Oil filters revisited

Brian Jasper co. Ia · Dec 2, 2008

Recently the question of who makes the best filter came up again. Today I raided the used oil filter recycle barrel at the Chevy dealer I work for and cut open a Wix, Fram, AC Delco, and a Champ service line. The Wix filter had the best construction with a metal clad cartridge and a metal cage to keep the filter from collapsing. Wix uses an actual coil spring for a pressure relief. The AC Delco came in 2nd. It's construction was the same except for a stamped piece of steel for a pressure relief. The Champ service line filter had the lightest gage metal can, used glued cardboard end caps on it's cartridge, stamped steel spring and a plastic cage inside the filter media. The media however was comparable in number of pleats indicating comparable filtering area to the Wix and Delco filters. The Fram filter had the least amount of filtering media, glued cardboard end caps on the cartridge, and a stamped steel spring. All filters are not created equal. Don't take my word for it. Cut your favorite filter open and see how it stacks up. One thing is for sure. The only filters you will find on my engines are Wix brand.

MikeinInd · Dec 2, 2008

You sure wouldn't expect it but Walmarts Super Tech filters are a very good filter with a metal cap on the end. Many times better than the Fram filters they sell as the "premium" ones in there shops and cost half as much. I've cut many filters open and Meijer brand filters (if they still make them) are good. I know Motorcraft and AC Declo filters are good as well. I always use a Napa Gold brand filter on anything I work on which are made by Wix if I recall. I was told that Motorcraft oil is just valvoline in a different bottle, is that true?

Anonymous-0 · Dec 2, 2008

Very interesting. I like to see research. Only filter trouble I ever had was when Wix(I think)took a pleated paper full flow type filter and put a rubber baffle in it and tried to make it work for the older Allis Chalmers partial flow systems. It didn't offer enough resistance get decent oil pressure.

John B. · Dec 2, 2008

I worked with a man years ago and his neice worked for a filter manufacturer and they're all made at the same place. They just manufacture them to the customers' specification he said. It's kind of like ordering a new automobile. You got the basic auto but can add extras if you're willing to pay for them.

jay-eye-see · Dec 2, 2008

Hey Brian, can you tell me if I need to do a crankshaft position learn procedure on that 01 cavalier that i posted a question about last night? e-mail is open

Anonymous-0 · Dec 2, 2008

AC Delco filters have been extensively tested and remain the best on every test platform. They also use a spring relief valve on most models (4.3 GMC) but do not require such on all.

There are documented studys listed on the NET and through AC Delco should you care to delve further. For my money, and I have torn them apart also, you just can't beat the AC Delco for filtering and flow specifics.

Food for thought: Wally world has finally recognized the superior claims and have again stocked them on their shelves for customers who prefer the very best...

Thanks for reading

Jiles · Dec 2, 2008

I did a search on oil filters and was surprised what they found. Until I read three different oil filter comparisons, I used only Fram. One researcher advised to boycot Fram because of their unferior quality. The Fram $10.00 premium filter is basically the same as the $3.00 filter available at ChinaMart. It has a fancy outer shell.
I will never buy Fram again!

gatorhide · Dec 2, 2008

[u:69061d861f] "MOBIL ONE EXTENDED PERFORMANCE"
RATED @ 99% EFFICIENT. :idea: :idea: :!: [/u:69061d861f]
....TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT, THERE'S NONE BETTER....

IH2444 · Dec 2, 2008

Which model of Frahm was cut open ?
I now use the toughguard one.
I have used frahm filters for 40 years I guess and have never had a lube related problem in anything with a frahm filter on them.
I typically drive my vehicles well oveer 200k before retiring them.

Doug in Illinois · Dec 2, 2008

You will NOT find any Fram filters here. I am an inactive Amsoil dealer. The Amsoil and Hastings filters are about the same design, meaning a depth type filter. NOT paper pleated, but instead, for lack of better explanation, smaller holes for filter than styrofoam but not a toilet paper filter as granny and gramps may have told you about. So you wonder what auto filter I use? AC/Delco is OK, will admit to buying oil change special at O'Reillys for my mail route car as it takes lots of oil anyhow at 279K miles. The tractor filters need to be OEM, especially for the fuel and hydraulics. DOUG

Anonymous-0 · Dec 2, 2008

Interesting, but..........

How well do they filter? What is their multipass efficiency? That's what really matters at the end of the day to your engine.

