Rotax 912 oil filter. Reputable suppliers?

[onetrack]

All filter manufacturing is nearly always done by independent filter manufacturers. Very few OEM companies manufacture their own filters. Cummins is one of the few, they own Fleetguard, which is a leading global filter manufacturer.

To set up a filter manufacturing facility is a sizeable expense that OEM's will not normally involve themselves in, it's easier and simpler for them to seek out a major filter manufacturer, and get their filters made by that filter producer.

The OEM's merely submit the specifications to the filter manufacturer, and the filter manufacturer simply produces a filter to meet those specs - and brands it accordingly. 

 

If the OEM is good, they keep a careful check on the filter quality being supplied, as well as relying on the filter manufacturers QC's. The OEM's might do random checks of quality, or they may have their own testing facilities.

Ryco no longer manufacture filters in Australia, they've had all their filters made in China since 2005. Ryco spent $3M here in 2013 on "filter supply facilities" - but that only involved setting up a big office, a lab, and filter testing facilities.

 

There are major filter manufacturers in all the more populous countries - China, Europe, the U.S., Thailand, Sth Korea, and Indonesia - and still the odd one left in Japan. Mann & Hummel are the biggest filter manufacturer in Europe. Sakura, originally Japanese, moved to Indonesia and went into JV with the Indonesians. Donaldson are the third biggest filter manufacturer. Sofegi, an Italian company, is the worlds 4th biggest filter manufacturer.

Sakura Indonesia produce 8,000,000 filters a MONTH, so you can get an idea of the size of the filter market, from that level of production just from one manufacturer.

 

Global operators such as Denso, Donaldson, Bosch, Wix, Toyota, etc., get their filters made anywhere - as with nearly all their products. The amount of Bosch stuff made in China now is incredible.

There are probably only about 20 main (well-known) filter manufacturing companies - but there are probably 200 filter brands. The 20 main manufacturers manufacture those other 180 brands.

There's probably 20 or 30 major filter manufacturing facilities in China, but only a few of them set up by global operators - and most of these global brand name factories are Joint Ventures with Chinese companies, anyway.

 

There are quite a number of filter examination videos on YooToob - but I've yet to come across one that does a very refined comparison. Most of the people doing these videos simply do a visual examination of the cut-open filter.

A few do "comparison" filter examinations, and they still don't prove much. One of the interesting points to come out of one of these videos was the Cooper-Wesfil filter out of China, that is utilising a standard-size filter canister, across multiple filters.

Any difference in length between canister and housing was made up with a thicker anti-drainback valve - which is usually just a big silicon rubber washer.

 

Few of these videos examined in technical detail, the strength of the filter medium (against collapse when loaded up with contaminants), the quality and quantity of the glue holding the filter medium, and the thickness of the metals.

Then there's the spring strength measurements needed, to determine at what pressure a bypass valve releases. I saw no-one doing this. The bloke doing the Cooper-Wesfil filter examination did examine the filter media through a microscope, and this showed up holes in the filter media - thus making any claimed micron-level of filtering, a pretty pointless exercise. The Cooper-Wesfil filter obviously has poor filtering ability.

 

The basic design of all filters is pretty much the same, it's the subtle features of the internals that start to make the difference between a good filter and less-than-satisfactory filter, and some of these differences only show up after the filter has been in use for some time. Collapsed filters (internally) due to inadequate filter media strength seems to feature large in many complaints - and an internally collapsed filter can starve engine components of adequate oil supply.

 

Edited September 6, 2023 by onetrack

[danny_galaga]

1 hour ago, facthunter said:

So do lots of others. .  Nev

Goodo.

[facthunter]

 Anti drain back is fairly recent.  It's only a rubber like diaphragm which could easily have a slow leak. The bypass arrangement by passes all oil including any  gunk that's in  the  oil. Better dirty oil than no oil is the logic.. My Cont 16 F had a fine brass gauze mesh that  you just remove and clean now and again. Sams as the Peugeot  203 had in principle.  Nev. 

