You Should Be Inspecting Your Oil Filters

Summary

In this video, the host demonstrates how to inspect an engine's condition by cutting open the oil filter post-change. Using a specialized tool, they dissect a filter from a recently acquired truck, revealing the presence of contaminants and fuel dilution, indicative of poor engine care. The process involves using magnets to collect metal shavings and a carburetor cleaner to expose any metal residue. The video concludes with a recommendation for regular filter inspections and a link to an alternative method using a paint or coffee filter.

Takeaways

• 🔧 Cutting open the oil filter after every oil change can reveal the condition of the engine's internal health.
• 🚚 The speaker is examining a filter from a newly acquired C15 truck to assess its maintenance history.
• 🔎 The engine was running rich, leading to fuel dilution which degrades the oil's additive properties, suggesting a potentially poor internal condition.
• 🧲 Magnets are used to catch metal shavings from the oil, indicating potential wear or damage within the engine.
• 🛠️ A specialized tool, akin to a 'giant can opener,' is used to cut open the oil filter for inspection.
• 🗑️ The oil residue is poured over the magnets to collect any contaminants, revealing the presence of 'crusty nasty stuff'.
• 🚫 The speaker notes that the engine was likely not well-maintained, with long oil change intervals and poor filtration.
• 🛑 The condition of the filter and oil indicates that the engine may have significant issues, such as worn cylinder heads and rings.
• 🔗 A link to another video is provided for an alternative method of inspecting oil filters using a paint or coffee filter.
• 🛒 The speaker recommends the oil filter cutter tool as a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to regularly inspect engine health.

Q & A

Why is cutting open the oil filter recommended after every oil change?

Cutting open the oil filter after every oil change is recommended to inspect the condition of the engine's internal components by analyzing the contaminants trapped within the filter.

What does the speaker plan to discover by inspecting the oil filter?

The speaker intends to discover how the engine has been treated by examining the contents of the oil filter, which can reveal the presence of contaminants and metal shavings.

What is the significance of the engine running rich mentioned in the script?

The engine running rich indicates that there is an excessive amount of fuel in the oil, which can lead to fuel dilution. This dilution breaks down the additive properties in the oil, potentially causing engine wear.

Why does the speaker use magnets when cutting open the oil filter?

The speaker uses magnets to catch any metal shavings that may be present in the oil as it is poured out of the filter. This makes it easier to detect small particles that might otherwise be difficult to see in dirty oil.

What tool does the speaker use to cut open the oil filter, and how does it work?

The speaker uses a specialized tool, likened to a giant can opener, designed to cut open oil filters. It is described as functional and effective for the task, despite being expensive.

How can one tell if the filter has picked up contaminants by examining it pleat by pleat?

By examining the filter pleat by pleat after it has drained, one can visually identify any contaminants or debris that may have been trapped within the filter's structure.

What does the speaker do with the magnet after the oil has been poured over it?

After pouring the oil over the magnet, the speaker inspects the magnet for any attracted material. The presence of gunkiness suggests metal particles, which are then further inspected by touch to discern any texture that might indicate metal shavings.

Why does the speaker use carburetor cleaner on the magnet?

The speaker uses carburetor cleaner to remove oil and residue from the magnet, leaving behind any magnetized or metallic material that can be more easily identified and analyzed.

What does the condition of the oil filter suggest about the engine's treatment?

The sludgy and nasty condition of the oil filter suggests that the engine has not been well-maintained, with long intervals between oil changes and possible lack of proper filtration.

What alternative method does the speaker mention for inspecting the oil filter?

The speaker mentions an alternative method using a paint-type filter or a coffee filter to catch any chunky, nasty material coming out of the oil filter, as demonstrated in a video by 'Piston Twisted Garage'.

Why is it beneficial to regularly inspect the oil filter as described in the script?

Regularly inspecting the oil filter helps in understanding the engine's health and maintenance needs, allowing for timely interventions to prevent potential issues and prolong the engine's life.

Outlines

00:00

🔧 Investigating Engine Wear Through Oil Filter Inspection

The speaker discusses the importance of cutting open the oil filter after every oil change to assess engine wear. They demonstrate this process on a newly acquired C15 truck's oil filter. The engine's condition is uncertain, but the speaker suspects fuel dilution due to rich running, which can degrade oil additives. Using magnets to collect metal shavings, they open the filter and find a 'nasty' interior, confirming poor engine treatment. The speaker emphasizes the value of this practice for understanding engine health and the need for better maintenance.

05:02

📚 Alternative Methods for Oil Filter Analysis

The speaker suggests an alternative method for inspecting oil filters using a paint-type filter or coffee filter to catch larger contaminants. They recommend watching a video by 'Piston Twisted Garage' for this approach. The speaker also shares their experience with the oil filter cutter tool, which, despite its cost, is a valuable addition to any garage for regular oil change inspections. They conclude by inviting viewers to ask questions and promising further content.

