Oil filter

[80Sprint]

I have a couple of spare VW oil filters with a male centre but found this unscrews and wondered if it would fit the sprint. I assume all modern filters have non return valves so if it spins on and the seal hits the right area any reason why I could not use it. I don't have a filter to check against so can anyone tell me the diameter of seal required so that I can check ?

[Jon Tilson]

I thought the received wisdom on this was to stick with the old type
renewable element filter.

A lot of moderns have gone back to this.

Jeroen reckons the flow volume is better with the old type.

Jonners

[80Sprint]

Moderns going back to a canister and separate filter ? I thought there was good back back on the Volvo spin on as well

I had these as spares and thought it would be good to make use. They are for a Passat. If oil pressure was the same would this be a good gauge as to suitability ? I certainly don't really want to go back to the old style now I have spin on. Any idea of the seal diameter anyway.

[cliftyhanger]

I suspect it is the same, wix and others have filter size and thread charts.
Wouldn't worry about the pressure bit either. I know there are loads of filters that fit 6 cylinder mocal spin on conversions, from ford to VW, so would expect the same.

[soe8m]

A spin on conversion does restrict the oilflow. On a "normal" spin on engine the threaded tube goes directly into the oilway's. On the spin on conversion there's the threaded hole in the centre where the long bolt used to be. The tiny holes drilled on the side of the centre adapter where all the oil has to pass have a very small square area altogether compared to a std filter setup. Less oil is pumped into the engine. Oil pressure and oilflow are totally different things.

I will get my gardenhose again out of the shed what does have a pressure gauge on it. When i squeeze the end there's a lot of waterpressure in the hose but not much water coming out at the end........

Jeroen

[Toledo Man]

Jonners is right. The SEAT Ibiza I serviced last year had such a filter. This was the PD engine (the 1.9 turbodiesel). I've also seen a Corsa C with the same type of filter. I think it was the 1 litre engine. My Astra has a spin on filter.

[trackerjack]

A spin on conversion does restrict the oilflow. On a "normal" spin on engine the threaded tube goes directly into the oilway's. On the spin on conversion there's the threaded hole in the centre where the long bolt used to be. The tiny holes drilled on the side of the centre adapter where all the oil has to pass have a very small square area altogether compared to a std filter setup. Less oil is pumped into the engine. Oil pressure and oilflow are totally different things.

I will get my gardenhose again out of the shed what does have a pressure gauge on it. When i squeeze the end there's a lot of waterpressure in the hose but not much water coming out at the end........

Jeroen

Jeroen has, as always hit on the salient point. That is flow and the importance of this on an engine that frankly likes to overheat is that the oil is a major coolant as well as lubricant.

[dursley92]

The unscrewing problem with a canister filter is often fixed on race and rally cars by fixing a jubilee clip round the outside and then you can wire lock it to stop it turning.

[80Sprint]

So all you track day guys are running the original paper filter then ?
If modern cars run on spin on's I assume the difference is in the conversion restricting flow and not the actual filter. If not then why can moderns run on them and be so reliable ( in most cases anyway).

[mahony]

Most moderns do not use spin on filters, my saab has a element as did my omega before and also the daughters corsa and a renault megane we also have

[dave comer]

Last car that I recall having an element was on my Morris Oxford. Just about every car I've had since then has been spin on. That includes "moderns". Suppose what you call modern I think.
The smaller citroens, renault, fiat etc all use spin on . Numbers -wise they must be the most common on the roads today.

[Jon Tilson]

If you read the Jeroen post again he says the restriction is in the adapter not the filter.

Jonners

[Tony Burd]

I think there are good & bad spin on adapter kits, the one fitted to my car is one of the better ones, I don't know the make, but you need to check the 6 holes in the threaded part are drilled deep & also the adapter ring doesn't block the oil feed in the block.

It was discussed here towards the bottom of the page:

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=26428&p=252802&hilit=spin#p252802

[80Sprint]

Well the holes look ok in the adaptor, the sealing face was the same diameter and the longer VW filter just cleared the steering so I went for it.

[soe8m]

Those tiny 6 holes i would call a restrictor.

Jeroen