http://www.reddit.com/r/red...mopar_stp_trd_kn_vw/

I always steered clear of Fram oil filters because I saw they were made with cardboard and glue. I never expected to experience oil filter failure myself, in my lifetime. Buyers beware!!!!

Feel free to repost to other car forums. Champion it seems is going to leave me high and dry, so I figured I'd return the favor as best I can.

[This message has been edited by ryan.hess (edited 11-17-2010).]

OUCH! I feel for you man. I have always used AC Delco filters in my GM vehicles. What brand is recommended now and why?

--Will

Another problem is if you have a regular "spin on filter" (and not the cartridge filter shown here), you may not even know that your filter was compromised!

I can't make any recommendations because I haven't done enough research. I'm just adding these to my list of "don't buy"... along with Fram.

I notice in the title you mentioned K&N. Why? Are we talking about oil filters or air filters?


As for one of the filers in the picture. Here's part of the problem.



It appears merchants are up to no good--again.

[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 11-17-2010).]

I buy nothing but Wix.

quote Originally posted by RACE: I buy nothing but Wix.

Thats a true napa fan right there! Wix are good filters though.

This should be in here.

http://www.300cforums.com/f...lters-dissected.html

Mann, MAHLE and Hastings are all I use for oil filters.

I also don't frequent chain shops such as AZ, Pep, Advance, etc. Go to local auto shop suppliers.

Also, try to avoid any filter that says made in china. There are so many other options out there.

[This message has been edited by Rainman (edited 11-17-2010).]

quote Originally posted by madcurl: As for one of the filers in the picture. Here's part of the problem.

I agree; the article doesn't say what car its from but it appears to be a cartridge filter.

How much of Champion's product line is cartridge filters? They've probably subb'd out the cartridge filters to a supplier in China. Unless pictures show otherwise, I remain confident in the rest of their line of "normal" spin-on filters.

That doesn't look like an Ecotec filter, but us Ecotec owners see it every time we buy a new filter. Its still kind of a "niche" filter and as such, familiar name brand manufacturers have turned to suppliers overseas. Other than the AC Delco (Hengst) and the Purolators which are made here, every other brand I've seen is made elsewhere. India, Bulgaria, Korea, China. Who knows what quality you're buying.

quote Originally posted by GADJet: Thats a true napa fan right there! Wix are good filters though.

I was told by a friend that is an ex road racer, that wix is the best. He said to save a little money he purchases Napa Gold which is made by Wix.

So that is what I use.

quote Originally posted by madcurl: I notice in the title you mentioned K&N. Why? Are we talking about oil filters or air filters?

K&N also makes oil filters now.

whats wrong with a filter thats made in china??? thats where all the computers you use everday are made, and the cell phones everyone talks on all the time are made,,,just because another filter costs more doesnt make it any better, IMO.

[This message has been edited by 123mmmyFIERO (edited 11-17-2010).]

quote Originally posted by 123mmmyFIERO: whats wrong with a filter thats made in china??? thats where all the computers you use everday are made, and the cell phones everyone talks on all the time are made,,,just because another filter costs more doesnt make it any better, IMO.

It's more about the facility it's made in, and the practices used there. Things like oil filters and common metal tools/parts do not get the same scrutiny and QA that computers do. And there are plenty of bad computer parts out there as well, made as knock-offs of better ones. The fact that it's made in China is mostly irrelevant. The real issue is supply and demand, and corporate greed.

WELL said dobey,,,i was just curious,being that AMERICA owes its soul to china,we might wanna start gettin used to products made in china,,,im tellin ya you cant find anything made in USA, its a shame....

quote Originally posted by dobey: K&N also makes oil filters now.

Thanks. I don't use K&N oil filters (just the air filters), but are we saying that K&N too are crap filters? As for oil filters I use Mobil 1. I haven't checked it they too are China made. Also, I didn't know that Royal Purple too makes oil filters.

I have been using PureOne and Purolator filters for a long time. They both have anti drain back valves.

quote Originally posted by madcurl: Thanks. I don't use K&N oil filters (just the air filters), but are we saying that K&N too are crap filters? As for oil filters I use Mobil 1. I haven't checked it they too are China made. Also, I didn't know that Royal Purple too makes oil filters.

I don't use K&N filters either. I think the issue is more with cartridge filters, and not the screw-on types. Although there are some pretty crappy screw-on filters too.

I think K&N also makes some cabin air filters too, not just the engine intake ones.

I ONLY USE WIX OIL FILTERS. I AM A PROFESSIONAL ENGINE BUILDER AND HAVE DONE MY OWN STUDIES ON OILS AND OIL FILTERS.

One should get all the accurate facts before they cry the sky is falling.

I am not a Fram user but the fact is all Fram filters are not bad. If you buy the cheapest one it is not a very good filter and has the least element in side and is of poorer quality. Now if you buy the more expensive filter it is as good or better than most filters on the market.

If you want to learn about filters buy a cutter and open them up and look at them. There are many good and bad filters from the same company. Many filters are all made buy one company and renamed. KNN does not make their own filter and one of the major companies do [The name excapes me at the moment.

Also there is nothing wrong with AC Delco.

Some people get a little tweeked on this topic and kind of blow it out of proportion.

There are some real good stories out ther and photos of what really is in these filters. I would recomend looking them up and getting the real facts.

I would guess the filters have to meet specific standards.

quote Originally posted by mera7: I ONLY USE WIX OIL FILTERS. I AM A PROFESSIONAL ENGINE BUILDER AND HAVE DONE MY OWN STUDIES ON OILS AND OIL FILTERS.

