Napa Gold 1283 Disected, Better Filtration = HIGHER OPERATING TEMPS???
 

Hey all,

This is a very unscientific observation/analysis of the NAPA GOLD 1283 Oil Filter made by Wix.

It is advertised as having a "higher filtration" system, capturing smaller microns of debris compared to the OEM/Mahle Filters our baby's use.

Car:
3.2
K&N Inverted Cone Filter
Valvoline VR1 (Dino) Racing Oil 20W50 ( previously had Brad Penn, flushed with VR1 once before test)

Napa Gold 1283
Installed 3 months ago
Valvoline VR1 20W50
(noticed Higher Temps during normal driving, only change was brand of oil and filter)


Mahle
Changed 2/1/2011
Valvoline VR1 20W50 (Magnet had very little shavings attached to it, the least I've observed even with BP & Mahel Filter)
(Running temps are lower but ambient temps have been a bit cooler lately, I am sure that is a factor)
Will report temps and magnet findings in 3 months/3K miles

QUESTION: Can a higher filtration be a bad thing ie. lower oil flow causing a hotter running temps?

Click the pics to play the Video, please forgive the quality I am an amateur:

Part1 Intro
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...h_VID00204.jpg

Part2 Opened
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...h_VID00205.jpg

Jim SmileWavy

Space for Mahle Filter Comparison

Mahle.

And no. Your filter did not raise the temperature. Neither did you oil. The higher temperatures raised your temperature.

Thanks for the spell check :D

Strange with BP it appeared to run cooler 3-4 month's ago and then when I switched to VR1 it got hotter driving the same route and same ambient temps.

Your oil filter should not cause an increase in oil temp.. However, there is a big difference in oil filters.. I and my students have cut most of the 'name' brands and some of the el cheapos apart.. You'd be amazed at the differences.. Your Napa/Wix is a very good filter. Of course Mahle is the filter of choice for most P-Car owners.. I use Wix filters on all my vehicles and occasionally pull one apart to 'see' what's inside.. I have never had any oil related failures with any of my vehicles.. Oil.. Take your choice.. There's as many opinions on that as there are Pelicans... Above all, make sure you use the correct weight of oil..

I use napa oil filters on other cars and I've noticed metal debris around the top of the new filters from the manufacturing process, I have to clean them before using. The Mahle filters are much cleaner.

Check your filter to be sure there is a bypass built into it so that cold oil can go around it if necessary. "Finer" mesh in the filter means more work to get the oil thru it. THe Canton Mecca filter does among the best filtering jobs you can buy... but beware running it with a cold motor... there is no bypass. I'm going back to the Mahle (with bypass.) Take a look at this...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/579142-oil-pressure-problems-canton-mecca.html

Oil Flow
 

Anything that reduces the flow of oil through an engine has the potential to increase oil temps. Whether it be a restriction, mechanical problem, or filter problem. When you reduce flow you can raise oil temps.

I've heard of racers going from a higher viscosity oil to a lower viscosity oil and lowering their oil temps because they increased the oil flow rate.

I'm not saying that's what happened with the switch from Mahle to Napa. Just saying that it's possible if there was a substantial flow difference.

Let's have the experts chime in!

Well, I thought the Napa had the by-pass valve??? Isn't that what the rubber gasket and spring is for?

In any case, I am watching my oil temp guage very closely with the Mahle Filter and VR1, waiting for a temperate ambient temps (70 degrees) as when I had the Napa with VR1 when the oil temp hit 9:00 o clock on the guage on the free way at 65-70 MPH for 20 minutes.

I have to agree with logic that reduced flow will increase oil temps.

Unless experts tell otherwise, (Prof Neel, you and your students didn't have to do a flow test with the filters, did yeah?) here is my humble deduction:

Higher Filteration = Less Dirt & Debris = Reduced Flow = Higher Oil Temps = Shorter Oil Viscocity Life = Harm to Engine

vs.

OEM Spec Filtration = OEM Dirt & Debris = OEM FLOW = NORMAL RUNNING TEMPS = Spec Wear & Tear to Engine

Geeeeez my attempt to be smart, sorry.

