Best Environmental Practices for Auto Repair and Fleet Maintenance + July 2003 What is a By-Pass Oil Filter? A by-pass oil filter is an added system designed to be used with a full flow oll filter to remove more and finer contaminant particles, such as dirt and metals, than the full flow filter alone. It consists of an outer casing and ting bracket, a dense inner filter media, such as cotton, and a flow rate regulator. Some by-pass filters also incluce a heating element and time released ada tives. By-pass filters are available in various sizes for use in ll kinds of vehicles from a passenger car to large trucks and other equipment, Why Use a By-Pass Oil Filte Lubricating oil is resource and used oil is by far one of the largest haz. ardous waste streams generated in California. A fleet ‘maintenance facility can generate thousands of gal- Jons of used oll each year from routine engine main- You can reduce the amount of used oil you generate by using by-pass oll filtration systems to extend oll life in your fleet vehicles. ‘The by-pass fil tration system allows you to reduce purchase and dis- posal costs of ofl while still maintaining optimal operating conditions de from a limited natural tenance. Internal combustion engines require that their lubri: cating oll maintain proper viscosity and total base number (TBN) in order to perform at peak efficien- cles or to perform at all. Through normal use, the Viscosity and TBN of the oil changes as the oll gets contaminated with metal, soot, and water and the adaltive package breaks down. Lubricating oll itself does not wear out, so if the contaminants are removed the oll can keep doing its job. J if you install the by-pass filter and a reusable full flow filter, you can reduce your oil filter | waste stream even further. See the fact sheet | Reusable Oit Fes” for more information ‘BY-PASS OIL FILTER By-Pass Oil Filter What Does A By-Pass Oil Filter Do? way Picture of It filters solid contaminants fr n the engine oil includ- Ing fine abrasive particles and soot as small as one micron or less in some types. Most full flow filters alone can only remove particles larger than thirty or forty microns without overloading, and plugging up. Some by-pass filters can help evaporate liquids, such as fuel, coolant and water, which can reduce or eliminate oxida: tion by-products known as gum and varnish. How Does a By-Pass Oil Filter Work? A small amount of oll from the main oil galley is direct- ed through the by-pass filter where the contaminants are trapped in the filter medium. The cleaned oil is returned to the oll sump. The oll flow rate through the filter Is, low, three to eight gallons per hour, and is controlled by a metering jet, orifice or check-ball M3111d WO SSvd-Aa V SI_LVHM La L zd suaanaeBy-Pass Oi Filter Why Sample Oil? ‘To maximize the benefits of a by-pass oil filter you need to begin an oll sampling and testing program to ensure cil quality. Some oil distributors and filter vendors pro- vide this service. Besides allowing longer oil change Intervals, performing oil testing can provide early warn- {ng signs of engine problems. This also works if you ‘want to test oll from transmission, differential, power steering, or other hyetraulle systems. Your oll testing program can serve as a “window" into your vehicles ‘components to warn you before itis too late, You can find problems early and perform the preventative main- ‘avantages of By-pass Filters Operational Protct engine agp: abrsve particles atch as dit and soot id such a ieee and water nel cxdation by produets gum and varnish: “Maintain proper oi viscosity for cling properties extend ol life, save on costs oF ol purchases, and sed oll disposal Environmental Comerwe a norerewable natural securce OIL. Reduce potential for used oil contami- ration of groundwater, sll, and surface ‘Best Environmental Practices for Auto Repair and Fleet Maintenance tenance that your fleet vehicles need to keep them ru ning their best, which will help to save long term opera- tional costs, See the fact sheet “Oil Life Extension” to learn how to begin oil sampling and testing for your vehicles ‘With a by-pass filtration system end-users have reported cost savings up to 90% on both oil purchases and ol disposal. By-pass filters can saves thousands of dollars and reduce used oll. ‘our state o loa goverment enironmental agencies Hav additonal information abou compliance and pllton preveion opportunities for ato rosie ‘shops and eet maintenance operations in your sat or ara. Fr information on Califor rpustory compliance iss contact sour nears Department of “Tie Substances Control (DTSC) Regional Office by calling 1800-728 6942. You may also access the CAL EPA weit at wisp go Fr Finks to (Caltoris Regultory Agencies To obtain addtional copies “The Plution Prevention Toot Kit, Best Environmental Pracies for Auto Repair” (Document ‘number 626) oc “The Pllation Prevention Tool Ki, Bost Environmental Prctics for Feet Maintenance” (Document number 625) contact "DISC Oe of Patation Proeaion and Tectnlogy Dewlopnent(OPPTD)” at 1800.700-5854. Accompanying videos, “Profit Though Prevention’ ae aa the same hone number freer aa epair (Document sumber 150) fet maintenance (Document numer 1504). DSCs OPPTD also provides tect as {ance and pollution prevention resoures to busines and gonenment ages, tron won othe fat sheets can be found at orleans «ree Spm Meester tt cn ai ipa Sd ar I) oa nt