Why have manufacturers gone back to cartridge oil filters ?
Discussion
When I was a small boy, my dad changed the oil filter on the old 1256 HC Viva, it was a cartridge type in a housing. Every car the family and I had since until recently, used the disposable spin on filter. Last few years I've noticed they're back to using a cartridge in an housing. All BMs, Audis, Pork, Even diesel Vauxhall.
Higher oil pressure ? Cost ? Element material ? Exploiting the owners ? Longer service time ? More filter material in a given space ?
Filters for Sierra Cosworth (spin on disposable) still about 8. Vivaro (genuine cartridge) 24. VAG 4.2 diesel 17.
Why ?
Higher oil pressure ? Cost ? Element material ? Exploiting the owners ? Longer service time ? More filter material in a given space ?
Filters for Sierra Cosworth (spin on disposable) still about 8. Vivaro (genuine cartridge) 24. VAG 4.2 diesel 17.
Why ?
My company vehicle has both. The engine and fuel filters are spin on all of the others (and there are loads) are cartridges, air filter, emergency air filter, cab filter, high pressure hydraulic filter, return hydraulic filter various hydraulic breather filters and transmission filter are all cartridges.
Filter companies save on the price of steel for the canisters and production costs involved.
Biggest problem I see is with a cartridge filter you don't know it's condition when viewing a car you take sellers word on its last change,at least with screw on filter you have a fair idea how long it's been on they tend to rust around edge after a while,
Biggest problem I see is with a cartridge filter you don't know it's condition when viewing a car you take sellers word on its last change,at least with screw on filter you have a fair idea how long it's been on they tend to rust around edge after a while,
Toaster Pilot said:
Cartridge filters are 10000x easier to remove with the right tools (euro car parts sell a set of sockets for about 20) than messing around with spin on ones and a chain wrench!
easy way to get an old filter of without any special tools, bang a screwdriver through the middle when you have drained the engine of oil. then turn it with the screw driver.getting one on, well the ones i have used have a bit to tighten it up with a wrench
Toaster Pilot said:
Cartridge filters are 10000x easier to remove with the right tools (euro car parts sell a set of sockets for about 20) than messing around with spin on ones and a chain wrench!
Not noticed a massive difference in cost either
If you need a chain wrench to take it off then whoever put it on did it wrong, at least with every car I've owned and/or worked on.Not noticed a massive difference in cost either
Some people do massively overtighten them, but there is really no need to.
Edited by GravelBen on Friday 23 May 01:58
I thought the return to cartridge filters was due to recycling laws, ie keeping metal and paper separate but, thinking about it why do manufacturers change anything?
Answer - to save money is my guess.
My brother runs an independent garage and says that it is common for cartridge filters to have collapsed, often making the oil light flicker. Citroen Picasso and Corsas being particularly prone, even using genuine parts.
I did suspect this was down to delayed servicing but last time I changed my BMW filter it crumbled when trying to remove it, despite being a genuine part and not that old.
Answer - to save money is my guess.
My brother runs an independent garage and says that it is common for cartridge filters to have collapsed, often making the oil light flicker. Citroen Picasso and Corsas being particularly prone, even using genuine parts.
I did suspect this was down to delayed servicing but last time I changed my BMW filter it crumbled when trying to remove it, despite being a genuine part and not that old.
3 reasons:
1: Cost (as you don't throw away the housing each time, you only have to pay for the paper element
2: Re-cyclability (no metal to re-cycle seperately)
3: Easy of change (allows "up top" servicing", without dribbling oil all over that shiny, expensively tiled, dealers workshop floor ;-)
1: Cost (as you don't throw away the housing each time, you only have to pay for the paper element
2: Re-cyclability (no metal to re-cycle seperately)
3: Easy of change (allows "up top" servicing", without dribbling oil all over that shiny, expensively tiled, dealers workshop floor ;-)
4G63T said:
Toaster Pilot said:
Cartridge filters are 10000x easier to remove with the right tools (euro car parts sell a set of sockets for about 20) than messing around with spin on ones and a chain wrench!
easy way to get an old filter of without any special tools, bang a screwdriver through the middle when you have drained the engine of oil. then turn it with the screw driver.Triumph Man said:
Wouldn't do that, if it transpires you've got the wrong filter, you are sans car to go and get another! If you remove it properly, the worst case is you put it back and can drive to get another.
Agree but the world is full of sadists who over tighten these on a regular basis. Even using the correct tool I've ended up crushing the housing getting them off because they were so tight.I've changed lots of filters and never had any bother with one I've put back on hand tight.
GravelBen said:
If you need a chain wrench to take it off then whoever put it on did it wrong, at least with every car I've owned and/or worked on.
Some people do massively overtighten them, but there is really no need to.
+1 Stick some fresh oil on the rubber seal with your finger before fitting the new one too.Some people do massively overtighten them, but there is really no need to.
GravelBen said:
If you need a chain wrench to take it off then whoever put it on did it wrong, at least with every car I've owned and/or worked on.
Some people do massively overtighten them, but there is really no need to.
Every car I've ever worked on has had the filter on stupidly tight, so there must be a lot of people that don't put them on properly!Some people do massively overtighten them, but there is really no need to.
Edited by GravelBen on Friday 23 May 01:58
TheAngryDog said:
I dont see the issue. My last 3 cars including my current one are all paper filter ones. Ive had no failure issues. It can be a little bit more messy as getting the element out of the housing means it drips, but if you remove it while holding a bag.
On all modern "top service" cars with cartridge filters, you unscrew the top about 75% of the way, and this opens up an internal "drain" hole back to the sump. Then you go do the air/cabin filters etc for about 5 to 10mins whilst it drains, then you go back and remove the oil filter straight into a bag. No drips, no mess!Max_Torque said:
TheAngryDog said:
I dont see the issue. My last 3 cars including my current one are all paper filter ones. Ive had no failure issues. It can be a little bit more messy as getting the element out of the housing means it drips, but if you remove it while holding a bag.
On all modern "top service" cars with cartridge filters, you unscrew the top about 75% of the way, and this opens up an internal "drain" hole back to the sump. Then you go do the air/cabin filters etc for about 5 to 10mins whilst it drains, then you go back and remove the oil filter straight into a bag. No drips, no mess!
the filter still wanted to drop oil so managed to get it in a bag.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff