Amsoil vs ???

[Gebo]

I have been a loyal Amsoil user for over 25 years (started young). I made my mind up and have never considered other possibilities. I exclusively use their greases, gear lubes, ATF, and oil filters. Have only been disappointed in their Air Filters and can't quite pull the plug on the antifreeze. I take care of 7 vehicles and all are either Lexus (old ones), Toyota, Honda or Acura (vtecs).

I flop around between 5w-30, 10w-30 and 0w-30. Currently I'm with the 0w-30. Two weeks ago, I go to my dealer to get more oil filters for my Toyota/Lexus and they have been recalled. Was shown a Mann filter as a replacement. Didn't like the cheap looking box or the color of the filter plus I had never heard of it before. I stopped by the Toyota dealer on my way home and picked up an OEM. Took off the EAO-057 (I think) and put on the OEM. The ticking I had previously at start up went away on my LX470.

I am now questioning the quality of their oil filters. Remember, I have been using AMSOIL since I was 25 and I am not a troll or a basher. I don't care how a product is marketed. I just want the "best" and am willing to pay for it.

This oil filter issue now has me questioning their oil as well. I was up 'til 2 am this morning on this site and started again this am. Has my "head in the sand" approach left me in the dust? I read about this German Castrol (Gold, Green and 5 year old, hexagon head) Mobile 0w-40 and I am wondering is there a better kid on the block?

I'm so far behind it's it TOO much info for an older man to go through.

Is 0w-30 my best choice at Amsoil? I do 10K (or once/year) changes.

I'm gonna find the Japanese made OEM oil filters for my Honda's and Toyota's. That will solve the oil filter problem. i don't know if I should change the oil filters at 5K or go the entire 1 year or 10k.

I guess I'll stay with WIX for the Air...

 

[BobFout]

MANN is a premier European oil/air/fuel/cabin filter manufacturer. They are OEM for many Euro vehicles.

You didn't like the box or the color of the filter?

 

[StevieC]

Amsoil's SSO 0w30 is their best oil and hands done one of the best if not the best on the market both from what I have seen/read and experienced first hand using the product.

Their filters are excellent and well built and offer superior filtration. They have had some issues in recent years but I don't believe this is poor manufacturing practices or suppliers on their part but rather trying to achieve OEM fit/performance requirements and companies like Toyota are making them really small nowadays and it's hard for Amsoil to allow long OCI's on such a small filter.

Remember this is what Amsoil's prime business is, extended OCI's so any filter they come out with need to stand up to their 25K & 35K change intervals with room to spare in some of the most grueling climates.

They can't make them any bigger because it's hard to tell if it will fit each vehicle properly due to filter location or affect the vehicles operation as set out by the manufacturer and this isn't good in case of warranty concerns. Also each filter usually has more than one application so it has to suffice multiple applications and this is hard to achieve.

They also can't test every vehicle on the market as it isn't practical so it leads to recalls and problem with the filters not being able to do the longer runs and this is why they recommend OEM filters or OEM drain intervals. It's the fault of the manufacturer who designed the vehicle for dino oil changed at much shorter OCI's and spec'ed a smaller filter because they assume this will be the majority of its customers applications.

As someone who has run Amsoil for a while I can tell you the products just keep getting better and better and Amsoil strives to be the best out there and that hasn't changed and I don't think it will, so I would have every confidence in their products especially because they stand behind what they sell 100%.

If you are only doing 10K per year I would use a Purolator PureOne or an M1 filter instead. Cheaper for yah!

Steve

 

[daves87rs]

Maybe it was just a bad oil fliter? Sometimes certain engines just like certain filters...

I've heard nothing but good things about the EAO filters...I wouldn't question the oil though. Amsoil is good stuff, granted the other oils are catching up out there. The only downside would be the price...as for 10k runs you could find cheaper out there ( M1,PP,PU) oils and filters to do the job.


I'm sure other BITOGers will chip in...


My bottom line: Only change it if you really want to, or if you need to save some money...

 

[tig1]

I wouldn't worry about Amsoil or their other products. Use them with confidence.

 

[StevieC]

Tig are you feeling ok?

J/K my friend!

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: BobFout
You didn't like the box or the color of the filter?

Perhaps some prefer orange or neon yellow instead of basic black.

Considering I get Mann (and Mahle and German Bosch) under $5 Canadian and cheaper than anything else I can find, I'm happy to use them.

 

[Shuttler]

Here is a special service message (SSM) from the ford oasis network about problems with modular 8 engines I use that can be encountered when using an aftermarket oil filter.

21049 1997-2010 MULTIPLE VEHICLE - 4.6L/5.4L - ENGINE TICKING AND/OR RATTLE NOISE
MULTIPLE VEHICLE LINES WITH 4.6L OR 5.4L ENGINE MAY EXPERIENCE AN ENGINE TICKING OR RATTLE NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE A STUCK TAPPET (HLA). THIS MAY BE DUE TO THE DETERIORATION OF AN AFTERMARKET OIL FILTER. VEHICLES WITH THIS CONDITION HAVE LOW OIL PRESSURE AT ONE CYLINDER HEAD ONLY, WHILE MAIN PRESSURES ARE NORMAL. DISLODGED MATERIAL FROM THE AFTERMARKET OIL FILTER BLOCKS THE CAM CAP OIL PASSAGE, EITHER AT CYLINDER #4 (RIGHT BANK REAR) OR CYLINDER #5 (LEFT BANK FRONT). FOR VCT EQUIPPED ENGINES, INSPECT THE VCT VALVE BODY AND THE OIL PASSAGES UNDER THE FIRST CAM CAP. DAMAGE TO ENGINES CAUSED BY AFTERMARKET OIL FILTERS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/22/2009

 

[simple_gifts]

Quit your worrying! Mann up. (j/k)

 

[StevieC]

Originally Posted By: Garak
Originally Posted By: BobFout
You didn't like the box or the color of the filter?

