I am looking at changing the oil filter in my Ford F-150 PowerBoost. I saw that getting the Fram Ultra Synthetic is about the same price as the Motorcraft. The Motorcraft uses a cheaper calleous media where the Fram uses the better synthetic media. Would there be something wrong choosing the Fram over the Motorcraft?
Ford OEM vs. Fram Ultra Synthetic
- Thread starter NH73
- Start date
motorcraft filters aren't worth the price tag any more. Fram Ultras offer best in market filtration efficiency, but there are concerns about the bypass leaf spring stamping on fram filters lately.
I would suggest a premium guard/stp xl/ microgard select, purolatorone, or wix/napa gold (not wix xp or napa platinum
I would suggest a premium guard/stp xl/ microgard select, purolatorone, or wix/napa gold (not wix xp or napa platinum
What concerns on the bypass stamping? Is this only a reticular filter or all Fram? Seems there is something that can go wrong with any filter.
We are finding poor stamping of the leaf spring causing ripples and or the sealing surface not being flat. This causes a gap between the spring and the end cap that doesn’t go away with pressure or heat. This is affecting Fram and Champ made filters currently.
I have owned a few Ford trucks and I have used both. Lately I have been using the OEM filter. No real reason other than I trust it should work ok. I think either one is good and the engine will probably be the last thing to go.
Would you know if the lower priced Fram Extra Guard PH filters have any kind of design issues. The Fram EG filters have 95% efficiency @ > 20 microns, and sell for $3.50 on Amazon subscribe and save. I was worried that if Fram is cheapening their filters, the Fram EG filters could be affected in some way as well.
Last edited:
Motorcraft is Purolator, and same chance of tearing 
Get the Ultra, or better yet, the Endurance
Get the Ultra, or better yet, the Endurance
At first we were confident that the Fram fiber end caps would seal in the TG and EG filters. Thanks to @Lawnman23 for sacrificing a new TG that proved otherwise unfortunately.
Thanks for that very helpful info. I have a large stash of Fram Ultra and Extra Guard filters.At first we were confident that the Fram fiber end caps would seal in the TG and EG filters. Thanks to @Lawnman23 for sacrificing a new TG that proved otherwise unfortunately.
Has this issue always existed or is it a new recent issue. If it's a new issue, perhaps my filters bought a few years ago might be unaffected?
I believe it’s a newer issue. Guess it depends on your comfort level. If I were you I’d run your newest Ultra and do a c&p after to confirm. Then make a decision to run the older ones.
Purolator Ones are now allowed back in the graces of BITOG... Interesting...
What's strange is the impression in the end cap in post 12 of that thread doesn't show the leaf spring ripples in the impression - the entire impression looks smooth, and the impression is all the way around the center tube. With as much ripple seen in that leaf spring, I'd think they would show up in the end cap impression.At first we were confident that the Fram fiber end caps would seal in the TG and EG filters. Thanks to @Lawnman23 for sacrificing a new TG that proved otherwise unfortunately.
- Joined
- May 28, 2014
- Messages
- 2,515
I've opened up so many that I've used and none of them had any issues.
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2024
- Messages
- 737
The Boss uses the beige glue and a synthetic polyester media. The only issue for me is the louvers, have to check them.
The ripples are indeed felt on the spring itself but they may not be significant enough to leave an impression in the endcap. In the third pic here, I can rotate the spring around and find certain spots the almost eliminate light leakage while pressing down on it. It's tough to say how it looks in the can on its own though, perhaps it sealed "good enough" as it was assembled.
The overall concern lies in the quality of the leaf spring stamping that is being shown more and more now, across the Fram line. With the lack of sealing gasket on the metal end cap models, the EG/TG models fiber end caps may do a better job at reducing leakage...but its still sketchy and disheartening to see.
2 quick questions:
[1] So the effect of this new defect on Fram's oil filters is it will let unfiltered oil through, which will potentially cause more engine wear.
[2] Would anyone know if the Fram Ultra 40,000 mile / 4 year Air filters sold exclusively at Walmart have any similar defects, where it could let air bypass the filtering material and go straight into the engine?
[1] So the effect of this new defect on Fram's oil filters is it will let unfiltered oil through, which will potentially cause more engine wear.
[2] Would anyone know if the Fram Ultra 40,000 mile / 4 year Air filters sold exclusively at Walmart have any similar defects, where it could let air bypass the filtering material and go straight into the engine?
The spot where the leaf spring fits the best is probably the spot it was in before the filter was cut open. The areas in the impression where it's slightly lighter in depth is where the rippled sides of the leaf a spring were located before the filter was cut open.
Think there was a thread where a rippled leaf spring did leave matching impressions in the fiber end cap, so I thought it was strange this one didn't based on how much ripple this leaf spring had, and the impression was all the way around the center tube hole.
Last edited: