Oil Filters

super99 · Jun 22, 2015

Which way does the oil flow thru the filter? I have a real problem with buying filters and not using them right away. Problem is, some of them start to rust around the base of the filter. Does the dirty oil go in thru the outside part of the filter and the clean oil come out thru the threaded hole or vice versa? I have 3 or 4 of them like that, Not sure whether to use them or not. Chris

Ray UK · Jun 22, 2015

In answer to the first part of your question the oil passes through the filter from the outside to the centre, the second part of the question is a little more involved and very much down to personal opinion.
If a filter has been stored long enough for rust to form on the visible parts of the end plates then personally I would bin it as there may also be rust inside the filter where you cannot see it, also the filter material may have been affected by damp air while in storage and this may be what caused the rust to form.
At the end of the day a new filter is a whole lot cheaper to buy than a new engine.

Texasmark1 · Jun 22, 2015

I agree with that. Course some mfgrs. have the foresight to seal them in plastic and it's a no brainer. Oriental filters are like that!

On which way, the reason for the direction is that by doing it from the outside in, you have more area to maximize the surface area of the filtration material.

Paul Janke · Jun 22, 2015

The other reason for going from the outside to the inside is that whatever is being filtered is trying to collapse the filter element instead of stretching it out. Collapsing just restricts flow. Stretching allows it to rip and then release all the accumulated contaminants to flow through to where they were stopped from in the first place.

black · Jun 22, 2015

Not sure on the flow direction , but I fram filters in their original boxes and they are fine ---must be the cardboard absorbing the moisture .

DeltaRed · Jun 22, 2015

I'm pretty sure oil flows from the outside to the inside.Pretty easy to find out.Turn the engine 1 or two revolutions with the filter off.Do not start it!Observe the flow.

D beatty · Jun 22, 2015

Photo of oil flow.

dr sportster · Jun 22, 2015

My friend just got a whole bunch like that from an auto parts store with a leaky roof. He said make sure you shake them and if you hear anything [some have loose crud] toss it. The ones with the surface rust he will use.

Texasmark1 · Jun 22, 2015

Hadn't thought of that but agree.

Ray UK · Jun 23, 2015

Here is a thought,

A filter is at it's most efficient state just before the bypass valve opens!

Oil Filters

super99

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Ray UK

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Texasmark1

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Paul Janke

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black

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DeltaRed

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D beatty

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dr sportster

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Texasmark1

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Ray UK

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