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Basically, the spin on is just easier. It just depends on the manufacturer of the car. I’ve been told that cars that have the replaceable element have better oil flow and more filtering capacity. I could see that being plausible because I had an 07 Mazda 3 with a replaceable element filter. The OEM filter had a lot of pleats compared to other filters, and the oil passages seemed to be a good size. I always got an exceptional oil analysis from that engine.
I think another reason for the replaceable element is that engineers get tight on space, so they will probably save some space.
Or – like BMWs that have it on top – a spin on would make for a heck of a mess.
GM Ecotec engines have plastic cap you unscrew and pull the element out. I kinda liked it, less messy to change.
The Mazda 3 is a terrible design of a cartridge filter. Two separate O-rings that must be replaced on a trash can style filter that is a mess to because there is no drain and leaks if anything was done wrong. IIRC the same year Ford Focuses used a spin on canister filter and it was very easy to convert back to the nicer spin on by changing out the oil filter mount.
The Ecotec filter is a nice design. A bit of oil leakage on pulling the cartridge out but very nicely done even considering the filter and cap was redesigned early on. I would have wished that GM had gone to a toilet paper style thick media bypass filter but it is still better than many other cartridge filters overall.
I work on trucks and on a lot of the new engines I’ve seen the element style. I agree the element style are nicer to change. Really no mess at all as for filtering though I’m not sure if it’s any better. From what I’ve seen you leave all the dirty oil in their unless you clean it out and replace it, and that never gets done. With the spin on filter we are able to just fill the new filter with clean oil. So you have a fresh start but I prefer the element filters.
Older Mercedes Benzes use an element style filter. If you ever get a chance, look at the manual to see just how complicated the filter and housing together are. My wife has a 1995 E320 with an inline twin cam 6 she says she wants to keep it forever. Changing the oil is a dream. After you have unscrewed the canister housing and lifted it to drain back you then pump the oil out through the dip stick tube. the only time you have any contact with oil is when you unsnap the cartridge from the housing and replace the one oring. Go get a cup of coffee and when you come back the oil is in the vacuum tank. (These cars are designed to have the oil pumped out and eventually I believe they even made them with a drain plug)
Anyway, you never have to jack the car up and the filter never drips on everything.
I disagree with that statement. I had zero problems with my Mazda. The center plug is the drain if you choose to use it. Many times I would unscrew the whole thing and be done with it. Not really much messier than other filters. I never had one drop of oil leak out from my filter housing. I probably would have done the conversion if I kept the car longer. It wasn’t that bad.
There really is no difference other than cost really, just producing the paper filter element and not covering it with metal makes for a less expensive design.
My 2004 ION was that way, you are right it is ALOT less messy. Just needed to buy a BIG wrench which was like $2.50 on Amazon. I also like the fact that you get to see the actual filter media going in. With a spin on you never know what your going to get. I think that the NAPA Golds are the best spin on filters, even pleats and high filtering capacity.
My 2004 ION was that way, you are right it is ALOT less messy. Just needed to buy a BIG wrench which was like $2.50 on Amazon. I also like the fact that you get to see the actual filter media going in. With a spin on you never know what your going to get. I think that the NAPA Golds are the best spin on filters, even pleats and high filtering capacity.
No difference really they both perform the same function. In fact inside the metal cartridge there is a paper element similar to the one you changed. As for what is better I don’t think there is any real difference other than the cost of manufacturer, it’s much cheeper to make a paper element filter than a paper element filter with a metal casing however it’s easier to install the metal cartridge type.
No difference really they both perform the same function. In fact inside the metal cartridge there is a paper element similar to the one you changed. As for what is better I don’t think there is any real difference other than the cost of manufacturer, it’s much cheeper to make a paper element filter than a paper element filter with a metal casing however it’s easier to install the metal cartridge type.
Higher end filters will filter at a higher micron rating too.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=cfrm
Higher end filters will filter at a higher micron rating too.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=cfrm
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