The oil filter is an important "guardian" of the engine. Its quality directly affects the cleanliness of the oil, the lubrication effect and the life of the engine. In order to ensure that the oil filter can function stably under various driving conditions, manufacturers will conduct a series of rigorous durability tests on it. So, how to test the durability of the oil filter? What tests does it need to go through? This article will take you to a deeper understanding.

1. Why does the oil filter need durability testing?

The oil filter needs to withstand high temperatures, high pressure and long-term use. Any quality defects may cause oil contamination, insufficient pressure and even engine damage. Therefore, the purpose of durability testing is to evaluate its filtering performance, pressure resistance, durability and stability under extreme conditions to ensure that it can operate effectively for a long time.

2. Key durability tests of oil filters

(1) Filtration efficiency and life test

Test purpose: Evaluate the filtering capacity and service life of the oil filter under different working conditions.

Test method:

• Let the oil filter circulate the oil for a long time in a simulated engine environment, while continuously adding tiny impurities (such as dust, metal particles, etc.).

• Record the particle size that the filter can effectively intercept, and whether the filtering ability decreases after long-term operation.

• Observe whether the filter element affects the oil flow due to long-term clogging.

Qualification standard: High-quality oil filters should be able to maintain a stable filtering effect after long-term use and should not be clogged prematurely.

(2) High temperature and corrosion resistance test

Test purpose: Ensure that the oil filter can operate normally under the high temperature and high pressure environment of the engine.

Test method:

• Put the filter in a high temperature environment above 150°C to simulate the actual working conditions of the engine.

• Test whether the seal ring, filter paper and housing will deform, age or crack at high temperatures.

• Conduct a corrosion resistance test using oil with a high acid value to assess whether the filter material is affected by the acidic substances in the oil.

Qualification standard: High-quality oil filters should have high-temperature resistant silicone seals, and the filter element material should not lose its filtering ability or dissolve at high temperatures.

(3) Compression and burst test

Test purpose: To detect the stability of the oil filter under high pressure and prevent bursting or deformation.

Test method:

• Gradually increase the oil pressure in the laboratory to simulate extreme driving conditions, such as high-speed driving and cold start in cold weather.

• Observe whether the oil filter can withstand the pressure, especially whether there are leaks or cracks in the housing, seals and joints.

• Perform a burst test, that is, continue to increase the pressure until the filter physically breaks to test its ultimate bearing capacity.

Qualification standard: A high-quality oil filter can withstand at least 10-15 times the normal oil pressure without bulging, bursting or leaking the housing.

(4) Anti-backflow valve and bypass valve test

Test purpose: To evaluate whether the anti-backflow valve can prevent oil backflow and whether the bypass valve can provide an alternative channel when the filter element is blocked.

Test method:

• Let the oil filter work at different tilt angles to test whether the anti-backflow valve can effectively prevent oil backflow.

• As the filter becomes progressively clogged, monitor whether the bypass valve opens promptly to ensure a continuous oil supply to the engine.

Qualification standard: The anti-backflow valve of a high-quality oil filter should be made of high-temperature resistant silicone material, and the bypass valve should be activated under appropriate pressure without causing oil leakage or filtration failure.

(5) Long-term actual road test

Test purpose: Through real road conditions testing, evaluate the performance of the oil filter after long-term use.

Test method:

• The filter is installed on the vehicle and tested for 5,000-15,000 kilometers, covering different environments such as cities, highways, and extreme weather.

• Record indicators such as oil pressure, sludge accumulation, engine noise changes, etc.

• Disassemble the filter and check whether the filter element is intact, whether the seal ring is aged, and whether there is wear inside.

Qualification standard: The oil filter should be able to maintain stable performance within the recommended replacement period, and the oil flow should not be blocked due to aging or clogging.

3. Conclusion: How to choose a durable oil filter?

When purchasing an oil filter, you should pay attention to the following points:

• High-efficiency filter material (synthetic fiber is more durable than traditional paper filter elements and has a better filtering effect)

• High-temperature resistant seal ring (silicone material is more resistant to high temperatures than ordinary rubber to prevent oil leakage)

• Pressure-resistant shell (the metal shell is stronger than plastic to prevent bursting)

• Brand guarantee (well-known brands such as WIX, Mann-Filter, K&N, Mobil 1, etc., have been rigorously tested)

Only by choosing an oil filter that has undergone rigorous durability testing can you truly protect your engine and ensure that every drive is smooth and worry-free!