Oil Filters - Buyer Be Aware
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Oil Filters - Buyer Be Aware - 5/11/2006 3:27:37 PM
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swartlkk
Posts: 14299
Joined: 5/1/2005
From: Waterloo, NY
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Ok so the topic of oil filters has come up in another post, but it isn't directly related to the topic in that post. So here's the place to discuss it.
My opinion of Fram oil filters is that they are one of the worst filters available. Now this does not include their new X2 line as I have never used them, but have heard some good things about them. My experiences with Fram filters have been with both the Double Guard and their regular line of filters. For use in my Chevelle, I had 2 cases litterally fall off of the filter on initial startup. The filters were filled to the brim with oil and were not over tightened. Two filters in a row failed in this manner. The oil change prior to this failed attempt with Fram had a faulty bypas valve which resulted in unfiltered oil and a fluttering noise which was audible and was traced back to the filter.
You want more to read through. See these reviews and disections of the filters:
http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html
http://www.ntpog.org/reviews/filters/filters.shtml
Both are a bit old and the construction may have changed, but when other higher quality and equally priced filters are available, I won't ever go back to using them. Especially with the reports of Fram failures on other boards.
Filters that I would recommend are Purolator Premium Plus, Purolator PureOne, Wix, Napa Gold, Mobil 1, and AC Delco to name a few. Fram would be at the bottom of an already long list along with Bosch oil filters.
Anyone have another side to this story? Some rays of sunshine posted on the net that can be linked to? Please post up with your experiences. I have a feeling this is going to get ugly...
< Message edited by swartlkk -- 5/11/2006 4:49:51 PM >
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Kyle-
2004 Rainier
1970 Chevelle - Resto
1974 K5 Blazer - Resto
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RE: Oil Filters - Buyer Be Aware - 5/11/2006 3:57:03 PM
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blazin97
Posts: 1667
Joined: 11/16/2004
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I've use Fram on every oil change and not one prob. My dad has used them for ever and never any problems.
Thant's just my 2 cents.
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Chris
97 Blazer 2DR/2WD-down for some upgrades
97 Blazer 2DR/4WD/4.3/5Spd/31s/rusted
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RE: Oil Filters - Buyer Be Aware - 5/11/2006 4:29:47 PM
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swartlkk
Posts: 14299
Joined: 5/1/2005
From: Waterloo, NY
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And that is fine, but if you were to get one of their mistakes, you could have serious problems. My family used to use Fram filters as well until my experiences with my car in HS. I'm just lucky that all of my problems were noticed right away in the shop and could be quickly corrected before any damage was caused. Some may say that I just got a bad batch of filters... Well, if you experienced a bad oil filter, would you continue to purchase them?
The defacto source for pretty much anything oil related is BobIsTheOilGuy.com and Their Forums. You'll be hard pressed to find a good review of a Fram filter there.
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Kyle-
2004 Rainier
1970 Chevelle - Resto
1974 K5 Blazer - Resto
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RE: Oil Filters - Buyer Be Aware - 5/11/2006 4:46:18 PM
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Dory
Site Moderator
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Joined: 4/21/2006
From: The spec between the moon and the sun
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Hmm... well i've used Fram but not consistantly. Usually I'll go for the AC Delco one first. I've not heard anyone complain about them and theres a lot of mixed feelings about Fram. So I just avoid the problems by avoiding the product I guess. Maybe this >LINK< will help? its an interesting read if anything...
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RE: Oil Filters - Buyer Be Aware - 5/11/2006 5:33:56 PM
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MCas86
Posts: 187
Joined: 6/18/2005
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to be honest, i dont pay much attention...i go into Napa and ask for an oil filter for a 2000 4wd blazer 4.3l Vortec V6 and i let them go get it...and i dont really look @ the box...i just go home and do it up. i never had any problems tho...however im gonna go post a diff problem right now.
