Amsoil dual remote filter?

[rja]

OK, I am getting sucked into this whole synthetic mindset. Amsoil has a oil filtration system that connects to the original oil filter connection and runs two hoses to a remote filter base. This base consists of two canister filters. The oil is pumped to this remote location and cleaned then returned to the engine. My question is has anybody tried this system? Is this really worth doing? I like the idea of moving the oil filter to a more accessible place but I don't want to damage anything.

 

[RobS]

RJA, it's unlikely that you'll damage anything, but the benefits are questionable (other than the easier access). The OEM oil system is designed as just that... a system. The filter is sized as part of that system. More filter won't hurt, but I'd rather spend that time and money on an implement or another upgrade with some tangible value. The other thing you will do is add oil capacity which means more expensive oil changes and more used oil to dispose of. My two cents...

Rob

 

[Bird]

rja, I don't know whether you could find the old messages or not, but if I remember right, I think Mark Chalkley has done that to his L4310 or his Dodge truck (or both).

Bird

 

[Anonymous Poster]

rja, The only real reason for that setup is longer oil change intervals, as you have a lot more filter capacity. I have honestly not seen it on anything but large overthe road trucks where they do oil analysis perodically and run the oil 100,000 miles. being a tractor is subject to a lot of partial throttle work I would never run oil that long. I don't have my price book in front of me but I think they are a couple hundred dollars by the time you get the adapter and hose and the fittings. Worth it????????????????????? gary

 

[heehaw]

i priced this out several years ago; the purpose of the remote filter is to add more filtering to the existing system, and extend drain intervals; when i was looking at the set-up; the remote filter did not replace your existing filter, it connected to a T at the oil pressure sending unit, and then returned the oil to the valve cover or to the location where you add oil,(you had to modify the filler plug/cap). you were suppose to use amsoils filter on the remote and in place of the oem filter. i think you were still suppose to change filters as usual, and top off the oil; by the time you buy both of the filters and top off the oil, IN MY CASE, it was just as cheap to change the oil and only have one filter. the system i was looking at was not the DUAL remote filter; it was a single, additional, maybe called "bypass" filter. i am a firm believer in synthetic oils; but i still like to change the oil regularly. if your looking for a remote filter unit; the olds bravado has one, you might pick up a unit at a wrecking yard at a bargain..
heehaw

 

[MChalkley]

As Bird says, I've got one on my '93 Dodge Cummins 4x4 and my '96 VW Passat Diesel (but not on my L4310HST - yet). The major benefits (other than accessibility, which of course varies depending on how bad the stock vehicle is and what your mounting options are) are: 1) the bypass filter part of the setup filters out the trash in the sub-micron to 30-micron range that the standard filter isn't capable of catching and 2) the bypass filter will filter water out of the oil, which normal full-flow filters won't do.

How much does this matter? It varies, depending on how much stuff gets into the oil in the first place, among other things. One thing for sure: It can't hurt.

MarkC

 

[rja]

Mark, can you explain how the bypass filter is installed on a engine. I am thinking about using this on a Kohler 25hp gas 2cylinder engine. By the way, I spoke to the Chevy service center about using the remote filter system on a suburban and they felt that this could reduce the oil presure in the system which in turn would be a negitive to the motor. I like the idea of moving the filter but I don't want to screw up a 40,000 car. Along with how to plump in the bypass system, what is you expierence with the pressure issue? thanks, Rich

 

[MChalkley]

Rich - The Amsoil bypass filter does not have any (noticeable) effect on oil pressure. The reason is that the amount of oil that can go through the restrictor bushing to flow through the bypass filter is such a small percentage of the total flow of the oil pump. So, if you're thinking about installing a bypass filter, you have nothing to worry about when it comes to oil pressure.

Something you might want to consider is changing mechanics /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif. I don't expect anyone to know everything, but I do expect people that work on my stuff to not blather about things they know nothing about. Or put another way, I expect them to know what they don't know, and either say so, or keep totally quiet on the subject. But giving definite opinions on a subject, pretending to be informed, while knowing full well you're ignorant and just guessing, is intolerable.

The bypass can be plumbed in one of two ways. You can put in just the bypass, in which case the preferred way is to install an adapter Amsoil sells that goes between the standard full flow oil filter and the block, with hoses running to and from the bypass filter which is mounted in some (hopefully) convenient location. The second way is to install an Amsoil dual remote filter, in which case the stock full flow filter is completely replaced by an adapter that Amsoil sells, with hoses running to and from the full flow and bypass filters on a single mount which is installed in some (hopefully) convenient location. If you just want to install the bypass filter and there's no adapter for your engine or you just want to do it another way, you can put a "tee" in the block where the oil pressure sending unit screws in, screw the sending unit back into one port of the tee, then run a hose from the other port to the bypass filter. You then need to rig a return line, preferably by punching a hole (not drilling, unless you remove the pan) in the oil pan above the full line. Needless to say, the first option is a lot cleaner.

In either case, the amount of oil allowed to flow through the bypass filter is severely restricted by a restrictor bushing, so pressure is unaffected.

MarkC

 

[rja]

Thanks Mark. I will talk to a different Chevy dealership about the suburban and the remote system. The Kohler tech had no knowledge about these systems and as such recommended not to use them. He said that he was unawaire that the Dixie Chopper company was installing the bypass filter as an aftermarket modification to the Kohler engines. How can the company reps not know what people are doing with their products? I had the same problem getting the Scag people to acknowledge problems with the pre 1999 Turf Tiger machines. Rich