A few more pics for you guys

[lubeowner]

I have had some requests to keep the pics coming and I had a little time today to cut open a few filters. I chose the usual suspects that I have seen the most problems with. They are Champion PH400 (Ford) and PH2808 (Honda), both clickers. The pics will speak for themselves. The Ph400 had about 4K and came off a Windstar van. The Ph2808 I am not sure of it's history, but noted the oil draining out was not very dark. Some of you need to understand that these filters are just in a big drainage barrel before going in our filter crusher at the end of the day and therefore it is hard to document the year, make, model, mileage, weather conditions, driving habits, and everything else I hae been asked by some people here. I am just collecting random samples and posting the pics, nothing more.

BTW, I would be forever grateful to anyone here that can direct me to a place that will allow direct linking to the pics. For now, if someone smarter than me wants to post the pics to this thread please feel free.

Filter Pics

 

[Gary Allan]

How 'bout just having more time on my hands??

 

[Gary Allan]

 

[blupupher]

quote:

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Originally posted by lubeowner:
...

BTW, I would be forever grateful to anyone here that can direct me to a place that will allow direct linking to the pics. For now, if someone smarter than me wants to post the pics to this thread please feel free.

...

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Here is a site that lists several free sites that allow linking. How long they will be free is unknown, but I have checked a few and they do work for now.

 

[Bryanccfshr]

www.photobucket.com is free, linkable and easier to use than imagestation(who I had to abandon too)

 

[Gary Allan]

lubeowner ..what's the issue (I don't understand

).

Isn't what I'm doing "linking"?? Now we can't "upload" to this server ..but anything else ..anywhere else you're linking (or am I having an episode here

)

All that I do it have two pages (actually two "tabs" in FireFox) and click on your thumbnails ..get them to full size and then right click on them "copy image location" ..go back to the reply box and hit "image" and paste the location.

What else would I do????

 

[blupupher]

Hmmm, interesting, imagstation is allowing direct links again...

 

[427Z06]

Hmmm...those filters must have some of that super advanced and long lasting filter media that's only been available after the beginning of the Third Millenium that Filter_Guy bloviates about.

 

[Schmoe]

Cool.

 

[Winston]

Thanks for the pics lubeowner. Any comments on the ADBV's? Functional? Warped? Brittle?

I hate to keep asking for data, but.... You posted pics of two failed filters. When you cut up the filters yesterday, how many filters had no obvious problems?

www.imageshack.us

Is a good pic host.

 

[lubeowner]

Winston,

The scary part is those are the only two I cut open yesterday!!! The ADBV's were both still very soft and in great condition. That is why I was surprised at how bad these filters were. They were not in use for an extended drain interval. In fact one of my employees commented on how good the ADBV's were and was surprised that the media had already failed. If they would have been rock hard I would have half expected what I saw but they were far from it.

 

[lubeowner]

Fully agree. Since I started this project you would not believe the junk being sold out there. BTW, today I think I discovered the worst oil filter to date. It was a Fram 2870 off of a 2003 VW jetta 2.0L. It is funny that Fram and Champ spec out the regular old VW filter for these cars. The Wix filters we recently switched to have 4 different part #'s for VW. Keep in mind these are the cars with a manufacturer recommended 10K drain interval. Wix specs out a totally different filter with a 33lb. bypass. The 2870 Fram and PH561 Champ have a 12-15lb bypass if memory serves. I believe this car had gone abour 5k, reasonable in my opinion. This POS Fram had no less than 13 holes blown through the media into the center tube. We have all seen these trademark Fram holes before but not on this scale. Along with the holes 3 pleats were torn off from the endcaps. I can't believe they get away with selling this s@#t. The sad part is that Fram and it's clones are the most widely used filters by my competitor quick lubes.

 

[CQUG4R]

Thanks for all the information.

I'm now using NAPA Gold’s on all my cars in the future.

I NEED to purchase an oil filter cutter now and examine my filters, too.

It looks like I WILL be purchasing a By Pass filter, most definitely. I mean, how can you rely on the filter makers to keep quality up when folks running Wal Mart and the rest, continue to pressure their suppliers to lower their costs? They look for ways to cut those costs and we suffer the consequences.

Your average DIYer will never cut open his filter and discover it failed.

Thanks again.

 

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by lubeowner:
The sad part is that Fram and it's clones are the most widely used filters by my competitor quick lubes.

---

You need a used filter display in you waiting room showing what various brands look like after use.

That should be even more impresive that the typical Wix alongside a POS filter that is so common in parts stores.

 

[loudist]

lubeowner, whats your experience on Motorcraft filters, specifically 820s for F150's?

 

[lubeowner]

Loudist,

I still say that as long as you can buy the Motorcraft filters for cheap at some of the discounters it is the best filter out there for the money, period. It may even be one of the best filters, period. They have a threaded end bypass, silicone ADBV (820s and 400s), lots of media that is strong and evenly spaced. I have never seen a problem with any Motorcarft filter. BTW, the construction Purolator uses for the Motorcraft line is much different the the equivalent part# in Premium Plus line. The Motorcraft is a heavy duty constructed filter and I would recommend them to anyone. I know that someone posted a pic of one that may have had a problem, but I would say it was definitely a fluke. I have cut open about 100 of them and hey are perfect every time, regardless of OCI.

 

[loudist]

Thanks lubeowner, for your experienced opinion.

 

[Evan R]

New guy gives his $0.02.

There are essentially 2 kinds of oil filters. Good and cheap.

There are buyers, whether for resale (store or shop buyers) or retail (end users) for both kinds.

There are still manufacturers of high-quality filters out there, for the folks who are willing to pay. You all know the big players.

Bottom line is that many retail buyers and lots of shops just want the cheapest filter, period.

It's a darn good thing the manufacturers of good filters won't cheapen their image by making a few pennies more.

(funny side note: *My* brand of choice, Mann, will sell you a darn good filter for about the price of a Fram at KMart, you just have to *find* the darn things)

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Speaking of Motorcraft filters, anyone know the AC Delco PF-52 equivalent in Motorcraft? I think the new Ecore AC 52s are about to emerge & I want to switch to Motorcraft's threaded-end valve system. I'm avoiding the Ecores until I start seeing some good photos of used ones.

 

[ZR2RANDO]

777,
The MC FL402 (if I remember correctly) is the xref for the PF52, but I never see them anywhere, you'll have to check around. That filter doesn't have a bypass to bother with (except for the ecore version anyway). I've been using the purolators for my trucks. I used the ST filters before the ecores showed up, but I won't use the ecores.