The engine is the heart of any vehicle. Just like a heart needs blood pumping through it, your engine needs oil. Like your arteries, if you allow an old oil filter to reduce the flow of oil through your engine, you’re putting your Acura’s long-term health at risk.
Oil lubricates the hundreds of moving pieces in your engine. Those pieces are in constant motion, rubbing against each other and creating heat and friction. When properly lubricated, the parts move in unison, without any friction. When your oil filter is clogged and there’s not enough oil to lubricate things, the constant friction and heat will cause your vehicle to overheat and, left unaddressed, might lead to permanent damage to the engine.
Here are some signs you can watch out for that will help you identify the signs of a damaged or ineffective oil filter. When you’re ready to shop for a replacement filter, Bernardi Parts Acura is your one-stop shop for everything you’ll need.
How an Oil Filter Works
An oil filter blocks contaminants and particles like dirt and carbon deposits from reaching your engine as oil passes through. Over time, the filter will catch so many contaminants that it’ll become clogged. That means the filter will be slower and less effective at passing through engine oil. Without the proper oil levels, you’re putting your engine in danger.
Signs of a Damaged Oil Filter
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Overheating: If your oil filter is clogged and oil can’t get through to your engine, the increased friction will produce excessive heat. That constant friction will cause your engine to overheat.
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Drop in Oil Pressure: As your oil filter does its job, it’ll collect contaminants and become clogged. As that happens, oil will have a harder and harder time passing through to the engine. If there’s not enough oil running through, you’ll get a low oil pressure warning. You may notice reduced gas mileage, engine knocking, or even a burning smell.
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Declining Performance: As your engine suffers with the increased friction caused by insufficient oil, you’ll notice less power coming from your engine. If you’re suddenly having trouble getting up to highway speed or passing on the highway, checking and potentially replacing your oil filter should be one of the first steps you take to troubleshoot the issue.
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Dirty Exhaust Fumes: A visual tell that your Acura might have a clogged oil filter is if your vehicle’s exhaust fumes look darker than normal. Dark and dirty exhaust fumes are the result of oil leaking into your exhaust system.
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Burning Smell: Another giveaway that you have a clogged oil filter is the smell of burning oil. This smell could signal an oil leak. The oil burns as it drips down onto the hot engine. If you smell burning oil, you should turn off your vehicle right away, let the engine cool, and then check under the hood for a leak.
Replacing a Damaged Oil Filter
Once you identify a dirty or clogged oil filter as the cause of your Acura’s performance issues, the next step is to replace it before you permanently damage your engine and cause yourself an even more expensive issue.
Finding all the parts you need is easy with Bernardi Parts Acura. We have everything you need, whether you’re just looking to change your oil filter or you need OEM parts to repair some of the secondary damage a dirty oil filter can cause. We can even help you choose the best engine oil for your Acura.
For more information, please send us a message or give us a call at 800-924-1884.