I had this stainless steel oil filter constructed to increase oil flow on cold starts and to increase oil pressure in the engine. It filters down to 10 microns and I have had it on my AMG C43 for about 4,500 miles. Oil analysis shows the filter to be working very well and it is so easy to clean. Cost will be around $85 to $90 each.

Jeff

Jeff,

Obviously you are running synthetic in your C43... does the SS filter work well on older cars with conventional oil? I assume it would work the same; it's constructed out of fine mesh right? I wonder how it would work for my M103 which has a screw on filter element instead of a cartridge. hmm.

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Jonathan
1998 S600
2001 E430
1994 E320
1991 560SEL
1994 Turbo R

The paper element traps the dirt in a regular filter. How does your metal filter trap the dirt? Please enlighten.

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Flash Gordon

2003 E500 BlackOpal/Charcoal

2004 Infiniti G35X

..to screw around with a garage-built filter. What's the benefit? If you're increasing oil flow on startup, it must mean that the filter is less restrictive - which means that more gunk is getting by the filter. I'd bet that the paper filters have 5 times the surface area that the filter shown in your picture.

Using synthetic oil of the proper viscosity for the season should give you plenty of flowl on cold-startup. I just don't see the benefit of what you've done - only potential long-term harm.

Troy
1995 E420 76k

First off it's not a garage bulit filter. It is built by K & P Engineering who build these type of filters for all sorts of high performance engines and have been for some 20 years?

The benefit is that the quality is 50 times better than a stock filter. And on cold startup in a cold climate even a good synthetic oil will go through the by-pass part of the filter and directly to the engine bearings and cylinder walls.

Paper filters if they get water introduced into the filter structure can become weak and tear or degrade and cause very large particles to pass through the filter.

As most of you know, 95% of the wear in your engine occurs on startup and a good filter like this one can reduce this wear. For those who want to treat their engines with the greatest care and want a very high quality oil filter should look at this option.

Please check out "Bob is the Oil Guy" website and the oil filter study they performed. It will give you a new insight on what it takes to have a really good oil filter.

http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=000513;p=

Thanks,

Jeff

1. Have you done oil analysis tests with a paper filter to compare before after results? If yes was the same oil type and viscosity used?

2. You state the filter is cleanable, how do you go about cleaning it and how many times can it be cleaned before it needs to be replaced. I ask because my past experience with K&N's has been they never clean to as new condition, does this have similar issues?

3. Does the filter include the necessary O-Rings and press washers?

4. Assuming your comparing a new paper filter to the S/S filter shown, which offers better filtration? (Again assume both are new)

5. Why does this filter offer better startup flow? Is it because it offers less restriction through the filter element, or because the bypass is of better design?

BTW that filter is a work of art, if indeed it does perform much better and offers better startup flow then I would consider it.

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Afshin

Current:
02 C32 AMG

Previous:
92 500E
84 190E 2.3 5 Spd

The stainless filter is a nice item and reminds me of the mesh and paper fuel line filters.

If cold start issues are of concern an ACCUSUMP(tm?) system with a pre-ignition/start purge will be the best solution and costs about the same.

They are widely used on race cars and provided an added level of protection in hard corners when the potential for the oil siphon/pick up to be come dry.

If you are looking for a filter screen to use with your paper filter lookk at this: (I though It was a gimick when I saw it in Euro Tuner this month)

http://www.enginechek.com/#

I you want better oiling efficiency convert to a larger Oil filter by way of a block off plate and remote filter. The race car I sponsor uses two 1.5 quart K&N disposable filters in tandem and a 5 quart accusump on a 16vlv.

mbracer,

While the filter is made of stainless steel screen material it is only 35 microns and I think thats about 1/5th the size of a human hair, so its very, very fine and does filter out a bunch of contaminates.

The oil analyisis reports taken on the oil from my C43 show no oil contamination due to oversize particles.

Plus who wants to go through the hassle of installing an oil accumilator and two or three large remote filter?

Jeff

So the filter you have in your C43 fits which cars?

Does it fit an M117 motor?

How many microns is the stock filter?

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Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.

The K&N and Mobil One filter filters down to 10 microns. The Factory filter is going to be about the same as the Stainless Steel. Typical filter paper elements are in the range of 25 or so microns.

The accumulator was answer to the Cold start issue and not really directly related to a particular filter or number of filters. I went on to explain it for the general interest. I wanted to show that it does have many benefits as related to cold start and oil starvation.

As a suggestion I would show the cost benefit anlysis, ROI. At $95 one time versus ~$10 "x" amount of times for filter changes.

The stainless filter will be bargin, I am sure. Just check to make sure, since these are late model cars the warranties are not affected should there be an unassociated failure. Dealers and warranty companies love to find a reason not honor a warranty.