redram said:
It appears that the Blackstone contact was talking about the standard spin-on OEM type oil filter - which is a true statement in that the OEM style spin-on filters are typically rated to trap particles in the 15-25 micron at 50% efficiency and vary from 25-40 micron particle size when they get to 98-99% efficiency.
However, a good bypass filter should filter down to 0. 5 -3. 0 micron size particles.
The lab, uses either a spectrographic oil analysis machine or possibly an ICP machine, which can only see particles up to 10 micron or smaller. So you can see the confusion in the answer from Blackstone - taking a sample after the standard oil filter would NOT effect the used oil results but taking one after the bypass filter (outlet flow) could definitely have an effect on the particles - I think if you contact the gent at Blackstone and confirm the use of a bypass oil filter that his answer will change if he understands oil filtration.
I can see how my using Blackstones response w/o my question to them could be confusing, as they only refer to the sample point as after filter. So I will post their reply including my original ? I was reasonably sure they knew what a Frantz bypass filter was, hopefully they understood before replying to my eMail.
Tom.
Hi Tom,
It won't make much of a difference where you take the sample, because the
wear metals that we look at are too small to be removed with the filter.
What you will see a difference in, taking the sample post-filter, is the
level of insolubles--they should be low, since the filter will have removed
most of the solids, if it's doing its job. In fact that's a good way to see
how good a job the filter is doing, so if I were you, that's where I'd do
it.
Hope this helps!
Kristin Huff
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Ferrante (by way of Blackstone Laboratories
<bstone@blackstone-labs.com>)" <lagerman77-games@yahoo.com>
To: <khuff@blackstone-labs.com>
Sent: Monday, November 20, 2006 7:45 AM
Subject: Question from Website
>
> Name = Tom Ferrante
> Address =
> City = Oakley
> State = CA
> Zip = 94561
> Country = USA
> Email =
> HearAboutUs = Current Customer
> Comments = Hello, I have recently installed a Frantz bypass filter on my
> '06 Dodge 2500 w/Cummins. Would my sample be OK if I take it @ the oil
> return (after filter)? Or should the sample be from the intake side of the
> Frantz (pre filter)? I ask because if I can get a representable sample
> post-Frantz, it is very easy to obtain, as my return is to the oil filler
> cap. But if a more representable sample is from pre-Frantz, I could add a
> valve in-line to accomplish it.
>
> I thank you in advance for your opinions. Tom.