Almost anybody who owns a generator knows that changing the engine oil is vital to the machine’s upkeep. One thing often mentioned in owner’s manuals or by manufacturers is the necessity of changing the oil filter. However, some generator users are confused about whether their machine has an oil filter. So, do generators have oil filters?
Yes. Just like any other engine, most generators have an oil filter. It’s there to remove any impurities from the oil before it circulates through the engine. However, some portable generators do not have oil filters.
Read on to learn more about oil filters, why they’re important for your generator, and why some models don’t have them.
What Is An Oil Filter?
Have you been to a car service and they told you that you need to change your engine oil and filter? The same thing goes for some generators. An oil filter is a cartridge with a screen that captures oil impurities as oil flows through it.
Do Generators Have Oil Filters?
Unless you have a “huge” generator and change the oil yourself, you might not have heard of a generator with an oil filter. That’s because it’s not a common thing in those portable generators.
What Is The Purpose Of An Oil Filter In A Generator?
When the engine parts, the piston and cylinder walls, move, they rub against each other. This process causes small metal fragments to come off and mix with the oil. If these particles are not removed, they can clog up the oil passages and cause damage to the engine.
What’s more, if even the tiniest debris were to get between the cylinder and the piston, which travels at least several thousand times per minute, it could cause catastrophic engine failure. The oil might also leak into the combustion chamber and get burned with the air-fuel mixture, causing a loss of power and performance.
That is why an oil filter is there—to remove those particles and keep the oil clean. It will collect this debris as the hot oil passes through it, and you can discard it later.
Why Is It That Some Portable Generators Don't Have Oil Filters?
Unlike gasoline, oil is viscous and won’t flow easily. So, generators with oil fuel require an oil pump to push the oil through the engine. The oil pump is located between the oil tank and the engine and has a suction and discharge side.
The suction side pulls oil from the tank and pushes it into the filter. The discharge side pushes oil from the filter and into the engine. When the oil reaches the engine, it flows through small passageways to lubricate all the moving parts.
This is not the case with portable generators since they don’t have an oil filter. This might be because they have designed the generator to be used only for short periods, so there is less need to have an oil filter.
Moreover, portable generators are used for lightweight applications that do not demand much from the engine. So, there isn’t much wear and tear inside the generator to cause a lot of metal particles to be mixed with the oil.
How Often Is The Generator Oil Filter Changed?
Like the engine oil, the oil filter should be changed regularly. Depending on your generator type, the oil and filter change interval could be different. That’s why checking your owner’s manual is important to see what the manufacturer recommends.
As a rule of thumb, you should change the oil filter during the second oil change for your generator. So, if you change the oil every 50 hours, you should also change the filter every 100 hours. However, that applies only when you have used the generator for light-duty applications.
If you’ve used the generator for long hours or under strenuous conditions, you might have to change the oil and filter more frequently.
How Do You Change A Generator Oil Filter?
Changing the oil filter is quite easy. But you will have to locate it first since it might be hidden. The oil filter is usually located near the oil drain plug or dipstick. It looks like a canister with a metal screen on one end. Typically, you will change the oil filter while you are changing the oil. Here are the steps to follow:
- Step 1: Run the generator for at least 15 minutes to allow the oil to warm up. This will make the oil flow more easily.
- Step 2: Use your generator’s user’s manual to locate the oil filter. You might need to unscrew a cover or panel to get to it.
- Step 3: Open the oil drain plug and drain the oil into a suitable container for proper disposal later.
- Step 4: Unscrew the oil filter using an oil filter wrench. If you don’t have one, you can use a pair of pliers. Just be careful not to damage the filter. You might also want to place a rag under the filter to catch any oil that might drip.
- Step 5: Clean the area around the oil filter mount. This will ensure no dirt or debris when you screw on the new filter.
- Step 6: Take the new filter and coat the rubber gasket with the new oil. This will help the filter seal properly.
- Step 7: Screw on the new filter finger-tight. Make sure not to over-tighten it.
- Step 8: Close the oil drain plug and fill the generator with new oil. Check the owner’s manual for the recommended amount.
- Step 9: Start the generator and check for any oil leaks. If there are no leaks, then you’re good to go.
FAQs
Is it OK to change the engine oil without changing the oil filter?
It depends on how often and what type of application you use the generator for. If you use the generator only for light-duty applications and change the oil regularly, you can get away with changing the oil, not the filter. But if you use the generator for long hours or under strenuous conditions, you might have to change the oil and filter more frequently.
What happens if you don't replace the oil filter?
The oil filter will saturate over time and will no longer be able to trap the metal particles and debris. These will then circulate with the oil and cause damage to the engine.
How do I know when the oil filter is bad?
If you notice the oil pressure gauge, dirty exhaust, audible metal noises, or engine sputtering, then it’s time to replace the oil filter.
The Bottom Line
While some generators have oil filters, some don’t. It depends on the type of generator, model, and size. The oil filter removes oil debris, sludge, and metal particles. If you don’t replace it, the oil filter will saturate over time and will no longer be able to trap the metal particles and debris. These will then circulate with the oil and cause damage to the engine. Depending on generator usage, you have to change it during the first or second oil change.
References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_filter
- USED OIL FILTER GENERATOR REQUIREMENTS ( gov)