings.


Yeah they do, but the local O Reillys is the only place in town that carries moto filters and they always carry the wrong part number for my bike. The filter is the same, but the darned O ring that comes with it is wrong for the application. So I have to run up to local Yamaha stealership and order a couple every year.

 

[EagleFTE]

As stated numerous options to lessen the waste.

a. Recycle (hard to find a place in some locations)
b. Use an Ecore spin-on which reduces the amount of steel
C. Ensure your next car uses a "new but old" cartridge type.
d. If there is one for your vehicle, use a permanent cleanable oil filter.

All reduce wasted steel at varying degrees, some completely.