Please tell me this is not the way oil filters are made...

[LD1]

With all the trash talk about Fram I highly recommend cutting one open and looking inside. The old ones, I agree were junk. The ones you grab off the shelf today are high quality filters. There are a couple YouTube videos about this, so you don't have to even do it yourself.
I recently did an engine rebuild on my Kioti and sourced the wrong OEM filter online. Only one I could find locally was a Fram. I always do one or two heat cycles on a new engine and change the oil and filter. I cut the Fram open on the lathe and was surprised to see a well constructed filter. Went to the store and bought a second one and have been running them since.
One of the aforementioned videos:

I have no issues with fram filters and use XG filters and ultra synthetic filters frequently. Have been for 20 years and doing 10-15k mile oil changes.

No use in arguing with others or try to change old minds....but I do chuckle on the inside everytime I read someone bashing fram filters

 

[GeneV]

What? This can't be so, can it? I recently saw a tractor filter made in India or maybe Pakistan.

It says car filters but a lot of guys shop for crossover deals for tractors and the cheapest price so who knows what you get?

I like watching vids like this on youtube.

 

[M59]

Test of 9 filters in Dec 2020 that fit a Honda CRV. I purchased 9 different filters from the local auto parts store and cut them open to see what was inside, build quality vs price, and what filters were being multi-branded. I am comparing ONLY the Fram to the filters I now prefer ( STP standard and Microgard ).

I can not speak to nor do I presume that each filter represents all other filters from same manufacturer for different vehicle models. I am limiting this review to filters that fit the 2016 Honda CRV

The price in Dec 2020 is the number on filter lid and ranges from $4.99 to $16.99.
STP standard and Microgard must be made by same manufacturer as build components and assembly are identical.

There are huge differences between the Microgard and Fram. The paper element in Microgard is captured between two metal caps whereas the Fram's paper element is between two heavy paper caps. I could easily see the Fram's paper caps leaking due to high pressure either due to cold thick oil on startup or paper getting soft due to oil saturation. Fram does not support the paper end caps in any way.

The oil inlet on the Microgard fits into and past the rubber gasket and is held in place by substantial spring at the filter's opposite end whereas the Fram uses a relatively weak spring meant to press the rubber gasket against the threaded end cap.

Microgard cost is $4.99 vs Fram's $8.99 cost.

Food for thought.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I have no issues with fram filters and use XG filters and ultra synthetic filters frequently. Have been for 20 years and doing 10-15k mile oil changes.

No use in arguing with others or try to change old minds....but I do chuckle on the inside everytime I read someone bashing fram filters

Would you be chuckling if you lost your Cummins B because of an oil related problem caused by a fram filter? And then Cummins sends out a notice that will NOT warr. any "B" that has an oil related issue that had been using a fram filter. Would you then keep on using them and chuckling?

Because that IS what happened, and I for one don't think it's too funny.

SR

 

[LD1]

Would you be chuckling if you lost your Cummins B because of an oil related problem caused by a fram filter? And then Cummins sends out a notice that will NOT warr. any "B" that has an oil related issue that had been using a fram filter. Would you then keep on using them and chuckling?

Because that IS what happened, and I for one don't think it's too funny.

SR

You act like fram is the only one that has had a major manufacturing issue.

 

[Joisey]

It is something I have known for decades. All the Oil does not pass thru the filter at once. In time it all does though. A plugged filter would starve the engine for oil if it was not a bypass system.

A spin on filter has a built in bypass valve in the event the filter clogs. On a cartridge filter, the bypass is built into where the filter mounts. All oil from the pump passes thru the filter before going to the engine passages. At highway speeds, an oil pump will empty the pan before you can blink your eyes.

Bypass filters of the 40's and such use a small line, usually quarter inch to bleed off some of the oil and filter it, dumping it back into the system. Those days are long gone.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

You act like fram is the only one that has had a major manufacturing issue.

I'm acting like fram is the filter being discussed here, as per your post I originally quoted.

SR

 

[LD1]

I'm acting like fram is the filter being discussed here, as per your post I originally quoted.

SR

Fram has likely made made hundreds of millions of filters. They had an issue....it was well known. It was resolved. Some people move on, others dwell on it and continue to hold a grudge. To each their own. I'll continue using fram

 

[RandR10]

Test of 9 filters in Dec 2020 that fit a Honda CRV. I purchased 9 different filters from the local auto parts store and cut them open to see what was inside, build quality vs price, and what filters were being multi-branded. I am comparing ONLY the Fram to the filters I now prefer ( STP standard and Microgard ).

I can not speak to nor do I presume that each filter represents all other filters from same manufacturer for different vehicle models. I am limiting this review to filters that fit the 2016 Honda CRV

The price in Dec 2020 is the number on filter lid and ranges from $4.99 to $16.99.
STP standard and Microgard must be made by same manufacturer as build components and assembly are identical.

There are huge differences between the Microgard and Fram. The paper element in Microgard is captured between two metal caps whereas the Fram's paper element is between two heavy paper caps. I could easily see the Fram's paper caps leaking due to high pressure either due to cold thick oil on startup or paper getting soft due to oil saturation. Fram does not support the paper end caps in any way.

