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Oil filter:
The oil filter’s task is to remove contaminants from the oil. Dirt particles larger than 5µm (0.005mm) remain trapped in the paper filter element. By filtering the oil, the engine will have a longer service life, because dirt particles such as metal and carbon particles can damage the components inside the engine. The oil filter must therefore be replaced periodically. This almost always happens together with changing the engine oil. This usually takes place between 15,000 and 30,000 km and every 1 or 2 years.
There are various types of oil filters. In the images below, two different oil filters are shown.
Spin-on filter: This is a commonly used oil filter. It consists of a metal housing with a paper filter element inside it. During a service, the entire filter is replaced, including the metal housing.
If too many dirt particles are present in the paper filter element, the filter may become clogged. Possible causes are severe engine contamination due to driving too long with old engine oil, or driving too long with an old oil filter. To prevent the entire oil supply to the engine from being blocked, the pressure relief valve will open against the spring tension. At that moment, the oil no longer flows through the paper filter element, but exits the filter housing directly. The oil is thus no longer filtered and dirt particles will be circulated through the engine.
Replaceable filter element: The replaceable filter element is located under a screw cap in the engine. This cap can be made of metal or plastic and often needs to be loosened with a special oil filter socket. During a service, only this paper filter element is replaced, and not the entire metal filter housing with pressure relief valve etc.
In the image below, this type of oil filter has been disassembled. The paper filter element can be unclipped from the plastic cap, after which the new one can be clipped in. Never forget to replace the rubber ring on this cap and lightly lubricate it with oil before reinstalling the filter. If the rubber ring is not lubricated, it may tear during installation.
This type of oil filter is often mounted on the top side of the engine. It is therefore important to loosen this first before draining the engine oil. A considerable amount of oil will still flow down into the sump when the filter is loosened. There is a valve in the oil filter housing which ensures that the oil filter does not drain when the engine is switched off. Otherwise, it would mean that every time the engine is started, there would be no oil pressure for a few seconds. For this reason, the filter always remains filled. So always loosen the oil filter first, preferably remove it, and only then drain the oil.
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