FLO Oil Filter - PCS1

[deftoner]

I bought the reusable PCS1 filter, not thinking about to "some day save money on oil filters" but, to have oil changed on the road (no need to find a filter in small towns), for the high flow, and for the heat dissipation.

Its around 90/100 U$S, you will find it on ebay or amazon just searching for PCS1. Will replace a wide list of oil filters (not just Yamaha S10).

The quality its awesome. It comes with a second rubber ring too. Here some pictures.

 

[Checkswrecks]

I haven't looked into them enough to have an opinion, but the arguments between throw away and reusable stainless filters are almost as vocal as those for various brands of oil. Some point to the SAE (iirc) paper that said most wear comes from particulate smaller than what the SS filters can catch. Others point to the inconsistencies in paper.

 

[deftoner]

I haven't looked into them enough to have an opinion, but the arguments between throw away and reusable stainless filters are almost as vocal as those for various brands of oil. Some point to the SAE (iirc) paper that said most wear comes from particulate smaller than what the SS filters can catch. Others point to the inconsistencies in paper.

Talk about oils its like talking about politics. There is so much opinions everywhere.

I read those arguments too. The true is that any motorcycle company recommend or not the reusable filter. And all the mayor good quality filter brands have reusable models: Bosh, K&N, etc. The quality of this filter is awesome, besides that add a second protection: an magnet. Its a little larger than the stock, so I needed to modify the Givi Engine Guard.

(I just changed it) Pictures:

 

[WJBertrand]

Good review on oil filters and particle sizes here:

https://www.amsoil.com/techservicesbulletin/Aftermarket/TSB-AF-2007-07-25%20Oil%20filters%20Particle%20Size%20and%20Engine%20Wear.pdf

This and other online information resources indicate that most traditional oil filters are designed to remove particles in the 5-10 micron range and that particles above 10 and especially in the 20-25 micron range are the most damaging. Having read that and looking at the 35 micron claim on the stainless steel filter would indicate it's filtering capability is inadequate.

 

[deftoner]

Good review on oil filters and particle sizes here:

https://www.amsoil.com/techservicesbulletin/Aftermarket/TSB-AF-2007-07-25%20Oil%20filters%20Particle%20Size%20and%20Engine%20Wear.pdf

This and other online information resources indicate that most traditional oil filters are designed to remove particles in the 5-10 micron range and that particles above 10 and especially in the 20-25 micron range are the most damaging. Having read that and looking at the 35 micron claim on the stainless steel filter would indicate it's filtering capability is inadequate.

Strange that the Bosch oil filter PREMIUM line is 20 microns... anyway.

 

[silvergoose]

Lifetime oil filters, IMHO, are false ecnomy. I have looked at the units and inquired to the seller about cleaning the filter screen, the result amounted to I don't know, we have never had a problem. The answer was given in avery flipant manner as if to say don't ask don't tell.

The filtration spec is too large 35 Micron is a boulder compared to a 10 or 15 micron paper unit. As far as having a magnet, that is a cheap trick. ANyone can ,many do, attach magnets to the out side of the standard filter can, I have been doing it for years. Another point, Bypass Valve this unit appears not to have one, maybe due the filtration size it is not part of the design.

The point is use the unit if you want and it appears as though you have spent the money, but if this was such a good idea why arent more motor companies using them.

At the end of the day the choice is yours and may you have many uneventful miles.

Good Luck

 

[Checkswrecks]

The main contaminants in a wet-clutch motor are clutch particles and carbon flakes, neither of which is magnetic.

 

[2daMax]

I am using this filter, transferred from the Versys to my current S10.

Case to ponder on. At high revs it is likely the standard filter will go by pass mode through the by pass valve. The oil is unfiltered at this scenario. With the flo filter, it flows better n unlikely to use the bypass valve.

 

[dietDrThunder]

There is no debate regarding disposable v. re-usable filters regarding the filtration; it is well documented that the re-usable jobbers do not filter as well. There is an SAE white paper on the subject that I saved at some point but am not coming up with at the moment that documented a significant reduction in engine wear correlated to single-pass efficiency in the pertinent particle size range. I don't remember the exact numbers, but I do remember that the differences were a) eye-opening and b) caused me to immediately round-file the $200 in re-usable filters that I had on my two bikes (the filters were about $100 each at that time) and immediately go back to standard filters.

I'll try to come up with it and post up...

 

[WJBertrand]

There is no debate regarding disposable v. re-usable filters regarding the filtration; it is well documented that the re-usable jobbers do not filter as well. There is an SAE white paper on the subject that I saved at some point but am not coming up with at the moment that documented a significant reduction in engine wear correlated to single-pass efficiency in the pertinent particle size range. I don't remember the exact numbers, but I do remember that the differences were a) eye-opening and b) caused me to immediately round-file the $200 in re-usable filters that I had on my two bikes (the filters were about $100 each at that time) and immediately go back to standard filters.

