Really! How Good Are Amsoil Oil Filters?

As we have seen previously in this blog, the charts, graphs and marketing data supplied by Amsoil, Inc., the Amsoil Absolute Efficiency Oil Filter is compelling, but how does it really perform in a real world environment? And is there any data or tests independent of Amsoil that support their claims? Read on and be the judge!

Introduction: The late George Morrison, was a Certified Lubrication Specialist by the Society of Trobologists and Lubrication Engineers as well as the founder and CEO of AV Lubricants, one of the largest Exxon/Mobil distributors in the United States. During his 35 years in the lubricant industry, He worked with such industries as Aviation and Coal Mining assisting with their specific lubricant needs in which hundreds of Used Oil Analysis reports went through his hands a week. As a result, Mr. Morrison was an expert in lubricant and lubricant filtration.

While the accomplishments of his career are highly notable, his enthusiasm and devotion to the lubricants industry was further demonstrated through his regular posts at a popular motor oil forum, Bob Is The Oil Guy. There, Mr. Morrison supplied valuable motor oil and filter information most of which were based off of his personal experience and testing.

Provided below are Mr. Morrison’s findings regarding the filtering efficiency of the Amsoil Absoilute Effecentcy oil filter. Again, Mr. Morrison was in the business of selling Exxon/Mobil products, so he had no financial gain by reporting his findings of the Amsoil filter.

The Summary: Amsoil Nanofiber oil filters versus traditional paper oil filters:

1) Removes up to 93% more contaminates
2) Lower pressure drop across filter surface
3) Lasts 2 to 4 times longer
4) Filter media does not freeze in cold weather
5) Proven to increase equipment life

Seem to good to be true? Below, the in depth analysis of Mr. Morrison’s oil filter test.

1) The Test Vehicle: 2001 Toyota Sequoia 4.7L V8
2) The Motor Oil: Mobil 1 Racing 0W-30
3) Oil Filter Test (1): Toyota #90915-YZZB5
4) Oil Filter Test (2): Amsoil #EaO57

Laboratory tests were conducted on the used oil samples taken from Mr. Morrison's Sequoia via spectrographic as well as particle count through both laser and pore blockage methods.

Spectrographic Analysis

(Image provided by Polaris Laboratories)

Spectrographic Analysis ASTM D5185 Description:

Elemental Analysis by ICP (inductively-coupled plasma) detects up to 24 metals, measuring less than 5μ in size, that can be present in used oil due to wear, contamination or additives. Wear Metals include iron, chromium, nickel, aluminum, copper, lead, tin, cadmium, silver, titanium and vanadium. Contaminant Metals include silicon, sodium, and potassium. Multi-Source Metals include molybdenum, antimony, manganese, and lithium. Additive Metals include boron magnesium, calcium, barium, phosphorous and zinc. Elemental Analysis is instrumental in determining the type and severity of wear occurring within a unit. (Cited: Polaris Laboratories)

Pore Blockage Particle Counting

Pore Blockage (Image provided by Machinery Lubrication)

Pore Blockage Particle Counting (BS3406) Description:

The pore blockage method is a widely used method of obtaining an automatic particle count. In this method, a volume of fluid is passed through a mesh screen with a clearly defined pore size, commonly 10 microns. There are two instrument-types that use this method. One instrument measures the flow decay across the membrane as it becomes plugged while pressure is held constant, first with particles greater than 10 microns, and later by smaller particles as the larger particles plug the screen. The second measures the rise in differential pressure across the screen while the flow rate is held constant as it becomes plugged with particles. Both instruments are tied to a software algorithm, which turns the time-dependent flow decay or pressure rise into an ISO cleanliness rating according to ISO 4406:99.