[danny_galaga]

Got the filter today. Made in Italy.

[onetrack]

More than likely manufactured by Sogefi. Sogefi's own filter brands are FRAM, Coopers/FIAMM, Purflux, SogefiPro and Tecnocar. And of course, they would manufacture filters for a large number of European automotive and engine manufacturers.

 

https://www.sogefigroup.com/en/brands/brands.html

 

They sell filters in 18 countries and have 37 manufacturing facilities globally - including China, of course. 

 

https://www.sogefigroup.com/en/sogefi-group/worldwide-presence.html

[facthunter]

The User- manufacturer of the engine may specify what they want to the supplier. IF ROtax do that and recommend no other be used. Rotax are definitely taking responsibility for it particularly with a VH  designated motor in a VH plane. It has the status of a "genuine" part.   Nev

[skippydiesel]

" Rotax filter is nothing special, but all our US oil filters have a by-pass pressure of 13-15 psi. Rotax used to be 14-16 psi. One psi wasn't a big deal and it isn't even that accurate and that's why you see the psi spread. This allowed too much unfiltered oil to by-pass. Rotax by-pass pressure is now 18-22 psi to stop that. "

 

FYI - This caught my attention (again)

 

Called RYCO - It appears that "most of their oil filters have a 14 psi some up to 29 psi"

😈

[facthunter]

Bypass pressure is not the Be all and end all of anything. It should be a rare occurrence to allow unfiltered oil to Pass. (emergency), like filter blockage. Delivered oil under these Circumstances will be at a pressure Lower than normal by the By pass figure. Depending on where you Measure the Oil Pressure you may not even be  aware of it Happening. IF this Happened it would be difficult to say the engine was not damaged. It's NOT the Normal way to operate. It's an "Any oil is better than not having any/enough", BUT how can you guarantee that there's NOT a great Lump of grunge going somewhere it will do Harm from a Blocked filter?    Some times a Bypass valve is in the filter Mount casting and the Oil can Bypass without going anywhere near the filter element itself, so risk of contamination is reduced. It could also easily be fitted with a warning indicator . Nev

[Blueadventures]

Why use other than Rotax oil filters? They are not expensive and we're not sponsored for R&D by Rotax.   Any others that fit may not filter or bypass correctly and may be thin walled and result in an engine compartment fire due to a split filter case.

[BurnieM]

A few years ago I was on a Suzuki forum for DL1000 and DL650 motorcycles. There was of course lots of discussion on oil and oil filters. Some of it was even meaningful. 

 

An American who had a DL650 (650cc v twin) used premium synthetic oils but always the cheapest generic oil filter he could find.

He did I think 170,000 km and pulled it down. Wear and tear was limited and no worse than owners who used Suzuki brand name filters and had done half the kilometres. He wrote a report and his main thrust was that all oil filters do only limited filtering and 'cheap and nasty' filters were only marginally worse that 'premium brand name' filters.

 

But I agree that using Rotax brand filters if they are reasonably priced is probably the way to go and may stop some arguments on warranty issues.

 

All oil filters are almost certainly made by a factory in China had changes every 2-3 years based on quoted price to Rotax.

 

Edited Tuesday at 09:20 AM by BurnieM

[facthunter]

 I doubt that they MAKE their own filters. Filters DO vary in the Micron  figure and  other aspects of Quality. IF there is a Piece spot welded on the end for a spanner some of them have had cracks forming at the spot welds. Also a poor thread fit means grit can pass there and the thread is weakened if a Loose fit. Sometimes the thread will bottom out before the seal, seals There's a few things you have to check. Nev

[facthunter]

 An example using few machines that Vary a lot in the way they are used means very Little. Dust and short trips Make a lot of difference and whether you thrash it before the Pistons have reached their correct running fit.. Drain Oil while hot etc, On forums discussing Oils etc you Get the greatest Concentration of CRAP that you are likely to encounter, anywhere.  Nev

[Blueadventures]

28 minutes ago, facthunter said:

 I doubt that they MAKE their own filters. Filters DO vary in the Micron  figure and  other aspects of Quality. IF there is a Piece spot welded on the end for a spanner some of them have had cracks forming at the spot welds. Also a poor thread fit means grit can pass there and the thread is weakened if a Loose fit. Sometimes the thread will bottom out before the seal, seals There's a few things you have to check. Nev

6 or 8 years ago the oil filters were made in Austria.  Don't know about current supplies.

