Date: Thu, 11 Feb 1999 10:55:19 -0500
Reply-To: David Katsuki <dkatsuki@WORLD.STD.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David Katsuki <dkatsuki@WORLD.STD.COM>
Subject: Re: Oil Filter? Oil Flavor?
In-Reply-To: <4.1.19990210153457.009fad80@seattle.sea.adobe.com>
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I believe the Mann filters are the ones that folks have favored.
Aftermarket FLAPS brands (e.g. Puralator, etc) apparently do not have the
anti-drainback valves in them and have different filtering / pressure
relief characteristics.
Here's a copy of a previous list msg about it. Summary - don't use FLAPS
filters if you want to be safe.
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Message-Id: <s66e6716.060@collchem.cchem.berkeley.edu>
Date: Wed, 9 Dec 1998 12:03:19 -0800
Reply-To: YauMan Chan <YauMan@CCHEM.BERKELEY.EDU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: YauMan Chan <YauMan@CCHEM.BERKELEY.EDU>
Subject: IMPORTANT INFO on Oil Filter- Conundrum no more.
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
To: vanagon@VANAGON.COM
X-UIDL: ffc6e9f4bf432a2904ae200190170438
Ok.. fellow Vanangonian.
Someone here a few weeks ago asked about using Rabbit/Golf oil filters in
the Vanagon. This question has bugged me ever since I first got my vanagon
and realized that some manufacturers list the same oil filter part number
for the Rabbit/Golf as for the Vanagon whereas Mann/Bosch and Mahle/Knecht
list different parts.
So, I decided to get the answer from the houses mouth and this is e-mail I
got which I will share with you:
"Thank you for your interest in KNECHT products.
"The main difference between OC 108 and OC 47 is inside these filters. OC
108 has an anti-dran valve at the filter, OC 47 not. When you use OC 47 for
your car (VW Tranporter/Vanagon) than you can get problems, when you start
your car. The motor is at this time alwys to long without oil. OC 108 have
also a better paper quality than OC 47, and the pressure bypass is
different. Please use for your car OC 108, to get no damage at your car or
motor.
"If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
"Kind regards
"Sandra Rieger
"1 VGP - Productmanagement
"e-mail: sandra_rieger
Now for some background. The e-mail is verbetim -spelling error and bad
english et el. Obviously, Sandra's English is not the best, but you can
all undertand what she is trying to say. (Besides, who am I to criticize
somebody's English!!) The OEM filters on VW's are either Mann/Bosch or
Mahle/Knecht. VW Dealers usually carry Mann (same as Bosch) while most
foreign autoparts stores carry Knecht (same as Mahle) if you ask for OEM
filters. I wrote to both Mann/Bosch and Mahle/Knecht but only Mahl/Knecht
anwered my inquiry. OC108 is the filter listed for the Vanagon and OC47 is
listed for the Rabbit/Golf.
Here's why the difference is important for all of us Vanagon owners. The
by-pass valve and the "anti-drain" or anti-flow back valve is critical to
our engine.
1. The by-pass valve. You all know that if the filter is clogged, and
pressure built up, the by-pass valve opens up to let oil through. The idea
being that dirty oil is better than no oil. However, the other reason for
the pressure by-pass is even more important. During a cold start, when the
temp is low and the oil is thick, it will not transverse the filter
elements very much..which builds up pressure. .and enough so that the
by-pass valve opens up. If it fails to do so, your engile bearing will be
starve for oil until the oil warms up enough to go through the filter. The
by-pass pressure for the Rabbit/Golf filter is set differently than for the
one in the Vanagon. (The Vanagon is lower)
2. Anti-Drain/Anti-backflow valve. Here is the CRITICAL difference. The
Rabbit/Golf oil filter do NOT have anti-drain valve. Either does most
other 3rd party vendors like FRAM, AC Delco etc. Filters that are meant to
be mounted on it side or at an angle will have the anti-drain valve. The
Rabbit/Golf filter is mount bottoms down. The Vanagon filter is tilted on
it side. When you leave your engine off over night, filters mounted on
it's side or tilted will drain all or most of the oil back to the sump
unless there is an anti-drain valve to keep the oil in the filter. Back
flow will put dirt particles back in the sump but MORE IMPORTANTLY, when
you startup in the morning your Vanagon will be starve of oil until the
pump refills the filter canister. This is why some of you hear banging
noise in your engine for a few minutes after you startup in the mornings...
YOU ARE USING THE WRONG FILTER! The anti-drain valve shuts off reverse
flow of oil back to the sump, thus keeping oil in the filter and all the
upper oil passage way. In that way, there is oil pressure in the bearings
as soon as you restart your engine in the morning. An if the pressure
by-pass valve is working, you will have instantaneous oil pressure in your
critical engine parts.
Now, some models of FRAM have anti-drain back valve.. but it is just a
little plastic flap over the exit portal. The ones in the Mahle/Knecht
filter is a spring loaded metal valve. Take a pick of what filters you
want to use in your beloved Vanagons, but make sure it as anti-drain back
valve... and the by-pass pressure valve is set correctly for the vanagon
engine.
Anyway, folks.. here it is.. do not use Rabbit/Golf filters in your
vanagons. You can use Vanagon oil filters in your Rabbit/Golf.
Now, I am sure some of you have been using Rabbit/Golf oil filters in your
Vanagons and it is still alive an well.. Dumb luck never hurts when owning
a Vanagon!
Yau-Man Chan
87 GL
At 03:47 PM 2/10/99 -0600, Robyn Rudisill wrote:
>To confuse me specifically the FLAPS has about 11 different brands/types of
>oil filters. Does it matter what Oil Filter to use?
>
>Also, what are all of the different oil specifiers for? I am considering
>switching to Mobil 1, couldn't decide which "favor" to get. They ranger
>form 0W50 to 10W30, but I have no idea what the designators mean.
>
>I am in Omaha, NE and we have seen temperatures from 65 (today) to minus 8
>in December. Did I mention that I can't wait to move back to Seattle where
>the temperature is moderated by all of that water, both in the Sound and in
>the Sky.
>
>
>thanks for your time.
>Robyn
>91 Syncro Westy.
>