Another Premium Guard XL / Parts Plus / MicroGard

[Thebigm]

Really...
The label says Vietnam

I've had some that were made in Vietnam and some were made in China. They appear to be EXACTLY the same

 

[KCJeep]

Some are made in Vietnam. Some are made in China. They look exactly the same

I thought they looked the same also, but someone (I think it was @BrendanC ) posted his observations on some differences. All minor, and as we've seen from cut and posts they all come out great.

IIRC his conclusion was the quality on the Vietnam filters was slightly better but use either with confidence.

 

[Thebigm]

I thought they looked the same also, but someone (I think it was @BrendanC ) posted his observations on some differences. All minor, and as we've seen from cut and posts they all come out great.

IIRC his conclusion was the quality on the Vietnam filters was slightly better but use either with confidence.

What did he say the differences were

 

[BrendanC]

I thought they looked the same also, but someone (I think it was @BrendanC ) posted his observations on some differences. All minor, and as we've seen from cut and posts they all come out great.

IIRC his conclusion was the quality on the Vietnam filters was slightly better but use either with confidence.

Correct, the china made filters have a slightly darker media and silicone parts. and only a glued seam. Everything else is about the same. I wouldn’t hesistate to run either. I just like the CQ premium varients as they are the Vietnam varients at a super cheap price IF you can find them in stock. I have cleaned the houston market out of 84502’s

 

[Thebigm]

What did he say the differences were

Externally they are identical

 

[BrendanC]

+4

Comparison

• BrendanC
• Apr 2, 2024
• 13

comparison of STP XL S3675XL, Microguard select MSL51522, Fram Force FF3675, Fram Drive FD3675...

Externally they are identical

 

[KCJeep]

Correct, the china made filters have a slightly darker media and silicone parts. and only a glued seam. Everything else is about the same. I wouldn’t hesistate to run either. I just like the CQ premium varients as they are the Vietnam varients at a super cheap price IF you can find them in stock. I have cleaned the houston market out of 84502’s

Even that varies, the CarQuest Premium I have on hand is China. Still great looking quality though. Paint job looks like 20 coats and gleams like magic, real hefty in the hand too.

Two of my three are already converted to PG made filters.

 

[BrendanC]

Externally they are identical

I forgot to mention, the SAME vehicle fit was used for all of the filters in my comparison. The made in china was a much smaller media cartridge vs Vietnam.

 

[Zee09]

I thought they looked the same also, but someone (I think it was @BrendanC ) posted his observations on some differences. All minor, and as we've seen from cut and posts they all come out great.

IIRC his conclusion was the quality on the Vietnam filters was slightly better but use either with confidence.

The Chinese ones have a sprinkle of GTL lubricant in the can

 

[BrendanC]

Even that varies, the CarQuest Premium I have on hand is China. Still great looking quality though. Paint job looks like 20 coats and gleams like magic, real hefty in the hand too.

Two of my three are already converted to PG made filters.

Is it china with a silicone O-ring? I have yet to see one of those in the wild.

 

[Thebigm]

The Chinese ones have a sprinkle of GTL lubricant in the can

$7 at advance Auto with an online discount. Great value. In my opinion. I bought four while the price is that good

 

[KCJeep]

Is it china with a silicone O-ring? I have yet to see one of those in the wild.

Yes, the China CQ Premium I have has the silicone gasket o-ring. My Chinese OG EcoGards don't, nitrile gasket but still silicone ADBV. And they are green which obviously makes up for it.

 

[Zee09]

The EG versions are awesome too. Can thickness is amazing.
I love the can finish. No Fram rust here.

 

[BrendanC]

Yes, the China CQ Premium I have has the silicone gasket o-ring. My Chinese OG EcoGards don't, nitrile gasket but still silicone ADBV. And they are green which obviously makes up for it.

What part number? I’m willing to check local stock to see if I can find a Vietnam filter and do a virgin c&p to compare.

 

[KCJeep]

Mine is the 3614 equivalent IIRC the last three numbers on the size are 348? I thought I had a picture on here somewhere, but I can't find it.

 

[KCJeep]

Here’s a recent size comparison pic I took. Not great but if you look closely you can see the red gasket and China.

 

[Thebigm]

Here’s a recent size comparison pic I took. Not great but if you look closely you can see the red gasket and China.

View attachment 213590

And the shield base plate

 

[Thebigm]

Even that varies, the CarQuest Premium I have on hand is China. Still great looking quality though. Paint job looks like 20 coats and gleams like magic, real hefty in the hand too.

Two of my three are already converted to PG made filters.

I agree the paint job is unusually nice

 

[Zee09]

Here’s a recent size comparison pic I took. Not great but if you look closely you can see the red gasket and China.

View attachment 213590

I do think the green EG is older as the black ones have all silicone.

 

[KCJeep]

I do think the green EG is older as the black ones have all silicone.

It is November 22 so not real old stock but I do believe they have changed since then.