Fram Ultra Cartridge; Is this normal?

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tc1446

tc1446

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Dec 10, 2010
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Bought some Fram Ultra XG9018 filters and find that much of the inside of the plastic shell is solid. The filter is for GM Ecotec 2.4L motors as used in many GM cars.
How the heck can oil flow thru that part of the filter?

Picture in next thread.
 
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Sorry, this old codger just ain't up to current technical stuff.
Just have to let it go.

Next time I go to Walmart I'll check other makes to see what they look like, unless all the boxes are
sealed.
 
Since you're having trouble posting a pic, does it look different than the XG9018 linked below? Nylon/composite type cage very common cartridge construction, perhaps most common type. Plenty of flow area in the cage. In fact when comes to spin-on ecores with similar cage, something they like to promote though very doubtful it's flow any significant benefit.

As an aside many members use tinypic to post pics if they don't have photobucket account.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3443464/Fram_ULTRA_XG_9018
 
Sayjac: Mine is the same, and if you look at the one you posted
you can see the upper portion, inside, is solid plastic...the holes
are cut for oil flow only about half way. Heres another brand I found on Ebay...much the same:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ACDelco-PF457G-Oil-Filter-/131564567993?hash=item1ea1dbfdb9:m:melB3-PaopMqrEX2edhVkvQ&vxp=mtr
 
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Oh ok. Think I see what you are referring to now, with the reflection I didn't recognize it at first. That's the way Fram designed it. I wonder if it has to do with adding extra strength to the cage in that area.

I say that because, these ecotec cartridges frequently post here as twisted and/or smushed looking in post use pics.

The best results in these ecotec cartridges post use seem to be the Hengst made ACDelco cartidges.
 
I've used many different brands of these cartridge ecotec filters. Some have no internal cage at all. AC/Delco has only a partial cage half way down the center tube. I don't think there is a problem with the flow of the center tube of the Fram Ultra. The oil will just find it's way to the large holes at one end.

I put 20,000 miles on a XG9018 Fram Ultra. The filter appeared to be plugged up with carbon but no signs of filter failure at all. They are good!
 
The oil flows up the wall to the holes, the pleats have a lot of space between them for oil to flow. I have a Toyota filter in a longer size and it has something like that but not as much. Makes no difference because the area is larger than the inlet holes or outlet pipe.
 
Originally Posted By: Sayjac
Oh ok. Think I see what you are referring to now, with the reflection I didn't recognize it at first. That's the way Fram designed it. I wonder if it has to do with adding extra strength to the cage in that area.

I say that because, these ecotec cartridges frequently post here as twisted and/or smushed looking in post use pics.

The best results in these ecotec cartridges post use seem to be the Hengst made ACDelco cartidges.


Hard to see in the pic but the Fran and ACDelco both have a screen underneath
that plastic. I see what the others have said about the oil getting thru, but
honestly, I just can't believe thats making good use of the filter area, when
half of it is blocked inside by a plastic wall. I use FU for both my 4 wheelers
but they are the canister type, and assumed their FR cartridge would be top
line also; not yet convinced. Will definitely look at some others.
 
I looked at two diff ones today, in boxes not taped or the tape was already broken: one Fram TG and one Super Tech: both had tapered cages inside and one had some holes even in the tapered part. Can't remember for sure but think it was the TG. Probably
doesn't make any diff in the long run, but I like the tapered
best and will see if I can exchange the XG's.
 
It's good to do what is comfortable. There isn't anything to worry about in this case, I thought the same thing when I saw the Toyota filter, was annoyed at the blocked off part. It has no effect. This is a picture of the Ultra media and mesh. Notice the V in the pleat makes a trough. The oil flows through the pleat material into the trough and up to the holes wherever they are. No decrease in flow.
DSCN2037_zpsuvjbjhku.jpg


DSCN2036_zpsn7863wep.jpg


Here is the center tube of a Fram Ultra, they have a lot of closed off space between the holes.
DSCN1842_zpssavjoebu.jpg
 
You should use what you want and are confident in. I did some further checking into the topic cartridge, and it seems that some other manufactures cartridge also have area that appears closed off at one end, some more than others. Bitog has quite few posts with images of ecotec cartridge filter applications comparisons. Some quite good.

