I just spent a bit of time on the Puradyne website. Not a lot of technical info there, but that is often the case.
It is definitely a depth filter.
It is recommended to change the filter, as you do, periodically as you change engine oil. I couldn't find any specifications or charts.
The filter element lives an easy short life.
No different from any other filter company, the profit is in the replacement element.
In industry, where filtration is critical, and can be tied to production losses, a bit more oversight is taken. Lube mechanics and on-site tribology labs are normal. Particularly when you are consuming tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars annually on element costs. So we wring as much out of a filter as possible to save money. Daily DP measurements are made if they aren't on-line and alarmed.
We would cut filters open and you could see how the fluid would find or make a widen section in the media. It doesn't have to be much as all it has to do is channel the flow which allows a decrease in pressure and increase in velocity. Sometimes they would be bulged and the relief path would be around the circumference of the filter.
In your case, as long as it provides good service (which I am pretty confident it does), and it isn't excessively costly, why mess with a good thing? Keep doing what you are doing.
There is a very good chance that you could go multitudes of oil changes before doing a filter change.
But you can't control what you don't measure. So with out oil analysis, or pressure differential and manufacture's recommendations, you're kind of guessing.
Next oil change, I'd cut one open with a sawzall and take a look at it.
Then I'd skip an oil change and do it again.
If possible I would consider a dp gauge, and correlate with observations, or call the company and ask for some technical info. Keep in mind, they really don't want you to extend your element life.
My gut feel is that if you put a DP gauge on it with a new filter element, it would take a long time to see it move a noticeable amount.
Again, as this is not your primary filter, the risk of failure, is identical to not having the filter at all.
Does that dipstick have engine running at idle markings on the other side?
That's straight from the 3306(84z) marine engine operation and maintenance section.
Ah yes, page 63. Interesting that when the bypass filter is isolated by closing the valve I installed at the filter on the drain line that the oil level marker when idling will show not quite full, but with the engine off and well drained, the oil level is just slightly high of the full Mark. Presumably because of a slight inclination of the engine...
THIS^^^^^ EXACTLY!The fill level was set by the manufacturer assuming the engine is shut off, not running.
THIS^^^^^ EXACTLY!
Every engine out there has less oil in the sump when it is running than it has when it is off and has cooled down. And every engine manufacturer out there designs their engines with the intention that the oil level is measured when the engine is off and has cooled down. That means that -- BY DESIGN! -- the oil level should be "low" if you measure it while the engine is running.
Now, is the OPs too low? That's a different question. Is the oil filter that he is using the same type as the engine's designers intended to be used with it? if so, then the answer is probably, no, it is not too low. If this filter holds more oil than the type that the engine's designers had originally intended, then maybe, yes.
So, were I the OP, I would not be wondering if I should over-fill my crankcase. I would be wondering if I should switch to a type of oil filter that matches what the engine's designers intended it to have.
My mistake. You are right. I did not read every post in the thread, and not having owned a CAT in the past I did not realize they had both running and at rest markings on the dipstick. No engine that I've ever owned in the past -- gasoline or diesel -- had markings on the dipstick for when the engine is running.The dipstick has markings for both running and at rest.
Perhaps they mark it both sides because it is a marine engine and they presume some angle of installation. Beats me, but thank you.My mistake. You are right. I did not read every post in the thread, and not having owned a CAT in the past I did not realize they had both running and at rest markings on the dipstick. No engine that I've ever owned in the past -- gasoline or diesel -- had markings on the dipstick for when the engine is running.
So, of course, if your dipstick has markings for when the engine is running, those would be the more important ones to focus on.
It's right in line with #2, but the motor is only very slightly inclined.They put an "engine running" set of marks on the stick as these engines are often used in continuous run applications where you may need to add oil and would rather not shut it down. You can add oil while it is running.
Nice feature, use it to your advantage. Note: Oil needs to be pretty much warmed up or you get a false reading.
If stick is near center of engine block (around cyl #3 and 4, the angle should not matter too much. Where is stick?
Oil level is not that critical. Can't be too low, can't be too high, but there is a lot of room in between the two cases, and sticks are marked with a lot of cushion either way.
Don't over think this.
It's right in line with #2, but the motor is only very slightly inclined.They put an "engine running" set of marks on the stick as these engines are often used in continuous run applications where you may need to add oil and would rather not shut it down. You can add oil while it is running.
Nice feature, use it to your advantage. Note: Oil needs to be pretty much warmed up or you get a false reading.
If stick is near center of engine block (around cyl #3 and 4, the angle should not matter too much. Where is stick?
Oil level is not that critical. Can't be too low, can't be too high, but there is a lot of room in between the two cases, and sticks are marked with a lot of cushion either way.
Don't over think this.
Anyone have a good fuel burn rate at cruise speed (say 8-9 knots) Cummins 6bta 5.9L M3 335 hp. I’m looking at economy. Not sure if this is the engine. Any help is appreciated