Fram oil filters

[4 wheel no squeal]

Hi everyone. I have been saving this one for awhile because i don't like to blast anyone or any company but if they are going to hurt my Hemi, they have it coming!

FRAM oil filters. I change my own oil with Mobil-1 synthetic on all my cars and buy a brand name filter when they are on sale or rebate. A few years ago i began to have my suspicions about the performance of the fram oil filters after i put on a couple of hundred miles on my new oil-changes. Well I forgot and recently changed my oil with fram filters on 2 cars (wife's 2002 Monte SS) and having major concerns.
Major valve noise at start-up. see link Engine Clatter at Startup?

But wait there is more; Internet search reveled that there is a quality issue with the use of cardboard caps in the filter that may degrade and break off, clogging the oil pump. It all began with K-car (remember, or not). They had a class action lawsuit because oil pumps were clogged and seizing engines. Don't know how resolved but the basic design of the filter has not been changed. Further research found many people to complain about Fram oil filters. Corvettes, Honda and even other LXsites had post on flow through; less pleats, weakness of filter case and drain back valve failure. Please do your own search.
I am not looking to start an argument or hurt a mega million business like allied signal but where there is smoke, there is fire. I love my cars and want to keep them forever.

Thanks for listening
Steve

PS. Save your receipts!!! You will need them for warranty work!

==Not in AWD
PSS. I also posted "Oil change Humor" when i was in a better mood!

[CoolVanilla]

Wow. This is freaky... just had a buddy come into work this morning and say "I've got this crazy clacking noise on startup, come listen..."

No question is was valve noise. Dig a bit more, and sure enough his last oil change he used a Fram. After I got done blasting Fram, we sit down with Google and find a plethora of info, including this:

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html

And I quote: “The rubber anti-drainback valve seals the rough metal backplate to the cardboard end cap and easily leaks, causing dirty oil to drain back into the pan. If you have a noisy valve train at startup, this filter is likely the cause. The bypass valves are plastic and are sometimes not molded correctly, which allows them to leak. The backplate has smaller and fewer oil inlet holes, which may restrict flow.”

Sorry to hear about your trouble. Moving forward, that link above has some real good info on many of the other filters out there and is worth a read.

[lafrad]

I had a Fram filter fall apart on me in my intrepid... only time I ever used one... had bits of cardboard in the oil.... (lifters were LOUD when that happened).

Went to a new Mobil 1 filter and such... ran for another 50K and spun a bearing for my dad (who does NOT drive it hard)... can't point full blame at the filter... but very well could have helped, as we have the car apart right now, and *EVERY* bearing but one has a lot of damage.

Something to keep in mind: "MOPAR" filters are *always* rebranded filters from other companies. Rumor has it they use fram as one of their distributors.


Funniest thing: the best bang for your buck filter that you can buy... is a Motorcraft FL-1A filter. its a "tall body" filter that is spec'd for mustangs and big block fords... fits right on almost every mopar made also.
Find it at walmart right next to a fresh change of Mobil 1 for quite a bit less than anywhere else you can buy oil.

Only caveat is: Motorcraft has a different style filter cap wrench.

[4 wheel no squeal]

Thanks for the replies. lafrad made a great call with MOPAR being built by Fram. Makes to think?? The Motocraft FL-1A tall-boy filter is a bargain replacement. Larger, top rated and only $3.29 @ P-boys. Thanks to lafrad and others that posted earlier to steer me there. All members; keep reading this site and you shall find many, many answers!

Coolvanilla, liked the link. This is a must read. Tiring to find another study like this one. There are many repost of this one study but seems on target.

At least we love them enough to climb under and show them some love.

Thanks everyone,
Steve

[desquirrel]

This "news" is a couple of years old. In the last batch of tests I read years ago Fram was absolute crap. And about AC, Motorcraft and Mopar: these are bought via bid. So a fabulous test on an AC turned mediocre overnight. The top filters tested at that time were Mobil 1, K & N, and Wix. Napa was using Wix for their better filters then.

[4 wheel no squeal]

Don't let this link die off! I switched to a Mobil 1 filter with 100 miles on my change for peace of mind and less noise at start-up. Something is up with those filters!

[MagNite]

I used to do my own oil changes on my Intrepid with Mobil 1 and Purolater filters. Stayed away from Fram myself. Now with my Magnum, I have Valvoline instant oil change do it which I don't like, but don't have much choice since the apartment complex I live in now doesnt allow tenants to work on thier cars. Anyone know what oil filter Valvoline uses?

[aries4life]

...the apartment complex I live in now doesnt allow tenants to work on thier cars.

I'd end up getting kicked out of that place

[Sharp Charge]

I've never heard this, I've used FRAM filters on all my cars since I started driving at 16. I've never had a problem (knock on wood) but may consider changing now after this. I don't have the $$ to deal with the outcome of an oil starved engine.

Thanks for bringing this to light!
Tim

[RedAlert]

I've used FRAM filters on all my cars since I started driving at 16. I've never had a problem...

Ditto. I changed last year after reading all about how horrible they're supposed to be. Now I use K&N.

[nhdave]

Hmm... Used Fram on my last 2 changes and have noticed some clattering on startup..

[Hal'sMag]

I just got the link to the oil filter study and came on line to post it, and found this.
Thanks CV.

I recall the PH8A long filter being a fit for our 5.7.

I would expect the Purolator Pure One model would also, if they make such a filter. The extra filter length would be a good thing.

I went parts store searching yesterday, and found only the Mobile 1 quality filter available.

I also struck out finding a fan relay.
Gone are the parts stores that had their stuff together, with experienced parts counter service. Of course it also used to be a good paying job.

[Tbird100636]

I had a Fram filter fall apart on me in my intrepid... only time I ever used one... had bits of cardboard in the oil.... (lifters were LOUD when that happened).

Went to a new Mobil 1 filter and such... ran for another 50K and spun a bearing for my dad (who does NOT drive it hard)... can't point full blame at the filter... but very well could have helped, as we have the car apart right now, and *EVERY* bearing but one has a lot of damage.

Something to keep in mind: "MOPAR" filters are *always* rebranded filters from other companies. Rumor has it they use fram as one of their distributors.


Funniest thing: the best bang for your buck filter that you can buy... is a Motorcraft FL-1A filter. its a "tall body" filter that is spec'd for mustangs and big block fords... fits right on almost every mopar made also.
Find it at walmart right next to a fresh change of Mobil 1 for quite a bit less than anywhere else you can buy oil.

Only caveat is: Motorcraft has a different style filter cap wrench.

FYI- the Motorcraft FL-820S oil filter is the equivalent/match to a Mopar 090- it also has a silicone anti drainback valve which is better than the rubber ones. Never had a problem with this filter on my 2001 Taurus SEL 3.0L Duratec. I've always avoided FRAM oil filters because of the stories I've read about. Heard allot of good about WIX filters too.

[05magmn]

Great info guys thanks for posting it!!!!!