Practical Automotive Maintenance: Oil Filter Inspection
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Oil Filter Inspection
05.56
| 00:00 | Most people discard old oil filters without a second thought, but this can mean missing some key signs of engine wear. |
| 00:07 | While regular on-time oil changes will minimise wear, inspecting the oil filter before disposal provides valuable insights into engine health, helping us detect potential issues early. |
| 00:19 | This can be particularly critical in the second -hand vehicle market, as some vehicles we buy will have unknown service histories and may have no record of proper maintenance. |
| 00:29 | The inspection process of our oil filter depends on our filter type. |
| 00:34 | If you remember back to our module on oil filters, there are two main types, known as the spin -on and cartridge. |
| 00:40 | Cartridge filters are much easier to inspect due to the lack of a hard casing encapsulating the filter element, like we see with spin-on filters. |
| 00:48 | Inspecting a cartridge filter is straightforward. |
| 00:51 | By just removing the filter element from its housing, we're able to inspect and part the filter pleats to examine the bottom of the pleats for any metal particles or other contaminants. |
| 01:01 | For a more detailed analysis, the filter's end caps can be carefully cut away using a box cutter or similar. |
| 01:08 | This allows the filter element to be fully fanned out and flattened, providing a comprehensive view of both sides, making it easier to detect finer debris that could indicate underlying engine issues. |
| 01:19 | Inspecting spin-on filters requires a specialised filter cutting tool, which can be purchased for around US$50. |
| 01:26 | Functioning similar to a can opener, this tool uses a sharp circular blade to score and cut through the filter's metal casing. |
| 01:34 | Once separated, the internal filter media can be examined just as we would with a cartridge filter. |
| 01:40 | We recommend avoiding the use of an angle grinder, bandsaw, hacksaw or any other cutting method that generates fine metal dust, as these techniques will contaminate the filter element, making it harder to distinguish between debris from the engine and contaminants introduced during cutting. |
| 01:56 | It should be said however that if it's bearing material that we're looking for, this will show up as copper coloured flakes, which will be distinctive compared to the metal debris introduced in the cutting process. |
| 02:07 | So, there's still some value in this approach if it's your only option. |
| 02:10 | So, what are we actually looking for when examining our oil filter element and when is this necessary? The answer depends on whether you're inspecting the filter from a used or a freshly assembled engine. |
| 02:22 | As covered in our oil specifications module, it's common practice to use a mineral oil during the initial startup and break-in process to properly seat the piston rings. |
| 02:31 | This oil is then replaced after break-in before full power tuning begins. |
| 02:36 | If you want a deeper understanding of engine break-in procedures, be sure to check out our engine building courses which are linked below this module. |
| 02:44 | During this stage, the oil filter is typically replaced alongside the break-in oil as both will have captured a considerable amount of fine metal debris from the rings bedding in the bores, as well as some assembly lube and even potentially silicon sealant. |
| 02:59 | In this situation, the primary concern is the presence of metal particles or flakes, which may indicate unexpected internal wear or damage. |
| 03:07 | It's normal for the oil to have a slightly metallic shimmer to it as this is a result of the home pattern being broken down by the rings and this is not a reason for concern. |
| 03:16 | If we're using our vehicle for motorsport, momentary oil starvation due to lateral or longitudinal g-force as well as higher than normal oil temperatures are quite common. |
| 03:27 | This can result in a loss of oil pressure or insufficient oil film to protect engine bearings, which can cause metal to metal contact and ultimately component failure if it wasn't picked up on quickly. |
| 03:38 | An oil filter inspection after each race meet would allow us to pick up on these problems early before it becomes catastrophic failure. |
| 03:46 | We might also want to consider inspecting the filter after buying a vehicle with an unknown condition engine or one that's had poor service history. |
| 03:54 | If we see copper coloured flakes in the filter element, this would indicate a bearing failure, ultimately, meaning that we're up for In a used engine, beyond the break-in cycle, a metallic shimmer in the oil should be uncommon and any presence suggests potential engine wear or damage which requires further investigation. |
| 04:13 | Shiny silver particles can result from wear or damage to steel or cast iron components. |
| 04:18 | Blocks that are made from cast iron or ones that contain iron sleeves can also produce small particles from excessive wear and all of these will be magnetic, making them easy to distinguish. |
| 04:29 | There are some non-magnetic materials we may come across though and these are most commonly from bearing material and they're quite obvious due to their copper colour. |
| 04:38 | We may also find aluminium particles from components such as pistons or cast aluminium blocks. |
| 04:44 | The ideal outcome when inspecting a filter media is to have a clean filter element with minimal to no contaminants and no metal parts, indicating that our engine is correctly lubricated and healthy. |
| 04:56 | Let's summarise the key points found in this module. |
| 04:59 | Inspecting an oil filter offers valuable insight into engine health and can reveal early signs of wear. |
| 05:05 | This is especially useful for motorsport vehicles or engines with unknown service histories. |
| 05:10 | Cartridge filters are the easiest to inspect. |
| 05:13 | Their pleats can be visually checked or fully exposed by cutting away the end caps. |
| 05:17 | Spin-on filters require a specialist cutter to open the casing cleanly, though tools like angle grinders can be used if checking for copper coloured bearing wear where minor contamination isn't a concern. |
| 05:29 | It's normal for new engines to produce fine particles during break-in, but ongoing metal presence indicates wear, typically from bearings, camshafts or followers. |
| 05:39 | Filter inspections help catch problems early. |
| 05:41 | Running a magnet through oil or over filter media can detect metallic particles invisible to the eye. |
| 05:47 | A healthy engine will show minimal debris and no visible metal in the oil or the filter. |