While pore block particle counters do not suffer the same problems as optical particle counters with respect to false positive caused by air, water, dark fluid, etc., they do not have the same dynamic range as an optical particle counter, and because the particle size distribution is roughly estimated, are dependent on the accuracy of the algorithm to accurately report ISO fluid cleanliness codes according to ISO 4406:99. Nevertheless, they accurately report the aggregate concentration of particulates in the oil, and in certain situations, particularly dark fluids such as diesel engine oils and other heavily contaminated oils, pore block particle counting does offer advantages. (Cited: George Morrison)

Laser Light Particle Counting

(Image provided by Noria)

Laser Light Particle Counting Description:

Automated light blockage particle counting technology was first introduced in the 1960s. The basic function of a light blockage APC is simple; a beam of light is projected through the sample fluid, if a particle blocks the light, it results in a measurable energy drop that is roughly the proportional to the size of the particle.
A more modern type of particle counter is the light scattering APC. As with the light blockage method, particles produce a measurable interference in the transmission of light through the sample in the light scattering cell. However, instead of simple white light, this method employs a laser. The highly focused light emitted is interrupted by a particle, producing a scattering effect. The increase in energy across the sampling area is measured with this type of particle counter, just the opposite of the light blockage method. (Cited: Noria)

Oil Filter Test Sequence

1) 1/17/07: At 155,876 total vehicle miles (10,000-miles on oil/filter), got spectrographic and Pore Blockage base line of Toyota Oil filter and Mobil 1 oil. Then changed oil and oil filter. The ISO cleanliness for this base line reading was 20/19/17 , a level consistent with previous ISO readings for the oil and filter at the 10k Oil Change interval as noted by Mr. Morrison.

2) 2/5/07: At 157,550 total vehicle miles (1,574-miles on oil/filter), got second spectrographic and Pore Blockage result of Toyota Oil filter and Mobil 1 oil. Then changed the oil filter only from the Toyota to the Amsoil. The ISO cleanliness level for the second reading with OEM filter was 18/17/15.

3) 2/27/07: At 159,000 total vehicle miles (3,124-miles on oil/ 1,550-miles on filter), got third spectrographic and Pore Blockage result of Amsoil Oil filter and Mobil 1 oil. The ISO cleanliness level for the third reading with Amsoil filter was 14/13/11. Keep in mind the Amsoil filter was exposed to 3,124-miles of oil service while the the Toyota filter was exposed to 1,574-miles of oil service; a ratio of 2-to-1.

4) 2/28/07: The third spectrographic and Pore Blockage results were so good that the sample was retested with a Laser Particle Count to verify the initial test results. After test results were verified and both pore blockage and laser particle counts were found to be consistent with each other, the real world Amsoil EaO Oil Filter Test Results were posted on Bob Is The Oil Guy as follows:

OEM oil filter PC vs. Amsoil EaO57 Oil filter PC
>4 Microns = 1,817 particles, 128 particles
>6 microns = 990 particles, 70 particles
>14 microns = 168 particles, 12 particles
>25 microns = 34 particles, 2 particles
>50 microns = 3 particles, 0 particles
>100 microns = 0 particles, 0 particles

George Morrison; a few of his comments regarding Amsoil EaO Oil Filter:

"The ISO cleanliness is reduced from 18/17/15 to 14/13/11 with the Amsoil EaO oil filter." Cited: Bob Is The Oil Guy(2/28/07)

"This level of cleanliness *will* provide meaningful, long term wear reduction and attendant increase in component life" Cited: Bob Is The Oil Guy(2/28/07)

"My used engine oil is cleaner than the oil which came out of the quart bottle" Cited: Bob Is The Oil Guy(2/28/07)

"The EaO is simply the highest quality automotive filter on the market today, from my testing and experience" Cited: Bob Is The Oil Guy(3/1/07)

"I had seen Amsoils graphs, etc. but there is nothing quite like real world testing, especially when it comes to filtration. A lab test of constant flow, perfect conditions is far removed from our vibrating, pulsing, real world engines.. Again, to achieve robotic level ISO cleanliness in an engine with 160,000 miles on it... Wow......" Cited: Bob Is The Oil Guy (3/4/07)

"The last AC Gold I cut open had a cellulose/glass blend, same as the Mobil 1 medium...... That is the only medium I have seen produced for mass sale: no full synthetics, as in the Amsoil EaO, to the best of my knowledge and cut filters too numerous to mention! :-) And yes, had run particle counts on AC Gold and they were not in the same world as the EaO oil filter....."Cited: Bob Is The Oil Guy (3/6/07)

"Yes, I did test the EaO oil filter under varying pressure conditions: on my Toyota Sequoia used oil analysis/particle count which I published the results on this thread some months ago. The EaO turned in "real world" filtration performance (not laboratory constant flow) to a level of cleanliness cleaner than the Mobil 1 coming out of the bottle!!

