Dipstick with a story to tell...

[Gary - K7GLD]

Not sure if this is the best forum for this, but here goes...



Check out the picture below, its from my '02 Dodge, with 3500 miles on Delo 400 15/40 - I pulled it outta the engine, and took the picture a quickly as possible while the oil was still heavily deposited on the stick, with it lying out flat:



#ad




Wonder how many others here can show the same degree of cleanliness at this mileage? The main reason is HERE:



#ad




These babies REALLY work great - there are a number of aftermarket bypass filters available, but I'm sure happy with THIS one! It'll be VERY interesting to see what my next oil analysis will be since I installed this filter - will probably change oil at 5000 miles and have the analysis done then.



I have changed the toilet paper element once, at about 2000 miles, added 1 quart of makeup oil - about 700 miles on the oil were towing our 5th wheel trailer, the rest all short hauls into town and back - I run the Comp on 3x3around town, higher when towing - usually 5x5 in the hills. Wadda ya think?

 

[JWhitcomb]

Gary, from the picture it appears that when you release the clamp in order to change the filter, there is going to be a oil spill. Is that really the case?

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Only if you were to try it immediately after shutting down the engine - actually, the oil drains back quite effectively, and I never lose any oil on a filter change - but of course, I do it on a cold engine - I have a spare filter canister, and can change out the canister/element in about 30 seconds, without losing a drop of waste oil...



(EDIT)



Ya know, lotsa guys advocate extended drain intervals, along with synthetics - and some guys knock the use of bypass filters when getting oil analysis done, saying the bypass filters "slew" the contaminent readings artificially...



BUT, look at the dipstick above - the oil will probably be somewhat darker in another 1500 miles - but visualize what extended drain oil must look like after 25,000, 50,000 miles or more - or what THIS oil would likely look like WITHOUT the bypass filter, THEN, ask yourself WHICH oil YOU would rather have circulating in YOUR engine!



MY answer must be pretty obvious...

 

[BillGotthelf]

Gary I hope you waited at least 15,000 miles before you put bypass filter system on. They work very well and keep oil so clean engine cannot breakin properly.

 

[Smokewagon]

Gary, where did ya get it?

I'm REALLY big on servicing ALL my trucks and tractors on scheduled intervals. I believe oil and filters are A LOT cheaper than engines, and am always an advocate of taking samples. I am curious though, where did you buy it? I have never seen this setup before (guess I need to get out more, huh!) I presure this plumbs into the OEM system and is in kit form? Please let us know, I for one am interested. Nice Pics, thanks for showing us.



Dave

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"Gary I hope you waited at least 15,000 miles before you put bypass filter system on. They work very well and keep oil so clean engine cannot breakin properly. "



Bill - I started towing our 7000 lb fiver up into the Sierra nearly off the showroom floor - at least 25% of the current 8500 miles on my truck are towing miles - great power, NO oil consumption - I'm pretty certain it's well seated in by now! My bypass went on at 5000 miles - will change oil and run an analysis at 10,000 miles or more, and post results here...



Dave -



There are a fair number of available bypass filters on the market - my Frantz is a pioneer in this field - been around since at least the early 50's, when I bought my first one - they're still in business, and have a website - but I don't have a pointer right now - maybe someone else will pop in with one. The downside - for some - with the Frantz, is that it uses a toilet paper cartridge - it's obviously VERY effective, but also CAN be more of a challenge to obtain the best paper for replacement, and then install into the canister properly - not really difficult at all - just more than some want to contend with...



For those wanting a more "user friendly" filter of good quality, Amsoil makes one that many swear by - and I have no doubt it performs well - it uses a spin-on type element that is obviously easy to deal with - others may want to check in with their own observations and recommendations...



Bottom line is, for really CLEAN oil, bypass filtering IS the way to go!

 

[Extreme1]

Nice Results!

If you're going to do extended drains, you NEED a bypass filter! Gary's results illustrate the fact.

 

[illflem]

Frantz website- http://www.wefilterit.com/

Might be good if several folks are interested to work out a group purchase, six or more setups are $30 off the regular $165 price tag.



Gary, do you know if the frantz can be installed in any position or does it have to be the way it is in your picture?



Seems that quite a few folks have complained of leaks with the Amsoil bypass filter setup.

 

[Smokewagon]

Oh Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy, Oh boy, Oh Boy! Oo. I think you just found what my wife can get the ole man for my birthday I'm in if you are taking numbers! Maybe we can get them before I have to start planting corn, otherwise I'm sure she and I will be :-{} if I'm installing this instead of doing something more important like working on my toy... ... ... Umm... ..... Farm Truck



Dave

 

[DavidC]

Gary,

How did you tap the supply and run the return?



Dave

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

David - here's a pic of my return line going to the oil fill cap on top of the engine - this photo is with my other Frantz filter canister in use:



#ad




there are other points where the return line can be run - this one seemed easiest to me, and allows me to unscrew the oil fill cap, and while the engine is running, fill an oil analysis container without mess. Amsoil sells a swivel fitting that can be attached to the cap that makes it even easier... My supply line is off the pressure point Cummins provides on top of the stock oil filter housing that normally is capped off with a fitting.