Perhaps some prefer orange or neon yellow instead of basic black.

Considering I get Mann (and Mahle and German Bosch) under $5 Canadian and cheaper than anything else I can find, I'm happy to use them.


Do tell where... I use Mahle for my '89 Cabriolet and I can't find them that cheap.

 

[Mokanic]

Originally Posted By: Shuttler
Here is a special service message (SSM) from the ford oasis network about problems with modular 8 engines I use that can be encountered when using an aftermarket oil filter.

21049 1997-2010 MULTIPLE VEHICLE - 4.6L/5.4L - ENGINE TICKING AND/OR RATTLE NOISE
MULTIPLE VEHICLE LINES WITH 4.6L OR 5.4L ENGINE MAY EXPERIENCE AN ENGINE TICKING OR RATTLE NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE A STUCK TAPPET (HLA). THIS MAY BE DUE TO THE DETERIORATION OF AN AFTERMARKET OIL FILTER. VEHICLES WITH THIS CONDITION HAVE LOW OIL PRESSURE AT ONE CYLINDER HEAD ONLY, WHILE MAIN PRESSURES ARE NORMAL. DISLODGED MATERIAL FROM THE AFTERMARKET OIL FILTER BLOCKS THE CAM CAP OIL PASSAGE, EITHER AT CYLINDER #4 (RIGHT BANK REAR) OR CYLINDER #5 (LEFT BANK FRONT). FOR VCT EQUIPPED ENGINES, INSPECT THE VCT VALVE BODY AND THE OIL PASSAGES UNDER THE FIRST CAM CAP. DAMAGE TO ENGINES CAUSED BY AFTERMARKET OIL FILTERS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/22/2009

FRAM is who they are speaking of without the liability of calling names. FRAM and Ford have hostile relations going back to the early 90s. And with good reason. FRAM killed a number of Ford engines back then.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: Mokanic
Originally Posted By: Shuttler
Here is a special service message (SSM) from the ford oasis network about problems with modular 8 engines I use that can be encountered when using an aftermarket oil filter.

21049 1997-2010 MULTIPLE VEHICLE - 4.6L/5.4L - ENGINE TICKING AND/OR RATTLE NOISE
MULTIPLE VEHICLE LINES WITH 4.6L OR 5.4L ENGINE MAY EXPERIENCE AN ENGINE TICKING OR RATTLE NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE A STUCK TAPPET (HLA). THIS MAY BE DUE TO THE DETERIORATION OF AN AFTERMARKET OIL FILTER. VEHICLES WITH THIS CONDITION HAVE LOW OIL PRESSURE AT ONE CYLINDER HEAD ONLY, WHILE MAIN PRESSURES ARE NORMAL. DISLODGED MATERIAL FROM THE AFTERMARKET OIL FILTER BLOCKS THE CAM CAP OIL PASSAGE, EITHER AT CYLINDER #4 (RIGHT BANK REAR) OR CYLINDER #5 (LEFT BANK FRONT). FOR VCT EQUIPPED ENGINES, INSPECT THE VCT VALVE BODY AND THE OIL PASSAGES UNDER THE FIRST CAM CAP. DAMAGE TO ENGINES CAUSED BY AFTERMARKET OIL FILTERS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/22/2009

FRAM is who they are speaking of without the liability of calling names. FRAM and Ford have hostile relations going back to the early 90s. And with good reason. FRAM killed a number of Ford engines back then.



I remember that...

 

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: StevieC
Tig are you feeling ok?

J/K my friend!

Feeling fine. I've always thought Ams was a good product. I use their Saber 100 to 1. Excellant product. Back in the 70s I used their 10-40 engine oil and filters. When M1 came out I switched to that because of ease of buying.

 

[Gene K]

I hope you at least got a Denso. I hope you didnt turn down a Mann for a China Filter.

 

[Pablo]

EaO57 is made by Wix IIRC. WIX, Baldwin/Hastings or Donaldson make Amsoil oil filters.

Wix makes Amsoil AF's.

As others have stated, not every car is a great match with every brand of oil filters. Wix does seem to have ADBV issues with some cars that are particular. Have not heard of issues with Lexus, mainly Ford.

Nothing wrong with Mann filters. Used them for years in Volvo - including extended drains. Good filter. In fact I just bought a batch.

In an odd comparison, Amsoil must have a tougher time working with filter manufacturers to design and manufacture filters vs. oils. Natural since they "make" the oils on site, Amsoil can control the process as tight as they like. Filters, they can spec. within industry norms, specify the Ea media - but Wix are not going to retool for the steel parts. Wix makes a good filter, but something must be up with their ADBV.

With the Mann's I also bought some EaO20's. I do like the fact that the Mann for the Hondas are $3.55.

 

[StevieC]

Pablo,

The wix filters I have used on the Santa Fe didn't have the ADBV drain back problem but these EAO's I have had recently have. So I'm thinking it's a poor QC batch ?!?

 

[Pablo]

There must be some odd way the ADBV material interfaces/seals on the inside of the filter face. OR they made an engineering change which puts the margin right to the limit. This is not the first time with ticking and Wix (yes many filters have had the tick over the years)

A few years ago there were reports in certain engines with the WIX ADBV actually being ingested. I just can't get that one down the craw. How could that happen? I mean credible people found traceable bits the ADBV in the engine?? How???

 

[StevieC]

It's just a bit of ticking on start-up not a big deal because it resolves in 2 seconds but it's annoying...

Think I might stay OEM until I hear back from Amsoil that it's resolved.