And I would also agree that the Amsoil EaO, Mobil 1 and Pure One are superb filters with the EaO superior in every performance aspect simply due to its 100% microglass medium construction vs. the glass/cellulose blend used in the Mobil 1 and Pure 1 filters." Cited: Bob Is The Oil Guy (2/28/08)

"The major component was the extraordinary filtering capabilities of the Amsoil EaO filter vs. "the rest".. For those of us who indeed understand the long term life extension of incredibly clean engine oil, the use of the EaO is of great value.. When I can use an oil filter which provides cleaner used engine oil than the oil coming out of the bottle AND understand the premise that the #1 cause of mechanical wear are dirt/particulates carried in the oil, it is your essential "no brainer".. That coupled with significant engine oil drain interval extension is a win/win..

And then, to each his own.. The information was presented was for someone to make the informed decision of whether to go orange or utilize the highest level of filtration.."Cited: Bob Is The Oil Guy(4/28/08)

"(NOT an Amsoil dealer ever, nor now: no affiliation)"Cited: Bob Is The Oil Guy(3/4/07)

In Memory: George Edward Morrison 1944 - 2008
He is missed

See also:

Link - A Look Inside Your Next Oil Filter

Link - AMSOIL Introduces Donaldson Endurance Air and Oil Filters with Nanofiber Technology

Link - Superior Filtration Leads to Reduced Costs, Extended Equipment Life



For more information about AMSOIL synthetic lubricants and performance filtration products contact Anthony Garner at Competition Synthetics. Anthony is an Amsoil T-1 Certified Independent Dealer. E-mail Anthony at compsyn@live.com, or visit http://competitionsynthetics.com

AMSOIL® Introduces Donaldson Endurance™ Air and Oil Filters with Nanofiber Technology

By Ed Newman, Amsoil Marketing and Advertising Manager

Press Release 01/11/2005 - link

AMSOIL INC.® of Superior, WI now represents the Donaldson Endurance™ lube and air filters filters with nanofiber technology. Donaldson filters are specially designed for GVW Class 6, 7 and 8 over-the-road commercial vehicles including vans, beverage trucks, school buses, box trucks, tow trucks, city transports, fuel trucks, cement mixers, heavy construction cabs, refrigerated vans, and more.

Air Filters

This unique nanofiber technology traps sub micron containment below 1 micron in size (a human hair is 50-80 microns in diameter). Donaldson Endurance air filters utilize a sub micron, ultra-fine web that captures these fine contaminants at a very high efficiency level. Donaldson Endurance air filters from AMSOIL® provide the following cost saving benefits:

* Extends service intervals through increased Capacity
* Better Capacity than wet cotton gauze or cellulose
* Offers a high level of engine protection though Efficiency
* Better Efficiency than wet cotton gauze or cellulose
* Highest Efficiency rating in the industry
* Maintains high permeability or Flow through it life cycle
* Advanced “Cleanable” properties and attributes (reusable)
* 100,000 mile AMSOIL guarantee / Extended Service Intervals
* Cost effective / Reduced operation costs
* OEM Certified Fitment
* Elimination of potential OEM warranty issues



In lab testing Ea media with nanofibers removed 2.5 times more dust than the average cellulose filter and 50 times more dust than the average wet gauze media. Ea media also has 3 times the airflow of cellulose filters and is equal to wet gauze filters at the very low 0.5 inches of restriction. The proprietary Ea media held 15 times more dust than the average wet gauze type filter. In short, AMSOIL Ea Filters offer superior performance in the three critical performance benchmarks of efficiency, flow and capacity.

Nanofiber Filter Media

* Traps sub-micron size particles on the nanofiber surface
* Prevents particles from lodging in the filter media depth

Fast Fact: A nanofiber is less than one micron in diameter. A human hair is 80 microns.

Cleaning

EaA filters should be cleaned every year or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. Carefully remove the filter from the housing. Clean the housing with a shop towel, being careful not to knock contaminants into the air inlet. Filters can be cleaned by carefully vacuuming the filter media on the dirty side, or by holding the filter with one hand and carefully blowing the filter media at a 45 degree angle on the clean side using low-pressure shop air (15-20 lbs. psi).

