Micron Ratings of Oil Filters - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

R Leo · #1 05-02-2003, 02:19 PM

I was researching the micron ratings of oil filters and came across this disturbing information on the WIX filter site (http://www.wixfilters.com/productin...oilfilters.html):

"Particle size retention is the measure of the degree to which the filter can retain particles of various sizes. Wix has developed optimum particle size retention quality in filter media by extensive engine wear tests including exhaustive testing of filters used in racing, and sophisticated laboratory tests. Wix media in the automotive full-flow oil filter is able to trap and hold essentially all the contaminant particles larger than 25 microns. (A human hair measures approximately 70 microns in diameter. An object that is 1 micron in size is .000039 inches in diameter.) Our filters also capture a high percentage of even smaller particles."

ONLY 25 microns? And WIX is supposedly one of the better filter manufacturers. I was expecting something on the order of 5-10 microns for lube oil filtration.

Anyone have any other filter specs?

Regards all,
R Leo

Brad123D · #2 05-02-2003, 04:11 PM

Leo,
I think you will need to go to a bypass filter to get down to that level of filtration. I know Mercedes(616 and 617's etc.) actually has a bypass filter(The upper part of the cartridge) built into their system, but I would like to know what micron rating it goes to and how effective it is. Anyone have any specs. ?
If you want serious filtration you may want to check out "Oilguard" and "Filtration Solutions" web sites. I've seen a demo of the FS filter and it is amazing. They cost approx. $400+ and the filters are about $23 each. I plan on getting an Oilguard system, they are more reasonably priced.

rwthomas1 · #3 05-02-2003, 08:07 PM

25 microns is about right for a good or "premium" filter. The cheaper ones go about 40 microns. I had a feeling that the 616-617 filters were a two-stage bypass design. That alone may be the reason the engines last so long. Oilguard, etc. claim to be able to filter down to the 1-2 micron range with their bypass filters. I am inclined to believe them. The problem is that soot in submicronic and there isn't a filter made that I am aware of that will remove it. Quality oils suspend the soot and have additive packages to keep the soot from "agglomerating" or sticking together to form larger particles. Thats why its so important to either perform frequent oil changes or oil analysis to be sure there isn't excess soot in your oil. Considering the design of the MB oil filter system and the longevity of these engines this is an area where it would be hard to beat the MB system. Sure an extra bypass filter system may make the engine last a million miles or more but will the chassis be there (and not rotted away) to see it? I go with Larry Bibles method here as he has engines last quite a long time: Change it hot and often! RT

coachgeo · #4 05-02-2003, 08:38 PM

I have read several claims, NOT made by the manufacturer that say the spendy TP type oil filters for sure remove the soot.

Think I actually read that here too. do a search

#5 05-03-2003, 09:19 PM

Remember that the finer the micron size, the more oil bypasses the filter on cold starts. Also, soot while in suspension is not detrimental to bearings. A Glacier centrifugal filter will remove very small particles but a lot of oil is bypassed back to the sump.

Redpeople · #6 12-16-2015, 11:59 PM

Um, this is a 12 year old thread that seems to have been revived by some sort of spambot (but maybe I'm wrong on that ).

charmalu · #7 12-17-2015, 12:53 AM

Yeah I think you are right.

I noticed RLeo posted this and thought he was back again, then noticed it was from back in 03.
Kind of a strange answer the new poster gave, and his signature was a give away. Whats he peddling?

has 5 posts and all are from the past. 07, 07, 03, 08 04 and in various forums.

The same interested me!
This is very nice and cool post tahsnk for this ..........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That was an really impressive posts and i like that.
This is very nice and cool story tahsnk for this ..........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for good communication.

__________________

Some strange answers to each post.

Time to put a fork in it.

Charlie

__________________

Diesel911 · #8 12-17-2015, 02:07 PM

[QUOTE=R Leo;393173]I was researching the micron ratings of oil filters and came across this disturbing information on the WIX filter site (http://www.wixfilters.com/productin...oilfilters.html):

"Particle size retention is the measure of the degree to which the filter can retain particles of various sizes. Wix has developed optimum particle size retention quality in filter media by extensive engine wear tests including exhaustive testing of filters used in racing, and sophisticated laboratory tests. Wix media in the automotive full-flow oil filter is able to trap and hold essentially all the contaminant particles larger than 25 microns. (A human hair measures approximately 70 microns in diameter. An object that is 1 micron in size is .000039 inches in diameter.) Our filters also capture a high percentage of even smaller particles."

