Oil Filters: In-depth Study Needed

The word "best" needs to be qualified.

There's some pretty good studies of oil filters (at least from the automotive standpoint) at several of the VW Van sites - water cooled (Vanagon) and the older air cooled (Type 2). Since the both versions of these flat 4 engines are cooling sensitive - much more so for the air cooled - and hold so little oil the use of an incorrect oil filter can have a significant impact on the life of the engine. An incorrect filter many times will either pass through too much oil (and not perform it's filtering task well - longer term problem) or pass through too little oil at starting thereby starving the engine bearings of lubricant for a short space of time (obviously good for engine rebuilders - not good for long term engine life). After doing some net surfing I came upon this site which I hope you will find useful... http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html

CHeck out Lube Talk, Lubetrack newsletter at lubetrak.com, Monday, August 22, 2005, volume 1, issue 205 - Engine oil filter study: http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html

srive1

That is really interesting. Automatically I think of the filter media as being the #1 in regards to what makes a filter "better". It appears that is not all of what makes a good filter. I imagine these faults are in response the outsourcing development and labor to save costs at the expense of quality. Todays CEO doesn't care since after tanking the corporation, he'll take his millions and move on the the next one !

The failing anti-drain valves concern me quite a bit. Most oil pumps will pressurize faster with oil in the filter. No oil means no lubrication and increased engine wear at startup.

I have heard many stories about Fram filters blowing out and Wix cartridge filters coming in slightly "off" sizes. I think Wix "used" to be #1 in many peoples books. Now from what I hear, they are turning to crap.