Cartridge filters ease of use

[ledslinger]

I saw a discussion where Toyota owners were complaining about the difficulty of changing cartridge filters. Seems the entire canister would unscrew and make a mess when the cap was trying to be removed. Possibly the cap was too tight and the canister shouldn't unscrew if all is right.

Can you tell me how easy your cartridge filter is to change and if it can readily done without spilling oil. I'd like to have an engine with a cartridge filter someday, I like that the element is visible to inspect before and after use, less waste, and I assumed easy and clean to change.

 

[Quattro Pete]

It all depends on the location of the cartridge. If it's under the engine and facing down or sideways, then I can see how it can make quite a bit of a mess when replacing. If, on the other hand, it's at the top of the engine and facing up like on my BMW or even my wife's old mercedes, then it's really a pleasure to work with. I never spill any oil on these cars.

 

[bmrlvr]

it really depends on how the filter housing is mounted on the engine. I had BMW's for over 20 years that had the filter cover facing upwards and high on the engine. For those, it made changing the oil a breeze because I changed out the filter first and then used a Mity Vac to suck all the oil out of the dipstick tube. However, some newer models have their oil filters the bottom of the engine with the covers facing down and for those, you have a drain plug for the filter that you have to remove before you remove the cover. These also require you to remove the plastic panel at the bottom of the engine before getting to the filter. Much more difficult and messy.

 

[147_Grain]

While a cartridge oil filter takes longer to change than the typical spin-on filter (depending on location), it's not too bad if you have the correct wrench or socket to unscrew the canister lid. Because of this, I'm running two OCI's in my Toyota's with the cartridge filter.

Suggest you invest in the $10.00 special tool at Autozone to make the job easier.

 

[tig1]

My 2007 Fusion has a cartridge filter and I find it easy to replace. I bought a filter wrench from O'Reilly's. I like the ability to inspect the filter without all the hassle of cutting open a spin on.

 

[Rat407]

The Camaro with the 3.6 as well as the CTS with the 3.6 are a breeze to change. No mess and other than changing out the o-ring just as fast as a spin on filter IMO.

Our Cruze is easy but located a little more down and out of the way so it isn't a top of the engine easy change, but not hard either.

 

[greenjp]

Probably referring to a thread of mine from a while back that got a little contentious

Cartridge filters are not inherently easy or hard to service, it is their implementation that is entirely at issue. I just did another change on that 2012 Rav4 over the weekend, while the issues that made the first time so maddening have been resolved (I now have the appropriate tool and more experience) it is still an unacceptablly complex solution to a very simple problem, as evidence by the great many superior solutions implemented by other manufacturers. This coming weekend I'll be doing a change on a 1994 BMW where the cartridge filter is mounted on the top of the engine (as I understand Mercedes, GM Ecotecs, and others have) and it is very very easy.

jeff

 

[WobblyElvis]

I have and continue to own both types. Spin on and cartridge. I prefer the cartridge.

 

[Jimzz]

The cartridge on our old Mercedes and our current CTS are easy and not messy. The cartridge on my SiLs Lexus and some customers Toyotas is a little messy as they are under the car and sideways. Let alone you have to buy a specific tool to open.

I rather have a cartridge.

 

[Sayjac]

I have different vehicles using both types, still prefer spin on.

That said, if one has an engine top mounted cartridge, they do lend themselves well to use with an oil extractor and no oil drain plug access/removal required.

As for the Toyota engine bottom cartridge set up, guess some like it ok. But it reminds me of a Rube Goldberg design. With the proper tool(s), suppose one would get used to it though. But spin on would definitely be my preference there. Just me.

 

[CT8]

40 years of fixing anything from pressure sprayers to semi trucks or the company owners new Vette I prefer spin on.

 

[Danno]

Ground rule is to always get the correct cap to remove the filter cartridge cap.
2009 Venza with 3.5L V6.
Cartridge is a little tricky first time, but after that rather simple to do. 2 step process to drain the filter and then remove it gets easier with practice. Bosch cartridge filter has a screw in fitting to drain the housing which works really well.
2010 Corolla 1.8L cartridge - sometimes tough to get enough leverage to loosen the housing when car is on my ramps. Easy otherwise.
2008 Pontiac G5 with 2.2L engine. Easy, easy easy with proper 32mm nut to remove filter cover.
2011 Chev Equinox 2.2L Ecotec. What a PITA. The filter is same spot and design as the G5, but is buried under cables and other stuff. Hard to get to and access without special off set wrench or other more costly solutions.
I would say it depends on the design to say cartridges are easier or harder to change than standard spin on filters for my 2013 Sonata and 2010 Mazda 3.

