Fleetguard bypass filter vs. Amsoil & Oilguard

[HC]

Craig,

I have an oilguard but have not yet installed it. It will replace my current dual-remote set-up.

1) Where did you route your return flow? (I'm debating between oil filler cap and turbo down-pipe. )

2) Do you find the filter element changes significantly messier than the "spin-on" type filters, or is it really no big deal?

3) Is your's the EPS-20 unit (I've seen some install the smaller unit), and if yes, did you say you're going 25k between element changes? Did you settle on that number based on oil analysis, or on Oilguard's recommendation? (I couldn't find it on their website. )

 

[C Schomer]

HC, I put mine (EPS20) on the front crossmember (sideways) so the oil will run out without going down the side of the filter - shouldn't be messy at all. I haven't hit 25k yet - analysis shows it's doing a good job yet. Someone from the old Oilguard Co. said it would go about 25k. It's looking like it will! I made a 90 degree fitting to go in the front of the plastic oil fill piece that screws into the timing cover. I drilled thru the flat surface on the front of it. I can look down the fill tube and see the flow. I've been told (by the old guy that used to own Frantz) to run a bypass filter until the flow slows down or the filter isn't as hot as normal - in case you can't see the flow somewhere. I checked out the Oilguard site. The new owners don't make as bold of claims as the old owners. They don't guarantee submicron filtering but say it happens. Submicron particles will stick to the media even if it isn't actually strained out. Craig

 

[amsoilman]

A couple years ago, I went to a training seminar for oil and oil filtering. Here are some data that was given out at that time.



"Micron Ratings are arbitrary values assigned to filters or media. Although a "micron" is a length (1 millionth of a meter), a "micron rating" is not actually a measured value. "



The micron rating for a filter quotes a particle size without establishing the filter's efficiency at removing that size of particles. A window screen will remove some 1 micron particles, but it will not be very efficient. Since a micron rating cannot be verified, filter manufacturers are safe in assigning any number that they want.



To compare filters, the filter industry has established standardized tests for measuring performance. These tests include Life and Efficiency Tests (SAE J726, J806, and J905) and Beta Ratio Tests (SAE J1858). These SAE standardized test methods, along with the meticulous recording of test conditions, ensure that filter comparisons are "apples to apples. "



Life and Efficiency Tests measure the filter's ability to remove a standardized contaminant from a standardized fluid that is flowing at a constant rate and a constant temperature. The test continues until the contamination trapped in the media raises the differential pressure drop across the filter to a specific, predetermined level. Life and Efficiency Test results will include a Time Weighted Efficiency (%) and a Capacity (grams).



Beta Ratio Tests are by far the most accurate and objective way to compare the performance of filters. A Beta Ratio Test measures a filter's ability to remove particles of given sizes. In other words, the test measures the filter's efficiencies at specific particle sizes. The beta ratio test equipment actually counts the particles in the fluid before the filter and after the filter.



Now the Amsoil BE-90 (By-Pass element) has a "Beta Ratio" of 85. 63 and is 98. 6 % efficient @ 3 Micron. The BE-90 element is identical to the larger BE-100 element except the BE100 element is designed for a larger capacity oil sump. Looking at the chart that was given out at that seminar, the BE-90 was 99. 8 % efficient and had a "Beta ratio" greater than 100 @ 5 Micron.



The "other" benefits listed was the ability to remove water (up to a pint, BE-90) Non-Channeling design, and increased filtration capacity. These filters are of the "stacked disc" design, and are only for By-Pass installations. In other words, they are too restrictive to be used as "full-flow" elements.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[C Schomer]

I agree, the extremely small stuff can't be guaranteed in "absolute" ratings. Nominal ratings have a lot of latitude and there are endless tricks with "test dusts" and accumulation methods and measuring. I've been sorting thru that kind of BS for years and only believe when I can see real results. We have plant compressed air coming in contact with product in several processes at work. A few years ago, I tried to find the best coalescing filters possible for those "point of use" applications - we don't have enough housings in place to use activated carbon for final filtration. The FDA really likes that kind of proactive approach! I found an ad that claimed 99. 999 @ . 01 mic. from an ISO 2001 mfgr. . I haven't seen a laser particle counter yet that will measure that small and knew I couldn't prove that claim. Well, thinking that ISO should really means something, I called and asked if they could guarantee that. After all, ISO is supposed to be the highest quality possible AND consistancy! I couldn't even get a response out of them! Craig

 

[fest3er]

Originally posted by C Schomer
... After all, ISO is supposed to be the highest quality possible AND consistancy! ... Craig

Generally, ISO is merely certification that the company has the manufacturing processes and paper-trail procedures in place so that production quality can be made consistent and repeatable. Whether the company really has and employs these practices and procedures and what the company actually produces are separate matters.

