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Tech / General EngineIs your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!
Or more specifically, a home grown method.
I tried the tin snips as posted in the video attached. To tell the truth, I have NO idea how that guy even started the snips into the filter case. There's no way my Wiss cutters were going to get through the rolled over seal at the top.
Then I tried my utility knife. Jabbed into the sheet metal and used it like a can opener and levered my wall through the filter case in about a minute. Slick.
I've used a putty knife and a hammer but normally just cut it open with a hacksaw in a vise. A cutoff wheel in a disk grinder works well also.
My race car uses a System 1 oil filter. It just screws apart for cleaning.
Once you get the filter cut open, you can't just visually inspect it. You won't see anything unless there's some sort of catastrophic failure in the engine. Cut a chuck of filter out and squish it in a vise to squeeze the oil out of it. Then open it up to see how much metal is left trapped in the filter.
Cut a chuck of filter out and squish it in a vise to squeeze the oil out of it. Then open it up to see how much metal is left trapped in the filter.
I'll do that thanks.
I CAN see some metallic flecks and have manged to retrieve both magnetic and non-magnetic "dust" so there is obviously wear.
The chunk found of the magnetic drain plug told the real story.
So did the leakdown test.
Yes, the K&N-3002 I use has the nut on the bottom. Makes filter removal soooo much easier. Don't think I've ever seen your version.
What's interesting is that I've ordered these filters from two different suppliers and there is slight difference but a noticeable one. The latest filters have a slightly smaller outside diameter, to the point where the cup style filter remover I use is useless. I hope this isn't a case of a cheap off-shore knock-off getting to my supplier's shelves.
Magnets will always catch metal filings from the normal wear and tear of the engine. It's the non metallic stuff that can get trapped in the filter that you want to see. Bearing material, brass, bronze, aluminum, etc.
It's all softer metal but it can give an indication that something is failing.
