Champ XL Painted Dark Gray

[Rhymingmechanic]

I ordered some Champ XL filters from RockAuto back in September 2024. The PH59XL versions came with dark gray paint rather than the silver I'm used to. Photos below.

I called the Champion Labs tech line and asked if it's normal for the filters to be gray instead of silver. Bob, who answered the phone, said it was normal.

I'm wondering if anybody else has seen this design. The color is not quite as black as it looks in the photos--more of a very dark gray.

Also, PH2840XL are still silver but they are now e-core style, compared to the traditional Champ design with the metal center tube and large inlet holes that I got from an October 2022 order. Both 2840s have a blue plastic bypass button on the dome end.

 

[Hootbro]

Is there a concern beyond the paint color?

 

[burbguy82]

I am using a similar filter on my daughter 04 Tahoe Champ XL Synthetic I forget the number...... Doing a trial on the Amsoil Syn Blend, in another post using that filter.

Post in thread 'Amsoil Syn Blend 5w30, giving it a shot'

Dec 9, 2024

It's 2024 and we're talking about Amsoil Synthetic Blend with unknown drones flying around NJ the size of SUVs. Good times.

• buster

• 
• 

not sure of the "synthetic media" of the XL filter, but seems like good quality, and a great price.

 

[factorytuned2012]

I ordered some Champ XL filters from RockAuto back in September 2024. The PH59XL versions came with dark gray paint rather than the silver I'm used to. Photos below.

I called the Champion Labs tech line and asked if it's normal for the filters to be gray instead of silver. Bob, who answered the phone, said it was normal.

I'm wondering if anybody else has seen this design. The color is not quite as black as it looks in the photos--more of a very dark gray.

Also, PH2840XL are still silver but they are now e-core style, compared to the traditional Champ design with the metal center tube and large inlet holes that I got from an October 2022 order. Both 2840s have a blue plastic bypass button on the dome end.

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Maybe it was supposed to be an AC Delco Gold Ultraguard

 

[NiwradND]

Maybe it was supposed to be an AC Delco Gold Ultraguard

You were not suppose to figure that out, but the paint color was their fault. Now your going to cut into AC Delcos profit!

 

[factorytuned2012]

You were not suppose to figure that out, but the paint color was their fault. Now your going to cut into AC Delcos profit!

Ha

 

[Sayjac]

Cool! Looks like over 7 years old, might explain the can color and the louvered tube. Also, it does have a silicone adbv which in my observation of anecdotes, lucky to find on XL now.

With RA filters, 'can be' like Gump's box of chocolates, never know what you're going to get. Based on what I see, I'd use it.

 

[53' Stude]

I ordered some Champ XL filters from RockAuto back in September 2024. The PH59XL versions came with dark gray paint rather than the silver I'm used to. Photos below.

I called the Champion Labs tech line and asked if it's normal for the filters to be gray instead of silver. Bob, who answered the phone, said it was normal.

I'm wondering if anybody else has seen this design. The color is not quite as black as it looks in the photos--more of a very dark gray.

Also, PH2840XL are still silver but they are now e-core style, compared to the traditional Champ design with the metal center tube and large inlet holes that I got from an October 2022 order. Both 2840s have a blue plastic bypass button on the dome end.

View attachment 255955View attachment 255956View attachment 255957View attachment 255958

Color doesn’t matter. Ive used plenty of them as well as regular white can CHAMP LABS

 

[ZeeOSix]

How do the louvers look?

 

[Rhymingmechanic]

Is there a concern beyond the paint color?

I have spent enough time on this site that I wondered about counterfeits, or possibly pandemic make-do. I didn't want to sound like a crank asking about that on the tech line, though.

Except for the color, everything looks the same as the silver ones I've used. I was surprised, because silver paint seems to be part of the XL branding.

How do the louvers look?

Louvers are as good as I've seen, uniform and open enough that some media is visible.

Cool! Looks like over 7 years old, might explain the can color and the louvered tube. Also, it does have a silicone adbv which in my observation of anecdotes, lucky to find on XL now.

With RA filters, 'can be' like Gump's box of chocolates, never know what you're going to get. Based on what I see, I'd use it.

I didn't pay enough attention to the date to catch that. I was thinking this was a new change, but I guess it's the opposite. (The silver PH2840XL from the same order are dated December 2023.)

 

[silversport]

I bought some Champ oil filters from RockAuto and received a couple silver and a couple of the dark gray...had 2017 (like yours if I am reading the date code correctly) and have not had any issues with them in my 2005 GMC 6.0 V8 Yukon Denali...they appear the same construction to me but for the paint color...

I have only used 2 of these so far...one of the silver and one of the gray...

good luck with your choice

Bill