Fram Endurance Flashlight Test in canister

[CharlieBauer]

It's wire backed at least, per the OP of the thread if you read down the thread - post 16. Are Ultras with the new media still wire-backed of the new media doesn't require wire backing?

Yes it's wire backed so it leads people to assume it is an OG, but as we can see from @Fair enough 's pictures, the XG2 model is wire backed with the new media.

Since you referred to the one with the very wide spacing as an OG, I thought you had confidence it was pink media from the thickness of the pleats.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Since you referred to the one with the very wide spacing as an OG, I thought you had confidence it was pink media from the thickness of the pleats.

I don't think the "OG" wire-backed Ultras near the time before they went to non-wire backed media were using the pink fuzzy media like they were at were at one time.

If Ultras are showing up with wire backing on the "new" media, then why aren't all the new Ultras now wire-backed? Like mentioned, that Ultra looks really ratty (that leaf spring is atrocious !) ... so either the manufacturing quality is really doing downhill for some reason, or the the suspicion of it being counterfeit may be true.

 

[CharlieBauer]

If Ultras are showing up with wire backing on the "new" media, then why aren't all the new Ultras now wire-backed?

Someone earlier suggested it was because the deeper pleats on the XG2 need more support and with 36 pleats on less thick new media, there appears to be quite wide spacing near the crimp. The linked post was extreme but it is still pretty wide on the other ones.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Someone earlier suggested it was because the deeper pleats on the XG2 need more support and with 36 pleats on less thick new media ...

Yep, that media doesn't look like the OG media, and it doesn't look like the non-wire backed media on the Ultras - color seems a bit different too. It looks similar to someone posting an Ultra cartridge filter a while ago. I wonder if that model Ultra is made outside the USA, like some cartridge filters.

 

[CharlieBauer]

I don't think the "OG" wire-backed Ultras near the time before they went to non-wire backed media were using the pink fuzzy media like they were at were at one time.

Ah yes I forgot about that, but on a used one all we have to go on is a visual comparison between known pink media pleat thickness and known new media pleat thickness. There is this FS2 cut open in May 2023 with pink media but no date code and no clear pic of whether it has a seal between the leaf spring and end plate:

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/unused-fram-titanium-fs2.369478/

Like mentioned, that Ultra look really ratty ... so either the manufacturing quality is really doing downhill, or the the suspicion of it being counterfeit may be true.

The two I got seem legit. Got them sold and shipped by Amazon which is the same as the cut open one XG2 in this thread with a days difference in manufacture date. The outside seems fine although one inlet hole is slightly not perfectly punched out.

So not counterfeit but I agree I think the manufacturing is going out of tolerances and cleanliness standards which is why I went and got some OGs. I also think that even when these were OGs, they weren't as precise or clean as European or Asian manufacturers.

 

[CharlieBauer]

I wonder if that model Ultra is made outside the USA, like some cartridge filters.

Plant A like many other Ultras.

(Unless the date code only refers to the can )

 

[Ronn]

Anyone losing sleep over “GAPS” and “PLEATS” can always do this for peace of mind

 

[ZeeOSix]

So not counterfeit but I agree I think the manufacturing is going out of tolerances and cleanliness standards which is why I went and got some OGs.

The way it's going, maybe counterfeit Utlras would be better manufacturing quality.

 

[CharlieBauer]

Anyone losing sleep over “GAPS” and “PLEATS” can always do this for peace of mind


View attachment 241124

Looks like you've put an "X" on the top of the filter.

You need to also make a "W", a "I", another "X", and finally a "P".

 

[CharlieBauer]

Im still finding OG Titaniums! It’s worth a look at your local AAP.

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.

 

[Glenda W.]

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.

My OG was a non leaker with no seal. The fit and finish was immaculate. 2023 build.

 

[4WD]

I don't think the "OG" wire-backed Ultras near the time before they went to non-wire backed media were using the pink fuzzy media like they were at were at one time.

If Ultras are showing up with wire backing on the "new" media, then why aren't all the new Ultras now wire-backed? Like mentioned, that Ultra looks really ratty (that leaf spring is atrocious !) ... so either the manufacturing quality is really doing downhill for some reason, or the the suspicion of it being counterfeit may be true.

Was the “two ply” the GOAT!

 

[ZeeOSix]

My OG was a non leaker with no seal. The fit and finish was immaculate.

"Immaculate" build quality is out the window now it seems, based on some of the ruffles leaf springs seen in these threads. Maybe manufacturing of some parts like the leaf spring is being outsourced to the lowest bidder with rudimentary manufacturing machinery and skills.

 

[Glenda W.]

"Immaculate" build quality is out the window now it seems, based on some of the ruffles leaf springs seen in these threads. Maybe manufacturing of some parts like the leaf spring is being outsourced to the lowest bidder with rudimentary manufacturing skills and machinery.

Definitely a possibility. That XG2 is ugly all the way around. I’m not to confident that Amazon keeps all the Xg2 filters separated between sellers. It would be more efficient for them to keep all the xg2’s in one place in the warehouse counterfeit or not, $4.85 or $8.99. Logistics

 

[CharlieBauer]

This is interesting - bought two XG10575’s off the same shelf 5 months ago - cut one and it was metal on metal …
Decided to cut the other just now and well it’s got the elastomer seal that seems to fit tight …
Note: light shines through the plastic poppet - not around it and not around the spring to end cap seal …

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Take a look at the pics in the above post by @4WD from 11 days back. "Ratty" looking leaf spring but no light leak thanks to the seal.

Note where the "0" is stamped. It looks similar to the one on @Fair enough 's XG2:

Now look at the leaf spring from an OG XG2. Same "0" but better quality stamp and different position.

 

[CharlieBauer]

Definitely a possibility. That XG2 is ugly all the way around. I’m not to confident that Amazon keeps all the Xg2 filters separated between sellers. It would be more efficient for them to keep all the xg2’s in one place in the warehouse counterfeit or not, $4.85 or $8.99. Logistics

They're matching the Walmart price. Walmart had it labeled as "Clearance" for a few days and then they removed that wording from the listing.

 

[Sayjac]

My OG was a non leaker with no seal. The fit and finish was immaculate. 2023 build.

View attachment 241132

Yep, again proving it can be done even with a stamped flat spring but it requires a proper fit and finish of the seal area rings. But the Champ Labs made topic FE and other Champ made filters don't currently exhibit those properties. One thing about it though, no concern about finding the bypass psi spec with them. As Dean Wormer knows, it's 0.0

 

[4WD]

Take a look at the pics in the above post by @4WD from 11 days back. "Ratty" looking leaf spring but no light leak thanks to the seal.

Note where the "0" is stamped. It looks similar to the one on @Fair enough 's XG2:

View attachment 241136View attachment 241137

Now look at the leaf spring from an OG XG2. Same "0" but better quality stamp and different position.

View attachment 241138

Yep - needs either smooth on smooth - or enhanced with a seal …

 

[Fair enough]

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. But then the two end caps would be different, now they are identical, cheaper to make. Clearly the spring on mine was from a different, maybe cheaper, supplier, or just bad QC.
The O on my leaf spring is not stamped its by laser etching. It’s on both sides.
My pics of the spring on mine don’t do

justice to how bad the bumps are away from the ruffles. The seal is terrible everywhere.

 

[Ronn]

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.