Stop Worrying about OIL BRAND... This Matters MORE -The Motor Oil Geek

[champ_white_FL5]

Dirty oil is bad oil. It doesn’t matter if the oil is synthetic or conventional, when your oil is dirty, wear is higher. As an oil analyst, I can tell you that we often see high cylinder wear (Iron, Chromium and Aluminum) when there is a high level of dirt (Silicon) in the oil. Because cleanliness is critical to engine health, let’s dig into the SCIENCE of filtration.

What intake/air filter do you run? It's been said that the best oil filter is your engine air filter. At least in terms of keeping dirt out of the oil.

That said, I've been using OEM oil filters and the PRL intake for about 15k miles and all my UOA's have come back clean with minimal wear/silicon.

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[zumbooruk]

What intake/air filter do you run? It's been said that the best oil filter is your engine air filter. At least in terms of keeping dirt out of the oil.

That said, I've been using OEM oil filters and the PRL intake for about 15k miles and all my UOA's have come back clean with minimal wear/silicon.

Thanks, I did not consider air intake as affecting oil cleanliness, darn, one more thing for me to worry about...

How would dust/sand particles in the combustion chamber make it into the oil? I guess blowing past the rings? but wouldn't the oil filter then trap these particles?

I used the OEM intake/filter for about 8k miles, now COBB intake with the COBB filter

 

[champ_white_FL5]

Thanks, I did not consider air intake as affecting oil cleanliness, darn, one more thing for me to worry about...

How would dust/sand particles in the combustion chamber make it into the oil? I guess blowing past the rings? but wouldn't the oil filter then trap these particles?

I used the OEM intake/filter for about 8k miles, now COBB intake with the COBB filter

I believe any particles that get through an air filter will be too small to be caught by an oil filter, but don't quote me on that.

My main concern with air filtration is mostly top end/turbo wear rather than bottom end wear. I don't think turbo or valve train wear would be caught by a UOA.

 

[zumbooruk]

I believe any particles that get through an air filter will be too small to be caught by an oil filter, but don't quote me on that.

My main concern with air filtration is mostly top end/turbo wear rather than bottom end wear. I don't think turbo or valve train wear would be caught by a UOA.

Quick research shows that disposable paper air filters (similar to OEM) will catch smaller particles, so that those that go through will not be caught by an oil filter, but also will not cause much damage since they are so small.

However, reusable oiled cotton filters allow larger particle, in the 10-15 micrometer range, to pass through, and these can cause most damage when mixed in the oil.

As for as top end/turbo wear, I have not researched it yet...

 

[champ_white_FL5]

Quick research shows that disposable paper air filters (similar to OEM) will catch smaller particles, so that those that go through will not be caught by an oil filter, but also will not cause much damage since they are so small.

However, reusable oiled cotton filters allow larger particle, in the 10-15 micrometer range, to pass through, and these can cause most damage when mixed in the oil.

As for as top end/turbo wear, I have not researched it yet...

Yeah the reusable oiled cotton filters suck in terms of filtration compared to paper. But as I said above my UOA's have been excellent using the PRL HVI, and I do live in a pretty dusty environment.

As for turbo wear, a lot of the turbo diesel guys have discussed it at length on various forums with pitting and eroding of the compressor wheel. Not much information on top end wear though, unfortunately.

I'm hoping a lot of this is just theoretical wear that only occurs in extreme situations rather than the norm for people using aftermarket intakes/filters. Sorry for opening up this can of worms on you...

 

[zumbooruk]

Sorry for opening up this can of worms on you...

No need to apologize, I love learning and gaining knowledge, so I can be aware and proactive if needed.

 

[Cueyo]

First the oil filters, the. The fuel filters, now air filters

As for turbo wear, a lot of the turbo diesel guys have discussed it at length on various forums with pitting and eroding of the compressor wheel. Not much information on top end wear though, unfortunately.

I don't know how much more applicable this is to a higher-strung engine where the turbo makes power higher up in the rpm range? I ask that as a question since my understanding is that turbo diesels operate primarily in the lower rpms and are intended to help cram that air into the intake manifold to help the combustion of the diesel - unlike a gasoline engine that has a heavy reliance on spark and not pressure. Would worse filtering filters actually make their way to the turbo in the same way? I'm a little confused on the reasoning since I'm not as aware about diesel operation.

 

[champ_white_FL5]

First the oil filters, the. The fuel filters, now air filters


I don't know how much more applicable this is to a higher-strung engine where the turbo makes power higher up in the rpm range? I ask that as a question since my understanding is that turbo diesels operate primarily in the lower rpms and are intended to help cram that air into the intake manifold to help the combustion of the diesel - unlike a gasoline engine that has a heavy reliance on spark and not pressure. Would worse filtering filters actually make their way to the turbo in the same way? I'm a little confused on the reasoning since I'm not as aware about diesel operation.

I think this topic is more relevant in the diesel community considering the conditions they operate in, and like you said the crazy amount of air flow turbo diesels flow.

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