AAP Filters and Purolator The SAME FILTER
- Thread starter bfrey64
- Start date
- Status
That is only true if it is the same filter media. No proof one way or the other.
On the other hand...... 10 less pleats means better oil flow. 1/2 glass full, 1/2 glass empty.
Bottom line....these are a heck of a filter for the price on sale.
I now have my own stash of these now due to the BOGO sale.
not to nitpick, but I imagine if you opened up most filters that the media pleats would be different. I am not sure how quality control works in most places but it varies from place to place, company to company. Most products that come off a production line does vary, that is why there are die-lots and time stamped. I bet if you would cut open ten from ten different die-lots or times they would be different, but pictures prove more then words!!! Nice pictures anyway.
But the fact remains that the way the pleats are held together are completely different and the absence of the string (which is a Purolator giveaway, the Mopar I cut apart had the string and looked very similar to the Purolator).
To me this says 2 different lines that the media is done on.
I have not counted any other AA or PP filters pleat count, but on my Hyundai filters, they are always the same. I currently have a Pure one on my van now, and another going on next change, bought at different times at different stores, so I will see how their pleat count compares. I would think as far as a QA thing, the pleats would have to be identical or no more than 1 different from one batch to another. Automated machines make it only 1 way, time after time.
I also just went and looked, they have different center tubes. One has smaller, but more, holes and the ADBV has different numbers on it, even though they appear and feel the same.
BTW, I really do like the grippy stuff on the can, they all need this on them.
Also, I wounder why AA does not offer a Pure 1 equivalent (kinda like NAPA and CarQuest do with the Wix filters)? A Pure 1 quality filter for less than the Pure 1 would be nice.
To me this says 2 different lines that the media is done on.
I have not counted any other AA or PP filters pleat count, but on my Hyundai filters, they are always the same. I currently have a Pure one on my van now, and another going on next change, bought at different times at different stores, so I will see how their pleat count compares. I would think as far as a QA thing, the pleats would have to be identical or no more than 1 different from one batch to another. Automated machines make it only 1 way, time after time.
I also just went and looked, they have different center tubes. One has smaller, but more, holes and the ADBV has different numbers on it, even though they appear and feel the same.
BTW, I really do like the grippy stuff on the can, they all need this on them.
Also, I wounder why AA does not offer a Pure 1 equivalent (kinda like NAPA and CarQuest do with the Wix filters)? A Pure 1 quality filter for less than the Pure 1 would be nice.
Until we get someone from inside the company to come forth, all this filter quality comparison is pure speculation.
After all the incidents reported here, why anyone would believe the answers given on a tech. line or by a counter person is beyond me. I've been told that all Ashland oils are identical and all Johnson Control batteries are identical.
Blupupher offered simple evidence and some are still in denial.
Years ago, a member on the Edmunds forum "said" he worked at a filter paper company that made many grades of paper supplied to various filter companies. He said it was impossible to judge paper quality visually and that it was VERY easy for a manufacturer to switch paper grades between runs (filter A vs. filter B).
We believe what we want to believe to make us feel better about our decision.
In the meantime, none of this probably matters. Here is a link to Edmunds. Start about post 177 and it goes on Many pages - somewhat interesting:
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX?14...0filter%20media
After all the incidents reported here, why anyone would believe the answers given on a tech. line or by a counter person is beyond me. I've been told that all Ashland oils are identical and all Johnson Control batteries are identical.
Blupupher offered simple evidence and some are still in denial.
Years ago, a member on the Edmunds forum "said" he worked at a filter paper company that made many grades of paper supplied to various filter companies. He said it was impossible to judge paper quality visually and that it was VERY easy for a manufacturer to switch paper grades between runs (filter A vs. filter B).
We believe what we want to believe to make us feel better about our decision.
In the meantime, none of this probably matters. Here is a link to Edmunds. Start about post 177 and it goes on Many pages - somewhat interesting:
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX?14...0filter%20media
Last edited:
Since my '00s filter is horizontal, I look forward to installing the AAP filter.
Triple_Se7en
$50 Site Donor 2024
These companies use deceptive wording in their replies to customers. If Ashland told you that all Ashland oils found in various labels are identical, then why didn't you reply asking if the add-packs are all identical - if the percentages of different group oils in isolated weights are identical & why the now buried UOAs here at BITOG shows differently than what he says.
I just went thru this with SOPUS -- where a tech told me that at no time was Group V used to produce Platinum. Yet there's more than one thread here at BITOG that shows otherwise.
You have to get a tech's first & last name when calling these companies -- otherwise you cannot believe anything they tell you.
Last edited:
I agree 777. And with a bit of investigating my opinions changed. Which brings us back to the original poster's assertion that AA filters are exactly the same as Puralators.
