Another youtube FRAM video

[Soobs]

I was just cruising youtube again looking at different filters that folks have taken apart and came across this video.

So, I'm not a FRAM hater. I'm not concerned with fiber-end caps... I'm not concerned with the lower amount of pleats... It is what it is. An entry-level economy filter; however, there is something in this video that is a big concern to me. Such a shame that this can even happen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kX0xrqvlsNI

 

[Herz]

he has a failed fram, I have seen that before with some I have cut open. Unfiltered oil passes through un-hindered.

 

[sangyup81]

there's a hole in the media?

 

[Herz]

Originally Posted By: sangyup81
there's a hole in the media?

Thats not unusual with Fram Extra and Tough guards.

 

[beast3300]

ouch.....I can't say that I never used one before.

 

[dsmith41]

Supertechs are cheap and they aren't orange. End of story.

 

[demarpaint]

I stopped using them years ago upon joining BITOG and reading about them. Glad I stopped using them, and I'm positive after seeing that video I won't be using them again. I was always kept an open mind when reading about them and discussing them. I won't ever use one again now. Glad I saw the video.

 

[ThirdeYe]

I've never seen that happen, but I'd imagine that could happen with any brand. Looks like an assembly defect, not a design defect. Probably rare, but scary never-the-less. It's almost like he's running no filter at all.

 

[shpankey]

They should cut open an Extended Guard

 

[Boatowner]

I am not a Fram defender, far from it, I believe friends don't let friends buy Frams. However, is it possible this guy sabotaged the filter? It looked like there was zero filtration material over the holes in the inner core. Did it come like that or did he poke holes?

Falsifying results does not advance the anti-Fram cause. Is it like the picture of a failed Fram posted about 3 years ago where the failure looked like it was caused by a 9 mm bullet?

I want honest information about how bad Frams are for the money. I was convinced years ago and now always buy lower priced Wix filters at Napa or Carquest.

 

[ThirdeYe]

Originally Posted By: shpankey
They should cut open an Extended Guard


Check river_rat's comparisons from the bench thread. I sent him one and he cut one open & tested it.

 

[Herz]

Originally Posted By: Boatowner
I am not a Fram defender, far from it, I believe friends don't let friends buy Frams. However, is it possible this guy sabotaged the filter? It looked like there was zero filtration material over the holes in the inner core. Did it come like that or did he poke holes?

Falsifying results does not advance the anti-Fram cause. Is it like the picture of a failed Fram posted about 3 years ago where the failure looked like it was caused by a 9 mm bullet?

I want honest information about how bad Frams are for the money. I was convinced years ago and now always buy lower priced Wix filters at Napa or Carquest.


Biggest problem with fram is QC, I have cut open many used frams and have seen some pretty horrific stuff. imploded media, completely unglued caps, broken media, loose parts, they are just horrible...Not every Fram fails but I will say probably out of the estimated 12 or 15 I have used on the 2.5 3 were defective, and 1 from my Sierra that imploded on its self. but now I found a wally land 30 miles away that stocks the appropriate ST for my application (ST16) and I work near it. They even have the Motorcraft versions too! yay.

BUT their Xtendedguard is a heck of a filter.

 

[Nick R]

Finally irrefutable proof that FRAM Xtraguard/Toughgard are terrible in quality and quality control. This is why I will never ever any fram but their extendedguard if I felt like picking one up.

 

[demarpaint]

To me since I stopped using them years ago, it becomes a case of why bother using them again? For the same money I can get a better filter. Funny thing is I might have even defended them. That video and other remarks here have me thinking that maybe they are the garbage that many members here call them. The way I see it they certainly don't need my money and I don't need their filters. Pretty simple. I don't think the guy sabotaged the filter, and if he did I've read enough info here to backup why I won't use them anymore. If Purolator filters prove down the road to be as bad as the Frams are I'll stop buying them too.

Businesses are in competition for my money. I want to get the best I can for the money I'm willing to spend for something. If a better product comes along I'll try it, if its good I will continue to use it.