Keywords

💡oil filter

An oil filter is a device that removes contaminants from the engine oil to prolong the engine's life. In the video, the host cuts open the oil filter to inspect the condition of the engine, as the filter can reveal how well the engine has been maintained. The oil filter is a crucial component in the theme of engine health and maintenance.

💡oil change

An oil change refers to the process of replacing the used engine oil with new oil. The video emphasizes the importance of inspecting the oil filter during every oil change to assess the engine's condition. This routine maintenance is vital for engine longevity and is central to the video's message on preventive care.

💡fuel dilution

Fuel dilution occurs when an excessive amount of fuel mixes with engine oil, which can degrade the oil's performance. The script mentions that the engine was running rich, indicating fuel dilution, which affects the oil's additive properties. This concept is used to explain potential engine issues and the necessity of monitoring oil quality.

💡magnets

Magnet usage in the video is to attract metal shavings from the oil, indicating potential engine wear. The host uses magnets to check for metal contaminants in the oil, which would suggest that the engine might not have been well-maintained. Magnets are a simple tool for diagnosing engine health, tying into the video's overall theme of proactive engine care.

💡contaminants

Contaminants in the oil, such as dirt and metal shavings, can indicate engine wear or poor maintenance. The video discusses the use of magnets to collect these contaminants from the oil filter, which is a method to assess the engine's internal cleanliness and highlight the importance of regular oil filter inspections.

💡carburetor cleaner

Carburetor cleaner is used in the video to clean the magnet and reveal any metal particles that might be too small to see. It helps in further inspection of the filter's contents by removing oil residue, leaving behind any magnetized or metallic materials. This tool is part of the diagnostic process shown in the video, emphasizing thorough engine examination.

💡pleats

Pleats refer to the folded layers within the oil filter that trap contaminants. The script mentions examining the pleats to see if the filter has captured any contaminants. This inspection method is part of the detailed process of understanding the engine's condition through the oil filter's state.

💡sludge

Sludge is a thick, viscous substance that can build up in an engine due to poor oil quality or infrequent oil changes. The video describes the oil filter's contents as 'sludgy nasty garbage,' which is a sign of poor engine maintenance and indicates the need for better oil change intervals.

💡intervals

Intervals refer to the time or distance between oil changes. The video suggests that the engine had gone long intervals without an oil change, as evidenced by the sludgy condition of the oil filter. This term is crucial in discussing the importance of regular maintenance schedules for engine health.

💡cylinder heads

Cylinder heads are part of the engine where the combustion process occurs. The video implies that the cylinder heads might be 'shot,' or worn out, due to poor oil maintenance. This term is used to illustrate the potential consequences of neglecting oil changes and filter inspections.

💡oil filter cutter

An oil filter cutter is a tool used to open oil filters for inspection. The video mentions this tool as a valuable investment for anyone serious about engine maintenance. It exemplifies the commitment to thorough inspections and understanding the engine's condition through the oil filter's contents.

Highlights

Cutting open the oil filter at every oil change can reveal engine wear.

Inspecting the oil filter's interior provides insight into engine maintenance history.

Fuel dilution in oil can degrade additive properties, affecting engine health.

Using magnets to catch metal shavings is an effective method for filter inspection.

A specialized tool, akin to a giant can opener, is used for cutting open oil filters.

Dumping oil from the filter over magnets helps in identifying contaminants.

Visual inspection of the filter pleats can reveal trapped contaminants.

The oil's condition indicates the engine's maintenance and operational history.

Carburetor cleaner can be used to clean the magnet and reveal magnetic materials.

The engine's poor condition is confirmed by the oil filter's contents.

Long oil change intervals and poor maintenance practices are suspected.

The engine's future issues, such as smoking and worn components, are predictable.

A comparison method using a paint or coffee filter is mentioned for catching contaminants.

The importance of regular oil filter inspection for engine health is emphasized.

Having an oil filter cutter in the garage is recommended for routine maintenance.

Engaging in the practice of inspecting oil filters can lead to early detection of engine issues.