Here's just one post from the Edmunds filter paper guy:
"Yes, the same filter maker can make filters that meet different specs. They can increase or decrease the pleat count, thus changing the total number of square inches of media in the filter. They can also use different grades of paper for some elements, with the higher performing grades being used in the premium filters. So, even though two filters might be used for the same application and made by the same company, they could be quite different in their performance.
If they are making a filter with their own brand, then they set the specs for the filter performance, but if they are making a private brand filter, then they have to meet the specs agreed upon with their customer.
Most of the big name filter makers have OEM (original equipment) accounts, and these filters have to meet the specs that the auto makers set."
Here's just one post from the Edmunds filter paper guy:
"Yes, the same filter maker can make filters that meet different specs. They can increase or decrease the pleat count, thus changing the total number of square inches of media in the filter. They can also use different grades of paper for some elements, with the higher performing grades being used in the premium filters. So, even though two filters might be used for the same application and made by the same company, they could be quite different in their performance.
If they are making a filter with their own brand, then they set the specs for the filter performance, but if they are making a private brand filter, then they have to meet the specs agreed upon with their customer.
Most of the big name filter makers have OEM (original equipment) accounts, and these filters have to meet the specs that the auto makers set."
So, what does that prove? Are you saying that a filter with 150 square inches of premium grade paper is worse than a filter with 165 square inches of least quality grade paper?
We don't know! And around and around we go.
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2002
- Messages
- 39,798
Cartridge (black marks are from me counting with a marker): (just above the image)
If you're referring to the 'color banding' that appears to go around the media in terms of color variation, there are like lighter color bands at other locations above and below the midsection. So
OK, I just decided to totally cheap out and bought a case of AA3387a (PF47 equivalent) totalgrips for my Forenza. I sacrificed one in the name of science.
It had 48 pleats, fourteen (20%) less than an eqivalent premium plus. It looked exactly like the QS equivalent, except that the media was lighter in color, and looked thicker and fuzzier. The end pleats were held together with the typical (1/4" too short) metal clip.
In 50,000 miles, I'll let you know if my engine self destructed. Ah, the things we do for the sake of science.
It had 48 pleats, fourteen (20%) less than an eqivalent premium plus. It looked exactly like the QS equivalent, except that the media was lighter in color, and looked thicker and fuzzier. The end pleats were held together with the typical (1/4" too short) metal clip.
In 50,000 miles, I'll let you know if my engine self destructed. Ah, the things we do for the sake of science.
Odd that one AA has a metal clip holdng the media together and another has glue??
I will probably cut the media and see what the exact length is between the two.
What I don't understand is why some are getting so defensive?
Nobody is saying the AA filters are garbage, just not "identical" to the Purolator as a rep told the original poster.
As I said before, I will be using my AA8 on my van for 6 months/5000 miles, just the same as I do with Wix, Pure One, Mopar, and Premium Plus.
I will probably cut the media and see what the exact length is between the two.
What I don't understand is why some are getting so defensive?
Nobody is saying the AA filters are garbage, just not "identical" to the Purolator as a rep told the original poster.
As I said before, I will be using my AA8 on my van for 6 months/5000 miles, just the same as I do with Wix, Pure One, Mopar, and Premium Plus.
I cut out pieces of media from some filters I had on hand and looked at them with a 30X microscope. I wanted to post pictures, but I couldn't get our digital microscope working this morning.
The AAP paper looked about the same as a two year old QS equivalent I had, which a Purolator tech guy once told me had the same paper as the Premium Plus. The AAP was lighter in color, but the fiber size and porosity looked about equal. The AAP might have been a little finer, but it was a tough call. The AAP media measured about 10% thicker with a caliper . . . .020 vs .018. I didn't see any obvious evidence of finer glass or PET fibers blended in, but the media seemed pretty tough when I cut it. All of the fibers appeared to be coated with some sort of resin. Maybe I just don't know what to look for.
I also had a BMW spin-on motorcycle filter handy. The media on that one was physically a lot stiffer. It appeared much coarser and more open . . . a "looser" filter media so to speak.
Why do I find this interesting?
I gotta get a life . . .
I think we all do....
Well, let's hope the AA is OK....using my fiance's 2001 Honda Civic with 106k miles as a guinea pig... AA filter and supertech 5W-30 dino oil for 4k miles and then getting an analysis by blackstone labs.
Then I'm doing the same with Q-power 5W-30 and MC filter for my 2001 Ford F150 Screw with a 5.4L.
Then I'm doing the same with Q-power 5W-30 and MC filter for my 2001 Ford F150 Screw with a 5.4L.
You know what, I took the customer services agent at their word. I am not going to interigate them for answers on an oil filter. I too need to get a life, so I'll take my case of filters and be happy with a good deal and a good filter. Honestly, for 1.44 a filter its a darn good deal and I don't think anyone will disagree. If you want to spend 10 dollars for a M1 filter or a K & N, EAO, whatever, go a head. I'll use 7 of the AA before I get to that price.
- Status
Similar threads
