Kai
I sometimes feel there's perhaps a little too much optimism on what a filter
can actually *catch.* It's a while since I was in the parts business and
specifying particular makes for branding (about 15 years) and I'm not sure
how the media in a modern spin-on will retain particles. I'd be surprised if
it retains anything smaller than 10 microns which I believe equates roughly
to one grain of sand? Comments anyone? Suffice it to say there are many very
harmful elements much smaller than this (say one grain of face or talcum
powder) which will pass through a filter and over time will only add to the
build-up of sludge. Short of tearing the engine down and thoroughly cleaning
it, the only other option is to maximise oil and filter changes and to use
the car as much as possible. Most people know that short journeys on a cold
engine knacker a power unit far faster than driving it hard for prolonged
periods, so the message surely has to be 'drive your car as much as you can
for as long as you can' and let it get really hot. This will release sludge
over time, keep it suspended in the oil and the detergents will protect
critical surfaces from damage. Ally that usage to regular lube and filter
changes and the engine should be good for at least 100,000 miles or more.
Modern oils with their state-of-the-art additives will see to that! Our old
style power units certainly aren't rocket science and they respond well to
modern lube technology. Should last far longer than they were ever designed
to last.
Jonmac
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kai M. Radicke" <kai@radiohead.net>
To: "jonmac" <jonmac@ndirect.co.uk>; "6Pack" <6pack@autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2004 11:21 PM
Subject: Re: Oil cooler cleanliness
> Jonmac writes:
>
> > A magnetic sump plug is a good idea as well, although it's an
> > idea not to become too paranoid about the minute pieces of
> > swarf you'll find on it every time you change the oil.
>
> Good idea. Glad it was brought up.
>
> Now for a bad idea. I am sure some of you have seen a filter screen being
> offered on TV, probably Speedchannel or TNN (during the DIY auto shows).
> These are a VERY bad idea. For those who have not seen the ads, this is a
> precut piece of metal mesh which look similar to the type of mesh used in
> gold coffee filters. The idea is that the screen will catch any large
bits
> of your engine before it gets into the filter.
>
> It is a bad idea because it does not have much surface area, any
detrimental
> component failure is going to clog the inlet to the filter and cut off oil
> to the rest of your engine. Your filter's job is to catch these particles
> and needless to say, your pleated filter has much more surface area to
> accomplish this task. So even if your filter swallows an entire bearing
(in
> pieces), it will still pass oil. That filter screen will severely hinder,
> reduce or stop oil flow.
>
> Kai
>
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