 

[surfstar]

My Vue's ecotec cartridge is easier and cleaner to remove than my Civic's spin on. My past Mazda had a spin on I could remove from the top and was less messy, but still not as conveniently located as the Vue.

Don't let that sway your car buying experience. New vehicles can go longer with better oil anyways, so its not like you're doing a filter change every 3k/3mo anymore.

 

[BISCUT]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
It all depends on the location of the cartridge. If it's under the engine and facing down or sideways, then I can see how it can make quite a bit of a mess when replacing. If, on the other hand, it's at the top of the engine and facing up like on my BMW or even my wife's old mercedes, then it's really a pleasure to work with. I never spill any oil on these cars.


+1 My BMW has the I6 and easy as pie. Location, location, location!

 

[Bgallagher]

Originally Posted By: surfstar
My Vue's ecotec cartridge is easier and cleaner to remove than my Civic's spin on. My past Mazda had a spin on I could remove from the top and was less messy, but still not as conveniently located as the Vue.

Don't let that sway your car buying experience. New vehicles can go longer with better oil anyways, so its not like you're doing a filter change every 3k/3mo anymore.


+1 Agreed. My Ecotech Malibu is a sinch to do and it is nice location and easy to remove.

 

[Blang]

Like others with the Ecotec, my Cavalier (in signature) has been the most pleasant car for me to change oil on. I'm able to keep things very clean and it doesn't take long at all. My favorite oil filters have been the ACDElco/Hengst filters. Last one, for what it's worth, had very straight pleats after over 6,000 miles of use.

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted By: bmrlvr
it really depends on how the filter housing is mounted on the engine. I had BMW's for over 20 years that had the filter cover facing upwards and high on the engine. For those, it made changing the oil a breeze because I changed out the filter first and then used a Mity Vac to suck all the oil out of the dipstick tube. However, some newer models have their oil filters the bottom of the engine with the covers facing down and for those, you have a drain plug for the filter that you have to remove before you remove the cover. These also require you to remove the plastic panel at the bottom of the engine before getting to the filter. Much more difficult and messy.


Exactly. The cartridge filters on the BMWs are dead easy to change. The cartridge filter on the Mazdaspeed is under the car and is a pain to change- I am SO thankful that my Mazda dealer gives free oil changes for as long as you own the car!

 

[SilverC6]

Toyota filter cartridges are a little more difficult and messy than a spin-on type filter.

A lot of trouble for nothing, in my opinion.

But the environmentalists are happy because you don't have all the used oil filter cans at the landfill.

But I'd pay Toyota extra to get a spin-on filter on my Camrys and Land Cruiser.

Indeed, the BMW 6 cyl. is a piece of cake on top of the engine. However, it would be even easier if it were a spin-on filter at the same location.

The cartridge oil filters on the newer V8 M6 and 550 are underneath, under a panel, under a cover, etc.

Burrowing in to replace them is much worse than it has to be.

 

[kkreit01]

I love them on my Pentastars (top-mounted). I hated the cartridge filter on my '07 Fusion 2.3L (bottom-mounted).

 

[Kira]

Hello, The cartridge housing on my Volvo 5 cylinder-used in 850's, 40,60,70,80 and 90 series Volvos-lives with its open end up. Very easy.
My old small metal strap wrench requires a bit of leather in it to get a bite on the canister.
After 90 degrees of turning it just spins off easily. The element simply pulls away from the engine block.
Shove the new element into place. Oil the large "O" ring and tighten by hand.
I actually love how you can feel the "O" ring go into its bore. Then the housing seats.
If you over-tighten it, you're not paying attention.

OBSERVATION and CONCLUSION: Why element filters alone cost more than media in a can with bypass and ADB valving has to be because we, the consumer, can see and feel the lone element.
Plain elements have to be of better construction.
The can makes it a "blind item", like a couch. Couches are covered in cloth. Who knows what's inside 'em.

Perhaps the premium was due to the fact that element filters were used exclusively on expensive imports until recently.

Will the price of element filters decrease now that they're gaining popularity?

Or, since so much old oil is being dumped destructively and it's only a matter of time before changing our own oil will be outlawed, will the industry simply gouge us while they 'can'?

What do you think? I'm guessing. Kira

ps Thanks to all the fools who dump oil. It's so hard to recycle.
Used motor oil in my ground water! I don't care, I'm an American!

please note, this is sarcasm.