Why do experienced car owners sometimes open the oil filter?
- September 22, 2023
- 0
The health of the engine directly depends on the performance of the oil filter. But an advanced driver can “get a little more benefit” from this important detail.
The health of the engine directly depends on the performance of the oil filter. But an advanced driver can “get a little more benefit” from this important detail.
In most cases, a used oil filter is thrown in the trash. Just like any other “consumable item” in the car. But not for the thinking car owner. He’ll take it apart. Someone, who has previously drained the remaining oil, clamps the filter in a vice and, without further ado, rams it in in the most barbaric manner with a hammer and chisel. And someone uses a special tool for the same purpose – a pipe cutter. In the latter case, the operation is more precise and causes less damage to the contents. Which is sometimes valuable.
In any case, the goal is the same: obtaining information. And not just about the engine itself. First of all, when disassembling the filter housing, you need to check the integrity of the inside. It happens that the flow of lubricant tears or breaks seals, for example a rubber valve ring. This indicates that the consumable is not doing its job: after a malfunction, part of the oil has passed through the filter element. The conclusion from such a discovery is clear: you no longer have to deal with this manufacturer, you have to switch to another brand. Its products may be more expensive, but the condition of the engine is more important.
Next you need to pay attention to the filter element. As a rule, it has the shape of an “accordion”, rolled into a cylinder and then inserted into a metal case. It is removed and straightened for careful inspection. If something like fine dark “sand” or, God forbid, chips are found on it, this is bad. These are wear products of some rubbing parts of the engine. Their presence indicates that a major overhaul of the power unit is imminent.
In the practice of the author of these lines there was a case when a small fragment of a valve spring was found in the filter. When later opening the cylinder head, it turned out that one of the exhaust valves had lost part of this part. Subsequently, the fragments were found not only under the hood, but also in the engine box of the boat. And what is most surprising is that the engine showed no failure symptoms.
In addition to looking for wear products, you should evaluate the condition of the filter accordion yourself. If, in your opinion, the color is too close to anthracite black, you should think about the reasons for this special effect. Too much soot in the oil indicates wear of the cylinder-piston group or serious ignition problems. Although there is another explanation. For example, the car has just come out of the warranty period and this is the first time you have changed the engine lubricant, not at the service station of an official dealer. The fact is that in such cases – when the customer comes for maintenance for the last time — The “official” technicians strive to “save”: when replacing the lubricant, they do not touch the old filter. It must be so…
Be that as it may, the owner of a vehicle that is no longer new is advised from time to time not to be lazy and open the oil filter. It may happen that its contents open the eyes of the car owner to a serious problem.
photo globallookpress.com
In most cases, a used oil filter is thrown in the trash. Just like any other “consumable item” in the car. But not for the thinking car owner. He’ll take it apart. Someone, who has previously drained the remaining oil, clamps the filter in a vice and, without further ado, rams it in in the most barbaric manner with a hammer and chisel. And someone uses a special tool for the same purpose – a pipe cutter. In the latter case, the operation is more precise and causes less damage to the contents. Which is sometimes valuable.
In any case, the goal is the same: obtaining information. And not just about the engine itself. First of all, when disassembling the filter housing, you need to check the integrity of the inside. It happens that the flow of lubricant tears off or breaks seals, for example a rubber valve ring. This indicates that the consumable is not doing its job: after a malfunction, part of the oil has passed through the filter element. The conclusion from such a discovery is clear: you no longer have to deal with this manufacturer, you have to switch to another brand. Its products may be more expensive, but the condition of the engine is more important.
Next you need to pay attention to the filter element. As a rule, it has the shape of an “accordion”, rolled into a cylinder and then inserted into a metal case. It is removed and straightened for careful inspection. If something like fine dark “sand” or, God forbid, chips are found on it, this is bad. These are wear products of some rubbing parts of the engine. Their presence indicates that a major overhaul of the power unit is imminent.
In the practice of the author of these lines there was a case when a small fragment of a valve spring was found in the filter. When later opening the cylinder head, it turned out that one of the exhaust valves had lost part of this part. Subsequently, the fragments were found not only under the hood, but also in the engine box of the boat. And what is most surprising is that the engine showed no failure symptoms.
In addition to looking for wear products, you should evaluate the condition of the filter accordion yourself. If, in your opinion, the color is too close to anthracite black, you should think about the reasons for this special effect. Too much soot in the oil indicates wear of the cylinder-piston group or serious ignition problems. Although there is another explanation. For example, the car has just come out of the warranty period and this is the first time you have changed the engine lubricant, not at the service station of an official dealer. The fact is that in such cases – when the customer comes for maintenance for the last time — The “official” technicians strive to “save”: when replacing the lubricant, they do not touch the old filter. It must be so…
Be that as it may, the owner of a vehicle that is no longer new is advised from time to time not to be lazy and open the oil filter. It may happen that its contents open the eyes of the car owner to a serious problem.
Source: Avto Vzglyad
Donald Salinas is an experienced automobile journalist and writer for Div Bracket. He brings his readers the latest news and developments from the world of automobiles, offering a unique and knowledgeable perspective on the latest trends and innovations in the automotive industry.