Transcripts

one way to know how your engine is

wearing is by cutting open the oil

filter at every oil change

this one came off my newly acquired c15

truck and we're going to take a look and

see how it looks on the inside

so let's get started now i have no idea

how this small block was treated or how

the truck was treated for that matter

but there is a good way of finding out

and that's by inspecting the inside of

the oil filter

so we're going to cut this one open and

see if we can figure out how it was

treated and if it was treated nicely or

not and

what the inside of it looks like if

you're not in the habit of cutting open

the filter after every oil change

now is a really good time to start now i

do know this engine was running

really rich when i got it so i know the

oil is fuel diluted which breaks down

the additive properties in it

so i i have a feeling we're going to be

kind of nasty on the inside of this

thing

because i don't know what's happened

with this filter in its lifetime or the

oil in its lifetime i'm going to go

ahead and use

magnets and the reason being is if i

pour the oil

out of the filter directly over the

magnet it will catch any metal shavings

on there

and sometimes that's a little bit easier

to see especially if you've got a really

disgusting

uh oil that's been run in this thing and

i have a feeling that we cut open this

canister

it's gonna show us some ugliness inside

and using the magnets is about the

easiest way to

pick up uh you know any type of

contaminants that are in the filter

now this tool is a really nice expensive

piece of equipment but it's

really really functional it's just like

a giant can opener

and i have seen people custom make their

own out of a you know giant industrial

can openers that are probably a lot

cheaper than this tool is but

this one works fairly well so we'll cut

the top of this thing off and then start

disassembling the pieces of it

and then we'll get down to the core

filter on the inside

let it drain off for just a quick second

and then

we're gonna dump the rest of the residue

and oil that's left of the filter

back over the magnets and see if we can

pick up anything uh

in any contaminants that are in there

now the other side of that too is once

you get the filter out of there

and let it drain off for a few minutes

and let it get some of the oil out of

there you can look pleat by pleat to see

if the

filter has picked up any contaminants

and then sometimes some of the big stuff

you'll see in there

but this oil is so filthy that is so

grungy there's so much

nasty stuff at the bottom of this filter

that there's no way i'm gonna be able to

see anything on here and if i do it's

gonna be something really big and chunky

so

again this is the reason why i use the

magnets on this one just because

this certainly went a long interval

before

you know from the time it was uh the oil

was changing at last so

it's nasty and like i said using the

magnets about the easiest because

visually i can't see anything it's just

a

black soupy disgusting mess now with the

rest of the oil that's left in the

filter that's where i'll dump it back

over the

magnet to see if i can pull anything out

of it and for sure this one has got some

crusty nasty stuff in it now the magnet

has attracted quite a bit of material

here

but don't don't let that fool you um

if you attract a lot of gunkiness on

there there is probably some metal

material in there

but if you look at the bottom of this

filter it's just a

big gooey nasty mess of garbage down

there and no doubt there is probably

some metal in there

and that's why it's best to do a little

bit better inspection on that magnet you

can

kind of feel it see if there's anything

on there that's not

gummy nastiness and see if you can find

any texture to it

and this one certainly has a little bit

to it it's not horrible but there is

certainly some metal material in there

the other thing is once you get that all

done and looked at

that way you can hit it with a little

bit of carburetor cleaner and the

carburetor

cleaner will blast off some of the oil

and residue but it will leave the

material behind

that's magnetized or that's metal that's

sticking to the magnet

so it's a good way of kind of giving it

a another once over

but certainly this engine was not

treated very well i

didn't expect it to be it was a farm

truck

they're going to get a little bit more

aggressive life and

probably longer intervals certainly

dirtier

you know didn't have a very good air

cleaner on there when i got it so

i'm sure it operated quite a bit without

that

given the condition that the carburetor

was in that doesn't surprise me either

so

this is just confirming what i knew

about this small block is it wasn't

treated very well

and it's probably going to have some

issues down the road it does smoke a

little bit which

not surprising to me but uh you know

cylinder heads are probably shot the

rings are probably a little shot and

you know a lot of that stuff is can be

directly uh traced back to the oil so

certainly there's it's got some it's got

some issues and the sludgy nasty

garbage that's in this filter certainly

tells me that

it's gone long times before it's you

know between its

intervals of oil change now i'm going to

leave a link up above to another video

by another channel called

piston twisted garage and those good

folks over there have a different way of

doing it which is the more common way of

doing that and that is with a

a paint type filter or a coffee filter

to see if you can catch any chunky

nasty material coming out of your oil

filter so definitely go check that video

out i'll give you a different way of

looking at this thing and a different

idea of how to do this

so this is one of those little things

it's just a really good practice to get

into it does take a little bit of time

it is kind of messy but

you know having your own little oil pan

here and a nice clean area to work in

and it's just nice to to get a good

understanding of what's happened with

the oil and the oil filter and

are you getting any nasty stuff in there

and and like i said if you are

it's it gives you time to pull the plug

on it so anyway

i will leave a link down below to all

the tools i used in this one

especially the the oil filter cutter

it's it's a like i said it's a little

expensive but

it's a tool that once you have it in

your garage you're going to be glad that

you have it and use it every single time

you do an oil change so

anyway if you've got any questions don't

hesitate leave them down below and we'll

catch you on the next one