I typically get my oil filters at the Detroit dealer. However, they are about 50 miles away and I am thinking about ordering them on line.
For a Series 60 the Detroit number is: 23518480. That crosses to a Wix 51971 and Donaldson P552100 and Baldwin B495.
So, my question: what do you guys consider to be a good filter? I have always heard that Wix is the best and I have heard so many bad things about Fram, that I will not consider them.
Do any of you have a favorite on-line source?
Thanks
Jim
Just based on my uninformed prejudices, I would go with Donaldson, Wix, and Baldwin in that order. All three are probably fine though. I think that Napa is made by Wix. As you mention, Fram does not usually do well in tests.
I use Donaldson, from my local truck store.
Brian
Wixx all the way around fuel,oil,trans,rad and the auto parts place I use delivers in a couple of hours dave
Baldwin filters are made in Kearney Ne. where I live, I have toured the plant and seen first hand the quality of work that goes in to these filters, made a believer out of me.>>>> John.
Fleetgard gives me that warm fussy feeling. Bought a case of six, with the synthetic media, from ebay at an excellent price.
Just got back from getting my filters at Napa, locally they have their Gold Filter sale going on. Got my fuel filters for $4.76 and $4.91 and the oil filter for $2.78 Got my 4 air filters for $10.31 each. All set for my yearly service.
Donaldson makes the Detroit filters. I've always used Donaldson.
With the new Detroits 50,000mi oil change, Baldwin filters had a tendency towards falling apart before the 50,000mi. I would think that might also apply to a bus sitting for several weeks at a time. Good Luck, TomC
Thanks everyone.
When I was looking, the Donaldson was less expensive than Wix. That made me nervous.
With your input, I ordered the Donaldson oil filters and an air filter (about $20 or more savings over Wix). I did not do a large search, but this company seemed to be a good source:
http://apartsdepot.com (http://apartsdepot.com)
Jim
I'm curious Jim, what kind of air filter are you using? Reason I ask is that the Donaldson ECO series , once installed should last darn near a lifetime at the miles we put on our motorhomes if you don't run off road. I run one on the Eagle with a filter minder (which I am somewhat skeptical of) and also have one on the Silverside. Just wondering.
Jim,
I get mine here:
https://www.filter1.com (https://www.filter1.com)
You may have to establish an account. It's painless.
I don't think that any of us have to worry about the quality of a name brand filter. To me it's the same as Ford vs Chevy.
These filters are manufactured to handle heavy equipment in harsh conditions. We are neither.
Joe
Here's another:
http://www.fleetfilter.com/filter/wix-oil-filters/51971.html (http://www.fleetfilter.com/filter/wix-oil-filters/51971.html)
Ed, after reading your post, I immediately called my local Napa. Oil filter is $30. plus here.
I use Wix as they were recommended by Prevost. I know I over kill on oil maintenance but I chage the oil and filters at 5000 miles. With the low mileage per year I believe it is the single best maintence thing that I do. I try to do the service in the spring so as to get any condensation and have it fresh for the summer. I also always have Detroit desiel do an oil analysis. They have maintained records on my coach for years and are a good way to catch any early problems.
Sure Joe, NOW you come up with an online source ;D
Here are the oil filters I bought:
http://apartsdepot.com/detail.cfm?part=1814111 (http://apartsdepot.com/detail.cfm?part=1814111)
Your source has a good price for the Wix filter.
Mark, I am using this air filter:
http://apartsdepot.com/detail.cfm?part=1688715 (http://apartsdepot.com/detail.cfm?part=1688715)
My current air filter is a Wix 46883 and that crosses to the Donaldson (above). This is the filter for the Freightliner I got the first engine from. I took the cowl mount housing and modified it for the bus. I am using the standard passenger side Eagle opening (larger than standard for the Houston Metro buses). I looked a while back and that filter has among the highest flow ratings as I recall.
I also use a filter minder and it always reads fairly high restriction. That said, the filter generally has a large amount of dust (I don't take it on dirt roads, but the pull outs often have loose dirt that is kicked up by the bogies and rear wheels) after each trip. I blow out the dust :o :o with open ended 3/8 DOT tubing.
For a long time, I have wanted to put a water manometer on both the intake and exhaust sides of the engine - can't seem to find the time to hook up a simple jury-rigged system. The priority drops down when I consider how strongly the engine pulls - doesn't seem like it could be too bad. In addition, making either end of the system more free-flowing would be a major modification.
Jim
Cat has the best oil filters of any brand (Advanced Filtration System) it was a 50/50 deal with Donaldson back in the 90's now all owned by CAT I never used anything else unless I could not get to a CAT dealer
Lin, did you ask them when they are going to have the Gold Filter sale? They don't seem to advertize it much and it only goes for about a week. Different areas have it at different times,.....maybe it is already over in your area.
Clifford is correct with Cat filters. Cat had a display with identical filters from all manufacturers cut open so you could see the construction methods inside. The Cat filter was truly different-in that it has silicone ring stabilizers around the element and the folds are much more then any other filter. I run Cat filters on my Cat powered truck. Good Luck, TomC
Jim,
Appears you are getting your filters at a good price also.
I order all the filters for all my vehicles at the same time every couple of years. The price is better that way.
Filter 1 will send you catalogs and cross references for everything. The best savings seem to be lawn mower filters for me!
Joe
Clifford or Tom.. Does Cat make a filter for the Series 60???
Our Detroit dealer has Donaldson on the shelf.
Yea they do Zero
Does the silicone ring and extra folds really make the Cat filter any better, or is it just a marketing gimmick to sell more Cat brand filters? Would the Cat filters catch particles the other ones would not, and are the particles large enough to harm the engine?
When I was a senior in high school I went to school 2 hours a day so I went to work nights at a filter plant. We made filters for several different companies. Yes there was different specs for different companies. I remember that at that time Altas had the best specs to get the most particles out of the air and the oil. The lab was always doing test to make sure they met the specs. Off note I made all my beer money by making special filter for all my friends and I used the best of all components. We all raced cars and they where happy to keep me in beer and some parts to get a good filter. This was 45 years ago but I bet things are still the same.
Wayne
Filters may be made to different specs, but is filter A with the best specs really any better than filter B with lower specs? At some point you're going to be filtering out particles that are finer than what will damage the engine. Filter B may filter anything that will damage an engine just fine.
Bottled water is generally filtered to a higher standard than tap water. 99.9% of the time there is nothing in tap water that will hurt you. Bottled water is filtered to a standard beyond what is required for the human body.
Do it your way which ever way you choose Brian oil filters and bottle water where did we go wrong LMAO
When I have my oil changed locally they use Baldwin filters. I changed the oil myself last summer and used Fleetguard filters. I'm not really loyal to any filter manufacturer.
I'm still wondering if the cheapest filter would really let through particles that would damage the engine.
Brian,do a oil sample with a cheaper filter you will find out in a hurry some filters are better than others