A clogged oil filter can do a lot of damage to your car, truck, or utility vehicle’s engine. In fact, McCurley’s Shell advises that if the filter is blocking the oil from circulating through the engine because it is too dirty, it can damage the engine beyond repair if you keep driving your automobile. We make oil changes affordable and easy at our auto shop in Atlanta, so you don’t need to put off this crucial service and end up with a clogged oil filter. Here are signs that your car’s oil filter is clogged.
Sketchy Engine Performance
The engine is not going to perform as well as it normally does if it has little to no oil running through it or if it has dirty motor oil running through it. Unfortunately, a clogged oil filter can cause both conditions. Consequently, your engine will run hotter than it normally does, struggle to perform, and even sound a bit louder and somewhat strange. We will talk more about this below.
Reduction in Fuel Economy
In the meantime, when the engine is in performing efficiently it burns through gasoline and diesel fuel more quickly. Consequently, you are going to notice a reduction in the gas mileage your automobile gets if the oil filter is clogged and affecting the engine’s performance.
Reduction in Oil Pressure
Part of why the engine’s performance is being affected is that the clogged filter is reducing the oil pressure throughout the engine. This means the oil is not circulating under its normal force. It can also mean that there is less oil circulating through the engine. As such, the engine control module is going to turn on the oil light on the dashboard to let you know there’s a problem.
Grinding, Metallic Noises
We mentioned above that your engine may make strange noises if the oil filter is clogged and you do not have enough oil circulating through the engine. These noises are metallic in nature and can be grinding, growling, or clunking. Continuing to drive your automobile when the engine is making this type of noise opens you up to damaging the engine beyond repair.
Increase in Hydrocarbons
Finally, if your vehicle is due for an emissions test and you haven’t had the oil changed, the clogged filter can actually cause your vehicle to fail the test. A clogged oil filter cannot clean the motor oil before it circulates through the engine again. Consequently, your engine gets dirty and produces more hydrocarbons.
Call McCurley’s Shell in Atlanta, GA, today to schedule a service appointment if your vehicle needs to have its oil and filter changed.
