Stainless steel oil filters V disposal filters?

[bvaut]

Does anyone have any thoughts on Stainless steel verses disposal filters. Are they better than the paper ones, or are the just a expensive option?. They have claimed to have a greater surface area and maybe less likely to restirct flow. After the initial cost say 8*times the cost of paper would you will be onto a winner.

[Crisis management]

Haven't used them, and it hadn't occurred too me that it might be a good idea. I have memories of scraping metal shavings off the early ducati "tea strainers" thinking I hope to god none of this crap got thru.....

Basic filtration: you need a suitable area of filter membrane to cope with the flow of oil and a membrane of say 15 microns (number picked out of the air but what we use in the hydraulic industry so probably not far off...).

You need the 15 microns as a minimum as you are trying to stop anything bigger than that from getting thru, it's no use having 3 acres of 50 micron membrane, the lumps are still going to get thru.

So, as long as the stainless membrane has the same micron rating as an OEM Filter and the same, or greater membrane area you should be fine.

Just a point or two about flow & restricting it.
The filter has the capacity to filter the output from the oil pump at maximum output so why would you need more? There also must be form of bypass in the system somewhere as a safety device in case the filter becomes clogged.
May be worth checking if the bypass is built into your engine somewhere or if it is part of the filter.

[Motu]

Filtering isn't too important with roller bottom ends,and there is flow but little pressure....but the top end has plain bearings.Unless you have a quality early Yamaha engine like a TT500 or XS650.

The main thing that concerns me about these stainless filters is - how do you clean them? If they filter down to 5 microns or whatever like they say,how the hell do you get it out? Swish around in some clean kero and blow out with the air? Yeah right!

[Richard Mc F]

45 microns is the average number for engine filtration in full flow application, the real good by pass filters are down to 1 micron..........meh just numbers, replacable media or cleanable, I would go the former as how can we be sure we are not allowing debris to the outlet side when cleaning......take the dirt and throw it away...........use a high detergent oil as well, but what the fuck do I know:)

[AllanB]

Throwaways are cheap and easy to use. If you are a tight wad search the internet and buy a bundle of them from the states as they will be half the retail price of NZ ones.

[Trouser]

You can clean them in an ultrasonic bath. Not really worth it IMO.

[NordieBoy]

You can clean them in an ultrasonic bath. Not really worth it IMO.

Gets all the dirt out from under you fingernails too.

[Crisis management]

Gets all the dirt out from under you fingernails too.

Does it tingle?

What else have you tried cleaning Nordie?

[zeRax]

after reading reviews which i cant remember links too and talking to various people incl bike mechanics, theyve convinced me its not really worth it, farbetter off dropping the old filter chucking in a new one

[bvaut]

Thanks all for the advice and i reckon that the disposal filter is the way to go, then tyuo know you are removing any crud which has accumulated and unless you are very careful in washing out the stainless filter then you might not be removing all the crud anyway or washing it to the inside of the filter.