Clean up after oil change. Oil filter cutter effective for recycling if separated by material.

The oil filter, which filters sludge and metal powder from the engine oil circulating inside the engine, is supposed to be changed once every two engine oil changes as a theory. There are two types of oil filters: those with only a filter paper element and those with a metal case containing the element, and the latter are sometimes difficult to dispose of due to the combination of different materials such as filter paper, rubber, and metal. The oil filter cutter is a special tool that can be used to safely and securely disassemble oil filters.

What is the difference between an oil filter and an oil element?

The oil filter, which collects foreign matter and dirt mixed in the engine oil that lubricates the rotating and sliding parts of metal parts while exposed to high temperatures, is an important part that protects the engine. Although it is rare for the filter paper to become clogged to the extent that the flow rate inside the filter decreases with general use, replacing the filter once every two oil changes will ensure that each part of the engine is protected. There are several names for such an oil filter, including "oil filter" and "oil element. Regardless of what you call it, it is still a part that removes dust in the oil, but it seems to be used differently depending on its form (shape), such as an exposed filter paper part → oil element, and an oil filter in a metal case → oil filter. While the oil element is housed in the crankcase housing and secured with a cover, the oil filter is secured by tightening the metal case to the filter boss (hollow male screw) attached to the crankcase. Both have the same function, but the oil filter also incorporates parts other than filter paper, such as a relief valve. The relief valve opens when the oil flow rate in the filter case drops, such as during cold startup when the oil viscosity is high or when the filter paper is clogged because the element is too dirty, and has an important role in preventing poor lubrication. However, when the relief valve opens, oil circulates through the filter paper, so it is important to replace it before dirt accumulates.

How do I dispose of the oil filter?

A bottleneck for motorcycle users who perform DIY oil change operations is the disposal of oil and oil filters after use. If you use an absorbent type disposer, you can dispose of the oil as municipal waste (you need to check with your local government for the types of waste and disposal methods), but what to do with the oil filter, which incorporates parts made of multiple materials such as filter paper, springs, and O-rings? One solution is to use an oil filter cutter. This tool is like a pipe cutter with a thin circular blade and two bearings that support the filter case at three points. While rotating the filter, the blade is gradually pressed against the filter to cut through it, simply put, like a can opener. Cutting can be done with a hacksaw or disk grinder, but these tools make noise and the oil left inside the filter splashes out and contaminates the surrounding area, making cleaning up afterward difficult. On the other hand, the oil filter cutter turns the filter itself slowly, so it does not make noise and oil does not scatter.

By cutting through the filter case, the internal parts can be disposed of separately.

As mentioned earlier, oil filters are made of multiple materials such as rubber, metal, and filter paper, which are neither incombustible nor combustible. The advantage of using an oil filter cutter is that the oil filter can be cut at the bottom, close to the kink, so that the element and other internal parts can be removed without damaging them. Since the element that filters the oil is often bonded to a resin or metal frame, it can be further sorted into smaller pieces by cutting it from the frame with a cutter knife after cutting off the oil to some extent. Also, oil remaining in the metal case can be completely drained out, so there is no awkward oil seepage into cans or metal trash collection bags.

The price of the tool itself is an obstacle, but it is definitely useful.

If you have an oil filter cutter that does not leave oil in the filter case and allows you to sort and dispose of the oil by material, it will definitely make the cleanup after an oil change at home a lot easier. However, the price varies from product to product, ranging from several thousand yen to more than 10,000 yen, so you may be a little hesitant to buy one if you consider the cost performance when weighing the frequency of use. Still, it is attractive that they can be disassembled and separated smartly without the noise, sparks, and swarf that occur when cutting with a hacksaw or sander. If your motorcycle or car oil changes generate several pieces of filter waste per year, you may want to consider purchasing one.

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