 

[dsmith41]

There was a Fram engineer on here a couple weeks ago that said he was sent out by the company to defend their filters on internet forums. I wonder where he is? He probably left BITOG after a day or two.

 

[SuperBusa]

Originally Posted By: dsmith41
There was a Fram engineer on here a couple weeks ago that said he was sent out by the company to defend their filters on internet forums. I wonder where he is? He probably left BITOG after a day or two.

 

[Soobs]

Originally Posted By: dsmith41
There was a Fram engineer on here a couple weeks ago that said he was sent out by the company to defend their filters on internet forums. I wonder where he is? He probably left BITOG after a day or two.


I could be wrong, but I believe the FRAM engineer was on a different forum (website) and someone had posted his Q&A here on BITOG.

In any event, if you folks watch the "How It's Made: Automobile Oil Filters" video I posted here https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/how-its-made-automobile-oil-filters-video.124229/ you can see how this defect might happen. Where are the Quality Control people? Perhaps Discovery Channel neglected to show them or perhaps they don't really exsist. From the program it just looks like the assembly line machines spit these things out as fast as they can and off they go into boxes for store shelves.

Something else that would be interesting to know is the variation (if any) of quality-control oversight between Honeywell(FRAM) OEM products vs. their aftermarket products. The FRAM aftermarket filter for my Subaru is built in the USA, but the OEM filter is built in Canada. I bet there is better oversight and quality control with their OEM filters. I hope anyway.

 

[sunfire]

Originally Posted By: Boatowner
I am not a Fram defender, far from it, I believe friends don't let friends buy Frams. However, is it possible this guy sabotaged the filter? It looked like there was zero filtration material over the holes in the inner core. Did it come like that or did he poke holes?

Falsifying results does not advance the anti-Fram cause. Is it like the picture of a failed Fram posted about 3 years ago where the failure looked like it was caused by a 9 mm bullet?

I want honest information about how bad Frams are for the money. I was convinced years ago and now always buy lower priced Wix filters at Napa or Carquest.


The thing that crimps both ends of the filter media together failed. The edge of the media got folded back during assembly and left an opening. It looks like a genuine defect to me. This can happen with any brand filter. But why is it when I see posts like this its always FRAM?

 

[postjeeprcr]

Originally Posted By: sunfire
Originally Posted By: Boatowner
I am not a Fram defender, far from it, I believe friends don't let friends buy Frams. However, is it possible this guy sabotaged the filter? It looked like there was zero filtration material over the holes in the inner core. Did it come like that or did he poke holes?

Falsifying results does not advance the anti-Fram cause. Is it like the picture of a failed Fram posted about 3 years ago where the failure looked like it was caused by a 9 mm bullet?

I want honest information about how bad Frams are for the money. I was convinced years ago and now always buy lower priced Wix filters at Napa or Carquest.


The thing that crimps both ends of the filter media together failed. The edge of the media got folded back during assembly and left an opening. It looks like a genuine defect to me. This can happen with any brand filter. But why is it when I see posts like this its always FRAM?


Because on this site if you do not bash Fram with everyone else you are not cool or part of the "in crowd".

 

[Sayjac]

Quote:
The thing that crimps both ends of the filter media together failed. The edge of the media got folded back during assembly and left an opening. It looks like a genuine defect to me. This can happen with any brand filter. But why is it when I see posts like this its always FRAM?
True, it does look like an assembly defect that could happen to any filter. Add to it that it wasn't caught by QA. Don't what the chances are that it could happen the one time the guy cuts it open, but it did. OTOH, it might make one wonder how many others, if any, got through. Fairly serious defect.

IMO, it's Fram here because a defect like this only reinforces the orange can image of cheaply built(fiberboard endcaps) over priced filter, lacking quality.

That said, because it's sealed, the majority of folks don't know what's inside the orange can, and others don't care because it's good enough. The Honeywell/Fram orange can marketing and advertising team does a brilliant job of churning out the 3X better, full page ads in the magazines like Motor Trend and others. And, it's doubtful Fram has much to fear from an individual youtube or negative opinions expressed here. It could be said of the orange can, that Fram seems to emphasize advertising media, as opposed to "engineered media" of the endcaps.