Cut n' Post -- Baldwin B31 Filter Issue After 3500-Mile OCI

[SteveG4]

Hey All -- for the first time in my life, I've cut open a canister filter and inspected it. This is what I found concerning a Baldwin B31 with a 3500-mile OCI on my 2006 Silverado and its long-lasting Gen III 5.3L engine.

I'm posting 2 pictures immediately to show the issue/problem. One of the two spread pleats adjacent to the joined pleat broke loose from both glued ends.

My truck was not driven harshly during this summer and fall interval. I installed a Boss 14006 filter in its place for winter. I'll have to see how it fares. Other filters on-hand include Fram Ultras and a few wix filters.

Of course, I'm not happy with this initial find.

 

[I<3oil]

Oh wow. I’ve always heard really good things about Baldwin filters. Ouch.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Always possible regardless of brand, that wide pleats + sideways force from flowing oil = torn media.

 

[Zee09]

[QUOTE="I Oh wow. I’ve always heard really good things about Baldwin filters. Ouch.
[/QUOTE]
I have always said bad things here about Baldwin...Run of the mill filters. Of course the lovers from decades past b slap me...lol

 

[SteveG4]

I have always said bad things here about Baldwin...Run of the mill filters. Of course the lovers from decades past b slap me...lol

I do like Baldwin's thicker canister case, but this pleat separation issue won't let me purchase them again.

I do have other longer or taller, traditional filters without "wire-reinforcement" to use during summer months. They include the Wix 51522 and Bosch 3423. Hopefully, they fare better. Otherwise, I have a 5 each Fram XG3506 filters to use during harsh winter months. I'm set for awhile. Note: all filters kept in a HVAC controlled environment -- shelved in the mudroom between my attached garage and family room.

Will post the mentioned filters above, now that I've mastered filter canister cutting with my Dremel tool.

 

[Bighorn2500]

May want to reach out to them regarding the quality, I have in the past regarding a sloppy air filter and they made it right. Regardless of anybody’s personal feelings about them, I’d take the five minutes to write an email.

 

[SteveG4]

May want to reach out to them regarding the quality, I have in the past regarding a sloppy air filter and they made it right. Regardless of anybody’s personal feelings about them, I’d take the five minutes to write an email.

I submitted a nicely worded failure notification via their on-line, website contact form. I'll post the reply when received.

 

[OVERKILL]

Always possible regardless of brand, that wide pleats + sideways force from flowing oil = torn media.

Yup. I've just defaulted to synthetic media filters on everything I can.

 

[B00kemDan0]

You can see where the pleat was once embedded in the adhesive. This could have been from handling (before installed) or else from media embrittlement from media inability to live through heat cycles (under-cured or over-cured, no glass in the media?).

 

[Zee09]

I wrote them on May 31, 2017 at 11:45 AM from my email account about a B1410 filter.
I just looked it up now. I know they are still going to get back to me... ( true)

 

[BERLIN]

I'll continue to use Baldwin filters, quality error happens at every company, I've opened a few of their filters and they were always in great condition you just had some unfortunate luck, be sure to contact them and follow through!

 

[SteveG4]

I'll continue to use Baldwin filters, quality error happens at every company, I've opened a few of their filters and they were always in great condition you just had some unfortunate luck, be sure to contact them and follow through!

They haven't responded yet...

 

[SteveG4]

Yup. I've just defaulted to synthetic media filters on everything I can.

I've defaulted to wire-backed synthetic.

 

[Zee09]

They haven't responded yet...

You are at least 4 years behind me.
I think my reply is coming soon???

 

[OVERKILL]

I've defaulted to wire-backed synthetic.

Yes, that wired backed bit is a given, I won't be giving the "new" Ultra a spin.

 

[BERLIN]

They haven't responded yet...

"Follow Through" Have you called Baldwin? Whare did you buy the Baldwin filter? Do they have a sales representative?

 

[SteveG4]

"Follow Through" Have you called Baldwin? Whare did you buy the Baldwin filter? Do they have a sales representative?

In Baldwin's defense, it's only been a few days. I haven't complained. Nor am I complaining at this point.

Others here have a right to complain though!

The purchase was via Amazon. I don't remember seeing a date code on their box or on the filter itself, so I didn't and don't know its age. In my possession, it remained in a HVAC controlled environment for approximately 18 to 24 months as I rotated other older filters through their service period.

I'll give the company till the end of next week ... right before I come off vacation. Then, I'll call them.

 

[SteveG4]

No response from Baldwin ...

 

[Zee09]

No response from Baldwin ...

Same as my experience.