Fram Synthetic Endurance FE12060

[JTK]

This is the first Fram oil filter I've used in over 20yrs. I ran it on my 2021 Chevy Equinox 1.5T for 4500 miles along with Valvoline R&P 0w20. 44K total on the vehicle. I've never encountered a filter with media as thick and tough as this filter has. I tried to cut it off of the center tube for demonstration purposes with a box cutter, but made a complete mess of it instead. It's like trying to cut carpeting from the good side. Seems like a heck of a filter for a Fram. Very heavy and solid. Probably overkill for a 4-5K mile OCI.

 

[ZeeOSix]

It's hard to cut through metal wire backing behind the media.

 

[brandon9715]

It's hard to cut through metal wire backing behind the media.

I thought all the Fram filters were plastic backing now. If not, I’m happy to hear it.

 

[ZeeOSix]

I thought all the Fram filters were plastic backing now. If not, I’m happy to hear it.

The Endurance is the only Fram filter with a media backing. OP could tear it open farther and check out the wire mesh. Use a magnet on it to see if it's ferrous. Others have done that and verified the Endurance uses wire mesh, not "plastic" (nylon) like other filters (ie, Boss).

 

[JTK]

I've read of wire backing on these, but could not see or feel it. It's possible I didn't dig deep enough.

 

[ZeeOSix]

I've read of wire backing on these, but could not see or feel it. It's possible I didn't dig deep enough.

Dig down ... from Fram's website.

 

[BrendanC]

the endurance is a very solid deal at a great value.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Thanks for the C&P.

Time to Get the sawzall out.

 

[fantastic]

Thanks for the C&P.

Time to Get the sawzall out.

Chainsaw...It's Holloween... BITOG Edition

 

[Patman]

the endurance is a very solid deal at a great value.

Except for the fact that so many of them are leakers

 

[JTK]

Dig down ... from Fram's website.

View attachment 247917

Sure enough! I'm a big dummy. That peaky wire mesh is down in there. I had the filter parts in my drain pan still and did some caveman exploratory on it with a screw driver. Even that took some doing the way the media is constructed.

 

[BrendanC]

Except for the fact that so many of them are leakers

i asked for a particle count on the last UOA i sent out after a 12k run on HPL PCEO/endurance run.

 

[Glenda W.]

Thanks for the c&p! Any pics of the leak spring?

 

[53' Stude]

This is the first Fram oil filter I've used in over 20yrs. I ran it on my 2021 Chevy Equinox 1.5T for 4500 miles along with Valvoline R&P 0w20. 44K total on the vehicle. I've never encountered a filter with media as thick and tough as this filter has. I tried to cut it off of the center tube for demonstration purposes with a box cutter, but made a complete mess of it instead. It's like trying to cut carpeting from the good side. Seems like a heck of a filter for a Fram. Very heavy and solid. Probably overkill for a 4-5K mile OCI.

View attachment 247903View attachment 247904View attachment 247905

Nice work. What went in and on?

Nice photos

 

[edhackett]

Except for the fact that so many of them are leakers

That's where you get the value. You get a free bypass filter with every purchase. It's two, two filters in one!

Ed

 

[Sayjac]

As expected at 4500 mi. FE filter element/media looks fine. But 'for me,' without pics of the now proven multiple compromised/(leaking) bypass piece seal areas, the result observations incomplete. With that currently known, I'll pass on the FE.

Thanks for c&p.

 

[JTK]

Thanks for the c&p! Any pics of the leak spring?

I would have attempted some close ups of the bypass assembly had I known there was issues with them. All the filter bits are wrapped up and in the trash at the moment. I do have two more of these filters. I may update this thread with more pics some time down the road. It was just a standard looking plastic spring loaded bypass. The bypass metal leaf spring was seated snugly in the media center tube. I had to pop it out.

Nice work. What went in and on?

Nice photos

I ran another round of Valvoline R&P 0w20 and a AC Delco UPF63R filter this time. I believe I have two 63R's and two Fram Endurances left in my stash.

This round of valvoline R&P drained out dark at 4500mi, but not black like other GDI engines I've owned/serviced. There was a small amount of carbon dust in the filter can.

 

[ZeeOSix]

I would have attempted some close ups of the bypass assembly had I known there was issues with them. All the filter bits are wrapped up and in the trash at the moment. I do have two more of these filters. I may update this thread with more pics some time down the road. It was just a standard looking plastic spring loaded bypass. The bypass metal leaf spring was seated snugly in the media center tube. I had to pop it out.

It's not the actual nylon bypass valve (integrated in the leaf spring) that can leak. It's the metal to metal seal between the leaf spring and end cap. Even though the leaf spring fits tight in the end cap doesn't mean it's sealed. There were a couple of long threads about this with lots of photos.

 

[JTK]

It's not the actual nylon bypass valve (integrated in the leaf spring) that can leak. It's the metal to metal seal between the leaf spring and end cap. Even though the leaf spring fits tight in the end cap doesn't mean it's sealed. There were a couple of long threads about this with lots of photos.

Yeah I see that now.

Thank you BITOG yet once again for some more induced paranoia in regards to oil/filters. LOL