Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) LF3894 Micron rating?

[CumminsPuller]

Spent the last 15 minutes serching the archives to find out what the micron rating on the 3894 was? Any of you experts happen to know?



Jason

 

[tarussell]

If my memory is working I think it is 5 microns.

 

[HC]

Call 1-800-22FILTER (toll free) and get it from the horse's mouth. I don't think the LF-3894 will consistently remove 5 micron particles - if it would, there would be no need for bypass filters. The LF-3894 is good, but not that good.

 

[redram]

Most full flow filters are 10 micron or higher. Most automotive full flow filters are 15 micron to 25 micron ratings at 50%.



You basically have a trash filter for getting big chunks!



Unfortunately, diesel particulate (soot) is typically 1-3 micron in size so even if you changed a full flow filter every 50 miles of use, the oil would still become black due to the soot particles.



If you plan to hang on to your truck for more than 5 years, a bypass filter set up is a good investment.

 

[amsoilman]

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.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

ALSO, don't overlook the fact that, in full-flo filters, there is an absolute need to maintain a specified rate of lubricant FLOW - after all, the CLEANEST lube in the world thru a "high efficiency" filter media is pretty worthless if the RATE of flow doesn't match the VOLUME the engine must have for proper lubrication pressures...



I know Wayne intended that in the above, but it needs emphasis for some who may place their faith in FILTERING ability alone...



SO, the simple claim of filtering efficiency ALONE may be a BAD thing, if adequate volume thru the filter is not also maintained...



As far as *I* am concerned, a GOOD filter like the 3894, combined with an efficient bypass filter is about as good as it gets for us ordinary mortals...