Oil Filter efficiency

[OldSchool73]

Anyone have opinions about running an oil filter for two oil change intervals? I’ve seen information that states oil filters get more efficient as they get dirtier. It makes sense but I have never done it. I guess an oil analysis would be the best proof. Anyway, food for thought. I’d love to get opinions from others!

 

[Padraig]

How efficient is it when your filter gets restricted, your oil goes through the bypass and circulates dirty oil through the engine?

Padraig

 

[SpareParts]

I would think it does become more efficient but to do that it also becomes more clogged.
The more clogged the filter gets the more goes to the bypass getting no filtration.

 

[Marky Dissod]

Anyone have opinions about running an oil filter for two oil change intervals? I’ve seen information that states oil filters get more efficient as they get dirtier.
It makes sense but I have never done it. I guess an oil analysis would be the best proof. Anyway, food for thought. I’d love to get opinions from others!

If you change your oil when the Oil Life Monitor hits 50%, and you mostly drove highway miles lightly laden, then yea sure go ahead reuse that oil filter.
Also you ought to be using the taller/longer version of the oil filter for your engine.

 

[OldSchool73]

If you change your oil when the Oil Life Monitor hits 50%, and you mostly drove highway miles lightly laden, then yea sure go ahead reuse that oil filter.
Also you ought to be using the taller/longer version of the oil filter for your engine.

I appreciate the insight. I am using the PF63 filter. The Motor Oil Geek is covering this subject so I’m looking forward to what is said.

 

[Stbentoak]

I wouldn't have a problem with every other time if you kept your intervals around 3 to 4000 miles. I mean the filter only holds about two cups. Especially if you have a Fumoto valve. You can theoretically change your oil in about 10-15 min. People seem to not have a problem with keeping filters on for up to 10,000 miles on one oil change. So what's the big whoop if you left it on for Say 7500 miles but you dumped some new oil in in the middle? I'm not saying that I do it, But I'm not saying it would be such a huge problem either.

 

[SpareParts]

What are you trying to accomplish by not changing the filter?

 

[strutaeng]

I asked the same question on another thread here recently, also because of what Lake Speed Jr. said about efficiency.

I looked at Wix and their standard oil filter are rated for 10,000 miles while their XP are rated for 15,000 miles. So if you change your oil at 5,000 miles, both should work, with plenty of headroom on the XP. For me the oil filter replacement is kinda messy because I always spill oil no matter what, so a drain and refill sounds enticing. Not trying to save money or anything.

So interested in the topic, although the consensus I got was: just change the oil filter every time I change the oil...

 

[SpareParts]

Changing the filter is kind of a messy deal but if im changing the oil im changing the filter.
I figure it's probably better to filter as much as possible rather than less filtered and more going to bypass.

 

[Marky Dissod]

... consensus I got was: just change the oil filter every time I change the oil ...

Hey, oil filters are much cheaper than engines. No one is stopping anyone from changing the filter each and every oil change.

But if you use the longer/taller filter, and especially if you use the premium filtration version of the longer/taller filter,
and you also change your oil every 3000-4000 miles with fully Group4 synthetic, I'd bet that the oil filter has more than enough capacity for two oil changes.

There are used oil analyses. How does one analyze an oil filter to check its remaining capacity?

 

[B-train]

Anyone have opinions about running an oil filter for two oil change intervals? I’ve seen information that states oil filters get more efficient as they get dirtier. It makes sense but I have never done it. I guess an oil analysis would be the best proof. Anyway, food for thought. I’d love to get opinions from others!

For $6 I'd never try that game...

 

[swathdiver]

Anyone have opinions about running an oil filter for two oil change intervals? I’ve seen information that states oil filters get more efficient as they get dirtier. It makes sense but I have never done it. I guess an oil analysis would be the best proof. Anyway, food for thought. I’d love to get opinions from others!

I don't know how efficient it was but when we were broke, we just reset the oil life monitor a couple of times before changing the cheap Fram oil filter from Walmart. That engine ran like a top as long as we had it.