I'll try to come up with it and post up...

There's a good reason no one offers them as OEM.

 

[snakebitten]

Yea, I've been mesmerized recently by the amazing (relatively) longevity that some of the fellas are getting out of the recent generation KTM500EXC.

There's even some cross continent ADV reports with many thousands of miles and hundreds of hours.

Admittedly these guys are pretty religious with their 1.6quart oil changes, even if trailside. (easy to do with this bike)
Since you travel VERY light on a bike like this, carrying items even as small as a couple of oil filters is a serious consideration. And the reusable filter debate becomes even more significant.

But me? I'm not one to even consider them. Right or wrong, I'm erring on the side of maximum filtration.

 

[DamMechanic]

My 2cents has always been that you are forcing containments into the filter at 30 to 80 psi and now you are going to rinse them out by just pouring whatever you want to use as a solvent from the inside out and that is going to dislodge something that was forced into the filter under pressure! The only benifet that stainless filters have over paper is when you have water in the oil. Paper will not pass it, only collect it.

 

[ace50]

Really good replies of which I mostly agree with!
The only way to really tell how a filter works though is by doing a comparison test with oil sampling.
The 35 micron might be adequate, though I doubt it.

Heck I've used a K&N air filter on many bikes even though I know they don't trap dirt as good as a standard filter.
You gotta pick your poison!

::26::

 

[2daMax]

Here is an article on filtration but be aware that they are trying to sell microfilters.

http://ecomicrofilters.com/whareclpacs.html

My understanding from this article is that:
1. Clearance Size Particles, size around 1um to 10 um are the ones responsible for most damages because it is small enough to enter between the gap of moving parts.
2. Regular oil filer filters absolutely within 30 to 45 microns. Here I take it that a regular oil filter will filter some at 5 to 30 um but do let some pass by the first time, and may capture it again the 2nd time it goes through. Anything >30 microns are 100% caught by the filter.
3. Regular oil filters does not remove CSP, i.e not protecting enough. We are all doomed to some greater level of engine wear if we continue to just rely on regular oil filters.

I remembered other things I read long time back, that regular oil filters will filter between 5um to 100um depending on the filtration media. No filter manufacturers have put on the filtration efficiency numbers, despite requests made. If they say 5um, it should come with how much % efficiency. But in reality, we just have no idea how good is the oil filter.

 

[ace50]

Most of the wear you do see in an engine is from 5-25 microns that a regular oil filter misses. You can capture the smaller particles by using a 'by-pass' oil filter.
This secondary filter only filters 10-20% of the oil in circulation cycle as it's harder to filter the smaller you go. This will keep the oil cleaner for a MUCH longer time.
I've only seen people use them on cars though.
Seeing as though you can get well over 100K on a bike. I'm not going to worry about it one bit! ::26::

 

[SilverBullet]

I bought the reusable PCS1 filter, not thinking about to "some day save money on oil filters" but, to have oil changed on the road (no need to find a filter in small towns),...

With a new filter only needed every 10K miles is that even an issue? Easy to carry an extra filter, about the same size and weight as a coffee cup. One filter will cover you for a trip up to 20K miles long. Your bigger concerns, depending on the route traveled, will be proper oil every 5K miles and tires every 10K or so.

_

 

[Sierra1]

Somebody needs to find out what filter/oil that LonghaulPaul uses. His bike has 170,000+ miles on it. Obviously maintenance is high on his priority list. (unless he just replaces motors)

 

[Pterodactyl]

I know a fella who just replaced the engine in a BMW R1100RS at 450,000 miles. Always used OEM filters and Dino oil.

Know a second guy who has over 2.6 million miles on BMWs. Most of the miles are on K1100 bikes and he has 5 or 6 of them retired in a barn with over 300,000 miles on each. Again an OEM and Dino sorta guy.

I think SS filters are a big risk with a small reward. Seen a couple that collapsed while in an engine.

 

[snakebitten]

With a new filter only needed every 10K miles is that even an issue? Easy to carry an extra filter, about the same size and weight as a coffee cup. One filter will cover you for a trip up to 20K miles long. Your bigger concerns, depending on the route traveled, will be proper oil every 5K miles and tires every 10K or so.

_

Ah.....the S10 unicorn tire. ::013::

My Tenere demands an oil change at 4K and a tire around 2.5K.
I've succumbed to it's demands.

 

[Sierra1]

2500 miles?! That's 'cuz of all those smokey burnouts.... ::025::