[Thruster88]

Some observations on oil filters.

 

Having used the oil filter cutting tool on many rotax and ryco filters the rotax is a lot thicker can.

 

My musketeer's Lycoming engine only has a fine screen for a filter, 1550 total time, no metal and the oil is no more  discoloured than similar lycomings with the big paper filter. Pic is the oil screen.

 

There is a guy on YouTube, I do cars, he has dismantled many failed engines, the "forbidden glitter" is nearly always spread, by the oil, all through the engine. The oil filter does not contain it.

[onetrack]

The greatest oil filter I've ever encountered, was one you never changed - you only cleaned it out! It is the centrifugal oil filter, as fitted to the older and larger Deutz diesel engines.

The filter had a rotary section that was spun via small nozzles that were operated by the pressurised engine oil. The rotary section spun at up to 5000-6000RPM - which action threw even the tiniest contaminants to the outer housing, where they gathered in a firm layer. The cleaned engine oil drained back to the engine, and the process continued as long as the engine was running.

 

Because these centrifugal filters removed so much fine contaminants, the heavy duty Deutz diesels often had a much longer operational life than other diesels.

To clean the filter, you merely removed the filter cover and peeled out the layer of compacted contaminants, washed out the filter housing, and re-assembled the unit.

They really are one of the most effective oil filters ever designed. But their weight would preclude fitting the design to light aircraft.

[danny_galaga]

Rotax filters are cheap. Just get that. 

[skippydiesel]

49 minutes ago, danny_galaga said:

Rotax filters are cheap. Just get that. 

Really?

 

A quick search has Rotax oil filters from $36.50 - $78.50 AU

RYCO (a reputable Australian brand) has similar vehicle filters for $10 - $18 AU

 

NOTE: I am not advocating fitting a non Rotax oil filter, just commenting on the price disparity (Rotax V similar automotive) which seems to be increasing.

 

The reality is, if its supplied by an aviation specific retailer and/or has aviation in the parts description, it will be at least double the price of a similar automotive product. 

 

As others have pointed out an engine can run perfectly well without an oil filter or with a gauze screen washable one. The filter only becomes important when the engine is shedding wear particles, something that may ultimately require a lot more than a filter to put right.

 

I can not afford to risk using a non Rotax oil filter but this over the barrel pricing does not make me happy.

 

😈

[danny_galaga]

2 hours ago, skippydiesel said:

Really?

 

A quick search has Rotax oil filters from $36.50 - $78.50 AU

RYCO (a reputable Australian brand) has similar vehicle filters for $10 - $18 AU

 

NOTE: I am not advocating fitting a non Rotax oil filter, just commenting on the price disparity (Rotax V similar automotive) which seems to be increasing.

 

The reality is, if its supplied by an aviation specific retailer and/or has aviation in the parts description, it will be at least double the price of a similar automotive product. 

 

As others have pointed out an engine can run perfectly well without an oil filter or with a gauze screen washable one. The filter only becomes important when the engine is shedding wear particles, something that may ultimately require a lot more than a filter to put right.

 

I can not afford to risk using a non Rotax oil filter but this over the barrel pricing does not make me happy.

 

😈

If $36 is expensive to you, you may be in the wrong hobby 

 

😇 

[BurnieM]

50 minutes ago, danny_galaga said:

If $36 is expensive to you, you may be in the wrong hobby 

 

😇

Except I cannot find anybody in Australia selling them for $36.

