The oil filter's main role is to clean the oil of destructive contaminants in mechanical systems like the engine, transmission, hydraulic systems and other systems that depend on lubrication. If contaminants are not removed from the oil, they can accumulate quite quickly on the surfaces of cylinder walls, inside bearings, pistons, crankshaft and other vital parts. After a while, these contaminants begin to scratch the metal at friction points.
In the early days of automobiles, engines were subject to constant breakdowns. Going a few hundred kilometers without an overhaul was an achievement. The reason for this was not the primitive design of the engines, but more the lack of filtration systems. Dust and particles of decomposition were getting into the engine and destroying it. The situation improved in the 1920s, when filters were first installed. This was initiated by the "Purolator" (Pure OilLater) oil filter, invented in 1922 by Ernest Sweetland. Mileage between overhauls began to be counted in thousands of kilometers. And since then, the oil filter has been an indispensable part of every internal combustion engine.
Most often, the oil filter comes in the form of a metal can. Inside, in the housing you will find a paper filter cartridge, it is arranged in an accordion (as in air filters), so the filtering surface can be larger. Another component of the filter is the valves. The anti-return one prevents dirty oil from backing up into the sump when the engine is turned off. The through-valve, which is designed to unblock the flow of oil when the risk of too little lubrication of engine components arises, in some filters there is also an eco-valve - it works similarly to the check valve, the difference is in its location, the eco-valve is installed on the cleaner side of the filter. Thanks to it, there is oil in the filter all the time, eliminating the risk of dry friction when starting the vehicle. In addition, it prevents oil from spilling out during oil changes - a nod to the environment, hence its name.
For centuries there have been two types of oil filters, a paper filter and a metal filter.
The most popular oil filters are HifloFiltro oil filters.
In a paper filter, the filter element is made of corrugated paper, which does not degrade under high temperatures and is resistant to gasoline oils. It is a fine filter, i.e. the oil passes through a sufficiently thick paper. The flow of oil is not impeded, while suspended dust and metal shavings are perfectly filtered. The gearbox works "metal against metal," as do all transmissions, not to mention clutch discs. Hence all those contaminants that are filtered just by the oil filter and settle between the ribs of the notched cartridge. However, this filter has its drawbacks.... It is disposable, meaning that it needs to be replaced every time the oil is changed. If you start the engine in the cold, the first trouble will be that the oil, which is too thick from the cold, will not pass in the right amount to the cylinder head and other assemblies. As a result, the engine will initially run dry.
A metal filter, on the other hand, if you compare it with a paper filter, its filtration capacity is slightly lower, but heavy paper filters better than a metal mesh. The paper filter has ribs in which dirt is deposited, the metal filter unfortunately has no such holding ribs. A definite plus is that the filter can be maintained, you can simply flush it with gasoline at an oil change, or even better, blow it out with a compressor and it will be fit for further use. As for the operation in winter, it is flawless. Oil passes through the metal mesh with ease, and there are no problems with the passage of oil to lubricate the working parts of the engine.
One cannot unanimously decide which filter is worse and which is better, one will perform well during warm seasons, but will be worse in winter. Hence the conclusion that as long as it is warm outside, we use a paper filter, and if we are going to drive seriously in the winter, we use a metal one:)
The oil filter in a motorcycle is often replaced at the same time as the oil change. Many motorcycle owners perform this procedure in the spring, before the start of the season. If this is not done regularly, the filtering of contaminants in the oil deteriorates and there is a risk of them getting into the cylinder.
Each vehicle's service book contains information on recommended oil and filter change intervals. It's also worth keeping in mind the engine's horsepower and running time (mot-hours).
It is indispensable to have an oil filter change service sticker to record the mileage and date when the filter and oil were changed.