Oil bypass filder. Do they work?

[R C Cola]

2 or 3 stacker Frantz

Back in the 60's my dad was a salesman for the company dealer at the time in Phoenix, Az and sold and installed 3 stacker units on semi's (Peterbilts, etc. ) and farm tractors (big ones). It was a single canister w/a screw on top that you would shove 3 rolls down inside of. Don't remember any more about it I was a kid at the time. I did see one for sale on ebay once not too long ago. I did not know about a 2 stacker. R C

 

[cruiser_2]

Folks, I have no idea what a bypass filter is and have not installed one on my truck. I have 485,000 miles on mine; starts quickly runs nicely and gets within 0. 5 MPG as when new. I guess mine is just getting broken in. That said, as an aircraft mechanic I realize the improtance of good regular maintenance and and good filtering of oil. Any time you can increase the effiency of your filtering to eliminate particulate matter in the oil will definately stabilize your oil.



I use that nasty old shell rotella 15W40 non synthetic and that terrible Wix(will tear up your engine in no time) filter. Oil changes are at 6 to 7 thousand miles and my oil stays honey gold somewhere until the 5000 mile mark. Even when I chang the oil is is still semi transparent and never looks like my MB 300D or my Jetta diesel that turn black within an hour of the oil change.



Just thought I'd add my $0. 02 worth in... but what do I know... I'm only approaching a half million miles.

 

[R C Cola]

To filter or not to filter ?

Cruiser 2 ; I arrived at the same conclusion as to longevity for the engine. I know more than one with over i million miles that do not use bypass filters just regular changes. I enjoy the reduction of changes required and the cost savings ( hundreds per year for me). The idea that my oil is analytically clean all the time just makes me feel better. R C

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Cruiser 2 ; I arrived at the same conclusion as to longevity for the engine. I know more than one with over i million miles that do not use bypass filters just regular changes. I enjoy the reduction of changes required and the cost savings ( hundreds per year for me). The idea that my oil is analytically clean all the time just makes me feel better. R C

That pretty well sums it all up!



There's no doubt that a bypass filter WILL provide better filtration and cleaner oil - it's ALSO quite likely the VAST majority of these engines WITHOUT bypass filters will outlive the original owner - or at least the time period HE owns and uses the truck.



Use of bypass filters is just another of those warm and fuzzy feeling issues for guys like me who focus a bit harder on long life and reliability than most... :-laf

 

[cruiser_2]

I agree that most of the issues discussed here end up being a matter of personal preference. I don't know about the expense R C Cola, I found that using the Amsoil and increased length between oil changes cost more than just regular oil changes. I also found that regular oil changes came about every 6 weeks and weren't that difficult to do. I do them myself as it usually gets done better and I know how I work and do things.

Gary, yeah you're probably right, but I hope to have muine for 1 imllion miles, but mileage these days comes slow. I have put less than 20,000 miles on my truck this year. I do well to make half a mil by next year. I've only done 3 oil changes this year!!!

I do a lot more flying now and it sure is nicer to let someone else do the driving/flying. And heck I have fdlown so much this year, I am almost double platinum with one airline, and mostly fly first class. Now that is nice too!



Ya'll have a wonderful evening and keep up the great discussions. I know now that I am not as much of a diesel head as most of ya'll are, but I love the Cummins... and I have to change my seat out soon as my butt is permenantly indented into it!

 

[RWWinslow]

There have been some very good engineering studies performed on bypass oil filtration on fleet usage.



Summary of the studies: Routine oil analysis (every 3,000 to 10,000 miles depending upon the type of driving) (sample to include wear and additive metals, TBN or TAN, viscosity, antifreeze dilution, % soot, % fuel dilution) is required; routine filter element changout is required (every 3,000 to 10,000 miles) since the filter will load up with dirt (this is what it is designed to do) and become ineffective. The studies have shown lower engine wear and a small increase in fleet fuel mileage (2% to 4% iincrease). By the time you add these costs up, the amount of savings is probably minimal unless a straight synthetic is being used. Eventually the oil will need to be changed as it will eventually break down - however 100,000 miles between oil changes with regular filter changes, make up oil for the filters, and oil analysis results is not unheard of for Class 8 tractors in over the road service.

 

[IEdwall]

I installed a oil guard bypass filter and immediatly saw a big improvement in the oil, I usually change oil at 3K and have gone now 6K and the oil still looks almost as new. I think I will change it though. Running royal purple 15/40...

04. 5 CTD AEM/Edge/_____________________________________________________________________

 

[moparguy]

Andersonville, did you say you change your by-pass filter at 15,000, miles? If that's right, that's much longer than I run mine. I change it around 2k (by-pass only, run primary filter till I dump and change oil). Last analysis with around 12k on the oil and Fleetguard filter and Delo 15w/40 all was still good for additional mileage.



If driving a lot of miles, 2k may sound like it'd be a pain, but on my truck at least, it only takes 10 minutes or so to change it and have everything buttoned back up and ready to go.



RJR

 

[The patriot]

I use that nasty old shell rotella 15W40 non synthetic and that terrible Wix(will tear up your engine in no time) filter. Oil changes are at 6 to 7 thousand miles and my oil stays honey gold somewhere until the 5000 mile mark.

My oil used to be the same until I installed the 370 injectors. :-laf

 

[sdstriper]

For myself it is about the timing of oil changes, I run a seasonal business and when I am busy I am BUSY. I know it sounds ridiculous, but if you worked nights and days and weekends and holidays, the last thing you want to avoid is neglecting your baby (truck). If I am passed due for an oil change anyway and need to get up and drive out of town to get to a job, I don't want to have to change oil during my busy season. So If I can extend oil drains that is what it is about for me, the added bonus of better filtration I'll take too.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I installed a Frantz bypass filter at 20K. My oil is still black as coal BUT it is clean. I have been changing the toilet paper at 15K and the main filter at 30K with Shell Rotella T synthetic 5W 40. All is good so far! I would run the Venturi Fleetguard filter if I could find it! It is for extended service. Gary is a very smart guy and his articles are very informative. After changing the filters, it usually takes about 3 quarts of make up oil. Does the TP soak up that much oil Gary? Also, I did the return thru the oil fill cap that I got from NAPA. I got my Frantz kit from WEFILTERIT.com. I now have 61K on the truck doing heavy towing of RV's.

I normally change my TP element at about 2500-3000 miles depending on type of driving and the mood I'm in - and the TP change will only take about 1/2 quart to replace what gets absorbed into the cartridge - I used to add a full quart, but that was too much. Changing both the full flow AND the TP cartridge might take *2* quarts, but I sure can't see 3 quarts - nor would I want to run my TP changes out any further than perhaps 5K miles for best performance, otherwise they'll just likely load up with contaminants and lose efficiency. I've never seen any actual tests as to what happens to filtering efficiency with the TP if you go too long, but the stuff is so cheap, and changes so easy, not much incentive to experiment.