 

Assuming;

manufactured in China to reasonable quality

shipped to Europe

packaged in Europe

shipped to Australia

warehoused for up to 6 months

a good markup added

 

AU$25 would be a reasonable price.

 

This is why people get annoyed by the 'aviation tax'.

 

Dont get me started on sparkplugs.

 

[skippydiesel]

54 minutes ago, danny_galaga said:

If $36 is expensive to you, you may be in the wrong hobby 

 

😇

Maaate!

If a very similar product can be purchased for $10, paying $36 - $80, no matter how wealthy you appear to be, puts into question your mental soundness (no offence intend).😈

[skippydiesel]

BurnieM

 

"Except I cannot find anybody in Australia selling them for $36."

 

https://pmaviation.com.au/rotax/

 

Your welcome.

 

😈

[BrendAn]

6 minutes ago, skippydiesel said:

Maaate!

If a very similar product can be purchased for $10, paying $36 - $80, no matter how wealthy you appear to be, puts into question your mental soundness (no offence intend).😈

A similar product doesn't cut it in aviation. 

 

[skippydiesel]

What about AeroShell Sport Plus 4

 

The prices below are for 12 x 1 L cartons

 

NOTE: Delivery charges will likly change the cost significantly (assuming you can not pick up from supplier)

 

Australia Supplier	$ Cost/L
Aircraft Spruce	26.67
The Aviator	21.67
Sky Fuel	19.84
Viva	19.92

😈

[skippydiesel]

1 minute ago, BrendAn said:

A similar product doesn't cut it in aviation. 

 

Are you willfully missing the point?

 

(All comments below are for non certified aircraft/engines)

 

Aside from a claimed difference in bypass pressure rating (spring & diaphragm) the oil filetrs are essentially the same. May have been produced in the same factory AND have the same production costs.

An aircraft engine failure, has the potentially for much more serious outcome, than a similar ground vehicle engine failure. This factor alone, warrants greater care & standards in construction, maintenance & servicing.

The above suggests higher standards, that cost more - FAIR ENOUGH! (too a point) Not up  X 8

BUT 

I have never seen an automotive oil filter (purchased from a respected supplier like RYCO) fail, when being used as per engine & filter manufactures recommendations.

Rotax 9 engines use automotive technology throughout (ie nothing unusual /special)

Have, in the past, specified automotive products be used in their engine servicing. I am unaware of any engine failures as a result.

Rotax has decided to go down the road of "branding" its service products and at the same time increased the cost of these by many times the manufacturing cost.

Vehicle manufactures also brand service items BUT are in competition for sales with a whole host of aftermarket suppliers. Branded (OM) vehicle service parts are often competitive with after market quality products.

In common with other small market/slow turn over industries, Rotax prices are of necessity higher - fair enough but not x 8  

Rotax has taken steps to not be in competition with after market suppliers, by promoting their aircraft parts/materials quality propaganda narrative - Owners like you have been sucked in. That your prerogative.

RoTAX  is real - its designed to increase profit. Nothing to do with engine service life/reliability - just profit.

There is a great deal of myth about the superiority of aircraft servicing/materials. 

IF you own & maintain a homebuilt aircraft, you have the flexibility to maintain the aircraft in the most cost effective way (not suggesting scrimping on standards/safety).

 

I get satisfaction from being cost conscious, you apparently do not.

I take the time to compare standards & find the most cost competitive product.

Apparently you are happy to pay Rotax & not bother with such time wasting efforts - your prorgative.

Clearly we see the World through diffrent lenses and likly from diffrent cash reserves.

 

😈

 

[onetrack]

You've never seen fat profit margins until you've been involved in retailing filters. 

The simple fact that one brand of filter can have 15 different,  widely-varying prices, according to who you source it from, is enough to make you realise that filter floggers are in the same category as doctors and lawyers for "higher than average" income levels.

 

I have friends with a filter retailing business. They have little problem paying all their bills, they indulge in premium motoring purchases, and also own large motorboats. Good luck to them, they know their business. But I rarely buy my filters off them.