Oil Filters

[sfeaver]

Anybody ever seen this guys website on Oil Filters? Kinda interesting!

http://www.knizefamily.net/minimopar/oi ... rence.html


Also had this guy email him about his findings... For what its worth!

Scott

----

Russell,
I obtained great satisfaction from reading your oil filter survey.

I worked for two years as the oil-filter production line engineer in
an Allied-Signal FRAM facility and I can confirm every bad thing you
have said about FRAM automotive filters. That's from the horse's
mouth, as it were.

I'm also a quality engineer and can confirm that FRAM applies no
quality control whatsoever to any of the characteristics for which we
buy oil filters. I frequently saw filter designs which were barely
capable of meeting J806. Many of FRAM's designs will block and go to
bypass after trying to filter very little contamination. There were
often leakage paths at the paper end discs when these were not
properly centered on the elements. Some designs had the pleats so
tightly packed against the center tube that they would block off in no
time. I had discovered that the FRAM HP1 that I had been buying for
about $20 Cdn was EXACTLY the same as a PH8 inside - the only
difference being a heavier can - no advantages in flow capacity. The
paper filtration media was of apparently poor quality and the process
of curing the paper resin was very inconsistent - elements would range
from visibly burnt to white. FRAM's marketers admitted that there was
just about no way the public could ever prove that an oil filter
contributed, or did not prevent, engine damage. The only thing FRAM
tested for was can burst strength. Another problem that they have from
time to time is in threading the filter base - often there are strands
of metal left behind on a poorly formed thread.

I have not used a FRAM filter since I started working there. Their
claims are entirely and completely marketing bullshit.

If people really want to protect their engines, a good air filter is
vital (which excludes FRAM from that list as well) and a combination
of one depth and one full-flow hydraulic filter, together in parallel,
will do the job of filtration to perfection.

Thanks for doing a great job in trying to get the truth out! You can
quote me anytime.

[name omitted to protect submitter]

[Moreforles]

I wish I would have read this before changing my oil..... just installed a fram on my 2000.... so if fram sucks.... what brand/type to do you use or recogmend... its not like I wont be changing oil again.... I always thought Fram was the way to go, using them onj my vehicles and on my carpet cleaning machine as well..... now I have to rethink both.

the carpet cleaning machine uses a 16hp briggs and stratton engine, and some cleaners use a briggs oil filter... my line of thought was to use Fram, since they "specialize" in filters, where as briggs makes engines, not filters... I was told once that the briggs filters had a better filter/paper element, especially for during the winter months... and have used them then..... just in case someone knew more than me..... (it happens )

[1Gary]

Wix filters.

[NotDadsW41]

Wix and Napa Gold, which I believe are re-badged Wix.

I am done with AC filters now. They changed the design for the one my truck uses. When I went to take it off this last time, the band oil filter wrench I have used for decades crushed the AC filter I had on. I mean CRUSHED IT!

[LiftedAWDAstro]

I use almost exclusively NAPA Gold oil filters.

[astroturf]

Amsoil Filters are best...

[Cobra]

i've been running K&N oil filters since i switch to synth oil

[kings-x59]

ha! here we go here we go
have a mobil one on the van right now. I have run fram filters on my vehicles forever, and while they might not be the top of the line they have worked fine. Now mind you, I change my oil every 3K. I got 186k miles out of my black jeep with fram filters and it would still be running if I hadn't let my kids drive it. (man that was a lot of oil changes...) My astro is sitting at 142k miles and most of the filters have been fram. so IMHO the difference between filters is splitting hairs. the oil breaks down and gets dirty by 3k no matter what filter you are using.

[Rebel]

K&N and relocated to crossmember. Not a good thing for you off road guys.

[batmo]

I allways like wix too but Ive been using the mobil-1s on the van since they came out since I use mobil-1 in it exclusively.

thats not the first time Ive read bad things about fram filters.

[Lumpy]

...thats not the first time Ive read bad things about fram filters.

40 yrs ago, wasn't it Frams that everybody claimed were a roll of toilet paper in a can?
Some even swore they opened them up and found the roll of TP. I even think JCWhitney
sold cannister shells that would accept a roll of TP. "Don't pay more for the name brand,
just insert your own roll into the reusable metal shell".

I tend to agree with the "hair splitting" theory. I change mine at 3k
and don't worry about one filter doing a better job than another.


Lumpy

You were the Tidy Bowl Guy?
Yes. I'm cleaning your bathroom bowl.
www.LumpyMusic.com

[1Gary]

Awhile ago there was a thread with a link that was a unbiased review of oil filters.It was that thread that convinced me to change to Wix filters from Fram.Increased oil pressure as a result of a better oil relief valve,better filtration,and the history of Wix being used in the trucking industry is what did it for me.

True enough the oil still needs changing,but what happens between times is the important factor to me.

I am suggesting that all things with oil filters are not equal.Preventive maintence is what you use too.

Just my two cents worth.

[mdmead]

I used Fram for a lot of years and I've never had a problem. But after reading all the negative reviews on them, I now tend to use Motorcraft (in my Fords) and Purolator in the rest.

[reaper]

Wix here.
I used to use fram,but I always had dry starts.
I tried delco filters,I dislike the new design & I had leaks.
Whats with delco anyways?,There products are getting worse & worse.

[astroturf]

I tend to agree with the "hair splitting" theory. I change mine at 3k
and don't worry about one filter doing a better job than another.

Bet you split hairs when it comes to guitar strings...