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One post from the link Rich provided.
Note that it includes many links to further information outlining
the problems:
Originally Posted by Midnite
 This topic of spin-on oil filters
is getting confused.
The issue with the Fram cheap filters has nothing to do with their ability to filter when working properly. Micron ratings aside, they are as acceptable as any other for filtering. The complaints are over the quality of materials and construction, not the filtering ability. The length of time you use the filter is irrelevant. If it fails for any reason then the OCI's are meaningless. You can use Frams for a lifetime and probably not have a problem but the chances of something going wrong are greater with these cheap Frams. If it's microns you're interested in then find a filter that serves the purpose. Maybe the construction and the way full-flow spin on filters work is being misunderstood. The following are areas of concern; - base gasket material, shape, channel in which it sits - seam burst strength of the canister to baseplate - type of threading in the baseplate and number of threads holding the filter to the engine stud - the design and materials used in the by-pass valve - the design and material used for the anti-drainback valve - the design of the center tube - the end caps used for the filter material - the total filtering area of the material and pleating There are other areas of concern too but those are the ones that can offer problems. This is a discussion about threads - Spin-on filter threads Fram uses cut threads. Rolled threads are preferred. Fram filters frequently have metal slivers left after cutting - some filters have been cut to improper sizing and have blown off the studs. This was a subject of recalls for one of their filters. These filters typically have fewer threads and thinner baseplates than the competition. A particularly poor design is the by-pass valve. It is a plastic button with long arms moving in a hole cut in thin sheet metal and held closed by a weak metal spring. This by-passes oil prematurely and can lodge open. The difference between this and other filters is remarkable. The anti-drainback valve doesn't anti-drainback very well. The cardboard end caps can fray and break apart - that happened on one of my filters - Here is one recall notice from Fram for a failure of the base gasket. filter recall ANd here is another - Fram filters have been banned for some motorcycle racing because they have blown off the stud due to incorrectly cut threads and caused crashes - number 6017 was involved in that. This filter was also the subject of a recall. Fram filters are made in different locations - that one was made in Korea. Fram has also instituted "reclaim" procedures on some other filters, but insisted that there was no safety issue - then why have them returned? Was there some other problem? If you haven't had enough sites that show some of the problems then here's another - Fram PH6017A There is an obvious compromise being made as far as cost of material used and construction of these filters. Not all Fram products are the same. However, any reading of enthusiast forums, or forums that discuss filters including racing forums, there is always the inevitable discussion of cheap Fram filters and advice to not use them. An example can be found even at the bobistheoilguy forums - Fram filter recall and filter recall And here's another with pictures that go a long way to illustrate some of the problems (with commentary) - Fram oil filter review People who do use these inexpensive and cheaply made filters generally have little knowledge of how spin-on filters work, nor do they care. They believe one filter is the same as another which is most definitely not true. Once again - this is not about the ability to filter adequately - it's about construction quality, design, and materials. Also, you may use these filters and have or recognize no problems - but why take the chance when alternatives are available, and at similar prices? Manufacturers should not be supported by purchasing their products that are questionable. On 4/4/2014 11:31 AM, Rich Knowles wrote: I’ve used a lot of Fram filters on street vehicles, boats and trucks and have yet to have a motor failure that I could attribute to filter failure. |
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