@PG01

Now, I can afford new oil filters and even oil changes at 4,000 miles! LOL

 

[Bigburb3500]

I don't know how efficient it was but when we were broke, we just reset the oil life monitor a couple of times before changing the cheap Fram oil filter from Walmart. That engine ran like a top as long as we had it.

@PG01

Now, I can afford new oil filters and even oil changes at 4,000 miles! LOL

Definitely have just reset the clock a couple times on different cars because of budget constraints…

 

[Bigburb3500]

What oil filers does everyone prefer? Forgive the ignorance but what is a “tall” version? All of the spin on filters seem to be the exact same size. I would definitely prefer an actual larger filter if that was possible!

 

[Marky Dissod]

What oil filers does everyone prefer? Forgive the ignorance but what is a “tall” version? All of the spin on filters seem to be the exact same size.
I would definitely prefer an actual larger filter if that was possible!

If your suburban is a 3500, then your oil filter is already the taller/longer one so far as the concept of 'GM OE'.
Those of us with 5.3L V8s have to lie to the parts counter and say we have 6.0L V8s to get the longer oil filter.
Luckily the threads and faces of both filters are identical, and thus interchangeable.

 

[swathdiver]

What oil filers does everyone prefer? Forgive the ignorance but what is a “tall” version? All of the spin on filters seem to be the exact same size. I would definitely prefer an actual larger filter if that was possible!

PF48 is the factory short filter for Gen IV LS engines like your L96. The long equivalent is the PF63. I run the K&N HP2011 long filters in my trucks.

 

[Stbentoak]

Changing the filter is kind of a messy deal but if im changing the oil im changing the filter.
I figure it's probably better to filter as much as possible rather than less filtered and more going to bypass.

What makes you think a filter at 3 or 4000 miles is bypassing? If you take that oil out and put new in on top of it, you're taking out 97% of the minute contaminants. It just doesn't stand to logic that you think of filters totally failing/bypassing after say 3 to 5000 miles. I would say it's half used at best. Especially on a quality filter.....
And whoever said filters are just six bucks? I wouldn't put a $6 filter on my vehicle.......

 

[SpareParts]

I don't think it is totally failing. It starts with none bypassing then after some miles a little bypassing more miles even more bypassing. I admit, could be totally wrong but im not taking the chance,
A PF63 is $4.70 at Rock Auto, Easy to add when ordering parts from the same warehouse. They are also under $10 at Walmart.

 

[Bigburb3500]

PF48 is the factory short filter for Gen IV LS engines like your L96. The long equivalent is the PF63. I run the K&N HP2011 long filters in my trucks.

I’m definitely running the short filter… I’ve been shocked with how small it is given this is a fleet/work designed unit.

Thank you to you and @Marky Dissod. I need an oil change in the next 2-3k miles so this is also perfect timing.

 

[NoNamesLeft]

Ahh the oil filter rabbit hole.

Oil filters don't filter all that fine, but it is a trade off for flow. Yes a dirty filter will filter finer particles but it also has more restriction, which increases as it gets dirtier. You'd need a differential pressure gauge to tell you when the filter was too dirty and needed to be changed. More restriction means more oil bypasses the filter during cold starts. Why even try to play that game?

Finding a finer filter is a better choice than running a somewhat dirty filter hoping for better "efficiency", but again the filtration level is a bunch of tradeoffs and there is more to filter selection than just the published efficiency, such as dirt holding capacity and flow capability.

Anybody serious about selecting a "better" filter than stock better be ready to put some work in, both in learning about filtration and digging for the specs, which aren't always easy to find and aren't always apples to apples due to different testing methods.

More detailed information here: https://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/30697/choose-oil-filter

Yep, ain't nobody got time for that sh*t above, so just stick with OEM or buy whatever filter has the most colorful box.

A magnetic drain plug is easy and does collect a bunch of small debris (I have pictures if anyone wants to see them). If someone really feels the need to go beyond the stock oil filter setup then adding a bypass filter would be a good option. Otherwise just change the oil and filter regularly based on your drive cycles.