Notices
Maintenance Discuss common Lexus maintenance questions here.

Another article on Fram Oil Filters.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 10, 2004 | 11:45 PM
  #1  
SharpLS-96's Avatar
SharpLS-96
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,991
Likes: 3
From: California
Thumbs down Another article on Fram Oil Filters.

We all know this already so it's not new news to us but I figured I would post it anyway.
This was taken from a Mopar site.

"Everyone has an opinion on who makes the best <insert name of part>, but the real-world evidence of the potential danger to your engine from using Fram (and, to a lesser extent, AC) filters is sufficient that you won't find such a filter within 10 feet of any of my cars."

"After reading Matt Joseph's excellent article "Inside Oil Filters" in Skinned Knuckles magazine some years back, I bought and cut open several oil filters. Both he and I found some pretty nasty stuff inside Frams. He found twist-ties around the filter element (which under the pulsating pressure and heat, would almost certainly saw through the element in short order). He and I both found flaky rust inside the unplated filter "can". I found a cigarette butt in a place where it was evident it had gotten in there during filter manufacture! He and I both found sloppy glue jobs between the filter and its end caps, with gaps in the glue that would clearly allow unfiltered oil to bypass the filter."

"The best-built filters I found were the [endorsement of Mopar Severe Duty removed due to changes in the filter since this was written] Hastings LifeGuard, and Wix premium (also sold as NAPA Gold). I will use any of these filters."

"According to a recent, illustrated article at http://xoom.com/minimopars/ , the Mopar Severe Duty filter is now made by Fram, rather than by Wix. There was also a note on that page that Pennzoil filters may be Frams in yellow cans. It may be safest to stick to Wix, which manufactures their own filters, or Mobil 1 filters, which again are made by Mobil, rather than buying from a company (such as Chrysler!) that sticks their own name onto someone else's filter, and may change suppliers at any time."

"At this time there is mounting evidence, based on comparisons by several people in both the US and Canada, that the Mopar Severe Duty filter - and other Mopar filters - are made by Fram and are not of high quality."
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2004 | 10:39 PM
  #2  
persian451's Avatar
persian451
Lexus Test Driver
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,431
Likes: 1
From: California
Default

i dont see how the oil filters make a difference if you change your oil every 3k miles, i just use bosch, cheaper than fram.
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2004 | 09:42 AM
  #3  
Lexusfreak's Avatar
Lexusfreak
Pole Position
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,379
Likes: 20
From: St. Thomas, Ontario
Red face

It actually make a big difference as to what kind of filter you choose. If one chooses to save a few bucks and get a below par filter, the quality of the filtration could cause excess wear & tear on the engine most of the time it's not even noticed by the owner. It's important that a quality filter media be used so any dirt in the oil over time is trapped and the oil allowed to flow freely without being clogged or slowed (this is especially important during the cold winter months when it is vital that the oil flow fast to moving parts at start up & a poor filter can prevent this from happening & cause engine damage as the years & miles add up as just one example). A new engine is several thousand dollars to replace....spending a bit extra for a good oil filter is cheap insurance and makes sense. It's ironic that Fram's slogan is " pay a little now or a lot later" as they are one of the worst choices out there.

Last edited by Lexusfreak; Mar 13, 2004 at 09:44 AM.
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2004 | 10:01 AM
  #4  
persian451's Avatar
persian451
Lexus Test Driver
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,431
Likes: 1
From: California
Default

so how is bosch? are they crap too??
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2004 | 10:09 AM
  #5  
Lexusfreak's Avatar
Lexusfreak
Pole Position
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,379
Likes: 20
From: St. Thomas, Ontario
Cool

From what I've heard they are ok, I personally have never used their oil filters. I use Mobil 1 myself along with Mobil 1 5W 30 synthetic. Try doing a search on here, loc or google to see if you can find any write up's on the Bosch filters. Let me know.
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2004 | 10:39 AM
  #6  
nthach's Avatar
nthach
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,350
Likes: 6
From: California
Default

Originally posted by persian451
so how is bosch? are they crap too??
Bosch/Wal-Mart SuperTech/AC Delco/Champ/STP/Mobil 1/K&N=Champion Labs filters
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2004 | 12:14 PM
  #7  
SeattleGS400's Avatar
SeattleGS400
Advanced
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 724
Likes: 44
From: Idaho
Default

Originally posted by nthach
Bosch/Wal-Mart SuperTech/AC Delco/Champ/STP/Mobil 1/K&N=Champion Labs filters
Do you mean to say that the above brands are all made by Champion Labs, but all use different media grades and types, dependent on the buying company's specification? Do you have a link or info that links all of those brands to Champion Labs?

However, if you mean to say that they are all the same filter (which I don't think is what you mean), I would have a hard time believing that, as they have a different pricing scheme.
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2004 | 12:54 PM
  #8  
Lexusfreak's Avatar
Lexusfreak
Pole Position
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,379
Likes: 20
From: St. Thomas, Ontario
Default

Agreed Seattle! I sent champion labs 2 e-mails asking them to clarify this issue & even called their head office to speak with a customer service rep.....this was wednesday & I still have not heard back either way. It maybe the same company but as you said I too have a hard time beleiving that all these oil filters are identical in terms of quality (filter media, gaskets etc) with just a different color casing & name stamped on the filter. I have yet to find any information that states the Mobil 1 oil filter is the exact same as the others (close in some ways but NOT exact) I'm waiting patiently for confirmation on this matter.
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2004 | 10:17 AM
  #9  
MGS4's Avatar
MGS4
Lexus Test Driver
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 0
From: International
Default

Oil filter study

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2004 | 10:28 AM
  #10  
nthach's Avatar
nthach
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,350
Likes: 6
From: California
Default

Originally posted by SeattleGS400
Do you mean to say that the above brands are all made by Champion Labs, but all use different media grades and types, dependent on the buying company's specification? Do you have a link or info that links all of those brands to Champion Labs?

BITOG had many threads about these filters, they all share some mechanical attributes, but not media.
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2004 | 10:40 PM
  #11  
Lexusfreak's Avatar
Lexusfreak
Pole Position
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,379
Likes: 20
From: St. Thomas, Ontario
Default

As stated in the study, the Mobil 1 filter is quite different than the others
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kimsey
LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006)
17
Dec 1, 2015 03:00 PM
jimbosr1
LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006)
2
Sep 6, 2013 06:34 PM
rutiger
IS F (2008-2014)
3
Sep 2, 2008 08:42 PM
kdl001
Maintenance
3
Jun 22, 2003 09:11 AM
ctrowland1
Maintenance
3
Aug 14, 2001 12:47 AM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 09:10 PM.