The oil inlet on the Microgard fits into and past the rubber gasket and is held in place by substantial spring at the filter's opposite end whereas the Fram uses a relatively weak spring meant to press the rubber gasket against the threaded end cap.

Microgard cost is $4.99 vs Fram's $8.99 cost.

Food for thought.

Wow, the Fram you pulled apart is much different construction from the one I pulled off the shelf in Advance. Mine looked more like the Microgard you show. Yours has the paper end caps like the trash filters of old sold by Fram.

I had to go out and check what I ended up buying just now to see if it was from a different product line. Turns out it is, and I got the "Fram Drive" FD9688 filter. I don't know what they're originally designed for because I went off a chart that gave thread size and gasket diameter, and that was literally the only one that matched up from a couple different stores. Unfortunately I didn't take a pic of the internals but until I do my 30 hour oil change this spring I guess you'll have to take my word for it. Annoying that you can't count on a major American brand to make consistent quality products. Also, do they understand that they're killing the brand by doing it that way?

Something of note, I did buy mine in November of 2021, so who knows, maybe this quality improvement is recent. I'm guessing more likely that what I bought is considered a premium product line from them. Regardless, I retract what I said above. Can't vouch for them if they're still running the paper end caps on some models. Sorry if I misled anyone.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Can you say 'hand made' ? No thanks - I'll stay with K&N.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Fram has likely made made hundreds of millions of filters. They had an issue....it was well known. It was resolved. Some people move on, others dwell on it and continue to hold a grudge. To each their own. I'll continue using fram

...just saying. Use what you want, it's your buck. But -
A recent oil filter comparison on one of the Hot Rod car shows reported the filtering quality of 5 major filter brands. Test included not only flow rates but filtering capability. K&N came out far above the rest with Fram at the very bottom.

 

[M59]

...just saying. Use what you want, it's your buck. But -
A recent oil filter comparison on one of the Hot Rod car shows reported the filtering quality of 5 major filter brands. Test included not only flow rates but filtering capability. K&N came out far above the rest with Fram at the very bottom.

Gem99ultra,

Please post link to the oil filter comparison if you have it.

 

[LD1]

Gem99ultra,

Please post link to the oil filter comparison if you have it.

And what specific model of filters. They all have 2 or 3 or even more different levels of quality (and cost). Like napa/wix has silver, gold, platinum. And fram has ph. dg, tg, xg, etc

 

[M59]

...just saying. Use what you want, it's your buck. But -
A recent oil filter comparison on one of the Hot Rod car shows reported the filtering quality of 5 major filter brands. Test included not only flow rates but filtering capability. K&N came out far above the rest with Fram at the very bottom.

Gem99ultra,

Some input on K&N at $16.99 vs Fram at $8.99 for Honda CRV filters purchased and cut open in Dec 2020. Based on the use of the Belleville spring used on both makes and the near identical construction and material used, I believe these filters are made by the same manufacturer and rebranded by K&N and Fram. None of the other 7 filters in comment 123 use the Belleville spring/ over pressure relief valve.

Notable differences. Fram uses heavy paper whereas K&N uses metal to end cap the filter media. Fram and K&N both use the same rubber gasket at screw on end BUT K&N has a lip that fits inside the rubber gasket whereas Fram does not. K&N does have a "bolt" head on end of filter housing for convenience. Other than the above, they appear identical.

The above is part of larger examination of filters presented in comment 123.

Food for thought.

 

[sixdogs]

Now I'm not sure what to think

 

[Calgaryglenn]

Watching these guys work....no gloves, and eye/hearing protection. Though way to live.

 

[Gord Baker]

Yup it is.

 

[CADplans]

I have a '16 CRV, so, based on a previous post, I was gonna pick up a Microgard filter for the next change.

This article kinda blows Microgard out of the water,, if you believe them,, (or anything else on the internet,,)

Who makes MicroGard oil filters and are they any good?

Are you wondering if you should spend your money on O'Reilly MicroGard oil filters? Here's why MicroGard is a solid value choice.

tiremeetsroad.com

The list of where made is sort of long,, design changes,, then the video,,

The video even shot WIX in the foot !!
(Wix is my "go-to" filter when I don't want to think about which one)

 

[aircommuter]

A spin on filter has a built in bypass valve in the event the filter clogs. On a cartridge filter, the bypass is built into where the filter mounts. All oil from the pump passes thru the filter before going to the engine passages. At highway speeds, an oil pump will empty the pan before you can blink your eyes.

Bypass filters of the 40's and such use a small line, usually quarter inch to bleed off some of the oil and filter it, dumping it back into the system. Those days are long gone.

Amsoil and others still make bypass filters and Som Diesel engines have the as OEM.

 

[Gord Baker]

Amsoil and others still make bypass filters and Som Diesel engines have the as OEM.

Amsoil and others still make bypass filters and Som Diesel engines have the as OEM.

ALL oil does not go thru the Filter at once. Much of it bypasses and some mag go thru on the next cycle.