Bill - the Frantz CAN be used in any position - but appearances are deceiving, believe me, there is absolutely NO mess or oil spillage when the filter is installed as I have mine - if you could actually see one changed, you would understand - but if the mounting you need DOES require a different position, it CAN be easily done - but THEN, you probably WILL get some relatively small spillage on changes due to the way the filter flows the oil supply... Where I have mine installed, it sits right out in the open, is easy to change CLEANLY - and doesn't interfere with other underhood maintenance or changing of the stock full-flow filter.

 

[DavidC]

I think I need one of these. It's almost my Birthday (honest). Don't tell my wife but it was not really my Birthday last month when Fred installed that DTT setup or the month before when the DDUFM box went in which caused the DTT move . Besides when I run out of TP I will know where a spare roll is. Helps cut down on friction you know . I sure wish you guy's would stop coming up with these good ideas as the wife may start figuring out that I cannot have 12 Birthdays a year.



Dave

 

[JCyrbok]

Questions

Gary,



I'm getting ready to chuck my Amsoil Dual by pass for a single or different company all together.



Does the Frantz come with everything that you need to hook it up? or do u have to get hoses and fittings seperatly?



Also I was on Frantz site, do u have the full size or half size unit? How is it mounted? I have a metal box around my pass side battery which is where my Dual by pass is mounted now is that how u mounted your filter?



ALso do u actually use a roll of TP for the filter? or does the filter just look like it? I know kinda stupid question but seems like it would be real cheap to maintain if it is a roll of TP, almost too good to be true LOL. Also have u noticed any oil pressure drop, thats the reason I'm dumping the dual, its dropping presure out of spec since day one.



Thanks

J-

PS watch the classified for a BMK 15 real soon with all the fixings!

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I've bought 2 Frantz setups so far - both came with virtually ALL hoses and fittings needed for a typical installation - if you want or require an unusual mount or plumbing setup, you might hafta improvise somewhat - I did with mine - but I did this sort of thing for a living, have LOTS of tools, and lots of spare parts - plus a good imagination!



YES, they DO actually use TP as a filter element - the oil flow path is LENGTHWISE down thru the TP - which REALLY provides LOTS of filtering ability - to the point it even removes microscopic soot, as displayed in my dipstick photo above...



I use as close to a commercial grade, tightly wound single ply roll I can get - similar to what is used in restaurant restrooms. Yes, it's inexpensive - and the secret to best performance is to install the rolls into the canister as TIGHTLY as possible to avoid any tendency to "channel". or allow the oil to not pass thru the roll as it needs to in order for maximum filtering...



Dunno about the "half size" bit = they DID/DO make a model that is twice as long as mine - maybe that's what is referred to... By the way, NEVER any leaks with mine... There WAS a thread I posted after my install, with a number of pictures - but I can't find it - musta got killed - but if you go to the pointer under my name over to the left, and look under "Frantz filter", the pictures are there...

 

[Smokewagon]

I think

my truck will like Charmin, I do



On a serious note, do you have to worry about the TP breaking down and causing problems?



Dave

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Never has - paper actually gets stronger when soaked in oil - while there have been "old wives tales" about that happening, I've NEVER run across any first hand info from someone experiencing it - remotely possible? Perhaps, but highly unlikely - and I have been using them for nearly 50 years - and my father used them on the trucks he made his living with. My oil analysis ALWAYS come back exceptionally LOW in insolubles and other contaminents - which would hardly be true if there was "shedding" or deterioration of the TP...

 

[illflem]

I have a '64 IH dump truck that came stock with a non Frantz TP main filter, never a problem with the paper breaking down. I use the Scot single ply that is sold in single rolls at most markets.

There are other filters out there that take a roll of paper towels. Could this be the double size unit?

Gary, is that the optional chome top on yours?

 

[amsoilman]

Here is picture of "swivel" fitting from Amsoil Inc. This fitting allows the removal of oil fill cap without twisting the oil line. Makes a very nice place to draw oil for oil sampling.

 

[JCyrbok]

How often are u changing out the TP in the filter (miles or hours)

how much make up oil do u have to add at the change. SO far this is looking like a pretty go replacement for my Amsoil DUal.



J-

 

[Balzac]

I have used the Frantz on all of my vehicles since the early 60's when I sold and installed them. I remember my 62 Imperial, put on the Frantz @ 92,000 mi. , never changed the oil except the 1 qt. in the Frantz every 2000 mi. Sold the car with 137,000mi, the oil was still clear and the motor ran as good as it did when I put the Frantz on.

If there was room to mount a 3-stacker on the Dodges, I believe one could forget the oil changes and keep the oil clean.

I have a new 3-stacker(3 rolls) that can be used for oil, fuel, or auto-trans filtering. If someone out there has a larger truck, this is an excellant product and I would like to sell it. I will list it in the classifieds.

The single roll Frantz does not have the capacity to keep the Cummins totally clean as would be necessary to eliminate oil changes. I believe Frantz listed it capable of keeping clean up to 8 quarts. They did at one time make a 2-stacker which would be the one to use.