oil filter

[EJdm]

What do you use and why?? Ive always fram filter in my honda and acura saw a few videos on youtube on a lot bad stuff on these filters..

[Scotsman]

i work for Advance auto , and heard nothing but bad stuff from those filters here lately , i prefer using Hamp filters , they are a lil bit pricey but worth the money

[Bacon]

K&N. I have always trusted K&N products.

On the subject of price, you dump thousands of dollars into your motor....would you trust store brand filters?

[quickdodge®]

Fram has been around for decades for a reason. Not saying they're top shelf filters, but you don't stick around 50+ years for being complete shit, either. I use Fram or AC Delco. Later, QD.

[Sinfix_15]

Fram filters have poor circulation, are made out of cheap paper with plastic parts. Theyre known for poor flow and clogging. It would really suck for your engine to spin a bearing because of a $4 oil filter.

The reason fram has been around for years is a combination of marketing, availability and the american lifestyle. We dont have time to research anything, we see it on the shelf at walmart and we buy it! the commercial sounded good and endorsed it right??? but it also said the same things about the shamwow and the slapchop. Fram is cheap and available at most stores, its packaged like a quality product and looks like the best option sitting on the shelf. will your engine blow up if you use fram??? obviously not..... as most mechanic would say "at least ur changing your oil" , but with that said..... i dont want Fram anywhere near my high performance or expensive vehicles.

I prefer Purolator pureone filters, K&N also makes a good filter, but i dont see the need to pay double for a filter that isnt any better than pureone. No need comparing pureone to Fram since thats a joke of a comparison, so here's a comparison of an oilfilter you might know and respect.
http://www.superhonda.com/photopost/data/513/1amsoil_vs_pureone2.jpg

http://g6civcx.napalm.net/tech/images/honda-vs-fram.jpg

Note that fram is one of the few filters that is made up of almost all paper... see how the paper distorts and loses its shape, even the base is made of paper........ and this is a ph8a.............................................. .................................................. ....................... yeah, ph8a...... thats whats in your mustang right now...........
http://www.widman.biz/English/Filters/Oil_used_files/page6-1035-full.jpg

[Sinfix_15]

Best filter on the shelf, price factored in. K&N is just as good, but costs more.
http://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/maintenance/92442d1160353013-oil-filters-new-look-inside-pure-one.jpg

[Sinfix_15]

Fram, penzoil, generic = only filters made of all paper

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters/images/filters-1.jpg
http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters/images/filters-2.jpg
http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters/images/filters-3.jpg
http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters/images/filters-4.jpg
http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters/images/filters-5.jpg
http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters/images/filters-6.jpg

[Rsporty]

Wow, Sinfix!
Thanks, for all the educated information.
Where did you get all this info and pictures?

I've used Fram for over 20 years, but after looking at these pictures, I think it's time to switch.

[Sinfix_15]

Wow, Sinfix!
Thanks, for all the educated information.
Where did you get all this info and pictures?

I've used Fram for over 20 years, but after looking at these pictures, I think it's time to switch.

Most of it is just hand me down knowledge. If you're looking for a good place to do some research on oil related things, http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=cfrm is a good place to do it. Those people really get scientific with their oil selections.

[firby911]

Mobil1 or k&n for me.

[03RCode]

Wix. Used them for years on everything from my 87 Toyota pickup to our 600hp 9k rpm SBC dirt car motors.

[Sinfix_15]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=kX0xrqvlsNI

[Sinfix_15]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=w_HSlXetWko

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=3uC1W8wLD7Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=HX8TXNkQ_7A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=6BQha9MSM-U#t=46s

[quickdodge®]

I've used Fram for over 20 years, but after looking at these pictures, I think it's time to switch.

I wouldn't switch. This debate has been going on for years with no clear cut winner. I've never seen any national attention given to Fram with mass civil suits with claims of negligent filter production.

That being said, though, Sinfix, I do use the hell out of Purolator as well. I've always liked the PureOne filter. I used K&N a couple of times, but, as you said, why pay more when you don't really have to? Later, QD.

[.blank cd]

Good info here. I've been using Honda filters but lately they went up to $12 a pop. Time to quit that habit. Lol

[Sinfix_15]

I wouldn't switch. This debate has been going on for years with no clear cut winner. I've never seen any national attention given to Fram with mass civil suits with claims of negligent filter production.

