Looking for oil filters for my Audi Allroad (A4 B9) I came across these on one of the parts supplier's site.
They filter down to 35 microns (no idea how that compares to a paper filter) and the idea is you wash it out and reuse it. My concern would be - how do you know you got any and all debris out of it? Would you clean it as often as you change a paper filter? More? Less?
Here's the one I saw - at this price I could buy 13-15 paper filters, but of course I'm sending that much more to the landfill.
Audi B9 A4 Quattro 2.0T Engine Filter Oil Filter - S87F - K&P Engineering High Performance Stainless Steel Oil Filter
Features:
- Consistent filtering across entire filter surface
- Superior ASTMF316 filtration performance
- Magnetic Prefiltering
- True lifetime filter - clean and reinstall at each oil change
- Progressive rate bypass combined with high flow characteristics of the filter media avoids unfiltered oil bypassing the filter during cold startup and high rpm
- Easy inspection of engine contamination
- Proven in Motorsports, Military and Aerospace applications for years
ShawnG
MegaDork
1/18/25 12:22 p.m.
What kind of guarantee do they offer if it kills your engine?
I've looked into these, they're useful for race engines that are frequently inspected and rebuilt and get frequent oil changes, but not for production-based engines, mainly because they don't filter as well. It's better to stick to high-quality and extended-length disposable filters for production-based engines used on track.
See also: https://www.onallcylinders.com/2015/05/29/ask-away-with-jeff-smith-micron-ratings-and-what-they-mean-for-your-oil-filter/
Watch this and then go buy paper filters. It's a direct comparison of a 35 micron metal filter to a 25 micron paper filter.
Mr_Asa
MegaDork
1/20/25 8:35 p.m.
Regular paper elements are about 25-30 microns, if I remember correctly?
Best way to clean it would be to back-flush with a solvent. I don't think it would ultimately do the trick, though.