Symptoms of a Clogged Oil

Filter
Demore’s Automotive • June 15, 2020

Every 3,000 miles; make that your promise to

your car, truck, or SUV. You should have oil and
oil filter changed every 3,000 miles to ensure you
don’t damage your engine. Why so often?
Because motor oil gets dirty fast and a clogged
oil filter can end your vehicle’s life. There are
signs your oil filter is clogged, aside from failure
to get the oil changed. Here’s what they are so
you can spot them quickly.

Poor Performance

Poor performance can be any number of things

and a clogged oil filter is one of them. You will
notice that you press down on the accelerator
and it seems as if nothing happens. Your engine
will lag and not pick up the speed it usually does.
This is also an indication of a clogged fuel filter,
carburetor or fuel injector problems, a clogged
air filter, or transmission trouble.

Engine Sputters

The oil filter cleans the oil from contaminants and

then releases it into the engine so it can circulate
through the moving parts to lubricate them and
collect heat. If the oil filter isn’t releasing the
motor oil into the engine, the parts will suffer and
your engine will sputter. You will notice it sputter
more the faster you go, and this problem
shouldn’t be ignored because sputters cause
engine damage.

Audible Metallic Noise

If your engine is not getting enough oil the parts

are not properly lubricated. The result is metallic
noise created by the moving parts. This is usually
grinding and if you hear this noise, pull over right
away, turn off the engine, and call your roadside
assistance service to get towed to the auto
service shop. If you allow the parts to continue to
grind together, you’ll enact the engine death
sentence discussed above.

Low Oil Pressure

You should never see your oil pressure gauge

drop while you’re driving. If you do, you’ve got an
oil problem. Oil pressure drops can be caused by
a clogged filter or a serious oil leak, although
leaks don’t usually just happen spontaneously.
No matter the cause, if our oil pressure gauge
heads downward quickly, do the above. Pull over
and call for a tow to an auto shop. Don’t keep
driving your vehicle.

Exhaust That Is Dirty

Finally, a clogged oil filter can affect your

automobile’s exhaust. You shouldn’t see smoke
coming out of your tailpipe at all, except maybe a
little white smoke when it’s cold outside. If you
see brown or black smoke exiting the pipe, your
vehicle could be burning fuel or oil. The smell of
burning oil is strong, so you might know right
away that the exhaust is being caused by a
clogged oil filter.

Don’t drive with a clogged oil filter. Come to

Demore’s Automotive to have your oil and filter
changed today.