As far as the springs, the only thing they are in there for is to take up the tolerances when the can is crimped to the nut plate. Once flow is commenced, pressure forms the seal against the top cap.

The Wix isn't a bad filter. They run around the upper 80's for multipass efficiency. I personally run Fram Toughguards since they are 99% efficient (or are they 98%...I can't remember). The next best are Fleetguard filters with Stratapore.

For media area, more is not always better. If the amount of area really becomes an issue, you have way way bigger issues. The fram is actually better since fewer pleats keeps the media separated. The more pleats there are, the more they have a tendency of sticking together which limits flow area. The best design is the fram tough guard where the pleats are formed along with a wire mesh to keep it's shape.

For end caps, try and pull the fram filter apart. Betcha the media will tear long before the glue looses integrity. The metal end caps with potting compound "look" better to the common Joe, but you are paying for something that really doesn't benefit you.

rusty machinist · Dec 3, 2008

Back in 1999 there was a guy that bought a pile of oil filters and did various tests to proof the worthyness of each brand.
The good ones I recall were Wix and Mobil one
The real bad ones were Fram and I forgot the others.
This guy did hydrostatic burst test, oil leak back threw the filter into the engine, filter media quality and wrote a long article on all of it. Do a search for (engine oil filter study) on the web.

tlak · Dec 3, 2008

All of us probably used Fram for years before we found out how substandard they are. Never rebuilt an engine because of an oil filter, actually never rebuilt any of my own vehicles, just ones I've bought. Lawn mowers have went for years with no filter so maybe engines are stouter than expected.
Heres the oil filter study

Anonymous-0 · Dec 3, 2008

Copied from what? BITOG?

Anonymous-0 · Dec 3, 2008

I read through all post at the time I'm making this reply. May have missed it but didn't see anything about the new eafilter that Amsoil sells and is made by Donaldson for Amsoil. Sure would like to see it compared to other brands.

I have one in use that I put on at 6 months in to the annual oil change. It's the only filter I've use in long oil drain since 89 that cleaned the oil color up at the 6 month filter change and top off. Anyone else useing the new ea filters?

buickanddeere · Dec 3, 2008

Filtering efficency of 99% doesn"t gain anything. When the filter"s internal valve is open and allowing unfilter oil to bypass the filtering media.
The more square ft of filter area , the better the filter. All other factor"s equal.
I also look through the Amsoil catalog and cross reference the filter thread, pressure valve and gasket area. Then pick the largest filter which will fit.
All my equipment wears the coffee can sized filters instead of the muffin sized filters the parts book call for.

INCase · Dec 3, 2008

I just took off an AMSOIL EA filter after 22,000 miles and once its done draining I plan to cut it open to see what its like. I Used to always get the NAPA silver filters Made by WIX and were always <$3 which is cheaper than the cheap Fram at Walliworld/china-mart. That's been a while so I'm sure $ has gone up but I would imagine NAPA silver is still cheaper, supports the local guy too.
Untitled URL Link

dhermesc · Dec 3, 2008

I agree with the filter not being that big of deal - as long as it doesn't fall apart and the drain back valve works (both issues on the base Fram filter).

The linked study is one of the better sources of information out there.

greenmachineman · Dec 3, 2008

Fram makes AC Delco filters! The important thing with filters is changing them, then they all work good.

bruster · Dec 3, 2008

If you check out the Filter Manufactures Council web site, you will find all of the companies that produce filters. You don't see any car / equip / tractor makers producing their own filters (except for Cummins) Out sourcing filters Gives 2 advantages. You don't have to use your resources to make them, and it's a tax write off.

greygoat · Dec 3, 2008

I thought that some of you may be interested in
What Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad does
in oil filtration on locomotives. The engine is
a General Motors V16 of 645 cubic inchs per
cylinder. Idle is 150-200 RPM, wide open at 60-
70 miles per hour is 800 RPM, horsepower is 3000.
Oil filters are of a "sock" type 3 feet long and
about 8 inches in diameter. There are 7 of them
in a steel filter housing about the size of a
55 gallon drum. Crankcase capacity is 400 gallons,
the oil is a very high detergent/dispercent which
holds particles in suspension for the filter to
take out. Up until my retirement BNSF was using
a straight weight # 50, heated in winter, and
dispensed through a hose-much like a gas station
hose, with a nozzle on the end. From low to full
mark on the dipstick was 50 gallons so it took
a few minutes to add lube oil.
At every service point, where locomotives were
fueled, an oil sample was taken. Samples could
be up to a dozen a week, and were sent to
regional labs, analyized and recorded by computer.
Filters were changed every 90 days, but lube oil
was changed only when the computer said to do it.
Fuel tank capacity on a 3000 horsepower locomotive
is 3000 gallons. At 60 miles per hour, pulling a
mile long train, (2 or 3 locomotives)each will
use 200 gallons per hour.The nations 2 largest
railroads, Burlington Northern, or Union Pacific,
each use as much fuel and oil per year as the U.S.
Navy.

