B&S Oil Filters

[Skippydiesel]

Hi,

Servicing a Ferris 400s with B&S 440000 engine.

Manual shows three suitable oil filters;

• Standard Black PN 492932S
• High Efficiency Yellow PN96854
• High Efficiency Orange PN796576

The last two have extended oil change intervals.

Is this a marketing gimmick??

Anyone know what is the real practical difference between the three and how does an oil filter actually influence the oil change interval????

 

[Auto Doc's]

Hello S.,

I think the last 2 on your list have a slightly better filtering media inside.

Yes, some of it is marketing, but I give the OE manufacturer benefit of the doubt because they have a higher quality control standard than the aftermarket. B&S makes their own oil filters

You would have to study filter manufacturing and material qualities they use to gain a better understanding. Most of that information is kept under wraps by manufacturers.

A real marketing strategy that all filter manufacturers use is the quality tier of Good, Better and Best. The prices are also in tiers from low budget to higher priced.

To truly answer your question, you would need to the 3 filters then actually cut them open with a filter cutter. From there, study the differences of the internal components.

 

[Skippydiesel]

Thanks Auto Doc's,

"...slightly better filtering media..."

In general engine filters are judged on their ability to remove contaminants, down to a certain size (micron), while not unduly restricting flow (surface area)

For the most part filters remove solids ie products (metal) of friction. There may be a small ability to remove some byproduct of combustion (carbon) but this would be very limited, if at all.

All conventional filters impose a degree of resistance to flow. This means that the finer the filter media the more restriction there will be to flow. To much restriction and the fluid (oil) will not circulate effectively.

If you agree with the above, then the question is how does the Yellow filter extend oil change intervals AND why would B&S offer another, Orange, oil service life extending filter.

".....3 filters then actually cut them open...study the differences..."

I ask the Forum for this, as the collective wisdom/experince far out ways anything I have to offer.

I have seen no promotional/education material on why B&S offer no less than three diffrent (colour) oil filters for the same engine.

 

[MParr]

If you have the room, you can use FRAM TG3614, Microgard MSL 51348, NAPA Gold 1348, Carquest Premium 85348. The list is long.
I recommend that you stay away from Wix, Purolator, and Motorcraft. The glue is sloppy and can come off inside the filter. Also, their louver style center tube may not be made right and the louvers may be closed.

 

[Skippydiesel]

Thanks MParr - this is a customers near new engine, in a not so new chassis (origional B&S dropped a con rod).

With customers that have near new equipment, I tend to fit OM parts (B&S/Ferris in this case).

Still waiting on an informed answer as to why B&S specify no less than 3 oil filters, two of which magickly extend the crankcase oil service life

 

[MParr]

Thanks MParr - this is a customers near new engine, in a not so new chassis (origional B&S dropped a con rod).

With customers that have near new equipment, I tend to fit OM parts (B&S/Ferris in this case).

Still waiting on an informed answer as to why B&S specify no less than 3 oil filters, two of which magickly extend the crankcase oil service life

Use the yellow one.
Black is the basic.
Yellow is the mid-grade.
Orange is the so-called extended life.
There may be a slightly longer model available.

 

[Skippydiesel]

The Yellow is what I have order - same as fitted when new.

The Orange has the same descriptor "High Efficiency...." as Yellow.

The Maintenance Schedule;

• Black filter - oil & filter replace 50 hrs
• Yellow & Orange filter - oil & filter replace 100 hrs

So no benefit, real or imagined with the Orange filter / compared with the Yellow.

I still don't know how the three filters deliver diffrent oil change intervals.

FYI: The Yellow (PN 696854) appears to have similar external dimensions to the Short Black (PN 492932S)

For my own ride on mowers, I use the B&S Long Black oil filter, (PN 491056) in the hope that the greater oil capacity (x2?) will have long term wear reduction benefits.

 

[Auto Doc's]

Thanks Auto Doc's,

"...slightly better filtering media..."

In general engine filters are judged on their ability to remove contaminants, down to a certain size (micron), while not unduly restricting flow (surface area)

For the most part filters remove solids ie products (metal) of friction. There may be a small ability to remove some byproduct of combustion (carbon) but this would be very limited, if at all.

All conventional filters impose a degree of resistance to flow. This means that the finer the filter media the more restriction there will be to flow. To much restriction and the fluid (oil) will not circulate effectively.

If you agree with the above, then the question is how does the Yellow filter extend oil change intervals AND why would B&S offer another, Orange, oil service life extending filter.

".....3 filters then actually cut them open...study the differences..."

I ask the Forum for this, as the collective wisdom/experince far out ways anything I have to offer.

I have seen no promotional/education material on why B&S offer no less than three diffrent (colour) oil filters for the same engine.

Hello S.,

In 50 years of dealing with and equipment or automobiles, I have never seen extended oil changes also mean extended engine life.

So yes, this does equate to a sales tactic to make customers think they are saving money by extending (putting off) needed oil service maintenance.

I even know many (farmer types) customers who still use their old motor oil out of their vehicles in their other equipment. (It's the any oil works in a lawnmower mentality)

 

[ILENGINE]

The 492932S and the 696854S filters are normally stocked by dealers and pushed in the dealer stockup program. The 798576 isn't normally stocked by dealers and is not included in the stockup program.

Briggs likes to push 5 different filters for most of their engines and 4 are dimensionally the same. The exception is the 491056 long filter, and the 798576 isn't marketed directly to dealers.

 

[Skippydiesel]

Sorry ILENGINE , I don't see how your comments give me understanding of why B&S recomend three diffrent (?) oil filters for the same engine.

Are you sort of saying its a marketing gimmick and there is no functional difference between the three filters?