That being said, though, Sinfix, I do use the hell out of Purolator as well. I've always liked the PureOne filter. I used K&N a couple of times, but, as you said, why pay more when you don't really have to? Later, QD.

There would never be legal action against Fram because its a disposable product. It would be like filing against your toilet paper company for tissue not being durable after you wiped your ass with it. For their to be a lawsuit against Fram, something clear and obvious would have to happen like a busted case. Fram has that covered... their piss poor filter is secured tightly in a solid case.

For the proof, im not sure what more proof is needed. The pictures alone are pretty damning information. Not only does Fram have some of the lowest pleat counts, their filter is entirely constructed of paper. The low pleat count paper, held together by more paper cannot hold up under the pressure of high performance car demands. The poor quality plastic insides do not seal off filtered oil from unfiltered oil if youre even lucky enough that your paper filter stays together and doesnt collapse. It offers about as much filtration as stuffing a sock into coke can and bolting it to the side of your block. does it stop some dirt? yeah, but it clearly allows unfiltered oil to enter the engine in addition to having poor quality filtration to begin with.

There's absolutely no reason to use a fram filter, unless you're just doing it on good faith because of some personal investment in the fram brand. They make arguably the WORST filter on the market, theyre not even in the same ballpark as almost any other filter you could possibly buy. Theyre not even the cheapest filter. Most of the cheaper filters are clearly better than fram.

I'm not a scientist, but this just doesnt look like it keeps dirt out of my engine.... hell it looks like youre gonna cycle pieces of fram filter thru ur engine.
http://www.dslreports.com/r0/download/1398428.thumb600~de746b908d2752986363b45f7f507376/DSC02417.JPG/thumb.jpg
http://www.dslreports.com/r0/download/1398432.thumb600~86863d53f83dc9442f899f3ed6b1ce32/DSC02420.JPG/thumb.jpg

when the cheap paper collapses, it has no ability to seal off unfiltered oil from draining back into the engine.
http://www.performanceboats.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=113631&d=1303638911
http://www.performanceboats.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=113632&d=1303638911


Using a Fram filter is like leaving your door open at night. Someone may never decide to break in your house, but if they do... you made it easy for them. If theres dirt in your engine, your fram filter left the door open for it.

For me, ill stuff a beer can with a sock before i use a fram filter. At least i'll get to enjoy a beer.

[quickdodge®]

We all use what we use, you know. As I said before, Fram is still around after well over 50 years of existence for a reason. Also, you never really know how these pictures you keep posting came about. I could take an AC Delco filter, mess it up and present it to everyone that all AC Delco filters are crap. I have absolutely zero interest vested into Fram, but, since I've not ever had a problem with the on and off usage in the almost 30 years of driving, then I've no reason to NOT use them. Well them and the PurolatorOne filters.

But in the end, Sinfix, it's all good, man. All this talk did remind me that I need to do a change on the Honda here soon, lolol. Later, QD.

[Echonova]

Mobil1 or k&n for me.X2

[civicturbo10]

Too add to the Honda oil filter storm -

The are currently two manufacturers of Honda oil filters - Honeywell and Filtech. From what i can gather, Honeywell (Parent company of Fram) has a slightly cheaper build quality than the Filtech. There are plenty performance minded guys who will bash Fram but in the end the avg consumer will push this avg, product to sell on store shelves. I myself prefer the Filtech manufactured one. Question is do they both meet Honda oil filter requirements? Apparently they do. Another thing to point out is that i believe the Honeywell is a superceding part number. I.E. - Filtech is the A01 and i think the Honeywell (A02). That means the Honeywell is the newer part # but not necc. better quality, but cheaper to produce i would imagine.

Don't get me wrong i love honda products but over the years i have seen some cost cutting. Do i think of Honda any less, maybe a little. But i still like there products.
Case in point -
TSX - 72115-SDA-A01 door lock actuator. It's $15.
Civic 95 - 72110-SR8-A01 door lock assy pwr $86

I've already had to replace the TSX actuator and the car is only a 2004 model. Now, on the civic the vehicle had a pwr window door lock conversion many yrs ago. The parts were used so they had plenty of use on them. On that assembly, never been replaced and my chassis currently shows 354k. So, yeah lots of usage over many years.
When you actually look at the parts you can see the the TSX one is actually a cheaper part aka lesser quality. You can see it in the part just hold it your hand. Hard to believe but you can see the difference.

