Fram Ultra -vs- TRD Synthetic comparison photos!

[Nate1979]

Originally Posted By: sdude2k2000
Originally Posted By: Nate1979
Originally Posted By: MinamiKotaro

I had an XG9018 fail.


Did you post on here? Care to elaborate?


I google'd it lol.

Failed Fram Ultra


Yes, I remember that now. It was not a failure but likely during assembly the media was punctured. Nothing to do with being an Ultra.

 

[901Memphis]

I'm currently running a buddies cobalt up to 3 oil changes on an XG9018, should have about 18k miles on it soon, last oci it was fine because I inspected it and put it back

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: goodtimes
Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: goodtimes
... also Motorking once said they use metal caps on the Ultra due to the mesh. So they used plastic anyway it appears.


The plastic end caps on that Ultra cartridge filter are hard plastic, so they have some rigidity for potting the layers of media and wire backed mess into the end cap. Fram could theoretically also use hard plastic end caps on the Ultra spin-on filters too if they wanted.


Just going by what I remember motorking was saying, after being asked why does the ultra have metal and the other Frams don't. There are a couple threads about the hard plastic caps coming off, this is one, it had the other thread there also:

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3930660/1


Yes, I remember that thread. The plastic end caps don't look like they have much of a "trough" built in to them for the potting material to fully fill up like they do on the metal end caps. I think if the depth of the potting material was deeper it probably wouldn't fail so easily. Seems like there is room for some improvement there. Use deeper end caps and mold some roughness in the trough so the potting material has something to bite and attach firmly to.

 

[CELICA_XX]

I was so glad to finally see the Fram XG10358

I have been waiting a year for this filter !!

I bought one about a month ago at Wal-Mart

 

[smithph]

Here is a couple of other threads comparing cartridge filters for Toyota. Not your specific application but will give you a good idea of how other brands are made.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3117205/1

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3317285/1

Enjoy the eye candy.

 

[Sayjac]

Quote:
...There are a couple threads about the hard plastic caps coming off, this is one, it had the other thread there also:

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3930660/1

And here are a couple more cartridge failure anecdotes posted here including another Ultra and Extra Guard without mesh. Fram cartidges wouldn't be my first choice. As for the TRD, seen better pleat spacing uniformity, but likely ok in use.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3434977/Fram_Ultra_FAILURE

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3411091/1

 

[MinamiKotaro]

Originally Posted By: BikeWhisperer
Originally Posted By: MinamiKotaro
I'll take the TRD. Not a fan of Ultras.


That's not what you said in your post showing the failure...
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3367488/Fram_XG9018_@_~11,600_-_media_

Originally Posted By: MinamiKotaro

The point is not that Ultras are junk. I still have a couple of Ultras I fully intend to use. The point is that any filter can fail, even one as tank-like as an Ultra. Something to keep in mind if one intends to really push the limits of a filter over two (or more) OCIs.


As you said yourself, any filter can fail. So what makes you think the same thing can't happen to the TRD?


My opinion has changed. After examining Wix XPs and Puro synths/Boss, I've come to think the ultra is actually not that well made.

The media on ultras has absolutely zero strength. The wire is literally the only thing keeping it from falling apart. The media on Wix XPs and Puro synths (now Boss) actually has strength of its own, and is less likely to come apart, which is what happened with my ultra failure. The wire backing itself on the XPs and synth/Boss is much finer mesh, so even if the media failed it wouldn't be as likely to pass through the wire mesh and go through the engine.

 

[440Magnum]

Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
I'd run a Champion-built filter built to better specs. That TRD is... a real trd. Champion do far better synthetic media filters for Royal Purple


the TRD is virtually identical to the RP


That's interesting, and a little disturbing (although its mostly cosmetic, that seam is a real functional concern). The non-cartridge RPs are MUCH more neatly assembled than that. See this used RP canister type There's no RP, Ultra, or Puro synthetic cartridge available for my one cartridge-filter vehicle, and the best built cartridge I've found for that application is a PureOne. .

 

[LeakySeals]

I guess it's important not to used name brand recognition to determine which filter is appropriate for which vehicle

 

[SilverC6]

Both look like overpriced TuRD's to me!!

 

[sdude2k2000]

I figure I'll give the Fram Ultra its run - then see where I end up. If it comes out looking good, then I'll keep on keeping on. If it doesn't - then I'll give something else a shot (maybe even the TRD). I like the idea of a synthetic media filter to ensure prompt oil flow during the constant start/stops that a hybrid engine demands... but I also want better filtration that what the Toyota/Denso OEM cartridge allegedly delivers.

I'll keep ya'll posted... and I'll make sure to take pics after my OCI.

 

[funflyer]

I know this thread is a month or so old but I couldn't help but comment. After reading the other threads about ultras that supposedly failed, I'm not so sure they did. One thread said the end cap was still stuck in the housing which leads me to believe that the media was ripped away from the end cap during removal. Because both ends of the filter are under spring pressure, I highly doubt the media separated from normal operation. I'm going to give the Fram Ultra a try on my Toyota's next OCI.

 

[dlundblad]

I recall one ultra cartridge filter that came apart during use because the owner noticed a horrendous noise from the engine.

 

[funflyer]

Originally Posted By: dlundblad
I recall one ultra cartridge filter that came apart during use because the owner noticed a horrendous noise from the engine.


Didn't read that one. I thought they heard a ticking noise from the lifters. Here's what leads me to believe the damage resulted during removal or possibly install if the end cap was tight.

"The bottom piece was very stuck to the housing, took a lot of prying to break it loose, almost like it was semi melted to the housing."


Another forum post showed the same filter on a BMW that was distorted, or crushed slightly and media was separated. They thought the filter may have been too tall but that was not the case so this one was obviously damaged on install because of a tight end cap.
Bimmerfest forum

No doubt some Ultra part numbers have a problem with their end caps. As for the XG10358, I think I'd just check the fit to make sure it will seat inside the cap and housing without resistance and let it ride.