Disappointing CHAMP / LUBER-FINER P1009 filters received from RockAuto

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Received from RockAuto today a order of 20ea CHAMP / LUBER-FINER P1009 oil filters for the 3.6L Pentastar in pretty bad shape. Fresh out of the first box I opened, I was bestowed a "MADE IN BRAZIL" marked filter that had excess glue coming out the endcaps, wide pleat spacing at the seam and some pleats not potted on the ends at the seam. Further inspection of the remaining filters showed the same conditions with some even having excess glue on the inner tube return side of the filters.

I have ordered these filters in the past from RA and either received CHAMP labeled ones made in the USA or LUBE-FINER made in China filters that were perfectly fine. I have seen the similar thing with some of the FRAM CH11665 filters on the shelf at Walmart also made in Brazil and somewhat excessive glue. I suspect First Brands is pulling from the same source for these also.

I have started the return process with RA and will see how that goes.

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Pretty bad that I now have to seek off brands because I know they will be made in China or Korea to get the quality and price point I want.
Seems US companies have no pride in their products anymore ... it's all about cutting corners, and raising prices to make more profits. That goes for more than just oil filters these days.
 
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Received from RockAuto today a order of 20ea CHAMP / LUBER-FINER P1009 oil filters for the 3.6L Pentastar in pretty bad shape. Fresh out of the first box I opened, I was bestowed a "MADE IN BRAZIL" marked filter that had excess glue coming out the endcaps, wide pleat spacing at the seam and some pleats not potted on the ends at the seam. Further inspection of the remaining filters showed the same conditions with some even having excess glue on the inner tube return side of the filters.

I have ordered these filters in the past from RA and either received CHAMP labeled ones made in the USA or LUBE-FINER made in China filters that were perfectly fine. I have seen the similar thing with some of the FRAM CH11665 filters on the shelf at Walmart also made in Brazil and somewhat excessive glue. I suspect First Brands is pulling from the same source for these also.

I have started the return process with RA and will see how that goes.

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CARQUEST premiums for life! They get my vote and I can get them at $4 my work account price
 
Seems US companies have no pride in their products anymore ... it's all about cutting corners, and raising prices to make more profits. That goes for more than just oil filters these days.
Yep its the race to the bottom, we joke about chineseium but now we are no different pumping out americaneseium these days while still projecting ourselves that our COO is better.
 
This were the first two I opened and got pissed off about and initially stopped. Started to inspect the rest and have about 10 open so far and other than the pleat spacing at the crimp seam being wider than I would like, they seem useable. I am going to still see how RA handles it and hopefully return them all.
 
This were the first two I opened and got pissed off about and initially stopped. Started to inspect the rest and have about 10 open so far and other than the pleat spacing at the crimp seam being wider than I would like, they seem useable. I am going to still see how RA handles it and hopefully return them all.
Good idea. I’d chooose the PENTIUS ones Glenda W showed us photos of.
 
Seems US companies have no pride in their products anymore ... it's all about cutting corners, and raising prices to make more profits. That goes for more than just oil filters these days.
Well thats what happens when we let these VC's leaver up on cheap debt and buy everything. They need to make the balance sheet look good so they can off-load it on someone else. Quality / customer satisfaction are meaningless to their short term thinking.
 
FB did similar with the Ultra XG Pentastar cartridge. Moved coo to Brazil from S. Korea, the latter being a forum favorite full synthetic polymer backed media cartridge. The current Brazil cartridge no longer backed and media appearance not near the quality of the S. Korea cartridge. Seems Brazil now the go to coo at least for the Pentastar cartridges.
 
This were the first two I opened and got pissed off about and initially stopped. Started to inspect the rest and have about 10 open so far and other than the pleat spacing at the crimp seam being wider than I would like, they seem useable. I am going to still see how RA handles it and hopefully return them all.
Sorry to chime in like a donkey.

Sloppy but no defects evident. Did you tear apart the one(s) that you thought were not potted? None of my beeswax but why did you buy 7 years' worth of filters and buy them blind?

Maybe you can get some satisfaction with the Luber
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Finer U.S. distribution reps and customer service @ 800-851-3641

Anywho, Good luck with your Gladiator going forward
 
Sloppy but no defects evident. Did you tear apart the one(s) that you thought were not potted? None of my beeswax but why did you buy 7 years' worth of filters and buy them blind?
I have not torn them apart because I was waiting on RA response. They are basically 2.5 years worth of filters at my current rate of driving plus they will be used with my son's Wrangler. As to "buy them blind" I have ordered these in the past multiple times as previously mentioned, no problems.

Like I mentioned, spot checked another 10 or so before I went to bed last night. Will check the rest later today when I get off work and if these two are the worst example of the batch, will just use them minus the two sh#t examples and move on. Not a hill I am going to die on. Only into them for $1.90 per filter with shipping factored in.

Posted more to give caution to others, not looking for a pity party.
 
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Got around to looking at the rest. I am going to take the loss on return shipping ($8) and send them back. Maybe they are serviceable but I cannot let that junk in my vehicles.

Have some Premium Guard PG6296EX Extended Life filters on order as some replacements.
 
Got around to looking at the rest. I am going to take the loss on return shipping ($8) and send them back. Maybe they are serviceable but I cannot let that junk in my vehicles.

Have some Premium Guard PG6296EX Extended Life filters on order as some replacements.
Post em up when they arrive!
 
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