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2000 Blazer
5 speed
2 door
4wd
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RE: Oil Filters - Buyer Be Aware - 5/11/2006 6:10:42 PM
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magtec
Posts: 167
Joined: 2/2/2006
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never had any problems with fram filters, and we use them pretty much exclusively. started with the basic orange filter, then moved to the toughguards. lately i've been using purolator pureone filters, though.
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'89 acclaim - 2.5 turbo, a520
'88 lancer shelby - 2.2 turbo II, a555
'97 blazer ls - 4.3 vortec, 4l60e, 4wd
past:
'87 lebaron gts - 2.2 turbo, a413
'87 lebaron gts - '85 2.2 turbo, a413
'88 s10 blazer - 2.8, 5-speed
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RE: Oil Filters - Buyer Be Aware - 5/12/2006 7:36:27 AM
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m00nwater
Posts: 3269
Joined: 3/10/2005
From: Redbridge, but I now live in the 'shwa
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I have never used a FRAM filter, but simply because I don't want to spend the money on them.
I use the Motomaster one I can buy from Canadian Tire, and I have never had an issue. I'm not sure ifthere is something similar in the States, but I like Motomaster stuff. It's cheap and it works. Buying a FRAM filter wouldn't have been an option for me unless it was on sale in the past, but it might not be an option for me these days because of my new information I've read.
The most interesting statement to me was in that one forum that Kyle posted where the guy said that it might be "good enough".
Eating at McDonalds is "good enough" for putting food in your belly, but is it actually "good" for you?
< Message edited by m00nwater -- 5/12/2006 7:37:11 AM >
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RE: Oil Filters - Buyer Be Aware - 5/12/2006 1:55:55 PM
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onebadapple
Posts: 23
Joined: 5/12/2006
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Search up Oil Filter Compairson, and in everyone you will see Fram & Pensoil filters are the McDonalds of oil filters. The Pureolator is cheaper and much better filter ACDelco is also a great filter(both rated nearly the best for cold oil flow at startup).
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This is real life. 1998 Blazer 454 fuel-injected Turbonetics 80 Trim,and the Money Shot...
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RE: Oil Filters - Buyer Be Aware - 3/23/2008 2:27:24 PM
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portcqb
Posts: 381
Joined: 3/13/2008
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I agree with staying away from fram filters. The last filter I had on crinkled up in removal causing me to need to remove the skid plate below it to take it out. Also on another family car a fram was warped causing oil to leak from the rubber seal on it. They use to be good, but now they are junk made from the cheapest gauge of metal they can find.
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1997 Olds Bravada AWD 4.3L Auto ~35,100mi(high idle time), CAI, Quad Beam Moded Mod
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RE: Oil Filters - Buyer Be Aware - 3/25/2008 2:13:13 PM
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a_tack
Suspension Tech Moderator
Posts: 1287
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From: Ashland, Kentucky
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wish I would've read this 1 hour ago...lol I just put a new fram on my blazer, but my family too has been using fram for years with no problems (now as I say that it is probably falling off my truck..lol I have bad luck). I will be seitching to a different brand next change. I do not remember the name but they are bought in bulk by Marathon Ashland Petroluem so the refinery employees get a store rebate on them. They are a fail safe filter used on all of the refinery's equipment. Normally $8-$10 each and we can get em for $2.50 each with the suppliers discount... oh well, the fram should last me another 2500 miles....
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-Aaron
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." -James 1:19
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RE: Oil Filters - Buyer Be Aware - 3/25/2008 2:22:28 PM
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WolfPack
Posts: 2784
Joined: 10/30/2007
From: Raleigh, NC
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Are quick lube places like Jiffy Lube using fram filters or are they using the lowest cost unit/whatevers availible?
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RE: Oil Filters - Buyer Be Aware - 3/25/2008 5:22:43 PM
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swartlkk
Posts: 14299
Joined: 5/1/2005
From: Waterloo, NY
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It all depends on what is the cheapest when they order. The one near me uses a brand called Mighty... Yeah, makes me want to drive right up!
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Kyle-
2004 Rainier
1970 Chevelle - Resto
1974 K5 Blazer - Resto
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