Are Fram oil filters good?

Docsknotinn · Oct 3, 2003

Dick, I think you might be right about being made by the same company and labeled differently. The filters are made to different specs for each brand though. All mentioned are paper element filters except the Mobil 1 which is a synthetic media fiber type filter. I dont know about the others as I have never used them. The Ac Delco filters I use on my truck are the traditional Blue ac Filter. Dave

slowrev · Oct 3, 2003

Not saying that Fram filters are good, but I have used them for over 20 years and have had no problems. all vehicles were high mileage 150k+ one was over 250K and had NO internal engine problems. Even on the quarter million mile slant 6 engine I had never had the head or oil pan off. Of course I had changed everything on the outside of the engine at least one time /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I currently have a subaru with over 190K and no rattles and compression is still within new specs. My town car with 4.6 litre still runs quiet at 166K and compression is still good although not as good as the Subaru. Just a Ford thing I guess.

I used primarially Valvoline until about 10 years ago and Castrol oil since then and changed every 3-5 K. Used no oil additives.

Just my experience though, not to disagree with the other posters here.

pruntyc · Oct 3, 2003

I believe the fram filters were good. But I also think they are not as good as they should be now. Not to say they won't work most of the time. And with that slant 6, it would probably have done it with no filter, as they were one tough engine. I still use Valvoline in my old truck and Camry. I use the Castrol in my Town Car, not sure one is better than the other one though. I've never had a motor problem with any of them. And the old truck is a 1977, starts on the first or second turnover of the engine.

slowrev · Oct 3, 2003

Yes Dick, I agree. I am just saying that they are not horrible ( in my experience). But some other one is probably better. I have a friend that highly recommends AC filters, however they do not make one for my Subie.

Ledgemere Farm · Oct 3, 2003

They probably are OK, but I have always bought filters from the dealer. I can find filters for my old Farmall at NAPA, but just out of personal preference, I get CASE-IH filters from the dealer. Personally, I favor buying parts and filters from the dealer for two reasons: (1) I am sure I am getting the best part available for my machine and (2)so they don't forget me next time I go tractor shopping! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

BIGUN · Oct 5, 2003

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I used to use Fram filters based on a review that I read years ago in Consumer Reports. After seeing the review mentioned earlier and other assorted comments about the poor quality of Fram, I quit using them.)</font>

This is what I was going to say. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

I did notice my new Dodge truck started to clatter on cold start right after the first oil change, removing the OEM filter and replacing it with a Fram filter which I remember reading was the experience some others had. Reportedly the check valve inside the filter not holding causes this.
I just bought a couple of the Tech filters at Wal-Mart yesterday and plan to use them instead of the Frams in the future.

R_squared · Oct 6, 2003

Here is the link that Inspector507 referred to. Our passenger cars and truck get either an AC Delco Duragaurd or a Fram Tough Guard. The tractor gets the Kioti/DaeDong OEM filter. I cut apart the Kioti filter and was very pleased with the quality and construction of the end caps and bypass valve. If any of you are leery of a filter choice, buy one and cut the cover off with a hacksaw and be your own judge. It takes about 5 minutes to do so. Oil Filter Study

Inspector507 · Oct 6, 2003

Thanks Rob,
Guess i forgot to post the link /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Junkman · Oct 6, 2003

That study was last updated on 5/25/99...... that was 4 + years ago and a lot has changed since then. I wouldn't recommend that you put a lot of faith in the recommendations since so long a period has gone with no updates. It is just like the original study that said Fram made the best filter.... things changed and they no longer made a quality product in 1999. Who knows, today they might be making the best filter again or just continuing to live on their old reputation. In this fast paced world of ours things change so rapidly that many times a story printed yesterday is obsolete tomorrow, but still being relied on by people that were influenced by it. I believe that if you use the OEM filter that you are safe, because they are the people that will either accept or deny the warranty claim if there is one. After warranty period is over, then decide if the few dollars of savings if worth it with a less expensive filter. After all, if you change your oil two or three times a year on the tractor, then it will only amount to $4 or $6 for the filters for the year. For me it isn't worth the savings... I rather know that I have done the best that I can for my machine by using the original factory part whenever possible. Even the poorest of oil that is changed regularly is better than the very best oil that is changed infrequently. Personally, I use the best that I can find and change it on a regular basis... oil and filters is still less expensive than engine rebuilding.... The Junkman

SageBrush · Oct 8, 2003

The regular Fram filters are very poorly made. I switched to them when walmart went 90% Fram. Engine produced a good bit of "lifter" noise, the engine was starving for oil when cold.

I used about 10 of them and noticed the engine noise and didn't put it together untill I read that "mini mopar" site. Switched to a Puralator, no noise on start up, cleaner oil too. I later found I only have the start up noise with the cheap Fram filters. No noise with AC/Delco, Puralator, Motorcraft and Fleet Guard. The Motorcraft is a great filter for the money, its like the $5 to $6 + Pure One, just like the mopar sight revealed. And I can still get Motorcraft filters at Walmart for a couple bucks less than the Pure One.

I was amazed at the differance in the oil condition after 3K with the Pure One filter. My oil is not as dark now. Its doing something more than those Fram filters /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Watch out for Mopar oil filters with the Cummins, I stick with the Cummins filters, the Fleet Guard brand.