dumbest question ever.....sorta.....

[Jonny Hotnuts]

So I cut my oil filter open to see what was in there but its tough to see the particles in the oil (*not that there is a bunch of stuff there). There are some tiny suspended bits and some grime at the bottom but its hard to look through 2" of oil (about 1 cup total oil).

Is there a good method for straining the oil through a very fine media or other method for observing the lions share??

Just wondering.....

~JH

[Tman]

If you really want to know, find a local testing facility. I have been privy to info from some folks I know that run Harleys. It is amazing what you can predetermine with constant testing.

[maguromic]

I always put them on slides and look through a microscope, you will be surprised what you will find. Nothing dumb about the question, everyone should do it after every run. Tony

[grumm441]

Try one of those white paper conical coffee filters
G

[saltwheels262]

paint filters.

[stay`tee]

pour your used oil into a flat based container, (like a large oil catchment dish, as avilable from any performance aftermarket store),, let the oil settle for a cuppla days,, the heavy particles will settle to the bottom,, take it out into the sunlight,, sometimes it`s a bit scarie what ya can see,

[SPARKY]

a pice of bright finished metal in the bottom of that pan will help!

[wobblywalrus]

It is a good idea to save the remains as a reference for comparisons with later samples.  This will tell you what debris is normal and what is not.