Oil filter always comes out crushed?

[cn90]

I have used Mann for years but recently switched to Mahle.
Just order a whole bunch of stuff from autohausaz.com, as long as > $75, shipping is FREE.

I put together a photo of Mahle vs Mann, you can see that the Mahle is better constructed in my opinion:

[kevinkay]

One thing to mention......I pour almost a quart of new oil onto/into the filter before screwing it down - so the engine is not starved at start up after oil change. (I am reaching here....) Maybe the paper swells thus causing the twist....

[JCL]

The filter media has to stand up to hot oil for 15,000 miles, so five minutes of cold oil isn't going to damage it.

It it swelled or burst or collapsed from oil pressure or lack of support structure, it would be in the middle of the length. Since it shows a definite spiral twist in the direction of tightening it indicates either too long, over tightening, or lack of lubrication on the filter ends during initial tightening, IMO.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by cn90

I have used Mann for years but recently switched to Mahle.....

I put together a photo of Mahle vs Mann, you can see that the Mahle is better constructed in my opinion:

Does that Mahle have more pleats and therefore more surface area for the filtering media?

Does the Mann have thicker filtering media?

Appears so from the photo, but hard to tel without having both side by side.

[cn90]

@kevinkay,

How many miles on that filter?

BTW, I replace oil/filter every 5K-6K. If you leave the filter in there long enough, you will have issues.

[kevinkay]

I am embarrassed to say......I don't know. I go by the maintenance bars - always on the last green bar. My car has never seen a red bar or "service engine".

[cn90]

Originally Posted by kevinkay

I am embarrassed to say......I don't know. I go by the maintenance bars - always on the last green bar. My car has never seen a red bar or "service engine".

Do NOT go by green bars. I use green bars only as a reminder to do "something".

I make my own spread sheet of maintenance (air filter, oil filter, spark plugs etc.) and stick to my spread sheet.

The filter you showed is classic of one that has way over 10K miles. E39 forums have some photos similar to yours.

[ants_oz]

Thickness of the media (for example) has little to do with filtering capability. Paper filters are micron-rated, but it is only an approximate rating.

As the paper filter is a "labyrinth" filter, there is no constant and consistent way to measure the ACTUAL filtering ability, as the paper is formed as a random pressing of the pulp fibres.

As such, it will have channels through the filter media that are both larger and smaller than the micron rating.

The micron rating is obtained as (basically) an average of a given number of passes through the filter. That a particle of X size will likely be trapped if it passes through the filter up to Y number of times.

Back on topic a little - that twisted filter is too long. Happens all the time with aftermarket filters of this type. Won't hurt the filtration potential, but won't help it either.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by cn90

Do NOT go by green bars. I use green bars only as a reminder to do "something".

I make my own spread sheet of maintenance (air filter, oil filter, spark plugs etc.) and stick to my spread sheet.

The filter you showed is classic of one that has way over 10K miles. E39 forums have some photos similar to yours.

My last four BMW vehicles have been fine at up to 24,000 km oil change intervals. Filters were fine. I did it then and didn't leave it the 28,000 km the lights were calling for on one vehicle.

[Turbo_Bimmer]

I did an oil change 2 days ago. Usually my oil filter comes out easily and in a normal shape, but this time it was a bit collapsed on the supporting cone and since that supporting piece has ridges on it, it was impossible to slip the filter out. I had to destroy the filter with my fingers (N62 engine, not a lot of space).

I do my oil changes at 12000km (7200mi) and use only Mobil1 0W40 and filters from my local dealer.

It's like there has been too much suction from the oil pump... weird.