Fram makes Motorcraft filter

[ssmokn]

Since I bought my wife a 2001 Jaguar S-type 4.0 a few months ago I have been checking out various filters for this car.

I called a Jag dealer and the filter was approx $20.

I purchased a couple Purolator LF15317 filters from Advanced Auto and they seem to be an excellent filter. Made in Germany (maybe by Mann) and the price is about $8. It is obvious that Purolator buys this filter because they just put a sticker with their name on it over another part number.

I was at my local Ford counter the other day picking up some parts and I purchased a Motorcraft FL-2008 which is the Ford equivalent to the Jag filter (now that Ford owns Jag there are usually eqivalent maintenance type parts -- probably due to the fact that the Lincoln LS is the same platform). This was not the usual well build Motorcraft filter. It was made in the UK and I was unimpressed. The cost was $7 wholesale. I bought one I figured I would use it for my AutoRX flush.

I was at Walmartlastnight and I decided to see if they had a Super Tech filter for the Jag. They didn't (I didn't think they would) but they did list the Fram PH5618. I opened this up and was suprised to see that it was EXACTLY the same as the Motocraft FL2008 except for the paint job. Even made in the UK. I guess this a low volume filter (how many Jags are their in the world) so many companies source it rather than build their own.

I actually bought the Fram (suprised myself) for $6 and I'm going to use it for the AutoRX rinse.

I stopped by the Jag dealer the other day to get a fuel filter. IT was $18. I get home and open it up and it was a filter mounted in a bracket. I think gee this filter looks familiar (it was a Motorcraft -- said right on it). I pull out my extra Crown Vic fuel filter and they are the same part number. The filter from Ford less the bracket is $6. The bracket is reusable. I guess I know where I'll be getting my fuel filters in the future.

Anyway. I thought some of you may be interested. I can't talk about this stuff with just anybody or they would think I'm nuts!

 

[Bill Kapaun]

Why would you ASSume that FRAM made the filter?
BOTH filters are made in the UK. Does FRAM have a UK plant?
Ever consider that FRAM might actually buy somebody elses filter (if it has limited applications) and put their name on it, instead of producing a very limited amount themselves?

Unless you cut the filters open and see the typical FRAM construction, you are only guessing.
You simply have not provided any evidence to support the title of your post. Bad information is worse than no information!

 

[tdi-rick]

FRAM have a plant in the UK, as do Coopers and Crosland, and are all owned by the same company, SOGEFI, which is headquatered in Italy.
49% of their production is OEM.
So, it could have been a UK FRAM, or one of the others.

 

[keval85]

Yep I think this is a trend with car companys,buy cheap parts put their name on them and sell them for 3 times the price,always a good idea to cross check part numbers like you have.Maybe filter companys bid on contracts and FRAM got the contract to produce MOTORCRAFT filters.

 

[T-Keith]

Is this a cartridge filter? I know on the ecotec filters almost all of them were made by the same company. Unless it says "made by Fram" or similar it's probably an outside supplier for both companies.

-T

 

[427Z06]

Are you saying you cut open a Fram PH5618 and the Motorcraft FL-2008 and they were identical?

 

[ssmokn]

I haven't cut open either filter yet but I'll be a beer they are exactly the same based on my visual inspection.

This ain't the usual high quality Motorcraft filter.

I'll cut them both open when I remove them which will be in the next few months.

Fram does have a UK plant. My main point is that they are the same filter. The cheesy looking construction leads me to believe they are a Fram.

Your mileage may vary. In the future I'm sticking with the made in Germany labled Purolator. I haven't cut that one open either but visual inspection of both side by side says this is the filter for me.

 

[ssmokn]

By the way. I didn't mean to imply that Fram is making all Motorcraft filters (not sure if anybody took it that way) or that Motorcraft filters suck (I think that MOST of them are excellent).

I do belive that the this specific filter is made by Fram and in my opinion it is cheap.

 

[427Z06]

By the way ssmokn, thanks for the "heads up". This is the only way we'll beat such immoral behavior, keeping each other informed.

 

[T-Keith]

I looked at one yesterday at Wal-mart. Definitely not your typical Fram. Without cutting it apart, I can't say for sure. But the base plate and ADBV was definitely not a Fram style. The bypass is a metal spring and valve design similar to some champion lab filters, not the plastic Fram design.

-T

 

[01civiclx]

I believe you - the last "Honda" filter I bought left little doubt on who made it. It had "manufactured by Fram" printed right on it! Did not notice until I was ready to change the oil. Well , at least they painted it Honda blue!

 

[ssmokn]

T-Keith,

I agree that it is not your typical Fram (better actually). If your interested look at the Purolator LF15317 next time your out somewhere that has a good selection of Purolator filters. For my money I'm sticking with the LF15317.