I have been running a K&P stainless mesh filter for the last two oil changes.
I was concerned about the efficiency of the thing so sent an oil sample to Blackstone labs.
I told them that I was running a stainless mesh filter and requested specifically that they check for excessive particulates.
The test results showed normal.
Still not sold on the efficiency of the filter, I will send another sample at the next oil change
I use brake clean and then simple green, then hot water and finally air – all applied from the inside of the filter - to clean the filter. I’m retired so the extra time is no big deal and I can see what the filter has trapped with the mesh and the built in magnet.
I have read that paper filters - because to the structure of the paper - can pass much larger particles and still be rated at smaller micron ability
I have read through numerous strings on oil filters and efficiency down to ten microns but assume that the testing is done on new filters.
According to the information on the K&P site, their filters flow a lot of oil so rarely bypass even when cold.
My question is that when the filters get loaded or contaminated with water such that the passage of oil becomes more restricted or when the oil is cold, do they bypass more often such that efficiency is reduced?
Does anyone know of testing that was done on filters in real world scenarios?