cartridge style fram? built pretty well

[ryan2022]

Hi guys, this istn the typical fram thread.

We just bought my wife a Mazda 3, and it has the cartridge style filter housing.

This means the filter is an instert rather than the typical can style. Its the first Ive seen of thse filters, other than in a friends BMW.

About the only filter I can find other than OEM was a standard Fram. Its the orange box, BUT, has black end caps, and a solid looking filter element. The OE filter, looked a little weak kneed when I pulled it out, but comparing the two, the Fram looked pretty good. The end caps, looked fused into the filter media, and it was pretty thicker overall.

I'm pretty confident using this sucker for a 5K 6 month OCI.

just a +1 for fram. they dont get many around here. Now......it was over $10!!

 

[sciphi]

Fram cartridges are outsourced and are actually decently-built, like you said.

I'd have no problems using a Fram cartridge filter. They're a different breed of cat than the Orange Cans of Doom.

 

[BGK]

I just bought a cartridge Fram for my Saturn; it was made in another country. A while back they were just taking the OEM German filter (for this application) and putting it into their box. Sources on filters change often; I noticed many of their filters are made in Israel, for example.

 

[ryan2022]

hmm, so it wasnt just me that noticed, good to know.

They seem really stout. Good stiff media, and the end peices are rock solid.

we'll see what it looks like in 5K. Should be fine.

thanks,

 

[JT1]

You should use the motorcraft filter for your 3, same quality but 5 bucks cheaper. If your talking about the ch9641 the cross refference for motorcraft is 2017b i think.

 

[Gary Allan]

It's not an orange can of doom. It's nek-kid

 

[ryan2022]

Thanks for that number.

That is the Fram number I beleive.

Saving a few bucks would be good.

 

[Eddie]

I use WIX or Ford cartridges in my Mazda CX7. Both are well built and the MC can be had at WalMart for about $3.79?. The WIX ( Napa Gold) can be hbought at Bumper to Bumper for ~ $5.40.

 

[GMBoy]

I posted a simliar thread months ago. The FRAM cartridge for my CTS was awesome looking (should be ar $10) compared the STP and AC Delco PLUS it was wrapped in a plastic wrapper. Kept it clean, the others were not like that. I actually bought it and while I hate FRAM orange cans, the cartridge was excellent.

 

[labman]

I used a few Fram PH 9018's when I could go the same Purlux filter for a buck less as was in an AC box. About the time they changed the number to CH and raised the price, I think I switched to Purolator which was more cheaper. $10? Another Fram rip off.

 

[deven]

Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
It's not an orange can of doom. It's nek-kid

 

[StevieC]

Originally Posted By: ryan2022
Hi guys, this istn the typical fram thread.

We just bought my wife a Mazda 3, and it has the cartridge style filter housing.

This means the filter is an instert rather than the typical can style. Its the first Ive seen of thse filters, other than in a friends BMW.

About the only filter I can find other than OEM was a standard Fram. Its the orange box, BUT, has black end caps, and a solid looking filter element. The OE filter, looked a little weak kneed when I pulled it out, but comparing the two, the Fram looked pretty good. The end caps, looked fused into the filter media, and it was pretty thicker overall.

I'm pretty confident using this sucker for a 5K 6 month OCI.

just a +1 for fram. they dont get many around here. Now......it was over $10!!


Of course the cartridge filters look good, because they don't have an "Orange Can with a Grippy Thingy on it" to distract you with!

Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
It's not an orange can of doom. It's nek-kid

 

[paulo57509]

Honda used cartridge filters on their '86 and '87 Acura model years. I will actually seek out a Fram for my '87 Legend.

The last case of 6 filters I found on ebay for about $4 a piece.

IMO, the Frams are better built than STP or NAPA filters for my application.

 

[gonzo]

I've used the Fram cartridge for my vehicle too.(00 Olds.Intrigue)Funny thing is that Autozone sells these cheaper than you're neighborhood Wal-Mart.About $3.50 cheaper at A-Zone.

 

[stranger706]

I used the Fram cartridge filter in my Mazda3 a few times also. I was impressed...it never came out crushed at end of OCI like the purolator filters did. Seemed like a pretty stout little filter. Some people on the Mazda forums did report having problems with the o-ring(s) included with the Fram. The Fram o-ring was not as thick as the OEM o-ring, and a few people reported having small leaks as a result. This may have been just a bad batch and Im pretty sure Fram now supplies the correct size o-rings.

Last year I installed the Mazda3 spin-on oil filter conversion kit and haven't looked back.

 

[SuperBusa]

It's kind of puzzling why some of these cartridge filters are so expensive. It seems they should be cheaper (or no more than) a spin-on with the same filtering element inside. Is there really anything that special about these $10~12 cartridge filters?

BTW - I think more and more car manufactures will be going the cartridge filter route in the future.

 

[labman]

I think the public is being hosed. No way am I going to pay Wal-Mart $10 for a CH 9018 when AAP has a PF 457 for less than half.

 

[Gary Allan]

Distribution ...volume. Now you can actually get a different filter from whatever was available at one time. People are still opening boxes from different vendors and finding the same filter in some applications.

It's one of the few instances where buying a Fram wasn't a questionable act. They probably didn't make the thing.

I hate to see the end of the spin-on. You'll get OEM spec (however that's determined to be met or exceeded - if it can even be done)..and that's about it.

 

[labman]

I would like to see some sales figures. My 02 wasn't the first year of the Ecotec engine. There are tons of them out there, and I think some other engines use the same filter. They have to be selling more of them than many of the spin ons.

Oh, the lovely spin on. Put the car up on ramps, crawl under and get hot oil on you as you unscrew a sidewise filter. How about all the debate on the best tool for removing them? I won't miss them when they are gone.

 

[Gary Allan]

Sure, there are plenty out there now. But it's hard to trump about 40 years of spin-on filters in the field. I recall everyone getting some filter from either Romania or Poland at one time (maybe not your #) regardless of which box they opened.

Most are pretty easy to change out ..but some merely replaced the spin-on with a canister in the same spot.

I'll "feel" more comfortable when there are PureOne/M1/EaO offerings in all the cartridge filters. That "welcome to heaven, here's your harp = welcome to hale, here's your accordion" one size fits all motif just isn't a natural act for me.