Ask a stupid question...

Sonic dB · Sonic dB's Garage

Here's a couple that Ive had rollin around in my head:

Would it hurt anything for to change the Mahle oil filter every-other oil change....rather than every oil change, if the oil is changed at regular 3-4K intervals?

I carry a spare alternator/fan belt in my car in case of belt failure.... if the A/C belt fails, will the car run properly...or do I need to carry an spare A/C belt too, just in case of failure?

EdT82SC · 09:46 PM

Why disrespect your Porsche? Give it a new filter every oil change. They don't cost that much. After how much money you just spent on oil, why worry about a few dollars for a filter? It's very cheap preventative maintenance.

The car will run fine with the A/C belt dettached. Unless of course you turned on the A/C with the belt detached. That would be disasterous!

Just kidding. Nothing bad would happen then either. Of course all you'll get is warm air.

B D · 12-10-2003, 09:42 PM

The $7 bucks for a new filter is worth my sanity.

Platiporsch · 12-10-2003, 09:44 PM

I have at least 10 new oil filters in my parts shed, ill donate a few to you. So that your P-Car will be happy.

Sonic dB · Sonic dB's Garage

OK guys... I wasnt being cheap

... I was thinking of changing out the oil tomorrow morning before work as this is when I have time, but I dont have a new filter to put in there and was considering letting it slide this time.

EdT82...thanks for confirming what I thought about the A/C belt breaking...

dickster · 12-11-2003, 02:50 AM

depends how often you change the oil.

i do mine every 3k so although i do change the filter it doesnt need to be done.

on my beemer i change the filter every other oil change.

NY65912 · 12-11-2003, 03:08 AM

Filter change always! It's like showering with no soap.

vesnyder · vesnyder's Garage

I used to do the same thing on my '67 - change the filter every other oil change. I figured since it was usually only `1,500 miles between changes. Talking to my local wrench (who usually knows what he is talking about) said I should change it every time. He said I would be better off changing the filter more often than the oil!

IROC · IROC's Garage

I would be more inclined to change the filter every 3k miles and the oil every 6k if you were going to try something along these lines. Why pump nice clean oil through a dirty filter?

Even though I diligently change my oil every 3k miles, I think that, in reality a 3k oil change interval on a 911 (with such a large oil capacity) is overkill.

Mike

dickster · 12-11-2003, 04:18 AM

hey guys sorry but.........the filter takes the crap out - not the other way round.

still, what ever floats your boat.......

sammyg2 · 12-11-2003, 07:17 AM

Changing an oil filter on a 911 every 3000 miles is overkill and wastefull IMO, unless the car is tracked or driver really, really hard.

Tim Walsh · Tim Walsh's Garage

I'm thinking of changing my oil every 3-4K on my MFIed 2.4. 6K would seem more appropriate to me but MFI is known to weep gas into the oil.

joecrum · 12-11-2003, 07:53 AM

If you think about it, as a filter becomes clogged, it is able to trap finer and finer particles than a new "clean" filter. At some point, though, you'll add considerable back pressure through the filter.

Still, probably not a good reason to NOT change it during oil changes.

rick-l · 12-11-2003, 08:03 AM

Instead of not changing it you could go to Advance Auto where they stock a Purolator filter that fits. Has anyone used this? The box is stamped Made In Germany. It has a hex welded on the top which I guess is to get it off with a wrench.

Groesbeck Hurricane · 12-11-2003, 08:24 AM

Change the filter every 3K and try taking the oil to 6K if it is still clean and the viscosity is still good. The filter is the most important thing.

Heck, my A/C has had the belt removed for over three years now. I take the top off every so often to ensure it still works :-)

Alex001 · 12-11-2003, 08:45 AM

I seem to remember that in Germany you change the oil filter with every second oil change only...plus the oil itself gets changed every 10.000 km or so. And you still go driving on the Autobahn!

Doug Zielke · 12-11-2003, 10:42 AM

To quote a maker of very poor (but famous) oil filters...
"Pay me now, or pay me later."

I buy the Mahle filters by the case. Never run out.

island911 · 12-11-2003, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SoCal911SC
What about if the oil ends up getting changed every 500 miles or so?

No kidding, this is getting absurd. Who is the best turd polisher out there?

Does anyone here have any data to support the notion that 3k miles is the right time to change a filter? . .. and then, just what does that buy you? If it buys you "piece of mind' then wouldn't a change every 500 miles be even better?

The reality is not even Porsche recommends such a short change interval. So, be reasonable; If you need to change the oil due to concerns of condensate during storage, then change the oil. But just what does that have to do with a filter? . . . Filters stop particulate matter from circulating. Filters need to be replaced before they get clogged or start to break-down. If they are threatening either if these things at 3k miles .. .something else is really wrong.