Can Wrong Size Oil Filter Damage Engine

(Updated on March 31, 2022)

The oil filter has the crucial job of filtering the oil that lubricates the components of your engine. As oil circulates through the engine, information technology picks up contaminants and debris forth the way. Yous'll want to keep these contaminants out of the engine to preserve its lifespan.

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The only way to keep these contaminants from harming engine components is to have an oil filter which can forbid them from inbound the engine in the first place. The engine depends on the filter only every bit much as it depends on the oil itself.

If you had no oil filter in your vehicle, the contaminants would build up rather speedily within the engine. This will create a whole lot of functionality bug in the engine and the vehicle.

Related: Best Synthetic Oils for High Mileage Vehicles

Signs Your Oil Filter Needs To Be Replaced

Virtually of the fourth dimension, you'll want to replace your oil filter at the same time equally when an oil change is being done.

However, if you detect certain symptoms occurring in your vehicle, it'southward a skilful idea to replace your oil filter with a new one. Otherwise, you could risk permanent damage to your engine which will toll thousands of dollars to replace.

Below are v of the most common symptoms of clogged or leaking oil filter in your motorcar. You lot may even have the wrong type of filter installed which could be causing issues.

As shortly as yous recognize these signs, get to your local auto parts store to purchase a new filter and switch information technology out or get your vehicle to the nearest auto mechanic or quick lube identify so that they can replace the filter for you lot.

one) Engine Overheating

Like your air filter or fuel filter, your oil filter can clog up if left in there too long. When an engine air filter gets chock-full, yous will ordinarily but notice when y'all accelerate hard or visit the gas station, as your performance and fuel economic system will suffer.

With an oil filter, the problems that manifest are potentially worse. A bad oil filter may restrict the flow of oil entering the engine. One time that happens, the engine will non receive adequate lubrication for its moving components.

Friction between the metallic components generates heat quickly. If this oestrus cannot be adequately prodigal by the oil and cooling system, information technology could lead to the engine overheating. Y'all will often see the "Check Engine" light come on when this happens.

two) Weak Engine Performance

The performance of your vehicle tin can often reveal a lot about the health of your vehicle. If contaminants are building up in your engine because the oil isn't beingness filtered properly, then information technology will diminish the engine'southward ability to make the power it was designed to.

A dirty oil filter has a harder fourth dimension pulling contaminants out of the engine oil. These contaminants may make their way through the small oil journals throughout the engine, causing restrictions or even blockages. This may also plough into engine sludge over time that gums up the motor.

This means that when y'all step on the gas pedal, your acceleration will be reduced or even nonexistent. Equally y'all continue to let this problem go unfixed, the performance volition only get worse.

3) Dirty Exhaust Fumes

Have a look at the frazzle fumes coming out of your vehicle'due south tailpipe. Tin can you encounter smoke coming out of the tailpipe? If the exhaust looks gray or bluish, you may accept an oil called-for issue. This is sometimes the issue of a clogged oil filter causing oil to menses into your exhaust system where it burns up.

You may even experience a burning odor inside your vehicle from this too. These are very obvious signs that you need to replace your filter as soon as you can.

Related: Causes of White Smoke Coming From Your Exhaust

iv) Depression Oil Force per unit area

Some vehicles are equipped with an oil pressure gauge. Those that aren't will still take a red oil pressure alert light. In normal situations, an oil pressure gauge will show a consistent amount of oil pressure that will never change. However, if you run into the oil force per unit area dropping erratically as you lot're driving, then you likely have a problem with your oil pressure or you lot have a faulty oil pressure sensor.

Low oil pressure can quickly cause catastrophic damage to an engine. If you see a low oil pressure warning lite, pull over as soon every bit it is safe to do then and check the oil.

If y'all have plenty of oil, yous may have a trouble with your oil pump, or a restriction that is inhibiting the proper flow of oil through the engine.

One of the causes of depression oil force per unit area can be a leaking or clogged oil filter which is preventing the flow of oil from going into your engine.

5) Metal Noises

When oil is prevented from entering your engine and all those metal components grind confronting each other, all that friction will crusade two things to happen. Like previously mentioned, it may cause the engine to overheat.

Where there is excessive estrus, there is usually wear. An engine starved of oil will allow metal to metallic contact between key (and expensive) components in the engine internals.

Habiliment from that metal on metal contact will also cause a lot of metal noises to occur as a result of the grinding. These noises should be very easy to hear as you're driving.

When this happens, the internal components of your engine are wearing themselves out and causing damage. Bank check your oil level and filter to make certain one isn't the culprit.

Encounter Also: What to Do if Y'all Notice Metallic Flakes in Your Oil

Oil Filter Replacement Price

Looking for Replacement Parts?

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An oil filter is one of the cheapest components to replace on a vehicle. Oil filters often cost around $10-twenty, and should exist included every bit role of your routine oil change.

Irresolute the engine oil and filter is ane of the simplest maintenance tasks that almost do-information technology-yourself car mechanics tin can handle. If yous are looking to salve a scrap of coin (and take a space to work on your car), consider changing the oil yourself at home in your driveway.

In that location are many tutorials for how to exercise an oil change online. You lot tin can typically start by searching your twelvemonth, make, and model, followed by "oil change". On nigh cars, the process is very similar and then even generic how-to videos should be plenty to get you started.

If you desire to tackle this on your own, consider finding a friend who has washed it earlier. Be sure to practise proper garage safety, and don't be afraid to inquire for aid if you're not sure how to do something.