Oil filter autopsy

Code4 · Postby **Code4** » Sun Aug 26, 2018 10:45 am

Not my work but I was thinking of doing this myself.

The Z411/Z411st and Z436/Z436ST fit my NB8a MX-5. I will cut open an OEM Mazda filter at some stage.
I've always wondered about bypass pressure and this covers some of it.

http://ozfoz.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&p=1093418

KevGoat · Postby **KevGoat** » Sun Aug 26, 2018 11:41 am

For normal use plus the odd blast through the hills, I should imagine the oem filter is as good as any as long as regularly serviced. I currently have the Z436ST fitted on my SE - thought I'd try it simply from the "Its high efficiency media removes more dirt keeping the engine cleaner" spiel, but in reality don't think it's worth the extra cost for my usage. The advertised 15000km extended use for the filter is no good for me as I only do about 3k a year and do an annual oil change so unless there's a significant difference in filtering efficiency it's all pretty much wasted on mine. Would be interesting to know what differences there are between that and the oem filter though.

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project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Sun Aug 26, 2018 11:55 am

I'm pretty sure I've seen American peeps do the same autopsy on MX5 filters and result linked in previous threads.

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Sun Aug 26, 2018 12:29 pm

I'm sure our cars are over-serviced.

The American · Postby **The American** » Sun Aug 26, 2018 1:08 pm

I got myself a filter cutter last year so I could start to monitor my filter contents. Messy, but provides some peace of mind

KevGoat · Postby **KevGoat** » Sun Aug 26, 2018 1:24 pm

Hmmm ... thought I'd check a couple of things. One - the oil on the dipstick is clear. Two - looked back to see how many kms since the last change ... and somehow I missed the oil change last year!! So it's been almost 2 years and 6300 kms since it's last change

and the oil "looks" pretty good - though as far as effectiveness goes I'm not knowledgable on how long full synthetic holds it's qualities. But all this does tell me two things ... one - to set more google reminders to offset sad old memory ... and two - I don't use anywhere near enough revs 'n turbo ...

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Postby **NitroDann** » Sun Aug 26, 2018 2:29 pm

Bruce has it nailed, it's probably fine, my work car a camry battle-wagon has 360,000km and I change the oil when I am bored, which is whenever.. Maybe 8000km maybe 15000, it's fine. Good oil, old tech motor, all good.

Dann