Oil filter capacity

[Pathy415]

I'm no engineer but doesn't the oil filter on the 3.3 V6 seem small for a V6? Am I correct to say the oil flow rate is dependent on speed/rpms? I'm sure the engineers at Nissan ran a bunch of tests to ensure the oil filter capacity was adequate for the motor but I'm wondering if they designed it so it would fit in it's intended spot. A larger filter may be tougher to get on/off due to its location?

Anyone here upgrade to a larger filter or use a remote system?

[Chuck Tribolet]

Well, we don't have PFs failing left and right due to oiling problems, so they must have done something right. And
I think the filter on the 3.5 is even smaller.

[ARKQX33V6]

Oil filters need no storage, as a full flow they have to meet the requirements of the pressure pump. The oil itself has a various viscosity based on temperature, but there is a minimum and maximum thickness to the oil.

The filter medium is fully permeable and oil goes through but stops things that are solid at about 20 microns.

Engineers SAE type feel that engines can handle solids less than 20 microns.

The smaller micron level the faster the filter plugs up.

All filter now have a by-pass, so oil still circulates with a plugged, damaged filter.

Newer cars have a 0-20 range of oil viscosity so oil flows even better, use of synthetics alleviates many of the problems with non synthetics, especially homogeneous molecular uniformity and slipperiness.

The filters are designed by the car maker and oil filter makers to meet standards, not exceed them and these standards are met with millions of vehicles over 100 years. You really have no concerns with oil filters unless:
You don't change them
You do not tighten them as described
You do not lubricate the rubber seal.

They are simple and effective and they help your engine as long as you do what you are supposed to do in a timely manner.

[Towncivilian]

What about oversized oil filters? For example, the Purolator PureONE oil filter spec'd for my VQ35DE is PL14610, while the one for my mother's '07 Altima w/ QR25DE is PL14612. Other than size, the filters have exactly the same bypass PSI and dimensions. The PL14610 is slightly longer, so it has slightly more area of filtering media. I see no point in paying the same price for a slightly smaller filter when the PL14610 will fit both of the vehicles, so I simply use the PL14610. There is much discussion of using oversized oil filters on Bob Is The Oil Guy.

An anecdote: the Nissan parts guy gave me a "shorty" OEM filter (one that looks the size of an Altima's) - is this the same one that goes on the VG33 engine-equipped R50s? The employee owns a '97 R50, so maybe he just gave me the "shorty" out of habit and/or thought I had a VG33. I did run it for about 3k miles and it worked with no issue.

[BubbaFL]

My first impression was "holy crap, that thing's tiny, did the parts counter jockey give me the right one?"

On the left, a Ford FL1A (4.0 SOHC V6 Explorer), and a Fram TG6607 (QX4 / VQ35) on the right

[Pathy415]

I think I still have a few of those FL1A's from a few 5L mustangs I owned in the past. Pretty big filters but I once saw one on a turbo diesel truck and that thing was like twice the size of the FL1A.

I figure people who like to do extended OCI's would want more filtering media but they could also change the filter in between. Say, run a 10-15k oil change and change the filter twice during that time.

Kinda funny that my 4cyl accord uses the exact same filter as my pathfinder.

[esy]

What about oversized oil filters? For example, the Purolator PureONE oil filter spec'd for my VQ35DE is PL14610, while the one for my mother's '07 Altima w/ QR25DE is PL14612. Other than size, the filters have exactly the same bypass PSI and dimensions. The PL14610 is slightly longer, so it has slightly more area of filtering media. I see no point in paying the same price for a slightly smaller filter when the PL14610 will fit both of the vehicles, so I simply use the PL14610. There is much discussion of using oversized oil filters on Bob Is The Oil Guy.

An anecdote: the Nissan parts guy gave me a "shorty" OEM filter (one that looks the size of an Altima's) - is this the same one that goes on the VG33 engine-equipped R50s? The employee owns a '97 R50, so maybe he just gave me the "shorty" out of habit and/or thought I had a VG33. I did run it for about 3k miles and it worked with no issue.

the two are interchangeable. i've used both before and there is no difference between the two. i always just use the larger one. you'll find that sometimes the book will list 14612 for one year, 14610 for another, but there's no difference between the two.

[Chuck Tribolet]

Maybe Fords create more crud that needs to be filtered out? ;-)

[Towncivilian]

the two are interchangeable. i've used both before and there is no difference between the two. i always just use the larger one. you'll find that sometimes the book will list 14612 for one year, 14610 for another, but there's no difference between the two.

I know they are interchangeable, which is why I don't bother with the slightly smaller PL14612 - I prefer having more filtering media. I know that some use the PL14459 on Altimas since they are rated at 99% efficiency at 20 microns vs. the 14610/14612 which are 99% at 40 microns, but the 14459 has a higher bypass PSI setting (if I recall correctly) which is unsettling to me. I'm not sure if it's safe to use in such case.

[BubbaFL]

Maybe Fords create more crud that needs to be filtered out? ;-)

Them's fightin' words, Chuck!

And if "crud" means "metal and plastic shrapnel from camshaft timing components that self-destruct", you're right.

Mind if I ask about the profile picture?

And would it hurt anything if I use Ford grease to lubricate the driveshaft on my QX4?

[Chuck Tribolet]

My Pathfinder's job is to take me, Adm. Linda, and my Boston Whaler to the launch ramp to SCUBA diving. That's a dry
suit I'm wearing.

[BubbaFL]

Ah, okay - thought you might be a cosmonaut or something.

My QX4's job is to haul me back and forth from NAPA so I can get parts to keep the Fords running.

[Towncivilian]

And would it hurt anything if I use Ford grease to lubricate the driveshaft on my QX4?

If the Ford grease contains moly and is a lithium-based complex, that grease will work fine.