Disappointed with Wix

Status
Not open for further replies.
D

Drew99GT

Joined
Oct 11, 2002
Messages
22,216
Location
Colorado Springs
I got 2 Napa Proselect filters for my Corolla today. Upon looking into them, it looks like the anti drain back valve covers half the center tube, so I had to cut 1 open. Turns out the antidrain back valve is a combo antidrainback/bypass cheapy p.o.s. thingamajobber that in no way would ever seal tight and always allow unfiltered oil through. Plus, because of this fact, the filter element is HALF the size of the can; half the size of a Purolator or a Champion filter.

I've cut open a Napa Gold 1394 and it's the same; the element is tiny and uses the same element in the longer canned 1396.

Bottom line: won't be using these ever. The Supertech 4967 is about the best filter I've seen for my vehicle; solidly built, super clean - no paint peeling or metal shavings, and the bypass valve is solidly built and actually functional.
 
The WIX 51040 that I cut open seemed to be built very well, but I was kind of disappointed by what seemed to be a brittle paper element. I grabbed a hold of it with a pair of pliers and it actually made a crunchy noise like burnt toast.

The silicone ADBV looked like new though.
smile.gif
 
That's odd, all of the Wix filters I've used all had no issues with the ADBV at all. They all built up oil pressure instantly at startup. With the 21040 (ProSelect) I have on my mom's car now, you can barely even see the oil lamp coming on in the morning. It goes off in less than a second. I'm impressed, especially with the fact that they're only a few cents more than a Supertech. On the other hand, I've never had any issues with Supertech either. I still have one in my stash I plan on using sometime next year during my 2nd ARX run. I just prefer to avoid Wal-Mart whenever possible
laugh.gif
 
Well, the ProSelect needs NAPA to take the hit. They spec'd the thing. ..but the element in the NAPA Gold gets assigned to Wix.

Now about this "combo" deal on the proselect...
confused.gif
I've only ever heard of it on a Champ Ecore. Maybe Pete C. can give us insight into this disturbing turn of events (cue suspense music
shocked.gif
)
 
I am not completely sure I know what an anti-drain back device is...Though I will say this. I have always used Wix with no problems. Recently I switched to EAO and I could not be happier. Well if they were a little bit cheaper I would be happier but alas one gets what one pays for when buying an EAO. The "You get what you pay for..." saying does not always ring true. Sometimes you get less than you pay for. I feel like I get my money's worth using the EAO. Nice quiet start-up compared to others.
 
Tiny element; half the size of the can. Same as the Napa Gold 1394......the 1396 which has a can that's about an inch longer uses the exact same sized tiny element.

photo0008bm2.jpg



This pic is with the combo valve in position; the little notches are where oil flows through to act as the bypass; at the bottom of the combo valve thingamajobber is a lip that's supposed to seal against the bottom of the inlet side end cap, but it goes down to far so it's not flush.

photo0010gp2.jpg



Here you can see the valve thingy; noticed the lip at the bottom and the notches where the oil flows through. I guess when oil pressure is sky high, the oil pushes past that lip.

photo0011pd3.jpg


In the longer canned version of this filter, everything is the same but Wix uses a longer coil spring to make up the difference in length. That's lame if you ask me!
 
Last edited:
Nice work Drew.

Well, won't be using the 1396's I just bought. Is it expecting too much to have 3/4" more of paper?

Notice to mfg's: I WILL PAY THE MONEY IF YOU PRODUCE A TOP NOTCH PRODUCT. I'll probably just end up Amsoiling my entire car, regardless of cost.
 
The Napa Gold variety is much more solid with a real functional bypass valve, but the element is still tiny with not many holes in the center tube for oil flow.
 
Quote:



3/4" more of paper?



Click to expand...


That much more media and center tube would likely increase oil flow capacity by 50% or more. I couldn't get a good shot of the center tube of this dinky little element, but there's maybe 10 holes for oil to flow through because it's sooooo small. A Purolator or a Champion based filter likely has 3 times as many holes as the element is the same size of the can and they simply have more holes.
 
Here's the center tube. TINY.

photo0012yy7.jpg


And the inside of the tube where the lip in the combo valve seals.

photo0013yg0.jpg


In all honesty, it's not a bad design, it's just tiny. The filter itself is built like a brick ---- house; SOLID. The can is like 3 times as thick as a Champ or Purolator and the center tube is really thick and solid as well. In sizes where the manufacturer specs a bigger filter, I'd have no problem using this filter but the Corolla/Camry size.....hmmmmmmmmmmmm, I want more surface area and oil flow capability.
 
Quote:

Nice work Drew.

Well, won't be using the 1396's I just bought. Is it expecting too much to have 3/4" more of paper?

Notice to mfg's: I WILL PAY THE MONEY IF YOU PRODUCE A TOP NOTCH PRODUCT. I'll probably just end up Amsoiling my entire car, regardless of cost.

Click to expand...


ONE WORD...EAO... actually three but you know what I mean...
 
WOW,I use a NAPA Gold 1394 on my JD riding mower..
crazy.gif

I have a used JD filter (which is made by Fram) I guess I am going to have to cut it open and compare now
 
My brother and I crack up at tiny filters like that. We service Cat Diesels. The spin on oil filters are 8" in diameter and about twenty inches long.
 
I hope the NAPA Nascar Proselect filters aren't like that inside, I've got those filters for my wife's car and my car for our upcoming oil changes.
 
Drew, man ...see what you've done (visions of my experiences where my wife said, "See what you made me do?" )?? Ripples from the shock waves have reached BITOG wide. How could you do this...sharing this anxiety with so many others???
nono.gif




grin.gif


Pete C. needs to weigh in here. Wix needs their
fighter.gif
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Nuclear_42
Wix 57055 C&P "Disappointment"
2 3
Replies
45
Views
1K
daman
Hohn
Oil Filter Relocation for convenience and performance
2 3
Replies
46
Views
2K
Donald
jtr990
A tale of two Fram PH7317s
Replies
18
Views
2K
bullwinkle
F
Virgin Premium Guard PG4476 C&P - Toyota 90915-YZZN1 equivalent
2
Replies
24
Views
3K
SC Maintenance
T
PurolatorOne PL14615 Bypass Valve and Cold Flow Tests
2
Replies
30
Views
5K
ZeeOSix
Back
Top Bottom