Which vehicle of engine are you speaking of. There is 2 extensive Oil Filter threads on 617.952 Oil Filters.
I don't know if this is all of them:
Oil Filter Microns
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/308328-micron-rating-diesel-engine-oil-filters.html#post2828497
Oil Filter thread has some links
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/308328-micron-rating-diesel-engine-oil-filters.html

Oil Filter Quality - Hengst reply
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/forumdisplay.php?f=15

Sub-par Quality Oil Filters

Purolator (35 micron) Oil Filter Babble
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=252734&highlight=Hengst

I currently have a Frantz bypass Oil Filter on my Car and that takes care of better Oil Filtration.
Bypass Oil Filter Setup, 617.952 Diesel911
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=215593&highlight=Bypass+Oil+Filter+Setup%2C+617.952

Also Filter rated in Nominal Microns filter out 50% of the specified sized Particles.
Look up the Nominal Micron rating and Beta Rating system.

Diesel911 · #9 12-17-2015, 02:10 PM

For the 617.952 Engine the Baldwin P102 and the Hastings Hastings LF380 are the same Oil Filter but the Hastings is uaually cheaper. Hastings and Baldwin are parts of the same company.

Oil Filter Thread showing Man Filter and pic with micron of filtration at %50 and so on
Post 35 has info on the EABP90 microns of filtration Post 55 has the Baldwin P102 Micron rating It has my Oil Pressure gauge pic in post 64
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/200877-oem-oil-filtration-efficiency-50%25@27-99%25@50.html
When I Emailed Baldwin Filters concerning the Micron Ratings they Claimed: the Full Flow (small lower) section to be 18microns and the by-pass at 15 microns.

OM617YOTA · #10 12-17-2015, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel911

For the 617.952 Engine the Baldwin P102 and the Hastings Hastings LF380 are the same Oil Filter but the Hastings is uaually cheaper. Hastings and Baldwin are parts of the same company.

These are what I use. After cutting apart Hengst and Mahle filters with a can opener, I didn't feel comfortable continuing to use them. Silly I'm sure as millions of engines use that filter and have covered billions of miles without an oil filter induced failure. I have no concerns about the Baldwin/Hastings filter.

dkveuro · #11 12-17-2015, 06:48 PM

Some years ago, ( 1950s ? ) George Puia of Ford ran a test with and without a filter on an engine . At the time the VW bug engine had no oil filter just a coarse screen under the oil pick up tube.

With and without filtration were in the order of 60 % reduced wear and 90% (?) reduced wear of the piston ring package.

The VW engine was expected to get around 80,000 miles with no filtration of the oil but I saw many in the 1980's with 120,000 miles plus although engine needed replacing.

Lifter bores and lifter faces suffered the most wear on VW T1 engines.

SAE papers have reported 5 to 10 micron particles cause the most wear so a by pass filtration system would be beneficial IIRC a trucker running O/R had 200,000 miles on his oil with an expensive oil polishing kit on his rig.

.

97 SL320 · #12 12-17-2015, 06:47 PM

Can you be more specific and post pics of what you don't like about Hensgt and Mahle? Also, are you sure you didn't get bootleg filters in a name brand package?

Both companies are OE on many cars.

OM617YOTA · #13 12-17-2015, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

Can you be more specific and post pics of what you don't like about Hensgt and Mahle? Also, are you sure you didn't get bootleg filters in a name brand package?

Both companies are OE on many cars.

There are pictures in one of the oil filter war threads. They both had the cotton-field-mowings in the bypass section, complete with dirt, bug carcasses, and small rocks. This didn't bother me too much, what did bother me was that there were not enough precautions taken to keep all that stuff from being washed into the engine. I realize that the oil goes through the full flow filter before going on to the engine, but it has to go through the oil pump before it gets to the filter.

I don't want dirt, rocks, bug carcasses, etc going through my oil pump.

Filters were purchased from a reputable supplier, and others had taken apart their filters and found similar things.

Diesel911 · #14 12-17-2015, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

Can you be more specific and post pics of what you don't like about Hensgt and Mahle? Also, are you sure you didn't get bootleg filters in a name brand package?

Both companies are OE on many cars.

I am not sure I posted the threads on them but the issue with the Bypass Section of the stock type Filters is that none of the Filter Companies have any idea what level of filtration resutes from it.

Next is the Cotton Waste Filling in the Bypass Section of the Oil Filter varies quite a bite between makers. Some have a lot of Cotton and others have about 1/3 other junk besides Cotton. Some of the Filter have the Cotton Waste packed tight in others it is kind of loose.

If you can locate the threads there is pics of the stuff that is inside of them.
I am not sure what pics I have avaliable but will try to find one just as an general example.

mannys9130 · #15 12-17-2015, 08:55 PM

In my Mann filter, there is cotton in the bypass but it is well contained within filter paper/cloth that surrounds the whole bypass section. I never find any of that material in the full flow section, and I didn't find any in the lifter oil galleries or the lifters themselves. I conclude, that the cotton waste doesn't ever enter the engine since it isn't caught in the full flow section or the smallest lowest flow galleries and parts within the oil system.