I can't speak for other years, but if you look down the throat of my 72 oil filler neck there is so much oil splashing around inside that tank I would be very surprised that the filter slows down circulation much.
Just my opinion - not a professional.

No, we didn't check flow rates of the filters.. I would think that 'premium' filters would not reduce oil flow.. By premium, I mean Wix, Mahle, K&N, Mobile One, Napa Gold(Wix) etc.. all of which have anti-drainback valves and bypass valves or a combination valve..
Your 'humble deduction' sounds good in theory.. IMO, I believe these 'premium' filters would not reduce flow rate or increase oil temps, again opinion, I don't have stats to back it up..
To satisfy your curiosity (and MINE), I would suggest you change the filter only and try your test again.. Let me know your results.. You've got me interested.. I'd do the same on my P-Car, but I'm doing some upgrades and can't drive it right now.. "Inquiring minds want to know"...

Hey Jim,

just get a Cool Collar and be done with it. ;)

Honestly dude, Frankenstein spent less time with his "creation" than you do with your ride, lol!!!

BTW...thanks for the help with the chip. Plugged up another air leak. Gets a little better every time.

Oil Flow Part 2
 

I agree in principle with Prof Neel. A quality filter should not reduce flow enough to change oil temps significantly. My real curiosity is whether there might be a fault in that particular filter that caused a flow problem. Manufacturing techniques being what they are, @#$^% happens.

When you replace the filter why don't you dissect it for a quick look.

Hey Hey Kidrock!

LOL, yeah what the heck is wrong with me???

I just want to make certain the filter or oil is not the culprit of higher oil temps. Most have ruled out the oil, only a few renegades pointed towards the oil but vets insist it can't be the oil.

Never heard of a filter effecting the oil temps but logic dictates low flow would result in higher oil temps i.e. crushed brass oil lines???

Anyways, will know as soon it get a bit warmer in SoCali.

Oops!
 

Sorry. Before the arrows start, I admit I missed the first pics of the dissected filter.

Me bad....

No problem, I plan to dissect the Mahle Filter for a side by side comparison focusing on the valve/spring and Filter. This time a pic of the magnet as well.

That's an interesting observation.. Another variable..:eek:

Since the 911 has a dry sump system, a more restrictive filter will simply increase the pressure on the scavenge pump. It will not have any effect on the oil flow through the engine unless the tank runs dry! If the tank runs dry you will have much more to deal with than higher temps.

-Andy

From Wix site:

Part Number: 51283
UPC Number: 765809512832
Principal Application: Porsche (71-93)
All Applications
Style: Spin-On Lube Filter
Service: Lube
Type: Full Flow
Media: Paper
Height: 5.879
Outer Diameter Top: 3.663
Outer Diameter Bottom: Closed
Thread Size: 1-12
By-Pass Valve Setting-PSI: 28-30 (Am I reading correctly here, it takes more pressure to activate the by-pass valve?) :eek:
Anti-Drain Back Valve: Yes
Burst Pressure-PSI: 365
Max Flow Rate: 12-16 GPM
Nominal Micron Rating: 21

Gasket Diameters
Number O.D. I.D. Thk.
Attached 2.834 2.462 0.255

VS.

Mahle Specs per Wix

Part Number: 51774
UPC Number: 765809517745
Principal Application: Ford Tractors & Wheel Loaders
All Applications
Style: Spin-On Lube Filter
Service: Lube
Type: Full Flow
Media: Paper
Height: 5.205
Outer Diameter Top: 4.282
Outer Diameter Bottom: Closed
Thread Size: 1-12
By-Pass Valve Setting-PSI: 18-22
Burst Pressure-PSI: 430
Max Flow Rate: 10-12 GPM
Nominal Micron Rating: 32

Gasket Diameters
Number O.D. I.D. Thk.
Attached 2.834 2.462 0.200

Image from Mahle: Looks very Similar to the Napa Gold 1283

http://www.mahle-aftermarket.com/C12...E/S13_1_en.jpg