Fram ULTRA XG 9018

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Fram ULTRA XG 9018 cartridge filter

2011 GM 2.4L Ecotec with 65,000 miles
5,100 miles OCI
PPPP 5w-30 SN dexos1

This engine saw about 2-3 hours of idle time each day, on top its normal service on the road.

It burned 3 quarts of oil during this service of 5,100 miles.

We followed the OLM down to 0 %

photo3_zps8e54cc94.jpg


photo_zps56d61f04.jpg


photo2_zps46a2a0d3.jpg


photo1_zps089a40d7.jpg
 
I wrapped this filter in a paper towel for 36 hours prior to taking the pictures to help it dry out.

All the pleats were straight and I couldn't crush it with my hands as I was trying to collapse the pleats (to simulate a failure).

Very well made...
 
How many of you guys have been driving up and down the freeway putting miles on the odometer just so you can cut open an Ultra ?
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I have the same filter on my ecotec, great value with the rebate. I have one question though, your car burned 3 quarts during the oci? Weird how engines are different, my oil level is at the max line for the whole oci. Following the OLM down to 0. Oh well,great engines nonetheless!
 
Originally Posted By: daves87rs
After seeing this, The Ultra may be the go to filter from now on....

Seriously its a no brainer. If they made one for my Audi, I'd use it in a heartbeat and ditch the Mahle/Mann made in Germany made filters that are paper media and cost $12-15 a pop.
 
Last edited:
'Best for ecotecs'. There's one Bitog poster that doesn't share that opinion.

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...ia_#Post3367488

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...URE#Post3435035

But since the subject has been broached, having observed many post use ecotecs the consistently best appearance imo have been the AC Delco including the Hengst made oem. The one recently posted here is an example.

This Ultra looks fine, but at 5100 mile considering ROI, this filter is underutilized imo.

Thanks for the pics.
 
Originally Posted By: CELICA_XX
It burned 3 quarts of oil during this service of 5,100 miles.


3 quarts of oil in 5k miles?
crazy2.gif
 
Originally Posted By: webfors
3 quarts of oil in 5k miles?
crazy2.gif


I am thinking the high idle time may have simulated a much longer run of 15,000+ miles.

Compared to a "normal" 5,000 miles service, I guarantee this OCI had many more hours of use.
 
Originally Posted By: gtmaster303
3hrs of idle time everyday? That's a lot of wasted gas...
Thats why a start/stop system is cool! (off topic sorry)
 
Originally Posted By: sayjac
'Best for ecotecs'. There's one Bitog poster that doesn't share that opinion.

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...ia_#Post3367488

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...URE#Post3435035

But since the subject has been broached, having observed many post use ecotecs the consistently best appearance imo have been the AC Delco including the Hengst made oem. The one recently posted here is an example.

This Ultra looks fine, but at 5100 mile considering ROI, this filter is underutilized imo.

Thanks for the pics.



True...the Delcos tend to do quite well..granted, the last one was in pretty bad shape when I used it...


The one thing I am starting to notice is that oil filters in general are questionable...seems like every brand has failures now...
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Originally Posted By: sayjac
'Best for ecotecs'. There's one Bitog poster that doesn't share that opinion.

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...ia_#Post3367488

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...URE#Post3435035

But since the subject has been broached, having observed many post use ecotecs the consistently best appearance imo have been the AC Delco including the Hengst made oem. The one recently posted here is an example.

This Ultra looks fine, but at 5100 mile considering ROI, this filter is underutilized imo.

Thanks for the pics.


And in the same thread someone that doesn't share your opinion regarding the AC Delco filters (#3435726):

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3435035/4
 
Originally Posted By: deven
Originally Posted By: daves87rs
After seeing this, The Ultra may be the go to filter from now on....

Seriously its a no brainer. If they made one for my Audi, I'd use it in a heartbeat and ditch the Mahle/Mann made in Germany made filters that are paper media and cost $12-15 a pop.


Not sure I'd walk away from Mahle for this filter.

Mahle filters for my application feature synthetic media and very high quality construction.

Some BMW owners have seen failure of the FRAM Ultra cartridge style filters.

The Audi application may be better.

I find Mahle and Mann on Amazon at great prices.
 
Originally Posted By: GatorJ
...And in the same thread someone that doesn't share your opinion regarding the AC Delco filters...

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3435035/4


Yes, and that's what my post was in response to, the FU 'best for ecotec' opinion. Difference being I used two specific example links. One of the bitog poster that doesn't agree with 'the best for ecotecs' opinion and showing why.

And the second an opinion based on observations of many post use ecotec filters on bitog and then another link of a representative example of a recent ACDelco ecotec filter illustrating why I believe that to be true. I never used the term "best" though. Hope that explains it adequately.

That said, it matters not to me what one's choice is. Just trying to keep it real.
 
Originally Posted By: CELICA_XX
Fram ULTRA XG 9018 cartridge filter

2011 GM 2.4L Ecotec with 65,000 miles
5,100 miles OCI
PPPP 5w-30 SN dexos1

This engine saw about 2-3 hours of idle time each day, on top its normal service on the road.

It burned 3 quarts of oil during this service of 5,100 miles.

We followed the OLM down to 0 %

photo3_zps8e54cc94.jpg


photo_zps56d61f04.jpg


photo2_zps46a2a0d3.jpg


photo1_zps089a40d7.jpg



The above is indeed a good looking filter with the wire backed tapered inside allowing good oil flow. Alas, the XG9018 no longer has the wire, but has gone with a plastic tube inside,half of which has no holes to allow full oil flow, IMO. Fram seems to have two types
of TG9018's also. The USA made has the same inside as the XG, but the China made TG9018 has a plastic tapered inside with holes all the way. I have both in hand new and cut the USA made filter apart to see whether the outside of the solid tube perhaps had groves to allow oil flow like the Hengst OEM did that I took out of the Ecotec at the first oil change. I want to find out if all the OEM's are made by Hengst, and if so, I will order
a bunch and discard, or give away my current batch of TG's. BTW, FWIW, local Walmart stocks the Chinese TG9018 for nearly $8 a pop!
 
^^^Now that's some interesting updated information to this thread imo.

No more wire backed XG9018? Wonder if some of the issues with the wire in the nylon/composite cartridge endcaps is responsible? Or some other reason(s).

The TG9018 sold at WM has a coo of China. There has been at least one post use posted HERE..

As for ACDelco cartridge, looking recently doesn't seem all the OEM's are Hengst made. Seems to be a newer one from a different manufacturer, like the ones showing up on ebay. If you want Hengst made one, need to confirm that's what it is. Almost seems the Hengst made ACD has been superseded.
 
Originally Posted By: stower17
I have the same filter on my ecotec, great value with the rebate. I have one question though, your car burned 3 quarts during the oci? Weird how engines are different, my oil level is at the max line for the whole oci. Following the OLM down to 0. Oh well,great engines nonetheless!


Yeah, I saw that 'burned 3 qts' and was thinking why?
 
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