Service Life

AMSOIL Ea Air Filters are guaranteed for four years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. The guarantee applies only if the filter has been serviced according to AMSOIL recommendations. In off-road, frequently dusty or other severe duty applications, clean and change more often as determined by operating conditions or as indicated by restriction gauge.

Lube Filters

Donaldson Endurance lube filters are made with premium advanced synthetic media that incorporates sub micron fibers in size, shape and fiber diameter. The Donaldson Endurance lube filters from AMSOIL® provide the following cost saving benefits:

* 25,000 miles or one year service life in cars and light trucks
* Higher capacity than competing filter lines
* Excellent flow characteristics
* Reduced engine wear
* Certified OEM fitment

The filters also feature fully tucked seams, a molded element seal, roll-formed threads and a long-lasting premium grade silicone anti-drain valve.





Amsoil Nanofiber Oil Filter Real World Test

TEST: Really! How Good Are Amsoil Oil Filters - link

Service Life

AMSOIL Ea Oil Filters are guaranteed for 25,000 miles or one year, whichever comes first, when used in conjunction with AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil. AMSOIL recommends changing the oil filter at the time of oil change.

If used in conjunction with AMSOIL Motor Oil that is being changed at intervals less than 25,000 miles, the EaO Filter should be changed at the same time. AMSOIL EaO Filters are not guaranteed for 25,000 miles when used with any oil other than AMSOIL Motor Oil and should be changed according to vehicle OEM recommendations.

Manufacturer & Dealer Information

Donaldson Company, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., is a leading worldwide provider of filtration systems and replacement parts. Founded in 1915, Donaldson is a technology-driven company committed to satisfying customer needs for filtration solutions through innovative research and development. Our 10,000 employees contribute to the company's success at over 30 manufacturing locations around the world. Donaldson is a member of the S&P MidCap 400 Index and Donaldson shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DCI.

Article: Donaldson Company Selected to Develop Filtration System for U.S. Army Abrams-Crusader Common Engine Program - link



AMSOIL INC. has been the recognized leader in synthetic lubricant and filtration products since 1972 producing the first 100% synthetic motor oil to be recognized by the American Petroleum Institute (API).

Article: Amsoil’s Strategic relationship with Donaldson Filters pdf - link



For more information about AMSOIL synthetic lubricants and performance filtration products contact Anthony Garner at Competition Synthetics. Anthony is an Amsoil T-1 Certified Independent Dealer. E-mail Anthony at compsyn@live.com, or visit http://competitionsynthetics.com

Superior Filtration Leads to Reduced Costs, Extended Equipment Life

SAE study proved direct correlation between particle size and engine wear.

A great deal of emphasis is placed on the importance of using of the most advanced high-quality lubricants, but superior filtration is often taken for granted. The general attitude displayed by many consumers is to use whatever is cheapest, even when they’ve invested in superior lubrication. While AMSOIL synthetic motor oils provide unbeatable protection, performance and economy, they require the assistance of filtration. Without filtration, by-products from the combustion process and abrasive materials ingested from the air will ultimately destroy an engine.

Some Contaminants Cause More Damage

The level of damage particles cause to an engine is directly related to the size of the particles. The oil stream within the engine flows between wear-sensitive surfaces that usually have clearances between 2 and 22 microns. It is contaminants in this size range that pose the greatest threat as they can slip between moving components, causing a great deal of wear.

To appreciate how small these particles are, one must first understand the measurements involved in their classification.

A micron, or micrometer (μ), is a very small unit of linear measurement. One micron is equal to one millionth of a meter, and 25 microns is equal to 0.001 inch. To better put this in perspective, consider that the diameter of a human hair is 50 - 70 microns.

Large particles are particles measuring 1/2” or larger. They pose little threat to engines because they are easily removed by the air filter.


Medium particles are particles measuring 25μ to 1/2”. While they are of greater concern than large particles because they are more difficult to remove, the threat they pose is diminished since they are still larger than many of the clearances within an engine. Their size will not allow them to enter the contact areas between many components to promote accelerated wear.


Small particles are particles measuring between 5 and 25μ. Small particles are of greatest concern because they can penetrate the clearances between wear-sensitive components and promote accelerated wear.And, because they are so small, they are difficult to remove from the oil stream.