rusty machinist · Dec 3, 2008

Tlak has the attached file for the oil filter study that I mentioned below, very good info there.
I was in Hydraulics years ago and the best filters are the large canister type with heavy filter media inside a steel enclosure which is the element and outside of that is a heavy screw on steel cup. Not practical for a car/truck engine due to cost.

Brian Jasper co. Ia · Dec 3, 2008

Fram extra gard Pro

Brian Jasper co. Ia · Dec 3, 2008

No, its Mobil brand oil. When I was working for a Ford dealer I asked the supplier and that was the reply I got. GM Goodwrench brand oil is also Mobil.

Brian Jasper co. Ia · Dec 3, 2008

All engine oil filters have the element spring loaded so if it clogs or in the event of extreme cold thick oil, the filter doesn't starve the engine for oil. Hydraulic filters are different. They have no bypass in them. They also have a much finer filtering capability. If I remember correctly, an engine oil filter has about a 15 micron rating where a hydraulic filter will be something like 5 microns. Amsoil used to sell an add on bypass filter maybe they still do, that would filter out the dirt, combustion contaminates, water, etc that causes engine oil to turn black. Surely they do it by having a much smaller micron rating. We change oil because it's dirty, not because it's worn out.
I've seen a few responses on "efficiency". Simply put to allow more flow, there must be MORE surface area, or LARGER pores in the media allowing for larger impurities to not be removed from the oil. Thats how K&N filters flow more air. They don't tell you they also let more dirt through.
Like one guy said, he puts the coffee can size filter on in place of a muffin sized filter. Not a bad idea. Under normal conditions where maintenence is kept up I doubt there would be an issue with the "muffin" filter. In extreme cold, or neglected maintenence that could be the difference between the filter being bypassed and allowing unfiltered oil through.
My thoughts are I want the best for my engine. If I know one brand of filter is not as good as another, I'm going to use the better one since I'm not one to trade vehicles every couple years.
I recently sold my old 88 Bronco 2 to a co worker who just wanted transportation. It has probably 500K miles on it. I know for sure the engine I put in has almost 300K and is still running strong with no oil leaks/use. I attribute it to regular oil and filter with a Motorcraft filter and Castrol oil.

Bob · Dec 3, 2008

You posted: "Hydraulic filters are different. They have no bypass in them. "

WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!

There's LOTS of exceptions to that statement!

in-too-deep · Dec 3, 2008

WOW!!!!

Brian Jasper co. Ia · Dec 4, 2008

Try again. Think about what unfiltered oil does to a hydraulic system. You are the one with Hydraulic breath...

tcanthonyii · Dec 5, 2008

So all studies aside, I used to run Fram filters until my grandpa, who used to sell Archer oil and has been a mechanic for 60 yrs, said that the worst oil to use was penzoil and the worst filter was fram. I didn't think much of it as I was using Havoline anyway. Went to change the oil, I was in walmart, (only store in town at the time open at night) and grabbed a ford filter. I was driving an 86 cougar at the time. The next time I changed the filter it felt much heavier than the fram. I too have had really good luck with just walmart brand filters. I usually now try to grab a wix, napa or delco filter as I'm driving all nicer Chevy's now. Didn't care in my crappy old trucks (ran the walmart filters) Had similar luck with all 3 of those brands in that cougar as well. That one instance alone sold me. I now recommend to everyone to stay away from Fram branded filters. As someone stated the Napa silver filters are actually similar in price or actually cheaper here than the same Fram filter at Walmart. It may be out of your way but well worth extra trip on your way home before doing an oil change.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 5, 2008

Ive looked at the study done on oil filters.Many have never seen it, time to print it out.Learn some new every day.

Oil filters revisited

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