Fest3er

 

[C Schomer]

I believe that!

 

[Chipstien]

Thought I would bring this to the top. So has anyone installed the LF777 on their truck?

 

[gatkins1]

Been around for six years or so,member for year and half. I use LF3894,LF777 and Oilguard bypass. LF777 is mounted passenger side on outer frame rail under the truck box. Oil is then routed to the passenger side front frame behind the bumper,Oilguard. The oil is dumped into the valve cover. 20,000 KM. oil changes with the LF777 and the LF3894 being changed @10,000KM. I use Chevron 5/40 SYN. My iron has been averaging around 21 ppm. @20,000KM.

 

[Chipstien]

So you are running a LF777 bypass filter "and" a Oilguard bypass filter. What is your oil pressure with that setup? Did you modify the LF777 filter head's orifice? Thanks

 

[gatkins1]

The oil is run into the LF777 first ,it's then routed to the oilguard. From there it's dumped into the valve cover. So really the oilguard filter is the last orifice, so this controls the oil volume. I reason this set up will catch more particals due to the oil having to go through two filters. The first filter 5 microns ,second filter1 micron. To answer your question,the flow is less than I had with just the oilguard. I see this when doing oil sampling,I take my samples where the oil dumps into the valve cover.

 

[RWWinslow]

To compare filter performance look for a Beta rating. The Beta rating will be derived from a standard laboratory test. The Beta ratio basically tells you what ratio of a certain sized particle is removed during the performance of the test.



As we all know, standard laboratory tests do not mimic real world tests so approach the information with caution. All filters will filter down to 1 micron - was up a pair of tighty whities - stuff them in a can and they will filter at least one particle sized one micron . . . . so any manufacturer's claim that their filter will filter down to 1 micron is probably true and relatively meaningless unless their are test numbers / Beta ratings to back it up.



To make any bypass filtration work, the fluid flow must be slow - the longer the residence time for the fluid in the filter, the greater the probablility it will capture the desired particulate.



Soot can be filtered out of the oil. It is dependent to a certain extent on the type of oil and the oil additive package. Some diesel engine oils have soot dispersant additive packages that keep the soot dispersed in dimensions much smaller than the micron range - filtration is not very likely in these situations.



A suggestion for a bypass filter: use a 2 or 5 micron rated hydraulic filter with a . 040" to . 050" orifice. Very cheap to build and works extremely well. You will need the filter head, some hose and an orifice.

 

[Ralph Wood]

There is a huge amount of misleading information floating around about filters. The Motor Guard of CA is probably the best submicronic bypass small filter. They have always advertised down to 1/100th of one micron. You can mix 1/20th of one micron average soot in oil and filter it out enough to make the oil clear. Thats not even good enough when you are dealing with soot. If a filter could remove all of the soot the oil in my Ford diesel would look like the oil in my Toyota Camry. With filtration all you can hope for is to get most of the soot with submicronic bypass filters and hope that the new oil added at filter change is enough to dilute the soot that is smaller than cigarette smoke and keep the percentage down to a safe level. I dont drain the oil. I determine how often I need to change the filter.

The best large filter would be either the Gulf Coast or the big General Motors filter that they install as optional equipment on some government fleets. They both use large sock elements. Beta ratings can be manipulated to make an inferior filter look better. The best test is using the equipment. I am biased. I have been a dealer for 40 years. Do your research and watch out for BS. There are about 50 bypass filters. About a dozen good ones.



Ralph

 

[BPonci]

I run a duel remote amsoil system and i changed over my filters t o donaldson filters. P554400=be100,P550299. I thought it was strange that when i bought my system the filters where painted black with amsoil stickers on them. Must buy filters from someone and try to make it captive.

 

[amsoilman]

BPonci,

I can assure you, Amsoil Inc. does make the By-Pass oil filter elements! They do NOT make the "Full Flow" elements, they have them made for them to their specifications.



Wayne

amsoilman