A clogged oil filter might cause problems for the engine. To maintain your engine in good shape and operating at its peak, regular maintenance is essential. Perhaps the most frequent maintenance you are aware of as a car owner is changing the engine oil, but did you realize that cleaning the oil filter is equally crucial? Oil filters can be overlooked in situations where oil is needed to cool the engine, lubricate the moving parts, and perform a variety of other tasks.
To prevent engine damage, you should get your oil and oil filter replaced every 3,000 miles. since an obstructed oil filter can shorten the lifespan of your car and motor oil quickly becomes unclean. Thus, in this article, we’ll be discussing the following.
- Where is the Oil filter located?
- What is The function of an oil filter?
- What are the Symptoms of a clogged oil filter?
- How much does Clogged Oil Filter Replacement Cost?
So, let’s begin!
Contents
Where is the Oil filter located?
Depending on the kind of car you drive, there are different oil filter locations. Sometimes, the oil filter is only accessible from underneath the automobile. To access it in this situation, you might need to remove the splash shield or skid plate.
On some vehicles, you can access the oil filter from above. It is advised to look for a diagram in your owner’s manual if you are unsure.
Oil filters are also available in a variety of styles. You might have a plastic housing for a changeable filter in your car, or you might have a metal screw-on canister.
What is The function of an oil filter?
The oil filter on the car is in charge of maintaining the oil flowing normally and screening out impurities. All of the damaging dirt, metal, debris, and pollutants that attempt to enter the engine oil are captured by a clean oil filter. The particles will enter the engine without this filter and harm it. The engine stays cleaner and lasts longer with the proper oil filter.
The oil filter is also in charge of keeping the oil in its proper place. Through that tapping plate, oil enters the filter and passes through it. This plate seems like it has several smaller holes surrounding it. The central hole is where the motor oil exits after passing through the smaller holes in the filter medium. Contaminants in the oil are captured when it passes through the filter media.
The anti-drain back valve prevents oil from the engine from leaking into the filter when the motor is off. There may also be a relief valve, which, when it’s cold outside and the engine needs a boost, permits a modest discharge of unfiltered oil into the engine. Unless the filter is clogged, each of these crucial components makes sure the oil is flowing as it should.
What are the Symptoms of a clogged oil filter?
Low pressure and stalling are unquestionably on our list of red flags. If you think your vehicle may have a clogged filter, you can look out for some of these symptoms.
Low oil pressure
Can low pressure be caused by a clogged oil filter? Definitely. One of the telltale indicators of a blocked oil filter is low pressure. A clogged oil filter will invariably result in a drop in oil pressure as your engine tries to uniformly lubricate and cool all the engine’s components, in contrast to a damaged relief pressure valve, which is likely to be to responsible for a surge.
Poor Performance
Oil filter clogging is one of several potential causes of poor performance. When you press down on the accelerator, nothing seems to happen. Because of the lag, your engine won’t accelerate as quickly as it usually does. This could also mean that there is an issue with the fuel filter, the carburetor, the fuel injector, the air filter, or the transmission.
Sputtering engine
A sputtering engine is a noise no driver wants to hear, but it can also be a sign of an obstructed oil filter. Sputtering should be investigated, even if it’s just slight, to see if an oil filter problem is to blame or if there’s a more significant cause.
Metallic noise
Your engine’s components won’t be properly lubricated if it doesn’t receive enough oil. The moving pieces produce metallic sounds as a result. If you hear what sounds like grinding, stop immediately away, turn off the engine, and phone your roadside assistance company to arrange for a tow to the nearest car repair shop. You’ll execute the engine death sentence if you let the parts keep colliding.
Overheating
Can stalling be caused by a clogged oil filter? Without a doubt. Not only that but there was also overheating. You can have issues starting your car because a blocked oil filter can affect the hydraulic valves or the camshaft timing. This issue might make your automobile overheat and stall since it also hinders the flow of fuel to the engine. Overheating is a blatant indicator of blocked oil filters, the cause of an engine stall.
Engine oil looks excessively dark
When you check the condition and level of your engine oil once a month, it should be brown and feel smooth to the touch. If it looks black, feels gritty, or is abnormally thick or sludgy, there are pollutants in the oil that aren’t being effectively filtered out. Oil should be replaced together with the oil filter replacement.
Dirty exhaust
Finally, the exhaust from your car can be impacted by an obstructed oil filter. Except for perhaps a small amount of white smoke during cold weather, you shouldn’t see any smoke coming from your tailpipe at all. Your car might be burning fuel or oil if you notice brown or black smoke coming from the pipe. You might be able to tell right away that an oil filter clog is the root of the exhaust because of how strongly burnt oil smells.
