Fram Endurance Flashlight Test in canister

[Ronn]

They could make a tight fit in the end cap hole and do away with the protrusions in the hole. If the parts in hole were conical it would seal well almost like a compression fitting.

Here’s the recent pic on a non leaker (above). Note the elevated ring around the hole. That’s what’s providing a seal…no gasket required.
The other pics are from same area on FE and it’s FLAT, allowing minute spaces under the bypass. If you zoom in on the first one, you can even see the rough border there as well, preventing tight contact. The second one is actually from another FE, which is also rough with some debris as well,

 

[Fair enough]

Just another comment on this. For the FS2 there is a cut open one on this website manufactured what looks like Oct or Nov 2022 that is wire backed BUT the end cap design changed and there is no seal between the end cap and the leaf spring.

For the XG2, I have found that a Jan 2023 manufactured one has pink media and is wire backed but again, the end cap design changed and there is no seal between it and the leaf spring.

The earliest dated XG2 I have seen with the pink media and seal between leaf spring and end cap was manufactured May 2021.

Other models may vary. The end cap design change is simple to spot. The OG with seal will have the base end cap with ears and the dome end cap as smooth. A pink media without seal will have both end caps smooth. So if you see posts here with date codes but no clear shot of the end cap that should have a seal, the ears or lack of ears will tell you which one it is.

The one I have did away with the ears that keep the element from shifting too much. Good eye.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Here’s the recent pic on a non leaker (above). Note the elevated ring around the hole. That’s what’s providing a seal…no gasket required.

View attachment 241183

If the leaf spring isn't flat and smooth where it seals with that raised ring, then it will not have a good seal on the metal -to-metal interface. Both sides need to be flat and smooth to make a decent seal.

 

[Fair enough]

Here’s the recent pic on a non leaker (above). Note the elevated ring around the hole. That’s what’s providing a seal…no gasket required.
The other pics are from same area on FE and it’s FLAT, allowing minute spaces under the bypass. If you zoom in on the first one, you can even see the rough border there as well, preventing tight contact. The second one is actually from another FE, which is also rough with some debris as well,

View attachment 241183

View attachment 241184

View attachment 241185

I’m not as concerned with the leaks so much, am beginning to change my mind, but not yet. I see the raised ring on mine, both end caps have it. On the xg2 I bought there is this metal point sticking out of the bypass spring. I think the machine was so dirty when my spring was made a piece of stray metal got caught and stamped into the spring.

 

[ZeeOSix]

There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind that Fram is well aware of the bypass “imperfections” and concluded that it’s a “tolerable” situation. It’s obviously being driven by cost considerations. I would be truly surprised to see a “fix” anytime in the foreseeable future.

They may not really know how ratty their stamping quality is becoming. Look how many filters here have been shown with really bad louvers, and it's somewhat random, so manufacturing QA is always dynamic and can change for many reasons. If they read this forum, they should know now, lol. Hey Fram, hire someone who knows how to stamp out flat and smooth leaf springs.

 

[Glenda W.]

I’m honestly concerned with more than just the gaps now. QC is in the craper. What don’t we know about? I’m not going to support a company with workmanship.This is beginning to be like the tears we would see on a regular basis with m+h.

 

[Glenda W.]

I’m not as concerned with the leaks so much, am beginning to change my mind, but not yet. I see the raised ring on mine, both end caps have it. On the xg2 I bought there is this metal point sticking out of the bypass spring. I think the machine was so dirty when my spring was made a piece of stray metal got caught and stamped into the spring.

Would you be concerned if you had two tears .75x.020 in the media?

 

[ZeeOSix]

The O on my leaf spring is not stamped its by laser etching. It’s on both sides.

Not sure what you're describing. Laser eched?

 

[4WD]

I’m honestly concerned with more than just the gaps now. QC is in the craper. What don’t we know about? I’m not going to support a company with workmanship.

Yet, still have razor sharp cartridge filters … feels like double standards provided the can has nice paint

 

[ZeeOSix]

Would you be concerned if you had two tears .75x.020 in the media?

Not if the flow Cd was zero.

 

[Fair enough]

From wiki, about drawing metal. My bypass valve has lots of wrinkles and stretch marks. So this may be operator or supervisor skill.

“Metal​

Main article: Wire drawing
Successful drawing depends on the flow and stretch of the material. Steels, copper alloys, and aluminium alloys are commonly drawn metals.[4]

In sheet metal drawing, as a die forms a shape from a flat sheet of metal (the "blank"), the material is forced to move and conform to the die. The flow of material is controlled through pressure applied to the blank and lubrication applied to the die or the blank. If the form moves too easily, wrinkles will occur in the part. To correct this, more pressure or less lubrication is applied to the blank to limit the flow of material and cause the material to stretch or set thin. If too much pressure is applied, the part will become too thin and break. Drawing metal requires finding the correct balance between wrinkles and breaking to achieve a successful part.”

 

[Fair enough]

Yet, still have razor sharp cartridge filters … feels like double standards provided the can has nice paint

So it is respect for others who will be paying their money for the item. If customer doesn’t see, who cares is often the case.

Not sure what you're describing. Laser eched?

post 659 there is a picture , like little dots make up the O whatever that is called.

 

[ZeeOSix]

My bypass valve has lots of wrinkles and stretch marks. So this may be operator or supervisor skill.

Whatever and whoever is stamping out (and overseeing the manufacturing QA process) those ruffled leaf springs are definitely lacking in skilled workmanship.

 

[ZeeOSix]

post 659 there is a picture , like little dots make up the O whatever that is called.

No lasers involved, or "laser etching" seen. It's just a poorly mechanically stamped out piece of metal.

 

[CharlieBauer]

I’m honestly concerned with more than just the gaps now. QC is in the craper. What don’t we know about? I’m not going to support a company with workmanship.This is beginning to be like the tears we would see on a regular basis with m+h.

Agree 100%. Whip City Wrencher first tested this 10 months ago. Millions of filters made since then.

If they don't know, it is incompetence and you have to wonder what else is deteriorating.

If they do know, then they are happy to sell substandard product with misrepresented performance claims.

 

[ltslimjim]

Amsoil’s rep got back to me and while we still wait for feedback from their next level tech people (who may be waiting on the manufacturer etc), I was offered to go ahead and receive a refund for the oil filters I purchased early this year due to the delay.

 

[Glenda W.]

Agree 100%. Whip City Wrencher first tested this 10 months ago. Millions of filters made since then.

If they don't know, it is incompetence and you have to wonder what else is deteriorating.

If they do know, then they are happy to sell substandard product with misrepresented performance claims.

Exactly! When we had all those torn Purolators they didn’t re do the iso efficiency numbers. They kept on advertising….

 

[Glenda W.]

Amsoil’s rep got back to me and while we still wait for feedback from their next level tech people (who may be waiting on the manufacturer etc), I was offered to go ahead and receive a refund for the oil filters I purchased early this year due to the delay.

Amsoil is a top notch independent US company. They are blenders not filter manufacturers.

 

[CharlieBauer]

Amsoil’s rep got back to me and while we still wait for feedback from their next level tech people (who may be waiting on the manufacturer etc), I was offered to go ahead and receive a refund for the oil filters I purchased early this year due to the delay.

Amsoil is the best hope of getting this fixed at Champ Labs manufacturing site(s). So maybe the FEs will be worth buying in several months time.

But the XGs (aka FUs) are made at Fram's plant A.

 

[Ronn]

If they do know, then they are happy to sell substandard product with misrepresented performance claims.

Technically, we don’t have solid proof that stated performance ratings are erroneous.
At least not yet.