Attn: GregP Oil filter bypass issue

[MACDAD260]

GregP, I want to set the record straight to you and everyone else on the board that read the post from Waterfoul regarding the oil filter bypass question. YOU are correct. The Chevy filters do not have a built-in bypass as filters do for many other makes. That is because they don't need them, they are installed in the engine as delivered from the factory. Since you brought up some valid points of disagreement I did some more research on this subject. I originally became interested in this from reading a lot of posts here on the the subject. I started reading Oil Filter Catalogs, Wix, AC and some others. I now realize that their information is pretty general and does not get specific regarding filters for one brand or another. All it usually says is that an oil bypass is installed in the filters as needed. I assumed that the spring at the bottom of the filter was to allow the element to move and thus, bypass the oil if it could not flow through the element. I was wrong. The spring is there to hold the element against the top of the filter so oil CAN'T bypass the element. The real bypass, when used, is a separate part in the bottom of the element to allow oil to return to the engine without going through the element.

Greg, thanks for holding my feet to the fire on this. I have learned the truth about filters because of it and hopefully it will help others as well.

BTW. According to the Wix catalog, their non-racing filters have a
paper element. Probably not the best thing for a boat.

Now, can someone explain why Fram filters get bashed here a lot? Who likes them and who doesn't and why?

See ya, Doug

[TomR]

I use Fram filters, change every 10 to 15 hrs, never had a problem!!

[GregP]

MACDAD260 - No problem. I spent a LOT of time tracking down my filter problems, just hope no one else has to go through the same thing.

-Greg