7 Signs That You Need to Replace Your Oil Filter

Your oil filter may be small, but it plays a big role in protecting your engine. Removing debris, dirt, and sludge from your engine oil keeps your whole lubrication system functioning correctly. If your filter is clogged or bad, the effects can range from bothersome noises to serious engine failure.

So here are 7 specific signs that you should change your oil filter before more damage occurs:

1) The Oil Pressure Warning Light Flickers or Stays On

When the oil pressure light comes on in your dashboard, it is most likely an early indicator that something is wrong with your engine. The most common reason is low oil level, but it can also indicate a bad or clogged car oil filter. When a filter is full of engine debris, it limits the oil flow.

Modern engines are equipped with oil pressure circuits and pressure sensors, so if the flow drops below a safe passage level, a warning light will be illuminated. If this light is on or flickering while you are driving, you may not have enough oil flow to your engine, which may be allowing metal contact to occur - and that is an expensive rebuild!

If the oil level is good and your oil pressure light continues to illuminate, the likely problem is a clogged filter. The best thing to do here is to change your filter and use a quality filter from a trusted oil filter manufacturer. Do not ignore oil pressure warnings; this could lead to permanent damage to your engine.

2) Fluctuating or Abnormally Low Oil Pressure on the Gauge

If your ride is designed with an oil pressure gauge, it works like a continuous health check on your lubrication system. The gauge covers the lubrication system for the duration of the driving condition. It is very simple to identify low pressures at idle, spiking pressures under load, and fluctuations for no apparent reason.

If your oil pressure fluctuates, that means it's a blocked filter. A compromised car oil filter and lube system do not allow the flow of oil at the expected rates as designed, creating vast fluctuations. The dilemma with inconsistent oil pressure is that the condition creates situations in which there is not adequate film of oil separating moving engine components.

Many owners experience a fluctuation, think nothing of it, chalk it up to a minor gauge issue, and carry on with life. If you make that mistake, you could be faced with a costly repair. One of the early telltale signs for an oil filter needing to be changed is erratic oil pressure.

Quality oil filters from an oil filter supplier are able to greatly improve flow and pressure for your oil systems. And having quality filters from reputable automotive oil filter manufacturers can give you the peace of mind that your engine gets consistent protection from every moving part, mile after mile.

3) Ticking or Rattling on Cold Starts

Is there a ticking or rattling sound coming from under the hood when you get in your car after it has been sitting overnight? More than likely, there is nothing to worry about. It is often caused by oil draining backward out of the filter with a failed anti-drainback valve. Most cheap car oil filters have a valve within the filter itself to limit/restrict the oil from flowing backward when the engine is off.

If the valve fails, then the oil has to travel longer lengths to arrive at the critical parts of the engine at start-up, leaving key engine components momentarily dry (lifter, camshaft). This allows for a noise to take place until oil is circulated and the pressure is built.

This is not just an annoyance, but a precursor to filter replacement. Through repeated dry starts over are advancing the wear and tear on your engine is advancing. Replacing your oil filter with one produced by a reputable oil filter manufacturer will ensure the valve functions properly. For example, if you want to have the reliability and assurance from leading China filter suppliers, Huachang Filter is a solid option.

4) Persistent Metallic Ticking/Knocking After Warm-Up

Very light ticking during startup can be somewhat normal. Ticking or knocking sounds that continue after the engine has warmed up are much more serious. Ticking sounds and knocking noises can happen when a car's oil filter is clogged or defective.

Ticking sounds can be caused by a flow restriction from a defective filter or when the bypass valve forces unfiltered oil through the system, allowing contaminants to move through the engine and wear out the bearings, pistons, and valvetrain faster.

Ignoring this type of sign can cause excessive engine wear and expensive costs. By the time a metallic knocking starts happening, some wear could already be happening. The first step to reduce engine wear is to change the filter immediately, along with clean oil.

Most car owners should only buy filters from reputable oil filter manufacturing companies to avoid a problem like this happening again. Using high-quality filters from a reputable car filter manufacturer should limit or eliminate the possibility of contaminants getting through the filter and oil flow getting restricted.

Spending a little money on a good oil filter can save you money for engine rebuilds in the future due to premature wear.

5) Oil Around the Filter or a Slow Leak at the Seal

Noticing oil stains or drips around your oil filter is a warning sign that should not be ignored. A result of a worn-out gasket, poor filter mounting, or poor quality of oil filter can be discovered in this scenario. Oil will escape as the gasket seal weakens. Even though it creates a mess, the more dangerous part is reducing the amount available to lubricate the engine.

However, in some instances, the problem is caused by the filter being installed too tightly or too loosely. An additional common fault is leaving the old gasket stuck to the engine block during the filter change. Consequently, when the new filter is installed, it has created a situation where two gaskets will cause a leak through the center, and this will happen under pressure.

Replacing the leaking unit with a unit from a professional oil filter manufacturer removes this risk. Professional suppliers like Huachang Filter, a trusted and reliable automotive oil filter manufacturer, will manufacture oil filter parts with quality materials. For example, parts that have seals fabricated from quality materials will remain tight under the stress of heat and vibration.

Conscious inspection of oil leaks and rectifications should be an ongoing maintenance item for every driver who loves to drive. Keeping your engine protected and looking after your driveway, what a beauty.

6) Fresh Oil Turns Dark and Gritty Unusually Fast

It is typical for fresh oil to darken after a few hundred miles of driving, for example, carbon and soot are suspended in the oil. However, if your oil becomes dark, gritty, or sludge very shortly after comparing it to fresh oil, something might be wrong with your car oil filter.

A clogged filter may force oil through the bypass valve, which means contaminants can also bypass the filtration and enter back into the engine without being filtered again. This process will shorten the life of the oil very quickly and also wear your internal components down much quickly.

When most mechanics remove and cut open the old filter, they can usually illustrate how saturated the filter media inside the filter has become. If the media is collapsed (to indicate there was a positive pressure on the oil, causing it to bypass), or if it is bypassing oil, it would be prudent to install a new filter.

We work with established oil filter manufacturing companies, and trust their product because we know they have designed their filters and filter media to meet the real-world critical strength requirements, thickness, flow capability, and so forth. Using an experienced oil filter supplier like Huachang Filter is the most effective way to ensure you have clean engine oil for long enough.

7) You're Past the Service Interval, or Drive in Severe Conditions

Sometimes the easiest indication you have for replacing your filter is not a sound, light, or a leak, but simply the time to do so. Most oil filter manufacturers recommend replacing your car oil filter at every oil change, which is usually every 10000-15000 km.

However, if you drive in severe conditions, such as short trips, stop-and-go traffic, dusty roads, towing, and/or extreme temperature conditions, your filter will clog faster than in normal circumstances. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that the bypass valve may open and deliver unfiltered oil to your engine.

The answer is straightforward: replace your filter according to schedule with a filter from a reputable oil filter manufacturing company. Choosing or sourcing from auto filter manufacturers that follow international quality standards will always result in even filtration.

Huachang Filter, as a Chinese filter supplier, offers OEM filter options that can prolong your engine life regardless of driving conditions. So following service requirements is not just about maintenance; it also protects your investment against costly breakdowns.

Final Word

Your car's oil filter may be small in comparison with other components under the hood, but it is your first line of defense against engine wear. Whether it be warning lights, strange sounds, leaks, or simply to get to your mileage interval, knowing when to replace the filter saves you from rising headaches later. When pursuing performance, always select filters from a knowledge-based oil filter manufacturing company. Huachang Filter is one of those in China known for oil filter quality, durability, and customer service.