Crackling noises
Last but not least, if you hear metallic crackling noises, this could indicate that your oil filter is clogged and your engine’s parts aren’t getting enough lubrication. You must quickly replace the oil filter to prevent engine components from experiencing harmful friction.
The check engine light is on
Poor oil flow is indicated by a Check Engine Light that is illuminated with a diagnostic fault code that reads “Engine Oil Pressure Too Low” (P0524) or something similar. The usual causes are low oil levels or a defective oil pump, however, an obstructed oil filter is also a possibility.
Reduced Fuel Economy
Unfortunately, your engine will use more gasoline or diesel when it is sputtering and struggling to operate. You must have the factory-scheduled maintenance completed in order to keep the engine operating at its peak level and receive the fuel mileage that the vehicle’s manufacturer guarantees. The engine performance issues brought on by the blocked oil filter will reduce fuel efficiency.
Excess Hydrocarbons
Last but not least, engine dirt in the motor oil will result in an increase in the hydrocarbons present in your car’s exhaust. As a result, an oil filter blockage can cause your car to fail an emissions test.
How much does Clogged Oil Filter Replacement Cost?
One of the least expensive components in your car is the oil filter, which costs between $10 and $20. It only makes sense to include routine oil filter replacement in your maintenance schedule given how inexpensive they are. It’s easy enough to replace an oil filter at home while having your oil changed. But if you need to have your oil and filters changed professionally, expect to pay between $30 and $75 for a traditional oil change and between $60 and $125 for a synthetic oil change.
You should always change the oil filter at the first sign of difficulty considering the cost. Even if there are no issues, change the filter every time you change the oil. Never disregard this easy task as it could prevent your engine from suffering severe harm.
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- Everything you need to know about car oil filter
- Check Engine Light After Oil Change: Causes and How to Fix
- Oil In Intake Manifold: Causes and Solution
Watch the video below to learn more
FAQs
What will happen if the oil filter is clogged?
Unclean motor oil will circulate through the engine because of an obstructed oil filter, which will affect how well the engine runs. The moving parts will find it difficult to function as the motor oil coats them with filth. Your engine’s capacity to accelerate and produce power will be noticeably reduced.
Can an oil filter cause a loss of power?
One of your filters becoming clogged can result in issues and have an impact on performance. Power loss, soiled smoke, an oil light, or even an engine failure could be visible.
Can a clogged oil filter cause a misfire?
However, it might occur in some circumstances, particularly if the oil filter leak is left unattended for a long time. Less oil will circulate around the engine if the filter isn’t working properly. This can lead to improper engine timing, which can cause a misfire.
Does oil filter affect performance?
Yes, oil filters have an impact on performance because they are crucial to keeping the engine clean and lubricated. Oil flow can be restricted by a clogged or dirty filter, which may result in lower performance and even engine damage.
Can you drive with a dirty oil filter?
Metal will rub against metal as the engine runs if the filter is clogged, as a result of a lack of oil. To prevent major engine damage, you should stop driving the car as soon as you hear metallic noises.
What is a normal indication that an oil filter is becoming blocked?
You’re Emitting Dirty Exhaust Fumes. Dark exhaust fumes could mean that your oil filter is clogged, which is allowing oil to flow into your exhaust system. There might also be a burning odor.
What are the side effects of a dirty engine filter?
- Low acceleration.
- Poor Engine Performance.
- Strange and Diverse Noises.
- Check the Engine indicator.
- Exhaust fumes.
- Bad gas mileage.
Can the wrong oil filter cause engine damage?
This is because an oil filter that is blocked, defective, or in an improper place could prevent oil from accessing the engine. Additionally, when there is insufficient oil to lubricate and cool the moving parts of the engine, the metal parts heat up excessively, damaging the engine in the process.
Can a bad oil filter cause high oil pressure?
Oil filter that is dirty or contaminated: The oil filter is used to remove contaminants from engine oil. Dust, soot, rust, and gum particles accumulate in the filter over time and start to block the system. More resistance and greater oil pressure result from this.
What will happen if the engine oil and oil filter will not be replaced?
To function effectively, your engine needs a huge volume of clean oil. The amount of oil that may travel through the oil filter and into your engine might be drastically reduced if the oil filter is not replaced on a regular basis. Your engine could suffer significant harm if you don’t use this oil.
Can a faulty oil filter cause a leak?
Another frequent reason for auto oil leaks is a loose or damaged oil filter. Simple solutions for this problem include replacing the blocked filter or properly tightening the filter. Additionally, employing the wrong size filter can eventually result in an oil leak.
That’s all for this article where we discussed the following;
- Where is the Oil filter located?
- What is The function of an oil filter?
- What are the Symptoms of a clogged oil filter?
- How much does Clogged Oil Filter Replacement Cost?
Hope it was helpful. If so, kindly share. Thanks for reading.
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