Oil filters tend to be problem-free for the most part as they are generally a simple affair. And AC Delco ensures you have the best in your oil filter. The PF63E is one such oil filter that is designed to guarantee your engine is well protected from impurities. However, you are likely to experience some issues along the way.
The common problems that arise when using the PF63e filter are the leaking filter and the filter not budging when changing. If the filter was tightened excessively when being installed, you might have some difficulty when changing it. The filter may also leak oil if the rubber gasket is damaged. This may force you to replace it.
This article keeps you in the know on some of the common problems you can experience with oil filters and how to solve them.
Common PE63E Problems and Possible Solutions
The PF63e oil filter by AC DELCO is one of the best in the market. These are reliable and durable so you can count on them to keep impurities from your engine in the long term. However, they need to be maintained frequently and require regular changing.
Leaking Filter
You are likely to experience filter leaking when dealing with oil filters. Sometimes, this issue can be resolved by tightening the filter. However, if it is a case of a damaged rubber gasket, then it would be best to replace the filter.
Changing Issue
When it is time to change the filter, you may notice that your filter does not budge. That is one of the most common issues. Ideally, they are to be tightened in place (that is if you are dealing with screw-on filters), but sometimes too much vigor might be used and hence you experience difficulty when it is time to change it. If that is the case, you will require a special tool to remove the filter.
Types of Oil Filter Failures and How to Prevent Them
More often than not, oil filter failures can go undetected until bigger problems start presenting themselves that you cannot ignore. Each failure type has a distinct failure mechanism and method of detection.
Still, most of the problems can be easily detected and prevented through routine system analysis. The best preventive measure is to ensure you equip your car with high-quality filters. Below are three of the most common filter failures.
Plugging
The plugging phenomenon is where the oil in a system circulates for too long without being changed or inspected. The oil degrades over time through processes such as oxidation and the failure products including carbon sludge and vanishes start to appear.
These products tend to cover the filter hence restricting oil flow. You may not easily detect it through oil analysis, but you can suspect it if your experience an increased pressure differential across the filter. This issue is preventable by routine changing of the oil and filters.
Fatigue Cracking
Fatigue cracking, also media matrix deformation, is a situation that occurs when operational stresses such as high pressure and violent cycle shifts, cause the filter’s weaves to warp.
This deformation of the filter medial can force the oil flow to bypass the filter, hence contamination to circumvent capture resulting in an increased particle count in the oil. This issue can be solved by moving the pressure from high pressure. You can also reinforce the filters against high pressure by implementing metal screens.
Channeling
Channeling can also be referred to as pore erosion. This phenomenon occurs when particles become lodged in the pores of the filter. The particles tend to get forced through these pores and then become permanently enlarged. Channeling escalates when high-speed and abrasive particles such as sand and wear-metal bombard the screen.
This phenomenon can be identified through a particle count test. If the particle test shows an upward trend in the number of large particles present in the oil, then channeling has occurred. You can prevent this issue by inspecting and changing the system’s gaskets and seals regularly.
What Tools Do I Need to Change an Oil Filter?
The tools required to depend on the type of oil filter you are working with. For screw-on filters, for instance, should be removed by hand.
This means you will need a pair of gloves, which could be rubber or silicone to help with the grip, especially if the filter is oily. If you don’t manage to get it loose, you can then use an oil filter wrench.
These often feature a metal or a rubber strap that is placed around the filter housing. The wrench also has a handle to increase leverage. The strap works to ‘bite’ into the filter to make it come loose.
You could also use something that looks like a large socket that you can slide underneath the filter. This is guaranteed to work as long as the housing is not dented.
For the canister filters, the housing has to be opened conventionally with a large socket. It is important to keep in mind the size of the filter before attempting a change.
FAQs
Conclusion
It is important to know some of the issues that could result from oil filters so you can deal with them effectively. Oil filters do not have many issues as long as they are properly maintained. Changing oil and filters is the best preventive measure.