Again though the Hengst made ACDelco in my observation of this board appear to have the best overall results and seems to be preferred by many. Doing a search though, it 'seems' they are getting harder to find online. There is another ACDelco, not Hengst made, which now seems to come up more often. I believe your link to ebay was that ACDelco.
 
Originally Posted By: goodtimes
The oil flows up the wall to the holes, the pleats have a lot of space between them for oil to flow. I have a Toyota filter in a longer size and it has something like that but not as much. Makes no difference because the area is larger than the inlet holes or outlet pipe.


Exactly ... the oil will find always find it's way to the open windows/holes/slits in the center tube ... even if one end of the center tube is solid.
 
Originally Posted By: Sayjac
You should use what you want and are confident in. I did some further checking into the topic cartridge, and it seems that some other manufactures cartridge also have area that appears closed off at one end, some more than others. Bitog has quite few posts with images of ecotec cartridge filter applications comparisons. Some quite good.

Again though the Hengst made ACDelco in my observation of this board appear to have the best overall results and seems to be preferred by many. Doing a search though, it 'seems' they are getting harder to find online. There is another ACDelco, not Hengst made, which now seems to come up more often. I believe your link to ebay was that ACDelco.


Decided to go with Fram TG9018 as it is tapered inside with slots all the way
instead of half way; this suits me better. This filter is good for 10K and I will be changing the Slingshot 2.4L every 5K so it is more than sufficient. I returned the Ultra's.
Thanks Sayjac for your comments and research. Much apprec.
 
Originally Posted By: tc1446
Originally Posted By: Sayjac
You should use what you want and are confident in. I did some further checking into the topic cartridge, and it seems that some other manufactures cartridge also have area that appears closed off at one end, some more than others. Bitog has quite few posts with images of ecotec cartridge filter applications comparisons. Some quite good.

Again though the Hengst made ACDelco in my observation of this board appear to have the best overall results and seems to be preferred by many. Doing a search though, it 'seems' they are getting harder to find online. There is another ACDelco, not Hengst made, which now seems to come up more often. I believe your link to ebay was that ACDelco.




Decided to go with Fram TG9018 as it is tapered inside with slots all the way
instead of half way; this suits me better. This filter is good for 10K and I will be changing the Slingshot 2.4L every 5K so it is more than sufficient. I returned the Ultra's.
Thanks Sayjac for your comments and research. Much apprec.


Is that the filter that fits your vehicle?
 
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Originally Posted By: jhellwig
Originally Posted By: tc1446
Originally Posted By: Sayjac
You should use what you want and are confident in. I did some further checking into the topic cartridge, and it seems that some other manufactures cartridge also have area that appears closed off at one end, some more than others. Bitog has quite few posts with images of ecotec cartridge filter applications comparisons. Some quite good.

Again though the Hengst made ACDelco in my observation of this board appear to have the best overall results and seems to be preferred by many. Doing a search though, it 'seems' they are getting harder to find online. There is another ACDelco, not Hengst made, which now seems to come up more often. I believe your link to ebay was that ACDelco.




Decided to go with Fram TG9018 as it is tapered inside with slots all the way
instead of half way; this suits me better. This filter is good for 10K and I will be changing the Slingshot 2.4L every 5K so it is more than sufficient. I returned the Ultra's.
Thanks Sayjac for your comments and research. Much apprec.



Yes, it is a Polaris Slingshot, 3 wheeler, with Ecotoc 2.4L motor. Polaris calls
for oil/filter change every 5K so I'll stick with that. First change at 500mi, coming
up shortly. I'll buy the oil (M1) and filter and may do it myself if the wx is good.
Is that the filter that fits your vehicle?
 
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