Is this a normal amount of dirt in the oil filter?

I don't think that would impact what's in the filter ... Only what comes out. Better to change oil while engine or oil is warm.

 

Thanks for the tip! Been amateur wrenching for 30+ years and I still learn simple little tidbits like this.

 

Hot or warm oil drains better and more completely and quicker. Also the contaminants remain more "suspended" when the oil is hot.

 

And it splatters higher and further!!

Still worth it tho as best practice.

 

Update: Changed the oil today @4500 miles (wanted to do it sooner but life got in the way)..at first glance oil filter looked dirt free-until I opened it up a bit. Less dirt than last time, but still some in there.

Engine still runs perfectly, I just don’t like seeing this dirt in my filter! I’ll probably change closer to 3000 miles next time to see if that’s any different.

 

Run a Seafoam crankcase treatment through it, then fresh filter and oil. Grandpap used to use kerosene & oil, but Seafoam is easier.

 

Get an oil test