New Oil Filter Comparison

Not to toot my own horn, but I wanted to get some feedback on a Tacoma oil filter comparison I wrote up for Olathe Toyota.

http://parts.olathetoyota.com/tacoma-oil-filter-comparison.html

My filter comparison is a bit different than the one that sits at the top of the "tech chat" section (http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/te...-oil-filter-made-thailand-vs-competition.html), with a bit more emphasis on measurement.

However, I'm not saying that the comparison I created is better - I think it compliments the existing comparison created by chris4x4 with some data and a slightly different approach.

Mostly, I'm looking for questions/ideas/suggestions/criticism that we can use to improve the comparison. Our intention is to update it again next year.

So, comments are appreciated. Thanks!

 

Very nice write up. One thing that popped out at me was the part about the 7mm end caps on the Wix preventing flow. I think that if anything it would have a negligible effect on the flow rate through the filter.

 

Nice writeup, but what we REALLY need is flow and filtration effectiveness test data.

I personally buy the Wix (or the NAPA version) because they are universally available and of very consistent quality.

Howard

 

All very informative, and easy to read. Have OEM filters changed by generation? Would you give OEM filters from 1st Gens the same marks as more recent filters? Is the bypass valve more important in cold weather?

Any more mechanics out there want to weigh in?

 

Most Tacomas (incl 1st Gens) call for 90915-YZZG1 filters. 2nd Gen V6s call for

$53 90915-YZZD3 Oil Filter 1 Case (QTY 10)

90915-YZZD3 filters, which are pre-oiled and offer a larger capacity. The good news is they're interchangeable.

 

Thanks Norton, that is a HANDY chart...I used to use the Motorcraft big ford filter, F1A on my 85 Land Cruiser with the 2F motor...and that was a good 20 years ago.

Howard

 

Agreed. My point there was more that the filter surface area was wasted just a bit, so the total surface area numbers for the Wix were inflated a bit. Still, you're absolutely correct.

 

Absolutely. I really wanted to do something with a testing platform, but the cost was prohibitive. I also seriously considered trying to text every filter in a live truck (or even a couple of live trucks) but there are too many external variables to account for...

I also thought that perhaps I could rig up a system that would measure absorption. If I had a more precise scale, I could measure out the weight of a dry segment of filter, then submerge it in new oil for 30 seconds, then suspend it above the oil sample for 30 more seconds (get rid of drips), and then weigh it again. I think it would be a good way to determine the amount of void space in the filter medium, which in turn would give us an idea of flow rate...but this is just a dumb idea of mine.

I know that the filters have changed, and Norton can probably answer this too, but the biggest change was the manufacturing point. Previously, filters were made in Japan, but to save money Toyota started making them in Thailand recently.

Thailand is a pretty good source of auto parts these days...the Baht is tied to the Dollar, so Toyota/Honda/etc. don't lose their rear ends every time the Yen increases relative to the dollar. Also, because the Thai people are well educated and the government is pro business, the parts turned out in Thailand are generally quite good.

Ford uses Thailand for quite a lot of parts production too, and it's a great market for mid-size trucks. Ford's global Ranger, the next-gen Chevy Colorado, not to mention the Hi-Lux and trucks from Mitsu, Great Wall, Mahindra, etc. I've been fortunate to travel to Thailand and mid-size pickups are a very popular transportation option (second only to the tuk-tuk).

Anyways, thank you all!

 

The K&N HP-2009 oil filter will give you the extra filter media that is lacking in the

$16 HP-1002 K&N Premium Oil Filter: 20000 Mile Engine Protection with Wrench Off Nut: Compatible with Select 1981-2023 FORD/LINCOLN/TOYOTA/VOLKSWAGEN Vehicle Models (See Description for Select Models), HP-1002

HP-1002.

I have the 2.7L engine and the oil filter placement makes it pretty hard to remove. I like the K&N because of the 1in socket that can remove the filter.

Very nice write up and the microscope pics are great.

 

Its good but I like Chris4x4 thread better sorry

 

Very good info when choosing an oil filter. Thanks for posting.

***Should be a sticky***

 

Thanks!

 

Im going to stick with OEM toyota filters. Saw a case of 10 for $35 plus ship. on ebay

 

Yup, same here. Can't go wrong with the OEM oil filter & they are very affordable too.

 

Not to be too critical, but please don't make statements with no justification.

About the Toyota filter;
"Verdict: There's no denying that the size of this filter results in better engine cooling ability and, in all likelihood, high filter flow rates (perhaps the highest)."

And the WIX;
"One other note: The metal sleeve inside the Wix has a large spiral groove that supposedly increase flow rate...which seems hard to imagine. Fluids flow in what is called a 'no-slip' condition, which means that spiraling the inside of a filter isn't going to have nearly as much impact on flow as spiraling the inside of a gun barrel has on the speed and stability of a bullet. Still, spiraling can't hurt."

Just state the facts.

 

Well I did ask for criticism, didn't I!

I think that saying a larger canister = better oil cooling is common sense, so I don't feel like that was out of line. However, to say that larger = better flow rates is an assumption (one that I feel confident in, but an assumption none the less). I feel like I explained the basis of that assumption at some point, but maybe not. Thank you.

As for the spiraling inside, I think I gave both sides of that issue fair representation.

I guess that, at some level, I want to be able to contribute the benefits of my experience and knowledge. I studied Engineering in college (I have a BS in Civil), so I feel like I've got a good understanding of the basics. I've also interviewed a lot of people in the industry for TundraHeadquarters.com and TacomaHQ.com over the last few years, and I've learned a lot from them too.

So, my question is, how do I contribute my experience to the piece without making some statements like this?

Not arguing of course, just wondering if there's a way I can present this info that balances your desire for "just the facts" with my desire to write about what I know.

Thanks again for the comments.

 

tacomahq,

Thanks for taking the time to put the comparison together. To be honest, I didn't read it all. It's the mis-statements that make me just skim the rest of the information.
The "better cooling is common sense" is not so clear to me. Oil filters are not known for their heat dissipation. The small amount of increased surface area on that filter, over the others, would do little or nothing to help cool the oil.
There aren't 2 sides to the spiraled passage. It will not improve flow. Comparing it to a rifle barrel makes no sense.
I don't mean to overly critical, but the internet is full of "facts" that aren't quite true. As an engineer, I would hope you would understand.

 

I have heard that oil filters facilitate engine cooling from a couple of people now (both of whom would know first hand), but I'll try and put something together to support that. If I had to guess, I'd say the cooling benefits are minimal...but that doesn't mean that Toyota shouldn't get some credit for building a bigger canister, does it?

Even if it only has a 1% impact on cooling, it's still a benefit, and considering how inexpensive it is to derive this benefit, it seems like a logical item to include in this comparison. ESPECIALLY when you put all the filters side by side and realize that some are significantly smaller than others.

As for the spiraling, we're saying the same thing. I don't think it works, but according to one oil filter company employee, it does. Since I don't have the ability to prove that it doesn't without a testing platform, I'm not going to contradict this person (who works for Wix/Affinia). I'm also inclined to give Wix the benefit of the doubt because of the quality of the rest of their filter.

I'll see what I can do to get a couple of interviews published on TacomaHQ.com that address both of these areas.

Thanks!

 

You forgot the sponge media Toyota OEM filter, that deserves some looking into.

 

I'm not familiar...is that an older filter for the Tacoma?