Fram Endurance - Keep or ditch?

[mheebs]

Have been using the Fram Endurance filters since they came out due the hype here back when. It appears now that they are hit or miss. I've been trying to search but I can't figure out which ones might be good and which ones are questionable. If someone smarter than me could take a look at the pictures of my current stock that would be wonderful.

I have two FE7317's that are clearly different and a recently purchased FE9688. Wondering if I should throw them away and not risk it.

Group picture (left to right) - FE7317, FE7317, FE9688
Individual pictures - 1st FE7317, 2nd FE7317, 3rd FE9688

 

[slacktide_bitog]

If you don't use them, cut them open

 

[CleanSump]

If you don't trust them, donate them to Goodwill or local thrift store. Sleep at night and don't stress while driving.
I'd run them.

 

[EvoMan]

Louvers on the last pic don’t look so good.

 

[fantastic]

I'm trying to give away my Ultras but nobody wants them. That has to say something.

 

[SC Maintenance]

In my mind its not worth running a suspect one. Having said that you need to take all the louveres into consideration - not just a few at the top or bottom which often are mis-formed.

I had quite a stash of ultra synthetics. I have 1 or 2 left I will still run - however there old enough to have holes. I also run short OCI so a split would likely be less detrimental.

Technically any filter can fail. There are always x part per million or whatever - nothing is perfect. We have all likely unknowingly run a split or malformed filter at some point.

 

[Escape08]

At change oil service shops, they don't inspect the oil filter, they just install it on

 

[pbm]

I'd use them without a thought. If you're throwing them away I'll pay for shipping them to me.

 

[PontiacHO]

At change oil service shops, they don't inspect the oil filter, they just install it on

And to add to this fact, no car owners care and ever have any problems related to these oil filters.

 

[BISCUT]

If you can't return them I'd use them. I just made the move from Endurance cartridge filter on a X3 due to wavy pleats last OCI.

 

[Hootbro]

And to add to this fact, no car owners care and ever have any problems related to these oil filters.

Problems that they knew of anyways. Most would not know if they had a closed louver filter installed and it ran in bypass the whole time.

 

[PontiacHO]

Just curious, how many closed louvered filters have been shown here? Or, have these sightings been discussed by someone who heard this from their brother-n-law’s neighbor’s cousin who lives in Far Away No Where Arizona?

 

[GW.]

Just curious, how many closed louvered filters have been shown here? Or, have these sightings been discussed by someone who heard this from their brother-n-law’s neighbor’s cousin who lives in Far Away No Where Arizona?

I did a 2 minute search here. I stopped after the first page of results. Some are completely closed, others partial. I’d say it’s more common than it should be.

 

[4wd]

Going to cut or return?

 

[SC Maintenance]

Just curious, how many closed louvered filters have been shown here? Or, have these sightings been discussed by someone who heard this from their brother-n-law’s neighbor’s cousin who lives in Far Away No Where Arizona?

Not a Fram, a Pure one - but here is some a month ago. I returned them. First trip to the oil filter forum sounds like?

The louver thing with Fram is new - they used to use holes. Wix and others have had this issue at least a decade.

Thread 'Purolator One PL14610 louvers'

Oct 7, 2025

100% self inflicted. I should have known better.

Based on comments on the First Brands bankruptcy thread decided to try the deal from Walmart on these Pure One filters, hoping to get the Korea build.

Most interesting is that these appear to be all the same date code (anyone know how to read it), but louvers are very different. Posted best and worst below. The other two are interestingly sorta in between?

Wonder what to do. Run the best, toss the worst. Return them all (leaning this way)?



Worst:

IMG_4142.webp

• SC Maintenance
• Oct 7, 2025

Pure one poor louvers

IMG_4143.webp

• SC Maintenance
• Oct 7, 2025

Pure one poor louvers

Best:

IMG_4145.webp

• SC Maintenance
• Oct 7, 2025

Pure One OK louvers

IMG_4146.webp

• SC Maintenance
• Oct 7, 2025

Pure One OK louvers

• SC Maintenance
• Replies: 24
• Forum: Engine Oil Filters

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[ZeeOSix]

Just curious, how many closed louvered filters have been shown here? Or, have these sightings been discussed by someone who heard this from their brother-n-law’s neighbor’s cousin who lives in Far Away No Where Arizona?

As shown above, closed louvers are real. Always inspect them before buying or spinning on a filter that has louvers.

 

[Dave Hess]

I will never buy any brand oil filter with louvers.

 

[PontiacHO]

Has anyone compiled a list of the filters-brands that have louvres vs holes? Those photos shown are concerning. I have several Baldwins on the shelf that I’ll check. I reckon the Delco filters that I typically use have that plastic cage vs metal tube…

 

[Hootbro]

Has anyone compiled a list of the filters-brands that have louvres vs holes?

Problems with lists and this sort of thing is that they go stale rather quick as manufacture methods may change or substituted by other oil filter making partners under contract runs. Never mind the fact that there is no certainty at any given time what style for a given oil filter SKU a stocking business may have on the shelf when ordering online.

Just this week alone, I have seen FRAM PH7317 filters at various Walmarts local to me with holes, louvers or nylon center cages.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I have not seen any of the branded Premium Guard's (Eco Gard, carquest premium, etc) , nor a Hengst, with louvers (yet).