Like others here, I prefer WIX on ALL my equipment and vehicles. WIX was a stand alone company, then was bought by DANA, then spun off to another company, (Perhaps Alfinia?) but WIX still adheres to the same high quality it has had for decades. I began using them in 1976 when I worked in a very dirty dusty oilfield environment, and never had a failure with them.

[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 11-17-2010).]

quote Originally posted by jaskispyder: I would guess the filters have to meet specific standards.

Not all do. In the case of AC Delco they do have to meet GM's warranty standards. If they are good enough for that they are good enough for the rest of us. Some filters can be better but that does not make the AC's bad.

Also some generic private brands can be very good as they are made by one of the larger companies that filters for many others.

Like I said there are some very good information out there and it is interesting to know the facts on this. Some people dig a lot deeper than they need on this topic.

Another exclusive Wix user here....

WIX FTW

i purchased 10 top name brand filters from my local oreillys store about a year ago and cut them open to find out what was in them. after that as stated in above post i use wix. my .02

How's Purolator? They have two grades regular and gold, I use regular. They are only $2.95 where I get them so the inexpensive-ness kinda makes me wonder.

Also I always thought ACdelco was decent, maybe not?

quote Originally posted by hyperv6: Not all do. In the case of AC Delco they do have to meet GM's warranty standards. If they are good enough for that they are good enough for the rest of us. Some filters can be better but that does not make the AC's bad. Also some generic private brands can be very good as they are made by one of the larger companies that filters for many others. Like I said there are some very good information out there and it is interesting to know the facts on this. Some people dig a lot deeper than they need on this topic.

That is what I meant. GM has a filter standard and their filters meet their standard. As for the others, I am not sure. I am concerned that we are jumping the gun and assuming that different materials are not as good as what was once used. There was a comment I read somewhere where someone said that one filter used a spiral spring and the other filter used a piece of metal and that wasn't a spring. But we all know that springs come in different forms and yes, a piece of metal can be a spring. As far as using plastic, I don't have a problem with it. I believe if you regularly change your oil and filter, then even the cheapest mass-produced filter will work just as good as anything else. I would like to see a test of the filtering abilities, not just take something apart and see what it looks like. Anyone know of any filter tests? Sounds like something for Consumers Reports

quote Originally posted by jaskispyder: GM has a filter standard and their filters meet their standard.

GM also has a "quality standard" for their vehicles, but you don't see me buying any of them.

quote Originally posted by Rainman: GM also has a "quality standard" for their vehicles, but you don't see me buying any of them.

Well, with that thought, then we should buy Honda oil filters

quote Originally posted by Rainman: GM also has a "quality standard" for their vehicles, but you don't see me buying any of them.

What a great statement on a Fiero forum.

quote Originally posted by jaskispyder: Well, with that thought, then we should buy Honda oil filters

I was admiring how he managed to work in a GM rant in a thread about bad Chinese filters in a BMW. Slick!

quote Originally posted by css9450: I was admiring how he managed to work in a GM rant in a thread about bad Chinese filters in a BMW. Slick!

Lol. I have always run MAHLE filters in my BMWs. Never had a problem.

interesting fact fram filters void a hyundai engine warrenty. thats the only filter i wont use that and the fram renamed ones.

Nothing but Wix for me.

Here is the TSB and it doesn't state Fram. I also believe with a 100K warranty, you are going to run into challenges to your claims, I have heard this with Kia and Hyundai.


DESCRIPTION:
Some vehicles may experience an engine knock noise with the use of an aftermarket oil filter. Aftermarket oil filters may use different materials, construction and specifications than genuine Hyundai oil filters, which may lead to pressure variations within the engine, thus contributing to an engine knocking noise.

VEHICLES AFFECTED:
All Models

REPAIR PROCEDURE:
Perform an oil change on the vehicle and replace the aftermarket oil filter with a genuine Hyundai oil filter.

WARRANTY INFORMATION:
Normal warranty procedures apply. This is not a warranty repair.

quote Originally posted by lonewolf_305: interesting fact fram filters void a hyundai engine warrenty. thats the only filter i wont use that and the fram renamed ones.

Eh, if you breathe wrong, it will void the warranty on a Nissan GT-R.

I run Amsoil oil and air filters in all of my vehicles, all made in the USA (as well as the oil...)

If Amsoil does not have a filter that suits my needs, then I run WIX.

Sadly, I bought a WIX fuel filter for my Infiniti about 5k miles ago... It stated it was made in China.
I asked the guys at the NAPA counter about this... and they just shrugged... said they didn't know when the change happened.

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<---- did you buy Cliff a beer?

quote Originally posted by blakeinspace: Sadly, I bought a WIX fuel filter for my Infiniti about 5k miles ago... It stated it was made in China. I asked the guys at the NAPA counter about this... and they just shrugged... said they didn't know when the change happened.

Well, that just about kills the WIX glorification mentioned here. Once again those evil Merchants strikes again!

[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 11-18-2010).]

How about this? https://www.fiero.nl/cgi-bin...ate.cgi?action=intro If it doesn't work in the filter, you can always find a second use for it.

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John

quote Originally posted by madcurl: Well, that just about kills the WIX glorification mentioned here. Once again those evil Merchants strikes again!

I lol'd. Lots of great things come out of China. Look in the link I posted above, the Wix filter looks much better built than cardboard media filters that I see so many people using.