Oil filters

[markspark7]

Thanks for the reply. This confirms my thought that some (not all) OEM filters are proprietary.

Yes but this is down to the thread on the tap plate itself and nothing else. The body material, end cap, retainer plate, spiral wound inner core and the pleated materials will all be identical, its the threads that are roll formed (not cut) that are proprietary, although these can still be copied by non OEM's . If the filter doesn't spin freely when applying it to the engine, chances are is a copy /non oem.

 

[lynallbel]

Read the other day, apparently there are now loads of fake filters around, Mann and others have released docs/info on what to look for.

 

[Moodysailor]

Yes but this is down to the thread on the tap plate itself and nothing else. The body material, end cap, retainer plate, spiral wound inner core and the pleated materials will all be identical, its the threads that are roll formed (not cut) that are proprietary, although these can still be copied by non OEM's . If the filter doesn't spin freely when applying it to the engine, chances are is a copy /non oem.

I have removed several different filters over the years that were non-OEM, but reputable brands in their own right that had different tap plates. So definitely not made to the OEM design or spec.

It is fairly arbitrary as it does not conclude one way or another if the filters in question are good, bad or indifferent. It does support my long-held view that it is not always fair to compare OEM parts with non-OEM as there can be some differences, and we don't always know on first glance if those differences are significant or meaningless.

Thank you for your valued input ?

 

[NormanS]

Why is it that if engine makers are so particular about their filters, they can't design the installation so that oil spillage can be avoided when changing them? Mine and I expect many others are installed at 45°, so that it is impossible to change without getting oil all over the place.
The old Gardner, to which I referred earlier, had a drain plug on the base of the assembly.

 

[Moodysailor]

Why is it that if engine makers are so particular about their filters, they can't design the installation so that oil spillage can be avoided when changing them? Mine and I expect many others are installed at 45°, so that it is impossible to change without getting oil all over the place.
The old Gardner, to which I referred earlier, had a drain plug on the base of the assembly.

I fully get the frustration.

The reality is that most marine engines are variants of engines used for industrial, commercial and / or automotive applications. In a lot of these cases, access to service items is easier and therefore sliding a drain pan under the engine is no issue. Speed and low cost are the driving factors.

Using VP as one example, when they designed their own 100% marine engines (the D4 & D6 range), easy access to the oil filters was a primary consideration and as a result these are easy to get to from most engine bays. The oil filters are mounted open-end down, but the OEM filters have a valve in them which seals off and prevents all but minimal leaks when changing (non-OEM filters often do not have this valve, as I have found out on many frustrating occasions..)

A number of engine makers produce remote oil filter kits for marine applications, however the reality with OEMs (boatbuilders) is that, once again, cost is king so the 'nice to have' options such as these are often dropped in order to preserve the all-important profit margin... but these can be retrofitted, so it may be worth looking into for your own needs (especially if anyone is doing a repower and buying the engine themselves).

 

[Beneteau381]

The oil filter on my previous boat, with a 6L3 Gardner, was a cylinder of fine wire gauze. Every year, I extracted it and gave it a wash in diesel. I'm willing to believe that modern engines are slightly more demanding. ?

Used to love the tech manual which went into great detail about using the used engine oil for fuel

 

[Beneteau381]

Used to love the tech manual which went into great detail about using the used engine oil for fuel

Found it

 

[oldgit]

On my Perkins M135,oil filters were installed vertically "upside down" cannot recall much spillage at all .
On my VP 41B, oil filters are mounted horizontally and no amount of rags/binliner/ paper towel and fast removal prevents a horrid mess.

 

[Momac]

Some people use a polythene bag over the filter ,keeping the filter and drips in the bag. I use a plastic bowl which just fits under the filter housing. I also put am old bed sheet down just in case of a spill.

 

[pandos]

I use genune Volvo oil filters, which I buy from a Volvo main dealer ( Cars) for about a fiver. From the chandlers a spurious filter will cost about 15quid...
I suggest you search the Volvo number you have and look for equivalents, and then try a local Volvo parts dept.

(My engine is an md21B which is about a 2.1 engine )