Ad Widget

Collapse

Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.
This is a sticky topic.
X
X

Oil Filters, a look inside

Collapse
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Oil Filters, a look inside

    So Teddy and I decided to look inside oil filters.. Right Teddy?

    Oil filters are pretty important and there is some data on other sites:
    http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/FilterStudy.html (Thanks Wild Bill)
    http://maximum-suzuki.com/html/revie...ilfilters.html (Thanks Mick M)
    http://www.leroybeal.net/motorcycles...520exposed.pdf (Thanks Katman05)
    http://www.hsperformanceparts.com/ (Thanks Gytrdunkat)

    Teddy is very experienced in the parts world as well as a long time member here and someone I trust..
    I have 25 odd years (some more odd than others) in engineering, research and development, part testing, wrenching and over all wise-guyery..
    Sure the above web sites have done, or claimed to have done this. But some of that information Pre-dates Katriders. Some filters may have gotten better, some may have gotten worse. None of the websites have very good pictures. Besides, who are you going to trust? Some faceless impersonal website, or Teddy and I?!?!? Besides, we get to break stuff and then show it off..

    Here is how an oil filter works:


    Oil enters the filter housing through the outside ring (the series of holes seen in pic #3).
    The oil gets filtered by the element (green part) then leaves through the center hole.
    If the element gets clogged the over pressure bypass opens (black plug at the top) allowing dirty oil to bypass the filter.
    Dirty oil is better than no oil. The element is sealed at the top and bottom by the (blue) element seals. These are important as you don't want oil to bypass the filter unless it is clogged. The quality of the sealing parts as well as the spring pressure of the bypass are worth noting..



    Pic #1 I have this Fram filter I paid under $3 for at Wally-World..




    Sorry, time for a new camera I think...

    Pic #3 Here is the business end:


    Pic #4 It was remarkably easy to open..



    We'll be back with more after this commercial break...

    OK welcome back. Let's continue our dissection of oil filters..
    Pic #5 Once I cut the rim off with tin snips:


    Pic # 6 It was easy to get to the guts:


    Pic #7 I'm not liking what I'm seeing... This piece looks nice, sturdy, well welded, but what is all that dusty stuff?



    Mmmmm paper.. and lots of it. The pleating is glued to the ends.
    Doesn't look too sturdy,





    I might try and heat some oil, just to see if the rumor this glue lets go at the same temp as the oil in our bikes could get (200 degrees+)..
    But that is for a later day..

    NOTES:
    While the exterior, the "can" the flange and the main seal, all look very good as well as the bottom element seal (large rubber flange in pic #7). The most important part, the filter element, is crap. The blow by assembly is a bit suspect, there is no rubber seal and the spring is pretty stiff. Either the blow by isn't going to be effective or the lack of a seal will allow oil to bypass the filter element. Also the element ends are paper so the effectiveness of the top and bottom seals is suspect. Dirty oil could get past these seal areas pretty easily in my opinion.

    After I drain the Kat I'll dissect the one I have on it.
    Last edited by Black_peter; 03-26-2010, 01:13 PM.

  • #2
    I run a magnet on the outside of mine
    Opened the first one to check and nearly cut my finger off in the process
    Still use the magnet, but dont look anymore
    Blood , its in you to give! http://www.blood.ca/

    Comment


    • #3
      Check it out: http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/FilterStudy.html
      ...and nobody visits the emergency room!
      Wherever you go... There you are!

      17 Inch Wheel Conversion
      HID Projector Retrofit

      Comment


      • #4
        oops sorry guys, Teddy and I only...

        Sure all those other sites are nice, but I don't like the poor pics..

        Comment


        • #5
          well, to add a little sanity... I think that someone might have mentioned some of the research on that other site is close to 5 years old now.
          -Steve


          sigpic
          Welcome to KatRiders.com! Click here to register
          Don't forget to check the Wiki! http://katriders.com/wiki

          Comment


          • #6
            Disection of a NAPA PS1359 powersports filter...the one for all 600 and 750 kats....I'll let the pics do the talking...just an overall better built filter when compared to the fram unit...I'm curious about the OEM filter though...
            Attached Files


            Help Support Katriders.com via Motorcyclegear.com

            Originally posted by EmpiGTV
            You know why you shouldn't hold in your farts? Because they'll travel up your spine and into your brain. That's where shitty ideas come from.

            Comment


            • #7
              OK next on the list is the HIFLOFILTRO
              No I did not make that up... This filter was purchased at my local bike shop.

              Opened up like a can of tuna..


              The can is the same quality as the Fram. I suspect that might be consistent all the was 'round here.. However the flange is much better quality.
              Threaded section was heavier and all around "look" was of a higher quality part.


              Finally the filter, a lot more pleats. The more pleats the more surface area, more surface area better flow and more space for dirt. Also notice the metal end plates with flanges. The bypass valve is built into the top of the filter element. Also notice how much more adhesive is used.



              My conclusion is that even though this is a store brand type filter it is much much better than the Fram.

              Comment


              • #8
                Oh! Oh! Can I play too???

                I counted 59 pleats on the filter material... and it's glued to the top and bottom of the insides.

















                -Steve


                sigpic
                Welcome to KatRiders.com! Click here to register
                Don't forget to check the Wiki! http://katriders.com/wiki

                Comment


                • #9
                  Wow, close one.. I'm thinking the Suzuki and the NAPA are really close..

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    It looks like the NAPA cartridge or whatever is physically shorter.... or maybe I'm just seeing it wrong?
                    -Steve


                    sigpic
                    Welcome to KatRiders.com! Click here to register
                    Don't forget to check the Wiki! http://katriders.com/wiki

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      OK that is 4 filters,
                      Fram the Loser a under $3
                      HIFLOFILTRO HF138 around $8
                      NAPA PS1359 $9.50
                      Suzuki. $12~ (Steve?)

                      The NAPA wins on price vs quality, that's for sure.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Um. I think I bought that filter from CP as a blow out deal... no idea what I paid for it... I've just been giving them away to needy bikes.
                        -Steve


                        sigpic
                        Welcome to KatRiders.com! Click here to register
                        Don't forget to check the Wiki! http://katriders.com/wiki

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          The only thing I notice about the OEM filter is the lack of an anti drain-back valve....maybe I can't see it in the pics very well....


                          Help Support Katriders.com via Motorcyclegear.com

                          Originally posted by EmpiGTV
                          You know why you shouldn't hold in your farts? Because they'll travel up your spine and into your brain. That's where shitty ideas come from.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by teddy View Post
                            The only thing I notice about the OEM filter is the lack of an anti drain-back valve....maybe I can't see it in the pics very well....
                            It is built into the top of the filter..
                            Pic #14 (right before Steve tears it apart)
                            That white button is the bypass. The Superhappyfuntimefilter I took apart is the same design..

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              yep, see it now...shoulda opened up the pictures a little larger i suppose...


                              Help Support Katriders.com via Motorcyclegear.com

                              Originally posted by EmpiGTV
                              You know why you shouldn't hold in your farts? Because they'll travel up your spine and into your brain. That's where shitty ideas come from.

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X