Paper Towel Oil filter

[Stoutscout]

Having trouble finding related threads. Could anyone with info. , pro & con, sound in on this one. I drive about 35,000 miles a year w/o much payload but a lot of city and floor-it & stop hwy. driving. Any ideas to increase engine longevity would be great.

 

[Ted Constantine]

I have no experience what so ever with them but there was a good article in the last TDR Magazine issue35 on page 124.



HTH



Ted

 

[WDaniels]

Stoutscout,

I too am looking at the paper towel filter. I called the company to get more information on them. They make them sound great, of course they would. If you would like the number to the maker, it's even the prez of the company, pm me and I'll give it to ya.

WD

 

[Midnite]

I'm interested in getting one of these (the Gulf Coast Filter O-1). I really like the idea of adding six quarts capacity to the oil system.



Realistically, I think the only significant benefit is the convenience of being able to go a little longer between oil changes (or bypass filter element changes). Given the cost of the GCF setup, I'd have to drive a heck of a lot of miles just to break even. When you get down to it, the engine protection argument isn't particularly strong either, because our trucks will most likely rust apart before the engine finally dies, assuming regular maintenance.



However, I didn't buy my injectors, Borgeson steering shaft, etc. because I thought they'd save me money or make the truck last longer--I bought them because I *wanted* them, and that'll be the reason I buy a bypass filter, when I finally do so.



Mike

 

[jlccc]

Check out www.oilguard.com and they will explain why the "paper towel" and "toilet paper roll" filters do not work. The short answer is 'tunneling or channeling'. I installed the oilguard filter in my truck just a couple weeks ago. Easy install and I like the wound cotton filter the oilguard bypass filter uses.

 

[Barry]

Buffalo Chips!! The paper towel and toilet roll filters DO work. I have a Frantz on mine and my Dad's truck. I checked his oil yesterday and it is SOOOOOO clean you have to hunt for it on the dipstick. Check out one of our new members website www.wefilterit.com There is a special for TDR members and tell Debs I said hello... ... ... ... .....

 

[jlccc]

OK, perhaps I should have said it this way. They work UNTIL the the oil tunnels or channels through the filter media. I wouldn't have anything but the cotton-wound filter. You should at least look at the oilguard website and read what they have to say. If you still think it's "buffalo chips" then by all means, continue to use the toilet paper filter. My truck only carries toilet paper that I use only for its original intended purpose. ;-)

 

[Midnite]

Originally posted by jpark

OK, perhaps I should have said it this way. They work UNTIL the the oil tunnels or channels through the filter media.

It's really best to refine that statement further to read "they work UNLESS the oil tunnels or channels through the filter media. " Realistically, the only way tunnelling or channelling is going to occur is if you install the media incorrectly, and it's not too tough to get it right. ;-)



In addition to Barry, "Gary - KJ6Q" also has a Frantz on his truck, as do a few others on this site, I'm sure. Both Barry and Gary have sounded off in the past on the effectiveness of their Frantz filters. Do you think it's possible that Oilguard is just engaging in some mild mud-slinging? I think it's very possible.

I wouldn't have anything but the cotton-wound filter. You should at least look at the oilguard website and read what they have to say. If you still think it's "buffalo chips" then by all means, continue to use the toilet paper filter. My truck only carries toilet paper that I use only for its original intended purpose. ;-)

When I was doing my research on all the various bypass filter players, I looked at Oilguard too. You have to keep in mind that the same semantic games can be played with the oilguard filter--"after all, the Oilguard only uses STRING for its filter media, and I'm not going to rely on piddly old STRING to filter my oil!" You could also refer to TP and paper towel filters as "wound cellulose". You see what I'm getting at?



The reality of the situation is that *ALL* the bypass filters are good--*ALL* of them filter oil infinitely better than the best full-flow filter money can by. That includes Oilguard, Frantz, and GCF. Each one has characteristics unique to itself, and those different characteristics will be attractive to different people. I've mentioned earlier in this thread that one of the reasons the GCF O-1 (paper towel) filter is attractive to me is the additional 6 quarts of oil capacity vs. 1 or 2 that the others add. Beyond that, there's also the ability to find media anywhere on earth for little more than pennies.



Don't get me wrong--I am *NOT* knocking the Oilguard. I've already said it seems like a very good product--I would simply suggest that you not buy into Oilguard's marketing crap that all designs other than theirs are fundamentally flawed. They're not.



Mike

 

[jlccc]

Originally posted by Midnite



Realistically, the only way tunnelling or channelling is going to occur is if you install the media incorrectly, and it's not too tough to get it right. ;-)

I'm not sure that's the case. I've seen the channeling happen on filters that were "correctly installed. " I don't think it's just a function of how the "filter" is installed. I think it's an inherent weakness in the design of the filter. Call it a limitation of the filtration media if you like, but forcing oil through the end of a roll of tissue paper WILL, at least occasionally, cause tunneling.



[QUOTE

Do you think it's possible that Oilguard is just engaging in some mild mud-slinging? I think it's very possible.

