Oil Filter Components

• The simple oil filter is a recycling chamber for the internal combustion engine. Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

  For internal-combustion engines, oil filters are the catalyst of smooth engine operation, according to an article about oil filter anatomy by Mike Bumbeck. Oil lubricates moving parts and absorbs contaminants from combustion. According to the Filter Manufacturers Council, there are two main types of oil filters. Primary, or full-flow, filters process all of the engine oil in your vehicle, while secondary, or bypass, filters process 10 percent of your oil, but at much higher efficiency. Left unfiltered, contaminants accelerate engine wear.

Base Gasket

• A good base gasket is the only thing holding a filter onto the engine. Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

  The base gasket seals the base of the filter to the engine so that no oil leaks as it travels in and out of the filter. Larger engines can process oil at up to 100 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure, so the integrity of a base gasket seal is critical to oil filter performance. Any oil leaks can corrode the gasket seal and lead to a dangerous loss of oil pressure. The base gasket assembly contains a metal plate with several holes in it, and a bottom ring. The plate allows for installation, and the ring holds the gasket seal at the base of the filter.

Canister

• An oil filter's outer casing is often referred to as the "housing." tool image by CraterValley Photo from Fotolia.com

  The canister is the outer casing of an oil filter, often referred to as the "housing." Due to the pressure inside the filter, the outer shell must be strong and durable.

Filter Cartridge

• A primary filter is a cartridge through which engine oil flows for processing. It is a cylinder that has a round filter of pleated material wrapped around a metal tube at its core. The filter media holds soot, or metal engine particles, as oil passes through the filter. The metal tube and filter media are glued to a cap that holds the components in the canister while oil circulates through it. Manufacturers use various materials for filter media, from synthetic fibers to paper. The oil filter price varies according to the cost of manufactured materials in the filter cartridge.