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Do you know that 70% of failures of
engines, transmission and hydraulic systems are caused by fluid
contamination? To prevent this, filters are the key to eliminating,
or at least reducing, contamination, for instance, if kept clean and
free of contaminants by effective filtering, and if additives are
replenished, engine oils will work more effectively for a longer
period of time also important to trouble-free vehicle life are air,
fuel automatic transmission filters.
Oil Filters
Most car, light truck and SUV engines use full-flow oil filters
where all the oil passes through the filter before being circulated
through the engine's lubrication system. Oil enters the oil pump
through the oil pick-up, a screened intake located near the bottom
of the crankcase, and is forced by the oil pump through the oil
filter. Then, "clean" oil flows to the main oil gallery and to the
moving parts in the engine.
Contaminants come from 3 sources. First, they are built-in during
assembly, thus the importance of an one-time, initial oil and filter
change on new vehicles and with new or rebuilt engines. Next, they
are ingested with oil, gasoline and air, and therefore the need for
more frequent oil and filter changes in dirty environments. And
while today's electronically-controlled engines burn much cleaner
producing much less combustion byproducts, friction between moving
parts still causes minute particles of bearings, cylinder walls,
pistons, etc to break off and circulate with the oil.
Because there is a huge number of different filters from several
filter manufacturers, some distributors reduce the number they must
inventory by consolidation. While filters look similar, caution is
recommended when making substitutions. That's because the internal
components such as anti-drain back valves, by-pass valves, post
seals and filtering elements may differ. Each of these has a
specific purpose and must be considered when substituting filters to
assure that the performance is not impaired. Substituting filters
with "will fit" replacements that are not approved may affect or
even void the warranties. Use only the product specified in
interchange and application guides.
Air, Fuel And Automatic Transmission
Filters
While many motorist religiously change oil and and oil filter, the
other filters, especially the fuel filters are often neglected. Air
filters that are not excessively dirty can often be cleaned by
blowing out the dirt with compressed air. Otherwise, you will merely
force the particles further into the filter media. Make sure the
correct filter is installed properly so there are no leaks since
dirty air will seek the path of least resistance by-passing the
filter.
While neglecting the other filters usually only results in premature
wear and poor performance, a clogged fuel filter will result in a
vehicle not running since fuel supply can cease in these full-flow
filters. Properly functioning fuel filters are especially important
in fuel injected engines because contaminants can plug the tiny
passages resulting in poor and often expensive repairs to correct
problems. Some fuel systems have more than one filter to be changed,
for instance one near the fuel tank of trap larger particles and
another under the hood to handle smaller contaminating. Like other
filters, it is important to use the correct replacement filters. For
example, you light get away with a generic, plastic filter in a
benign environment in the trunk, but it could result in a disastrous
fire if installed in a hot engine compartment.
The best way to keep an automatic transmission in good working order
and prevent costly repairs is to change the ATF and filter
periodically. While owners manual may only call for extended service
intervals, more frequent intervals are a cheap investment
considering the coat of transmission overhaul. In verter so you
cannot replace the ATF without disassembling the entire transmission
and thus significant amount of old ATF is left in the transmission
and thus another good reason for more frequent ATF and filter
changes.
Article contributed by AAM
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