Typically, the cap of the filter housing is made of plastic and seals via an elastomer O-ring, which needs to be replaced each time the cap is removed. Oil filter cartridge elements typically consist of: • A resin impregnated and cured cellulose based filter media. • Plastic endcaps with an integrated seal between the dirty and clean side of the filter. • Some pleat stabilizing features that strengthen the structural integrity of the filter under those harsh engine operating conditions, which include cold starts and pulsing when accelerating. Often, the oil filter is blamed for an engine failure due to oil starvation. In most cases, there is another cause. All oil filter systems – whether modules with oil filter cartridges or spinon oil filters – have bypass valves, which ensure oil flows to the engine under all circumstances even though bypassing the filter media. Bypass valves are set to a certain oil pressure and open up when this setpoint is exceeded, allowing the oil to flow straight back towards the engine without filtration. This situation can frequently happen for a short period time, in the case of extreme cold temperatures where the engine oil becomes extremely viscous, for example. Once the engine warms up, typically after a few minutes, the oil becomes less viscous and the bypass pressure closes, forcing the oil through the filter media where all contaminants are caught to protect the engine. In the case of a plugged filter media due to neglected maintenance or other contaminants, the bypass valve opens and ensures oil flow to the engine. As always, it is critical to follow the maintenance schedule and change the oil and filter accordingly to protect your investment into a machine, truck or equipment with a highly developed combustion engine. Matthias Stegmueller is the director of aftermarket North America for Hengst of North America, part of Hengst Automotive (http://hengst.com). The company is an international development partner and OEM supplier in the array of filtration and fluid management to the automotive and engine industry. VehicleServicePros.com/10122984 Lubrication | IT IS CRITICAL to follow maintenenace schedules.
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