Date: Sun, 17 Oct 1999 10:44:15 -0700
Reply-To: Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
Subject: Re: Oil Filters
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Alfred,
>I have been using the cheap oil filters from
>Canadian Tire for years with no apparent bad
>effects.
*** The effects would not show up right away... the effects would most
probably be a shortened engine life but you wouldn't notice that right away.
*** The only way to be sure you have the right filter is to use the VW
recommended filters (see below)... or perhaps to buy other filters and test
them... I certainly wouldn't trust the advise of parts suppliers trying to
sell me filters that are not recommended by VW.
*** Her is a post I saved from last winter:
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 upp
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
>
>Anyway, I am about to change the oil again for the
>winter, using 5W30. I live in Edmonton, Canada.
>I have bought a Bosh 72150 filter (it has a spring
>like thing in the middle) and a Canadian Tire
>filter (hollow in the middle, no spring).
>
>Questions:
>Which is better, and why?
>Can the spring in the Bosh filter get stuck,
>rendering the filter useless?
>Should I get another type of filter?
>
>Thanks
>
>Alfred
>85 Vanagon
>
