I'm all for controlled accurate testing, believe me when I say that.
Lacking impartial lab tests, long term anecdotal data can be worth paying attention to.
In the past Fram acquired a rep for failing internal parts (ie. end caps), and questionable QC. Either at least some of this data is valid, or there is global conspiracy of Fram haters that have nothing better to do than make up failure/fault stories. This is the internet, so many alternate universes are possible ! (Yeah, I don't believe most of what is out there either :laughing: ).
Personally, I subscribe to the "where there is smoke there is fire" axiom.
IF I had a Fram filter on one of my vehicles,
AND it failed,
THEN I would forever be p/o'd with myself, given all the anecdotes/urban legends/tea leaves I've sifted through re. Fram.
Somewhere, there may be an SAE report on failure rates on oil filters, by manufacturer and vehicle class. Now,
that report would be interesting to read.
I am aware that Fram has multiple oil filter lines, that was the reason I said "basic" filter. I do understand how a engine can fail and destroy any filter, and potentially vice versa.
Any manufacturer can produce a problem part.
I had a lot of respect for Fleetguard, until I read an account from a fleet manager of a Fleetguard oil filter failing. Fleetguard not only paid for
a replacement engine + labour to re/re, but
they also supplied a replacement equivalent or better truck during the downtime.
After that, I had an even higher respect for Fleetguard. Not really surprised though, Penske has always run a class organization. A major corporation going out of their way to do
beyond the right thing, when they easily could have just lawyered up - all too rare to see.
I'm not a rabid Fram hater, but given that there are many quality alternatives (even in Canada), I choose to spend my money on other brands.
Given the general level of non-maintenance out there, I was encouraging the person who started the thread to
use Fram, as opposed to doing nothing. At the same time, I was encouraging them to do a bit of research into other brands, while also directing them to the Cub Cadet section and researching Kohler directly.
Further reading: BITOG.
2011 FRAM Training Videos - Bob Is The Oil Guy
I'm a metal guy.
Rgds, D.