When inspecting an oil filter with just the naked eye, the reality of it is that you’re probably not going to see any potential contaminants because they’re too small. The oil pickup traps any large contaminants you can see with your eyes. Or they settle at the bottom of the oil pan. If the oil pump can suck them up, the screen will catch and hold them. They’re not going to make their way to the filter.
The only times some of this larger debris can make it to the oil filter that you’ll actually see on there is when it’s smaller than the screen itself. Your naked eye is only going to see the worst of it. This filter and the media inside could be capturing a lot of debris that can cause damage to the engine and the bearing surfaces that you’re not going to see.
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This video is sponsored by Auto Value and Bumper To Bumper.
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