Oil Filters - difference in quality?

rv_safetyman · December 05, 2009, 05:45:22 AM

Hi folks. On the automotive side, Fram has a terrible reputation for oil filters. For the HD diesel oil filter is there any issue with the various vendors? I have been getting mine from our Detroit dealer. Is there any significant cost advantage to other vendors?

Thanks, Jim

luvrbus · December 05, 2009, 06:18:28 AM

Jim, I don't know about the cost advantage of filters but I buy the Fleetguard mircoglass they will remove 60% at 10 micron where the cellulose or paper type will only remove 30% at 10 micron at the same flow and flow is important on a engine.
That is the way I buy oil filters not by cost or brand. FWIW DD and AC filters are made by Blaw/Knox

good luck

edroelle · December 05, 2009, 06:23:17 AM

When I did an investigation of this a number of years ago, AC Delco, Fleetguard, NAPA (WIX), Detroit Diesel and Baldwin were all very good. (I have been using AC Delco, Fleetguard, and Detroit Diesel.)

Fram was at the bottom, probably because of its well earned poor reputation in auto filters.

I am suspect that Luber-finer has an underlying problem.

Ed Roelle
Flint, MI

lostagain · December 05, 2009, 06:56:57 AM

Is there a problem with LuberFiner? That's what I've been using.

JC

TomC · December 05, 2009, 07:08:13 AM

I was at a truck dealer once and saw a display that Caterpillar did with their filter compared to others. All the major filter manufacturers were represented with all the filters cut open so you could see how they were made. After seeing that, there was no question in my mind that Caterpillar makes the best filters. Why-mainly because they have bands of silicone holding the paper elements together-something to think about since most of our engines sit doing nothing for long periods of time-and the silicone will hold the filter together much better. Good Luck, TomC

luvrbus · December 05, 2009, 07:12:00 AM

Lubefiner is a good filter the problem now most of theirs are manufactured in Mexico or China. If I buy one I look for made in the USA or Canada sold under the Champion name also in places like WM and your auto supply places.

good luck

rv_safetyman · December 05, 2009, 07:38:13 AM

Thanks for the great responses.

One of the comments triggered a memory. As I was tearing into the bus (an '85 Eagle Houston Metro), there was a rather large pressure vessel under the battery bank. After I tore into it, I found that it was a toilet paper oil filter. The roll of paper was very large - the size of a roll that you find in the dispensers in some public restrooms.

I suspect I still have it in one of the junk heaps somewhere.

Jim

Len Silva · December 05, 2009, 09:36:15 AM

The manual for my old (1990) Dodge/Cummins lists a few specifically approved filters, Fleetguard, WIX, Napa, don't remember the others but Fram was not included. They said that inferior filters can break off parts of the filter media and clog the piston cooling jets.

Zeroclearance · December 05, 2009, 10:00:59 AM

I have always tried to stick with the OEM oil filter..

Tom I am pretty sure that Donaldson manufactures CAT filters under spec..

Clifford, how does the Fleetguard filter stack up against the DD Knox units?

David Anderson · December 05, 2009, 11:49:55 AM

Quote from: rv_safetyman on December 05, 2009, 07:38:13 AM
Thanks for the great responses.

One of the comments triggered a memory. As I was tearing into the bus (an '85 Eagle Houston Metro), there was a rather large pressure vessel under the battery bank. After I tore into it, I found that it was a toilet paper oil filter. The roll of paper was very large - the size of a roll that you find in the dispensers in some public restrooms.

I suspect I still have it in one of the junk heaps somewhere.

Jim

Hey Jim, I had the same thing in mine. When I took it to Krause Bus in San Antonio, he had no clue what that was for. I just removed it and plugged the holes in the crankcase where the lines attached. That was 8 years ago.

David

JohnEd · December 05, 2009, 01:21:26 PM

What a learning experience.

I have gone out of my way to buy FRAM and I even have a bunch stacked up that I swooped on when they were on sale. I guess I will just change them out more frequent til my "treasure" is depleted. Thanks all of you.

I had one bad experience with oil filters. That was a "Haines" and it had loose fibers in side that were held in place by a screen. My Datsun mech clued me couse my 240 had a side oiler for the cam. He said the the fibres would clog the oiler nozzle and divert the stream away from the cam/follower contact patch or even stop the flow entirely. I cut one open and it seemed to be filled with rag wool. Really bad as the fibres could easily pass through that screen. BAD FILTER. That was thirty years ago but bad things keep coming back....that has been my life experience.

Thanks again,

John

Lin · December 05, 2009, 01:42:44 PM

An comparative analysis I read some years ago put Wix at about the top and Fram close to the bottom. I think Napa is made by Wix. I think this test only included major brands. I doubt that Caterpillar was in the group.

belfert · December 05, 2009, 05:25:35 PM

I know C&J Bus Repair uses Baldwin filters when they change my oil. I don't if they use them because they are good or because they are cheap for them to buy. I couldn't see JD using poor filters.

johns4104s · January 25, 2010, 06:13:19 PM

Clifford,

What Fleetguard oil filter do you use? Do all 8v92T use the same oil filter? Were do you purchase yours?

John

gus · January 25, 2010, 10:06:33 PM

This filter debate has been going on for years, about like the "which oil is best?" debate.

The problem is that I know of no actual test done by any independent source to prove one way or the other?

So, we are left with all different opinions of which is best and which are very bad, all depending on ones experience, but with no real complete test.

My system is that I buy whatever the store has and will use it as long as it works well.