Fram TG 3600, 12.3k mi C&P

[paulri]

Hey in case Amazon rejects Thorromigg's return, you can always buy his. I'm sure he'd love to unload them.

Looks great, I think I'll go buy a case.

 

[ZeeOSix]

I bought the TGs, not because of their increased efficiency, but for a longer FCI. At this point, I know TG isn't their top line, but a 15K rated filter should perform better than this, over 12K miles.

It would have if the pleat spacing was like it should have been. Just like a filter designed for high efficiency should be built right to be meet its designed efficiency ... until the leaf spring is made all ruffled up and there's a 15% internal leak going on. If the factory can't make it per the design, then you end up with those kind of issues. It's a pretty common thing that happens in the oil filter world to see various defects on some filters. The next TG might have perfectly spaced pleats, or the next Ultra might have a nice flat and smooth leaf spring. Or one filter made on one day might have choked down louvers, but one made the day after has nice open louvers. The manufacturing quality roulette wheel is always in action. That's what's half of what keeps this forum going.

 

[paulri]

I agree, not all Frams are going to look like this. I cut open one TG at 9000 miles that looked just fine. But of course, the longer the FCI, the more significant these manufacturing defects are. Just going 3-5K IMO probably wouldn't have even caused those slight tears that were noted here.

It would have if the pleat spacing was like it should have been. Just like a filter designed for high efficiency should be built right to be meet its designed efficiency ... until the leaf spring is made all ruffled up and there's a 15% internal leak going on. If the factory can't make it per the design, then you end up with those kind of issues. It's a pretty common thing that happens in the oil filter world to see various defects on some filters. The next TG might have perfectly spaced pleats, or the next Ultra might have a nice flat and smooth leaf spring. Or one filter made on one day might have choked down louvers, but one made the day after has nice open louvers. The manufacturing quality roulette wheel is always in action. That's what's half of what keeps this forum going.

 

[Furious]

Really sucks to see American made products become trash from brands that were once great.

I wonder if Baldwin is gone downhill as well.

 

[53' Stude]

It went for 12, 300 miles, across three oil changes on my 05 Sienna. For a filter that is rated for 15K, I'm expecting more. Not only are the pleats lacking along the seam, but on both of the places where the bent pleat connects with the endcap, there are small tears.

Silicone ADBV was nice & supple, as expected. I took pics of both of the endcaps, but my main concern was pleat spacing, as you can see here it was lacking at the most crucial point (the seam).

I'm done with Fram. I have one more TG in my garage, its doing for 5K or slightly longer. The one on my Highlander is coming off in the next few days. If I want to use filters for beyond 10K, I'll stick with the M1 209A line for my two cars with engines specced for the x3614; or else I'll go back to Toyota's OEM for 10K, or simply the Fram EG for no more than 5K. But right now, I'll be running M1 filters from here on out, for FCIs longer than 10K.

Date code reads November 10, 2023.

And Stude53, because I know you'll ask, I didn't do an oil change (that will be in the next week or so). A M1-209A (the counterpart to Fram's x3600 line) went on in place of this TG.



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Darn ugly ! it held up.

If you want some wire backed 3614’s please let me know via PM. I’d be more than willing to help with that sir.
Thank You for write up and great pics too

 

[Pablo]

Ship me free filters I’m out

Ship me filters with no leaks. I'm out. Thanks.

 

[paulri]

53, it might not be easy to see, but at the bent pleat, at both end caps, there are slight tears. I took pictures of them; perhaps I should take new ones that are closer?

No I'm out on Frams. I know wire-backed should be good, but I've seen some poor PH & TG 3614s cut up & posted here, so I'm gonna say no. But thanks anyways!

Darn ugly ! it held up.

If you want some wire backed 3614’s please let me know via PM. I’d be more than willing to help with that sir.
Thank You for write up and great pics too

 

[walterjay]

I have a TG on my lawn tractor that I am going to tear off this fall.

I think they used to be good filters.

 

[fantastic]

Not terrible but yeah with comparing the TG to PG style or new Mobil's the Fram is not the better 10k filter. Thanks for c&p.

 

[Zee09]

Really sucks to see American made products become trash from brands that were once great.

I wonder if Baldwin is gone downhill as well.

Baldwin was never uphill.....
Just an average Jobber type filter that has fell to the wayside..
OK but that's all they ever were

 

[walterjay]

Baldwin was never uphill.....
Just an average Jobber type filter that has fell to the wayside..
OK but that's all they ever were

I really do wish that you would start producing oil filters for those who insist on the best.

 

[Elkins45]

I agree, not all Frams are going to look like this. I cut open one TG at 9000 miles that looked just fine. But of course, the longer the FCI, the more significant these manufacturing defects are. Just going 3-5K IMO probably wouldn't have even caused those slight tears that were noted here.

The one I had with the giant pleat spacing only went 3000 miles.

 

[KCJeep]

I really do wish that you would start producing oil filters for those who insist on the best.

It would never work, in the end he’d cheap out.

 

[walterjay]

It would never work, in the end he’d cheap out.

Probably wind up off shoring it for profits when all is said and done

 

[Zee09]

It would never work, in the end he’d cheap out.

Jimmy cuts no corners on products
Only a fool does that in this world.
I do cut off forum friends frequently however

 

[walterjay]

Jimmy cuts no corners on products
Only a fool does that in this world.
I do cut off forum friends frequently however

I humbly ask your forgiveness.......

 

[paulri]

Yes, I remember that thread. In fact, your TG was the one that made me concerned enough to pull this one as early as I did. I was originally going to take it to 13,500 miles. Glad I didn't.

The one I had with the giant pleat spacing only went 3000 miles.

 

[KCJeep]

Jimmy cuts no corners on products
Only a fool does that in this world.
I do cut off forum friends frequently however

One can hope.

 

[fantastic]

I really do wish that you would start producing oil filters for those who insist on the best.

They would be named "Zee Best Filter"

It would never work, in the end he’d cheap out.

Zee Best 9 months of production before bankruptcy.

I do cut off forum friends frequently however

Thought I saw your mugshot at McDonalds in the other thread.
OK, I'm leaving now...

Yes, I remember that thread. In fact, your TG was the one that made me concerned enough to pull this one as early as I did. I was originally going to take it to 13,500 miles. Glad I didn't.

I'll be posting an Ultra eventually, I'm not thrilled with it's performance. Kept convincing myself it was user error but nope.

 

[paulri]

FWIW I have another TG3600 with almost as many miles, ready to cut open. I wouldn't have decided to cut it open, but on that vehicle, I've been running VRP and I want to see if there are any deposits captured in the media, like I've seen with some other filters that ran VRP. But that will have to wait a week or two, pretty busy at the moment.