5k fram filter looks like a hot mess

[BeerCan]

this is a fram cartridge filter, I forget the number but its for the toyota 3ur-fe. Got it at walmart (the higher end fram)
This is 5k on Valvoline R&P. Filter looked fine when I put it in but now pleats closed up and it looks wavy. Almost like the filter is slightly to long and it got compressed a little.

 

[ripcord]

It does seem like it's getting crushed a bit. It probably doesn't hurt anything,

 

[gfh77665]

As ugly as it appears, I bet it was still performing fine. Oil molecules don't worry about wavy pleats, or their narrow looking gaps. The gaps between the pleats looks to oil molecules like the Grand Canyon looks to a pellet.

 

[Hirev]

Looks like it was still doing the job. I usually stick with Toyota OE filters on toyotas especially with cartridge filters.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Filter looked fine when I put it in but now pleats closed up and it looks wavy. Almost like the filter is slightly to long and it got compressed a little.

One way to find out is just after installing a new filter, remove it and see if there are any signs of it getting compressed because it's a bit too long.

 

[chorty]

every style like this i've changed out always looked like this as well. Never thought of it any differently. All engines still running as expected.

#1, they all look like this
#2, i don't care or ever worried
or
#3, #1 and #2.

 

[mrsilv04]

Probably better to be a bit too long, rather than be a bit too short (and letting oil by the filter).

 

[dnewton3]

Slight compression/waves in the media are nothing to be concerned about. It did it's job just fine.

 

[Rand]

I had a very similar filter on my 2017 jeep pentastar. Quit using fram ultra cartridges on it.

 

[JMJNet]

5000 miles?

 

[TiGeo]

Fram Endurance out of Sportwagen after 5K mi. Looks similar. My Mann don't look like this when they come out.

 

[demarpaint]

It looks OK to me.

 

[Hootbro]

Made in Brazil?

 

[2.7ecoboostFordBronco]

I’ve run Fram endurance cartridges for as long as 7000 mile intervals and even with no heat assisted -30F startups have never seen a filter looks like that, with 5W-30 or 0W-30 in the Ford 2.7. It has been awhile but I don’t remember the OEM Motorcraft from the first oil changes looking anything like that either. As stated earlier I think this has more to do with the filters’ fit inside the housing or some other sizing issue than something related to oil pressure? Could over-torquing the housing do this? On the ford it only specifies 18 ft lbs which isn’t much.

 

[Drifter]

I would change brands for sure. I have two different vehicles that use cartridge filters and they never look like that. Ewww. LOL

 

[50yr Street Mech]

5,000k ? Looks really nasty for only 5k. I would run a 2-3 shorter OC intervals to clean up that engine a bit, using a different filter.. Obviously, that Fram is not the correct size. Take that Fram filter number to the store, and try to find a wee bit shorter one.

 

[Gravity_Wolves]

this is a fram cartridge filter, I forget the number but its for the toyota 3ur-fe. Got it at walmart (the higher end fram)
This is 5k on Valvoline R&P. Filter looked fine when I put it in but now pleats closed up and it looks wavy. Almost like the filter is slightly to long and it got compressed a little.

View attachment 288135View attachment 288136

Is there a lot of soot/sludge in between the pleats?

 

[53' Stude]

this is a fram cartridge filter, I forget the number but its for the toyota 3ur-fe. Got it at walmart (the higher end fram)
This is 5k on Valvoline R&P. Filter looked fine when I put it in but now pleats closed up and it looks wavy. Almost like the filter is slightly to long and it got compressed a little.

View attachment 288135View attachment 288136View attachment 288137View attachment 288138

Looks ok. Glad to see you are still here sir. Thank You

 

[folzag2]

Need to wrap it in a few paper towels for an overnight or two then cut off the end caps and unroll it.

Look at my photos in this thread with the media together vs unrolled for how much more you can see that way.

F

Thread 'Heavily coked ML320 filter cut-open after 3000 miles'

Jun 22, 2025

Unknown Jiffy Lube filter.
3000 miles on RedLine HP 5W30 following JL's engine clean & flush service performed by previous owner prior to sale.

Loosened soot residue was dry and flakey. Had it occurred to me, I would have checked on and likely changed the filter after 1000 miles and every 1000 after until the oil reached 5000 miles.

Replaced with Fram XG8481 and Valvoline R&P 5W30.

More details including PCV chambers and under valve covers at https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/new-to-me-ml320.396893/

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• folzag2
• Replies: 10
• Forum: Engine Oil Filters

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[50yr Street Mech]

The last time I used a plain pleated filter was on a 1969 Toyota Corona/ 4 cyl / 4 speed stick. Found this car buried up to the doors in mud. I was a kid. Got it for $ 25 bucks. You name it, it was living in it. OC wasn't done for YEARS, along with anything else. But it started right up. I finally got around to the OC. The pleated filter was 95 % clogged, BUT, it was not all out of shape. Straight as an arrow. Something wrong with that Fram you got there. Wrong size, over tightened, somethin not right. Maybe something stupid like a dirty engine.