SAE Testing

In the 1988 Correlating Lube Oil Filtration Efficiencies With Engine Wear technical paper published by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the relationship between filtration
levels and abrasive engine wear was established. Testing determined that wear was reduced by as much as 70 percent by switching from a 40μ filter to a 15μ filter. The SAE conducted tests on a heavy-duty diesel engine and an automotive gasoline engine, and both provided consistent
results.

New Technology Provides New Options

The SAE paper on filtration discusses the introduction of synthetic fibers into the oil filter market, which offer “the capability of achieving high levels of filtration without the traditional
sacrifice of dirt holding capacity and increased flow restriction.” Today, a new pinnacle has been reached with synthetic nanofiber technology and AMSOIL Ea Oil Filters. While today’s filters offer even greater performance, the message then was the same as it is now; removal of particles
measuring 2 to 25μ is the key to controlling engine wear, and there is a direct correlation between oil filter efficiency and engine wear.

Test Results

To establish a relationship between levels of filtration and engine wear rates, the SAE used a variety of oil filter types in its tests. Three glass filters and one traditional cellulose media filter were used in the diesel tests, while one cellulose, one glass and two glass/cellulose-blend filters were used in the gasoline engine tests. The micron rating of each oil filter was determined, and testing was conducted according to SAE guidelines. The Filter Particle Retention Curves chart on the next page shows the particle retention for each filter tested. The filters were tested at their 98 percent efficiency point and their single pass efficiency curves were determined by comparing
the number of particles upstream from the filter with the number of particles downstream. The Engine Wear Rates charts demonstrate the correlation between superior filtration and reduced engine wear. The filters that provided superior efficiency also provided superior engine protection.

Filter / Micron Rating Media@ 98% Efficiency / Composition

Diesel
(A)___40____Cellulose
(B)___15____Glass
(C)___8.5____Glass
(D)___7_____Glass

Gasoline
(E)___40___Cellulose
(F) __ 30___Glass/Cellulose
(G)___25___Glass/Cellulose
(H)___15___Glass





Conclusions

The SAE paper summarizes the test results with the following conclusions:

“Abrasive engine wear can be substantially reduced with an increase in filter single pass efficiency. Compared to a 40μ filter, engine wear was reduced by 50% with 30μ filtration. Likewise, wear was reduced by 70% with 15μ filtration. “Controlling the abrasive contaminants in the range of 2 to 22μ in the lube oil is necessary for controlling engine wear.
“The micron rating of a filter, as established in a single pass efficiency type test, does an excellent job in indicating the filter’s ability to remove abrasive particles in the engine lube oil
system.”

Today’s Most Advanced Filtration Product

Ea Oil Filters have been evaluated using today’s benchmark test, the ISO 4548-12 multi-pass test. AMSOIL Ea Oil Filters provide 98.7 percent efficiency at 15μ and up to 70 percent efficiency at 7μ. Competitive filters range from approximately 85 to 92 percent efficiency at 15μ.



When it comes to removing contaminants in the most critical size range (2 to 22μ), AMSOIL Ea Filters greatly outperform competitive filters.

Summary

Even with all of the advances in lubrication and engine technology, filtration is as important today as it ever was. The combustion process produces by-products that slip into the oil
stream, and external contaminants are introduced into the engine in a variety of ways. The challenge for filter manufacturers is balancing flow, efficiency and filter life. In order to stop
particles in the 2 to 22μ range, the pores in the cellulose media used in many filters are too small to allow adequate oil flow.

Only AMSOIL Ea Oil and Air Filters feature full-synthetic nanofiber technology. It is the nanofibers that allow Ea Filters to provide greater efficiency than any other filter available. Ea
Filters stop more particles, stop smaller particles and last longer than any other oil filter available for auto/light truck applications.

Works Cited: Amsoil, Inc., http://www.amsoil.com/comparison/oil-filters.pdf

Service Life

AMSOIL Ea Oil Filters are guaranteed for 25,000 miles or one year, whichever comes first, when used in conjunction with AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil. AMSOIL recommends changing the oil filter at the time of oil change.

If used in conjunction with AMSOIL Motor Oil that is being changed at intervals less than 25,000 miles, the EaO Filter should be changed at the same time. AMSOIL EaO Filters are not guaranteed for 25,000 miles when used with any oil other than AMSOIL Motor Oil and should be changed according to vehicle OEM recommendations.