A counterfeit filter

[Prelude]

I thought you might be interested to see a counterfeit filter or at least to learn that they indeed exist. This filter was purchased online in the Ukraine as a genuine Renault filter. I know very well what a Renault filter looks like so I decided to cut the suspect open. I always check the ADBV by blowing the air in the centre tapped hole. The ADBV did not work to say the least.

Here are some pictured. Some of the pictures were taken earlier with a better camera.

Whoever produced this filter didn't know French well.

The ADBV is not spring loaded. No wonder it leaked.

Relief valve spring is very weak. Calculated opening pressure is 0.4 bar.

Very thin media was not glued properly. There are areas with no glue whatsoever.

At last, here is a real one with a spring loaded ADBV and a special media shape.

 

[Barkleymut]

run it and let us know how it works

 

[JHZR2]

Wow, that's a small filter. What's it for, a twingo?

I have no doubt that stuff like this is counterfeit. Scary...

 

[Errtt]

At least its a pretty glittery blue with shiny gold lettering.
wow... the real deal (last pic) is one stubby of a filter.

 

[ZeeOSix]

What's with the real filter in the last photo? ... strange setup.

 

[JHZR2]

the old ecotec filters used to be pleated that way. Probably a better surface area aspect.

 

[Prelude]

What is wrong with the OEM filter? Looks very usual to me. A picture of a new OEM filter:

The filter is for a Logan. It may also fit a Kangoo or a Clio with the same engine. Very small with only about 45 mm in height. I don't have it handy to verify.

 

[KCJeep]

Wow!

I guess the counterfeit doesn't melt down cause it's in bypass all the time?

 

[daves87rs]

Wow...

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
the old ecotec filters used to be pleated that way. Probably a better surface area aspect.


I doubt it results in any more media surface area because with the "Z" squiggle in the pleats you can only get 1/2 as many pleats in the filter.

 

[Andy636]

Originally Posted By: Prelude
What is wrong with the OEM filter? Looks very usual to me. A picture of a new OEM filter:

The filter is for a Logan. It may also fit a Kangoo or a Clio with the same engine. Very small with only about 45 mm in height. I don't have it handy to verify.


LOL...didn't knew you have Dacia there

Anyway that filter comes standard on a multitude of 1.4 gas engines that Renault drops into different models.

 

[Shannow]

Posted here previously that I was looking around for filters and found that for my Nissan, I could get filters made for $1.03US on the wharf for 500min. Any packaging that I wanted, including "OEM" (according to the agent).

Given the variability in the Nissan filters, in terms of supplied O-Ring, and greasy feel/smell, I'm wondering how many of the Genuine ones I have come across.

 

[Sayjac]

Finding this post a bit confusing. Is the first light blue filter shown the same as the dissected dark (looking) blue filter in the latter pics?

Fwiw, the dissected filter looks very similar in construction to the DriveWorks filter sold at AAP. Naked eye of pics doesn't look like poor construction, 'looks' decent. As for adbv, never seen a specific thread end spring for adbv. The adbv is generally held in place with pressure from the coil or leaf retainer spring in the dome. The adbv shape and construction then is supposed to hold it against the tapping plate and seal the intake holes. Not doubting it failed your blow test, but I don't see from the pics anything out of the ordinary regarding the nitrile adbv shown or how it should function.

Only spring I've ever seen at the thread end is for a thread end bypass mechanism. This leads me to wonder about the thread end spring shown in the "real one". Is there another retainer spring in the "real one" in the dome end, not shown? If not perhaps that spring serves as the retainer spring in the genuine filter? (That would be unusual but so is the weird zig zag construction of the element.) Or is that spring part of a thread end bypass? Without seeing more of the "real" element construction, difficult to know exactly the function/purpose of that spring.

No doubt though the dissected filter does not look identical to the genuine construction shown last.

 

[Prelude]

Originally Posted By: sayjac
Finding this post a bit confusing. Is the first light blue filter shown the same as the dissected dark (looking) blue filter in the latter pics?


Yes, it is the same filter. As mentioned before some pictures were taken earlier with a different camera.

There are two spring loaded valves in this filter. The one you see in the picture is an ADBV. It has a large diameter back plate and a light spring. Absolutely the best design which doesn't rely on the flexibility of the rubber part. And very compact. The bypass valve is on the opposite side and very traditional with a spring loaded resin plate for better seal (a counterfeit one has a metal one). Trust me, it is there.

No doubts, they tried to make it look like a genuine filter. Even the box looks like genuine. The only problem, it is junk.

 

[Errtt]

Still looks stubby... like where is the rest of it

 

[901Memphis]

And some people are angry that Ford shrank the FL400S. That thing is so tiny.

 

[Sayjac]

Quote:
...There are two spring loaded valves in this filter. The one you see in the picture is an ADBV. It has a large diameter back plate and a light spring. Absolutely the best design which doesn't rely on the flexibility of the rubber part. And very compact. The bypass valve is on the opposite side and very traditional with a spring loaded resin plate....

That answers one of my questions that it's not a thread end bypass spring mechanism.

However my first question was, is there a coil or leaf retainer spring in the dome of the oem. Seeing as there is no mention of one now, then my assumption that the spring shown at thread end serves as the retainer for the element is correct. If that is the case, then I would suggest that is it's primary function. The difference in that design is instead of the element being held in place from the dome by a coil/leaf spring, it's held from thread end. A better design perhaps, though most nitrile and silicone adbv's work just fine as designed with a traditional dome mounted coil/leaf retainer spring.

The lesson I'd take from this is when buying online, only buy from a trusted reputable source and not on price alone. Caveat Emptor.

 

[Prelude]

Yes, there is a coil spring in the dome end. No leaf springs in the OEM filter.

 

[Sayjac]

Ok, definitely a unique design then. First time I've seen a separate spring soley for the adbv. But the zig zag media design is also unique so it seems fitting.

Thanks for the clarification.

 

[webfors]

The OEM has a unique design. Been a while since I've seen something new in the oil filter section of BITOG.