The oil filter is essential to protect, cool down and correctly operate the engine. Its function is to trap the impurities resulting from combustion and from the movement of mechanical parts, thus preventing component wear and damages.
UFI oil filtration solutions are developed with synthetic, glass or cellulose and resin fibre media, capable of resisting to the new ‘long-life’ oils and to oil lubrication additives better, as well as filtering impurities and soot and biofuels dissolved in the oil.
Besides ensuring the highest particle separation efficiency and preventing filter clogging, oil filtration systems are equipped with safety solutions that protect the engine.
These include the anti-drain valve and the by-pass valve.
THE ANTI-DRAIN VALVE
One of the most important systems that ensures correct engine operation and keeps the oil flow in check is the anti-drain valve. Better known as “non-return valve”, it prevents the oil filter from emptying after the engine has been turned off.
Dry ignition is one of the greater risks; for this reason, the anti-drain valve activates when the engine is off to prevent the partial emptying of the oil circuit, which could cause lubricant flow pressure drops on the next ignition.
UFI oil system valves are high-quality, and they offer high temperature resistance and improved wear resistance, thanks to the rubber they are made of.
THE BYPASS VALVE
Preventing engine wear is one of the oil filter’s main functions. Therefore, all mechanical parts should always be lubricated, even when the filter is clogged; this is when the bypass valve (also called “safety valve”) comes into play.
Forgetting to replace the filter at scheduled intervals, or an excessive oil density caused by very low environmental temperature, could cause the filter to clog. This is when the bypass valve comes into play, by letting a small quantity of lubricant pass through the system, bypassing the filter, and ensuring the lubrication of the engine’s mechanical components. The bypass valve is located in the lower section of the filtering elements, and it operates at a set opening pressure, based on the original equipment standards, which, for European cars, is around 2 bar.
UFI Filters doesn’t just produce filtering materials with special formulas; it also focuses on safety systems. Valve design and a careful material selection in line with the requirements of the main automotive manufacturers are the essential ‘ingredients’ to ensure excellent oil filtration.
