The oil filter in your car, truck, or utility vehicle plays a crucial role in keeping the engine clean. As the oil flows through the engine, it picks up dirt and grime that builds up on the various parts. This dirt and grime are filtered out of the oil when it passes through the oil filter. Padron Automotive explains that this is why it’s crucial to have the oil filter changed every 3,000 miles. If the filter gets too dirty, it will clog. Here are signs that your oil filter is clogged and you have dirty motor oil circulating through the engine.
Dirty Engine Exhaust
Dirty motor oil produces excess hydrocarbons and they end up being released in your engine’s exhaust. When this happens, your vehicle may fail an emissions test, and you may end up with black smoke flowing out of your tailpipe. If you have conventional oil in your engine, make sure to change it every 3,000 miles to keep it clean and to keep the hydrocarbons in your vehicle’s exhaust reduced.
Grinding Sounds
Dirty motor oil is also incapable of protecting the engine parts as well as it should. When this happens, you may hear grinding sounds coming from your engine. This is a sign that the parts are not being lubricated by the motor oil and they are wearing each other down. This is also a sign that the oil filter is clogged completely and you don’t have any motor oil flowing through the engine.
Lagging Acceleration
An engine with dirty motor oil will also suffer and its performance. You will notice that your vehicle lags when you try to pick up speed. This lagging acceleration can be a sign of a clogged oil filter or another problem. Some of these other problems include a clogged fuel filter, clogged fuel injectors, worn spark plugs, or a vacuum leak out of one of the engine’s vacuum hoses.
Sputtering Engine
You will also end up with the sputtering engine while you are driving. This is because the engine is struggling to perform without its normal lubrication. If you continue to drive your automobile when it is in this condition, you run the risk of seriously damaging the engine. In fact, an engine without motor oil will seize up and die in less than half an hour.
Oil Pressure Drop
Finally, if you have an oil pressure gauge on your dashboard, you will notice that the oil pressure drops significantly if the oil filter is clogged. For those with warning lights, you will get an illuminated dashboard warning light indicating that there is a problem with the motor oil.
Padron Automotive in Topeka, KS, is here to help, so call us today. We can replace your oil filter and change the motor oil to restore your engine’s performance.
