Cheap Fram Oil Filters

[Hard]

If you own a new or nearly new, expensive, compact or sub-compact tractor would you use a cheap Fram filter to save a few dollars?

 

[Mike_Lipke]

Why do you ask?

Fishing?

 

[AndyM]

I'm a OEM filter guy on the tractor and the cars, most especially during the warranty period.

 

[bbse]

I grew up in a auto parts store. Not relevant now but about 15 years ago while laid off from the plant, I tried it again at Carquest. We used to have a tool to cut filters open. Interestingly enough, OEM's were good, Wix was great, and Fram was the poorest. Now, if we were talking about a cheap car and 3000 mile changes, I think the Fram would be fine. But when we talk heavy equipment and lots of dust and dirt, Wix or OEM would be my only choice. They had twice the pleats of a Fram....

 

[Doc_Bob]

If you own a new or nearly new, expensive, compact or sub-compact tractor would you use a cheap Fram filter to save a few dollars?

Nope.
Bob

 

[Sully2]

The poll is far too one sided. NO VOTE!

 

[Soundguy]

If you own a new or nearly new, expensive, compact or sub-compact tractor would you use a cheap Fram filter to save a few dollars?

I wouldn't mind throwing a 3.99$ fram C3 in my old 8n.. but for my 2002 NH 7610s.. it's oem filters all the way ( besides.. fram doesn't cross most of my filters i use anyway.. nor does napa.. )

Soundguy

 

[tractorboy5500]

this is my 2 cents, no matter how many pleats or raps are inside a filter, it is still the same micron, seems like to me the more raps or pleats you have in an oil filter, the more it will bypass due to restriction, to some who dont know a filter becomes clogged over time and there is a bypass valve in the lubicating system to always supply oil to your engine, when the filter is being clogged or when there is a restriction in the filter, sometime mybe this happens when oil is at a lower temp. or especialy when your filter has more hours on it than it should. i myself like to use oem type filters, just here lately fram has been taking a beating.

 

[sneaky_pete]

No; I use OEM filters on both tractors and use synthetic oil & THF for the same reason.

 

[bbse]

this is my 2 cents, no matter how many pleats or raps are inside a filter, it is still the same micron, seems like to me the more raps or pleats you have in an oil filter, the more it will bypass due to restriction, to some who dont know a filter becomes clogged over time and there is a bypass valve in the lubicating system to always supply oil to your engine, when the filter is being clogged or when there is a restriction in the filter, sometime mybe this happens when oil is at a lower temp. or especialy when your filter has more hours on it than it should. i myself like to use oem type filters, just here lately fram has been taking a beating.

Let me clarify one thing. Yes, OEM filters have more pleats and usually, I am not sure in every case, Wix and some other high quality aftermarket filters have even more pleats. You are right that the filter media is rated by micron size. However, it is a misconception that the more pleats you have the more likely a filter will become clogged and go to the bypass valve. The more pleats you have the more surface area you have. Therefore, as the material catches the fine particules if you have less material the sooner you will clog the filter. More pleats means more time before you clog the filter. Filter media is expensive. That is why Wix costs more than Fram. As I said if you change the filter more often there is nothing wrong with a Fram filter. I use them on my cars sometimes.

And if you really want a better system, install a secondary bypass filter system. A regular oil filter catches particulate down to around 18-20 microns or so ( I think?? its been awhile since I studied this ). Bypass systems run some of the oil thru a second filter that goes down to around 6 microns. All the oil goes through the primary system every time it cycles but only goes through the bypass system once every 4-6 cycles. But it does remove much larger particles.