Filter Observation: Fram Ultra 9018

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I changed the oil and filter in the wifes 2014 Equinox. To my knowledge the 9018 had a recommended interval of 10k miles last time I changed it. Well on this one the interval was 15K miles and it had a piece of metal in the media holding it together. I might be late to the dance but I thought I would mention this. I didn't take a picture and the Fram website hasn't even updated their site on the 9018. The old filter looked good and it's so robust that the media wasn't even wavy. I've seen many Valvoline filters that we're wavy along with the Purolators that we're wavy. This is maybe because I don't go the full interval that Fram recommends.
 
All Fram Ultra's have a steel wire backed screen holding the media in place. Is there something else you saw besides this? That is the same filter i use to service my buddies Cobalt, it's the only filter i use on there since i have seen how bad those engines beat up everything else including oem filters with waves and distortion.
 
Originally Posted By: Stewie
10k on severe OCI better watch out

The 10K OCI is for mostly freeway driving. Do an early LOF change around 3K to remove extra contamination and varnish (from overdoing things at 15K) and then get on a 5K OCI for mixed driving and prevention of fuel dilution issues from GM's D.I. engine that shears oil faster than normal.

Fortunately, you had an excellent oil filter to take the abuse.
 
Originally Posted By: Stewie
10k on severe OCI better watch out


He never mentioned his oci/FCI but I doubt the Ecotech will let you go 10k anyway.

In any situation the Ultra has the highest capacity for contamination out of any filter you can use, so if people go past 0% OLM on the oem filter the Ultra can handle it.
 
The oil filter recommendation is just that a recommendation. Lube shops recommend you change your oil at 3,000 miles for the same reason. They want to make money.

All filter manufacturers that I know of, warranty their filters to the full extent of the owner's manual specs. Often as high as 15,000 miles.
 
I ran the regular CH9018 on my 2005 Ecotec that I had using the GM Oil Life Monitor. Though the filter was rated to 5k OCI, the oil change intervals were normally 7-8k as per the monitor. I used whatever group III oil was on sale. Never had an issue, sold the vehicle at 100k and the engine was fine (though there were other issues, but not the engine).
 
Originally Posted By: WobblyElvis
The oil filter recommendation is just that a recommendation. Lube shops recommend you change your oil at 3,000 miles for the same reason. They want to make money.

All filter manufacturers that I know of, warranty their filters to the full extent of the owner's manual specs. Often as high as 15,000 miles.


What warranty is this? If someone with an old sludged up engine plugs up his filter in 3k miles, and it is in bypass for 12k more miles, they don't care, nor do I. As long as it stays in one piece, it passes.
 
Originally Posted By: Droopy
901 Memphis It was a piece of aluminum that ran the same way the pleats ran and it was the full length.


You're talking about the metal crimp on the seam of 1 of the pleats?

That's normal, Unless there were multiple pieces of said metal?
 
Originally Posted By: Droopy
901 Memphis It was a piece of aluminum that ran the same way the pleats ran and it was the full length.


Such as the filter in this thread? https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3635256/Re:_FRAM_XG3614_%7C_12,409_Miles

fFFhkk.jpg
 
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Originally Posted By: Stewie
10k on severe OCI better watch out


He never mentioned his oci/FCI but I doubt the Ecotech will let you go 10k anyway.

In any situation the Ultra has the highest capacity for contamination out of any filter you can use, so if people go past 0% OLM on the oem filter the Ultra can handle it.


Well on this one the interval was 15K miles
 
Originally Posted By: Stewie
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Originally Posted By: Stewie
10k on severe OCI better watch out


He never mentioned his oci/FCI but I doubt the Ecotech will let you go 10k anyway.

In any situation the Ultra has the highest capacity for contamination out of any filter you can use, so if people go past 0% OLM on the oem filter the Ultra can handle it.


Well on this one the interval was 15K miles


Caution is always a good thing.
Panic and fear-mongering are not.

Generally, "severe" service (as described by the OEM manuals) frankly isn't. At least not in terms of most healthy engines.

I've run 15k miles on my wife's minivan (FL400S); total soccer-mom type runs including short trips, multiple starts, etc. This pics are posted here from some time ago. Absolutely nothing indicated any issue whatsoever upon dissection.

The SAE study Ford/Conoco was run with taxi's in Las Vegas (plenty of heat and stop/go driving) out to 15k miles, and had no mention about filter issues, and showed the lubes were in excellent shape. This would be "severe" by their own manuals, and yet nothing bad happened whatsoever. In fact, wear rates dramatically dropped and filters continued in use.


I have no objection to anyone offering a bit of caution, because one needs to be aware of the operating conditions and general equipment heath.

But not for one second do I believe that because 15k miles was the duration, it somehow is "severe" in terms of real world application.
 
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