So, why did Honda do this slight downgrade - just do the math $15 vs $86. There are many variables and different angles you can go at this. But i think the primary is - b/c it's not a critical part for the car to run. Honda, deemed it was ok to lower the quality / reliability of the part in return for a lower cost part. At $15 a pop you can replace the part multi times before equaling the cost of a civic one. But non-diy will pay a price over time in increased repairs.

TSX -
http://www.acurapartswarehouse.com/Page_Product/PartDetail.aspx?catalogID=22&productID=10&yearID=19&doorID=1&gradeID=56&areaID=1&transmissionID=2&originID=-1&colorLabelIDs=-1&colorLabelID=-1&sectionID=8&idAndImageID=4060%20382089&isBigPicture=False

Civic door lock -
http://www.hondapartsnow.com/Page_Product/PartDetail.aspx?catalogID=44&productID=4&yearID=34&doorID=1&gradeID=8&areaID=2&transmissionID=5&originID=-1&colorLabelIDs=-1&colorLabelID=-1&sectionID=8&idAndImageID=7739%20938945&isBigPicture=False&pageName=Door%20Lock

http://tsx.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=708722

Honeywell -
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1982801&page=1

[silversol]

I just saw this thread, I will never run a fram filter on anything I own. I am only run oem filters becase in my opinion they know best. They know your engine best! My honda gets nothing but honda filters I get them at cost so the price does not bother me. My mustang gets nothing but a motorcraft filter. And when I had a chevy truck it got a acdelco filter.

[RUFFIAN]

WIX for me.

[metalmatt47]

Bumping this since I need to go change my oil. lol


I hate Fram filters. All the reasons have already been listed. When I bought my '76 Datsun, it came with fresh 10W30 Castrol and a Fram PH8A. It had a nasty top end rattle at higher RPM's, and just had a fresh top end rebuild. I changed the oil again, this time with a Bosch and fresh Castrol (again) and never heard the noise again. The cheap Fram filter looked like the material had started to collapse and that was enough for me to decide to never buy their filters again.


With that said, Napa Gold, Bosch, K&N, or Mobil 1

[Cynical 1]

coming from the industry, and also working at a parts store - when you are trained by corporate to not recommend fram or store brand, you tend to stay away from them...

"premium" filters are the k&n, mobil1, bosch. BITOG website agrees. ok filters are the wix and the pureone filters.

me? i have always run the toyoroki OE honda filters, either stock size or the S2k size... yes, it's a driver, but it sees 2-3 track weekends per year.

i am giving a mobil1 filter a try this oil change though, as the toyoroki filters are becoming more difficult to find at the dealer, as they are stocking more of the honeywell (fram) made filters as there is more profit margin.

[tnomud]

i personally had a Fram filter collapse internally on a normal unmodded car (wifes 1.8T VW). I will never use one again. Great thread guys, lots of good information and photos.

[civicturbo10]

cynical - the A01 filtech is still available - 15400-PLM-A01 - i get mine locally but i'm lucky. You can still get it online -
http://www.hondapartsnow.com/genuine/honda~filter~oil~15400-PLM-A01.html
http://www.handa-accessories.com/15400-PLM-A01.html

And as always you can get the S2k one locally. You def have options still.

More oil filter threads (breaks downs etc.)
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1494444

http://www.tobycreek.org/oil_filters/napa.shtml

http://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/192750-s2000-oem-oil-filter-summary/

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12206

There is even more videos on youtube of these breakdowns -

NAPA just released there platinum line of oil filter as well. Here is a cutaway.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2323101&page=1

[six7teen]

great thread! lots of very useful information :goodjob: i personally use pure1, mobile1, or a honda filter (currently in my sol) .. im glad to have more knowledge on this subject now :yes:

[metalmatt47]

NAPA just released there platinum line of oil filter as well. Here is a cutaway.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2323101&page=1

Thats a good looking filter. Thanks for the heads up! Maybe I'll try that one on my next oil change.

+1 reps.