opinions on fram oil filters

I use Purilator filters in the Miata (and I used them in the Z3). I used Motorcraft on the Mustang back in the day. I think a Fram filter or two slipped in there along the way on the Mustang. I never had a problem.

I thought Motorcraft filters were rebranded Wix.

I went back to an oem toyota filter

I work as a fleet tech and we change a lot of filters. Some of our fleet equipment have as many as 8 filters. Oil, fuel, trans, coolant, air, cabin, underbed compressor and hyd. Wix and Napa are the same, Wix makes Napa filters, if you want to compare look at the last 4 numbers on a Wix filter and the 4 numbers on a napa filter. They are the same. The only difference that I have noticed between the napa gold and silver filters is the shell. The gold filters do use a thicker metal on their shell. Fram not only makes their own filters but also private label for quickie oil change places and quaker state. On my own cars I use a synthetic oil and either Wix, napa, Fram or Delco depending which one is on sale. I change my oil every 2k even using a synthetic and have not had a filter problem. In 15 years as a fleet tech I have only seen 6 issues with filters. 3 swell up on a Dodge B250 van. One the cartridge was not properly bonded to the shell. 2 hyd. filters that actually blew off. One due to lifting something that they should not have, the other the filter separated from the shell and punched a hole in the plastic shield that protected the filter.

It all depends on the meaning of the word "the," Billy.

I can't say that I've ever had a problem with a Fram filter, but I use WIX or Napa Gold filters for the Valiant, and for the rest of the fleet when available. The difference in price isn't that much. I also change filters with every oil change. I'm going to get dirty anyway ...

drmike wrote: Fram filters caused the oil pressure to drop after a month or two.

That's WAY too ambiguous for me to buy. How, exactly did an oil filter cause the pressure to drop?

Clem

I've exclusively used Fram filters for the last 23 years and had good luck with them. But I don't put a lot stock in my limited anedotal evidence. It reminds me of the people that pop up on forums saying because they've had great luck with Chryslers, we can all conclude that Chryslers measure up to Toyota and Honda in reliability. It simply isn't true.

After reading through all this, particularly the websites that have actually tested the filters, I think I am probably going to choose something other than Fram from now on.

Edit - I use Mahle in my Porsches.

ReverendDexter wrote:

Varkwso wrote: (at 2 am between Albuquerque and Santa Fe).

Didn't take a wrong turn by any chance, did you?

not many options on turns unless you go thru Valle Grande

Varkwso wrote:

ReverendDexter wrote:

Varkwso wrote: (at 2 am between Albuquerque and Santa Fe).

Didn't take a wrong turn by any chance, did you?

not many options on turns unless you go thru Valle Grande

Oh, I was just dating myself with a bad Bugs Bunny reference...

WIX on everything in the fleet for the last 20 years. That covers everything from Suburbans, RX3s, Escort GTs, Maximas, Altimas, Excursions, Expeditions, Miata and now the MS6 and GTO. I am a risk-taker but no reason to hold your hand over that flame.

My vitara has used frams exclusively since I took it on my own to maintenance it. 252,000 miles on it and the engine still runs like a top. I stretch my oil changes to 5k on it, too.

I know they are paper filters... but I just don't care. they seem to do the job just fine.

I have used Fram oil filters in the past, but will not use them anymore. 98% of the stuff I work on is either a big block chevy or a small block chevy V8. Many moons ago I purchased an oil filter cutter so I can inspect my filters. The AC Delco filters I use now have a thicker steel canister and more pleats in the paper element. Fram may be just fine for street use, but I can't take the chance with any of the engines I race. A high quality oil filter cutter is worth the money and you'll learn a thing or two.

Don't know what's in my Jeep right now to be honest, but it'll be coming out when I change the oil and filter, along with all fluids, on the Jeep and E30 in the next couple weeks. I'll probably go with Wix or Napa, whatever is in the store. For the E30, Tom tossed in a free new Mahle oil filter last time I picked up a few boxes of parts from Carr Industries. Great shop, great people.

I use Wal-Mart filters and synthetic oil.

The filters, at least, are made by Champion. The oil is pretty good, too.

I gave up the oil snob game a few years ago. Sure, it may look cool pouring all that Royal Purple into your engine, but is there really a point? I can't see one.

Osterkraut wrote: I gave up the oil snob game a few years ago. Sure, it may look cool pouring all that Royal Purple into your engine, but is there really a point? I can't see one.

Depends. If it's a street vehicle only, I'll go with Mobil 1 or Valvoline. High mileage if need be. For a track car or a racing car, I can see the benefits of going with something more like Royal Purple or Red Line. Not that people don't use Mobil 1 and Valvoline without good results. I wouldn't say all oils are the same

ClemSparks wrote:

drmike wrote: Fram filters caused the oil pressure to drop after a month or two.

That's WAY too ambiguous for me to buy. How, exactly did an oil filter cause the pressure to drop? Clem

Clem read my post on pg 2, it will explain why one filter can have a different pressure loss than annother

I've been changing oil for over 40 years. The only oil filter-related problem I ever had concerned a FRAM filter I installed on a third-gen Celica motor that would not stop leaking even though I tried varying the tightness. I solved the problem by swapping it out with a NAPA.

I had a Fram blow out, on a first gen RX-7 when new! Yes it was on correctly MASSIVE oil hemorage, I turned off the engine and coasted to the side of the freeway. Luckily I was fast enough shutting it down. I've used WIX from then on for everything, no problems...zero.

I think Fram looks at the possible shortcomings as minimum financial risk. A buddy of mine just took his BMW 535 in for a rough running yesterday. They found bits of fram oil filter spread through the valve train. The dealership says the engine needs a re-do. The Fram filters are coming off every vehicle I own.

Holy necro-thread batman!

Twin_Cam wrote: I use Purolator. Always have, never had a problem.

That's what I've started using. I used Fram for... ever. Never had a problem. But I've read so much bad stuff I switched. Dunno.

(edit) Wow, when this tread started, I was still using Fram.

I've used a few Frams before and haven't had a problem, but against my better judgement. At the Nissan dealership I used to work at I remember having some Frams that made it sound like there was a knock in the engine. Put on a factory filter and the noise is gone.

Since I work for Nissan (Infinity now), I get factory filters for my Maxima and 240sx, even though they are both over 190k and it doesn't really matter. I have used Purolators too, and haven't had a problem with them, either. Like lots of people have said, why take a chance when you can get some thing better for just a few bucks more? Even though most of what is said on the internet is just opinion, there has got to be some truth to it if SO many people think they are crap. Just sayin'.

holy zombie thread :) ...I still use them on the POS...

changed the filter on my volvo (with another WIX) the other day and just couldn't help but think about how nice it would be if all the companies put that rubber grippy end like fram has... makes getting those torqued on filters so much easier to remove