Are Fram oil filters good?

[Pacesetter300]

Bob, I would have to say you've done well. Obviously using a Fram doesn't constitute an engines instant demise. Realize though, that with all the negative experiences of others, you are taking a chance. Every instance of a filter collapse I have seen/heard about has been associated with a Fram filter. Most hard parts stores don't sell Fram anymore. They leave that to Wal Mart and K Mart. We all know how Wal Mart works. Do you think they are presssuring Fram to make a better filter? For Fram and Wal Mart to make money at $2.70 a pop you can bet there are as many corners cut as can be. I gave all my Frams away a few years back when I heard about the problems. I now use Wix or Motorcraft for my "drivers" and Mobil 1 or Amsoil for the newer vehicles where I use synthetic.

I recently had a dissapointing experience with JD. I bought six quarts of their 0-40 synthetic Plus 50 engine oil and a JD filter for the Yanmar engine in my Century. The filter I removed was factory installed by Yanmar. The quality was far superior to the Deere filter I bought at the dealer. I will have to take it apart next year and give it a good looking over. I would have been much happier if it was the same quality as the OE Yanmar. Anybody know who makes the filters for Deere?

Pacesetter

 

[JDgreen227]

You raise an interesting question about the JD filters, when I changed the oil and filter on my tractor for the first time the OEM filter was not marked in any way. It was somewhat larger and heavier than the #M806419 that I purchased at my local dealer. To be on the safe side I called their parts dept. to be certain I had the correct new filter and asked why the difference between factory fitted and parts counter filters. They told me different suppliers. I am sorry now I tossed the original filter as I think it was a better quality. If anyone does know the part number for factory fitted JD CUT oil filters please let us know.

From the posts I have been reading it's not likely Fram makes them !

 

[Junkman]

I know when Fram was located in RI, they made all products in that plant and they were good products. I don't know where they moved to, and I also don't know where they are outsourcing the products from. I did make a mistake in my post, when I stated that there are only a few oil filter manufacturers left in this country..... I forgot about outsourcing. Manufacturers purchasing product from other countries. I have used parts that were originally made in the US and then the supplier changed to Japan.... then to Taiwan, and now China..... the price has steadily gone up, and the quality has gone down.... Based on this experience that I have had, even though it isn't an oil filter, if I apply the same theory to oil filters, I have to agree that Fram, among other are junk. For my tractor, I have bought a Kubota filter.... for my car, I have used Fram and OEM.... they are both identical. My car is a drop in cartridge, not a disposable canister and that might be the difference in quality.... See, we can agree sometimes...... LOL .......

 

[BubbaJr]

Fram has a plant in Greenville, Ohio that has been there for a lot of years making air, oil and other filters. My brother has worked there for about 30 years. He came up for Thanksgiving dinner and I asked him about the quality of the current Fram filters. His face turned <font color="red"> RED </font> and he changed the subject. I guess he's not too proud of the stuff they are turning out either. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Fram has gone through quite a few different owners over the last 10-15 years, and I imagine each one has tried to find new ways to cut corners to improve the net profit, and that is not conducive to a quality product.

 

[Docsknotinn]

Id take a drop in element filter any day. Thats saves the time it takes to cut a filter open and inspect it. I think in my case Fram is out sourceing to Racor and they just stamp them fram. I think a lot of people get miss lead into thinking they are all the same just because they are made in the same plant etc. You make a good point about out sourceing. I heard that once Fram was bought by Allied Signal this went down the out house in the quality department. I have read that Dodge will void the warranty on the cummings if you use Fram filters.

 

[songhunter]

upgw,
I am not a filter specialist, but I have cut several brands of spent oil filters and examined them for strength of the case and filter area. I don't know if Fram is a poor product, but I know their internal filter surface area is less than an AC, Motorcraft, or Purolator. The case also seemed less substantial on a Fram. Since the price of an AC, Motorcraft, or Purolator is the same as or less than Fram, I'll opt for something other than Fram. Even if they were a little more expensive, I'd still stay away from Fram.

Comparing oil filters surface area and case strength would be an interesting science fair project for a middle school or high school student.

 

[Soundguy]

Perhaps even a particulate capture test... test both the minimum sized particles captured, and amount captured before filter had to bypass flow.. etc

Soundguy

 

[Mahlon]

Just found these links on the Web. Based on this, I'm not buying Fram filters anymore...

http://www.twocreeks.net/toby/oil_filters/index.shtml

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html

regards,

Mahlon

 

[gsxr1100]

I think if you do a search the major norm will be that many people do not use them.

 

[frank_f15]

i have been using NAPA GOLD filters, they are actually made by WIX . regarding oil or oil filters, change both frequently.