[/QUOTE]



I don't think they were slinging any mud (and neither am I). They (Oilguard) are simply pointing out a deficiency in another filter design and describing their method for solving that deficiency.



I might dismiss Oilguard's marketing as "hype" but I've seen paper towel/toilet roll "filters" which have channeled. Once they do, your bypass filtration effectiveness drops WAY DOWN.



I think the wound cotton string method alleviates this particular problem.

 

[Ted Constantine]

These different bybass systems are interesting and the 6 added quarts of the gulf coast seems to be a bonus although I have no idea where I could fit that huge thing. I have an amsoil bmk-15 dual bypass mounted on the passenger side battery. It is very easy to manage and change the filters. It seems to do an excellent job of filtering as well. On the other hand the oil is not at all clear. Soot particles are so small I was under the impression that none of these could consistantly filter it all out. I don't think visual inspection of soot filtration is a measure of the effectiveness of a filter.



My $. 02



Ted

 

[jlccc]

I think you are right Ted. Can anyone chime in as to the size of the average soot particle?



If Barry's experience can be believed (and I have no reason to believe it can't be) then his oil is free of soot since it's so clean he can hardly see it on the dipstick. I have no doubts about the filtration ability of toilet paper or paper towels. I think they both filter very well, UNTIL (or UNLESS) the media tunnels on you.



JRP

 

[WDaniels]

I have looked at all the filters too and the one that I like the best so far is the Oberg filter. It has either a 6" screen or 9", which ever you prefer. Last time I checked the screen filtered to one micron and had a tattletail light to let you know if you were bypassing due to the filter being clogged. Then all you had to do is remove the screen and clean it in anything at hand(gas, diesel, rubbing alcoh ect). The beautiful thing about this filter is that it is small enough to just about mount anywhere, and you don't have to ever buy any filter media again. For those of who drive alot, it could amount to some serious change in a short time. Just my 2 cents worth

P. S. The web sight is gardexlubes.com

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

Originally posted by WDaniels

... P. S. The web sight is gardexlubes.com

I can't seem to find it. . got a link to it???

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Try this



Guardexlubes.com



WDaniels forgot the "u" in "guard"



Thanks to Google I was able to find it anyway



Vaughn

 

[GLASMITHS]

What got my attention from the oilguard hype, was they pointed out that the oil goes in the end of the filter, so what happens when the end of the end of the toliet paper gets full of crud? The end of the roll, whether papertowels or toliet paper is the only thing exposed.



I actually don't have the answer, but am trying to get there. Barrys Frantz sounds pretty good.

 

[Todd G]

When the TP gets plugged all the oil will go through the regular filter. I have the Frantz filter and it seems to do a good job, however, my oil is not as clean as others seem to have. Black as usual for me.

 

[Bigsaint]

Seem's that the Gulf Coast set up is a bit pricey at $550. 00. Has anyone ever installed this or a similar bypass and then done a oil analysis to compare to before the bypass filter was installed ???



Scott W.

 

[Frantz Filters]

Oil By Pass

Hello Gentlemen: I would like to come to the defense of the Bypass Filter that is accused of "Channeling". It is true, that channeling can occur, however the reason for this is because the wrong replacement TP is most likely being used in those instances. When "that" bypass filter was first presented to the public, distributors would boast that you can use TP from the local grocery store and that used to be true; when TP was all the same, for the most part. Now you go to the store and you have one ply and two ply. You have quilted, fluffy soft, scented, unscented, double size rolls and the list goes on... Basically, if you don't use what was and still is recomended by the manufacturer, you will have problems, and less than optimal performance!

With any product available on the market, the manufacturer will provide you with suggestions as to how to obtain the best performance possible of their product. Some will say "Well they are just trying to monopolize the market to keep others out". Well yes that may be true of some, but I know that is not the case here. The "Filter Special" that Barry speaks of includes replacement Elements and the customers are told of a couple of brands that are available on the open market, and they are encouraged to match it up to what is available in the area they live. However, if customers do not succeed in finding any, it is offered at a nominal price. As was also mentioned, any company can put a negative spin on their competitors product, but if you are really willing to understand the "Real Motivation", it's not to hard to figure out. Look into some previous discussions on the TDR in regards to "Oil Analysis & Test Results" and see for your-self what is proven!

 

[Mad Max]

Color me interested in the oilgaurd deal, gulf's monster takes up more space than I'm will to give up under the hood, not to mention what it takes away from my B1 fund. The other roll type seems reasonably sized though.



MaX

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

Max,

I have Frantz that I got from Deborah. Got the Polished one... . Really pretty!!! got to be worth at least 20hp as shiny as it is



The Frantz kit is a real piece of work. Has all the plumbing you could possibly need. hose, fittings, thread sealant, filter, mounting bracket, mounting screws etc... a really comprehensive kit with clear instructions.



it just happens that there is a 1/8 npt prefilter threaded port on the top of the oil filter housing that works great.



Give here a call and check it out. I was really impressed with the kit and the customer service is excellent.



Later,

Mark