Wrong Oil Filter Symptoms (9 Things To Be Aware Of)

An oil filter is a tool that cleans impurities out of engine oil, transmission oil, hydraulic fluid, or lubricating oil.

Multiple vehicles, including cars, trucks, construction machinery, motorbikes, and marine engines, require oil filters. Discover more about the wrong oil fuel filter symptoms!

Wrong Oil Filter Symptoms


1. Reduced Oil Pressure

Low oil pressure is the first indication that your oil filter is malfunctioning.

That said, the oil pressure decreases due to the filter being clogged since it cannot remove impurities from the oil as intended. If ignored, this might result in damage to the engine.

Therefore, check the oil level and replace the filter as soon as possible if you observe a dramatic reduction in oil pressure on your vehicle’s oil pressure monitor.

Also, you may have a mechanic examine your vehicle to determine if there are any more issues. It’s time to control oil pressure if the indication on the oil pressure monitor is low.

2. Overheated Engine

An overheated vehicle’s engine is another sign of a wrong oil filter. The engine will ultimately overheat if the filter is blocked because it cannot remove impurities from the oil.

Again, if this is not fixed immediately, it might cause significant harm to your vehicle.

That said, have a professional examine the filter and replace it as soon as possible if you discover your engine is overheated.

So, before you start driving again, you may ask them to check other items like the radiator hoses and coolant levels to ensure everything else is in working order.

Read More:  Honda Civic Ignition Coil Symptoms (9 Things To Be Aware Of)

3. Oil Leaks

Your vehicle might develop difficult-to-find leaks due to a wrong or clogged oil filter.

Further, a leaking filter may not always leak where you see it on the ground; it may be absorbed into other parts of your engine and exit through tiny holes or cracks.

Because of this, paying attention is crucial while periodically monitoring the oil level and cleaning the filters.

In addition, have your car’s oil pressure checked by a professional if there are any indications of a leak.

Oil leaks can be caused by various other things besides wrong oil filters, but if you discover that this indication has just recently begun, it is likely the filter’s fault.

4. High Fuel Usage

A wrong oil filter can cause high fuel usage. Engine oil gets filthy and gunked up when the filter is clogged because it can’t get rid of all the impurities from the oil.

Further, it can make the engine work even harder than it ought to and burn more gasoline. So, another indication that an oil filter needs to be replaced as soon as possible is high fuel use.

Therefore, it may be time to repair or replace the oil filter if you’ve observed that your fuel usage has been greater than usual.

5. Engine Performance Issues

Engine Performance Issues

Engine performance suffers from blocked oil filters, especially when working hard.

For instance, the engine won’t be able to sustain its idle speed if the oil filter is too unclean or clogged since the oil pressure will be low.

Read More:  Why Is Motorcycle Insurance So Cheap? (7 Reasons Why)

Additionally, wrong oil filters can lessen engine power and hasten the wear and tear on moving parts.

Also, a clogged filter may make it impossible for the engine to start or result in stalling while the vehicle is in motion.

6. Convulsing Engine

It could be time to change the engine oil and filter if a car’s engine sputters or it seems like it is running low on gas.

Numerous signs point to the need for an oil change, even though some people may complain of a loss of power, check engine lights, or decreased mileage.

With that, one of such signs is the engine sputtering.

In addition, critical engine components may experience increased friction and heat due to a blocked oil filter, which restricts engine oil flow to those parts.

Also, the intense heat might cause severe engine damage.

7. Metallic Sound

If the engine oil filter is faulty, your automobile’s engine may make loud metallic noises, which results from insufficient oil passing through the engine and failing to lubricate it.

Due to their inability to operate without sufficient lubrication, two pistons and other metal parts colliding create the grinding sound.

In addition, the cylinders will erode if there is insufficient oil pressure, too much RPM, or all three.

Therefore, it is more likely to occur if you use a low-quality filter or do not frequently replace your engine’s oil.

8. Dark Smoke From Exhaust

Your vehicle’s oil filter will transmit the exhaust gases directly to the engine if you have the wrong oil filter. If your oil filter is blocked, the dark exhaust will come from your car.

Read More:  Why Are My Garage Door Sensors Not Lighting Up? (11 Reasons Why)

While the engine runs for a while, the smoke pouring out will be sooty black and noticeable. Further, lack of engine care, such as infrequent oil changes, results in oil filter blockage.

In addition, your engine will overheat if the quantity of carbon residue left behind from your oil change is not burnt off.

9. Decreased Oil Quality

If you use the wrong oil filter while adding new engine oil, the oil’s quality will quickly deteriorate as the wrong oil filter will cause blockage.

Further, the quality of the engine oil will quickly deteriorate to the point that you will need to change it once again.

With that, you may examine the engine oil’s color, odor, and consistency to determine its quality.

The oil must be replaced as soon as possible if it is black, as it’s already poor quality, is loaded with sludge, and is dirty.

To know more, you can also read our posts on why replace cabin air filter, dirty air filter symptoms, and bad ignition coil symptoms.

Conclusion

Having the wrong oil filter in your vehicle will not just cause trouble but can also lead to a completely damaged engine.

Therefore, proper knowledge about its symptoms is essential in preserving your vehicle’s engine and overall function.

Leave a Comment