Fram vs STP Fram defect?!?!

[OriginHacker21]

STP sure looks a lot better... What is up with the Fram oil filters though???

Check the pictures and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Defect Fram?

All Three

Bad Fram vs STP


I got these Frams for free... So here comes the question... Are they safe to use at all??? I don't think I'll use the Bad Fram - but the second Fram looks OK... What do you guys/gals think? Safe to use for 5,000 miles?

 

[wavinwayne]

As long as the media is intact & still glued to the ends of the filter, I'd feel comfortable using them.

 

[kanling]

FRAM suffers a real image problem when people question whether they are "worth it" when they are FREE!

I agree with wavinwayne, but that one FRAM sure is a lousy specimen.

I thought maybe FRAM's cartridge filters were better built since you can easily see the innards. I guess I thought wrong.

 

[OriginHacker21]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Link to Photos (above maxed out)

Fram vs STP

I had a friend look at the filters and he said he'd go with the STP anyday... No question!

kanling - LOL you are definitely right. It looks like they just poured Glue in there then squished the media.

I don't know if I want to even risk 3,000 miles on either of the Fram Filters. Will the glue liquify?


Basically - I want to know if it is safe to use these "free" Frams. Got one yes so far - thx wavinwayne.

[ February 20, 2006, 06:30 PM: Message edited by: OriginHacker21 ]

 

[D$]

i wouldnt hesitate to use the frams for a 3,000 OCI. either one would be fine as long as the media is secured properly to the ends. the stp looks good too.

 

[Filter guy]

Let me take a guess as it's just from the pictures..

The Fram media is "thinner"

The STP media is "thicker"

Fram has more pleats and therefore more media in the filter, for those who cut open filters and stretch out media.

But by having more pleats, due to thinner media, the pleats lose uniform spacing when assembled.

 

[Russ300H]

I think I would contact Fram with a picture of the two Frams side by side and ask THEM if it is OK to use and why! Personally, I would use the good looking Fram (if it is only a 3K OCI and a car I don't cherish), and toss the defective looking one.

 

[OriginHacker21]

It is my first and only car I have now. I spend a lot of time and money on it. I plan on taking it to 400,000 miles. (Reason why I am here and use only German Castrol).

These Fram filters were free (gift from family) and I'm personally afraid to use them in my car

, especially that weird one.

 

[Ray H]

...duplicate post...

 

[Ray H]

The "weird" one's filtration media was cut a tad too long, so ended up with a "permanent wave" once compressed and assembled to its final nominal size. (Point in fact, that one has a little extra filtration media...) I doubt that'll have any effect on its filtration efficiency or life. If you're still nervous, go BUY another FRAM filter that "looks" right according to your personal preferences, exchange the "weird" one in the box and return it for another filter or a refund. It's stupid to just toss a brand new filter.

 

[OriginHacker21]

OK - I'll trust you guys and run these filters. I'm currently running GC Gold for 10,000 miles and plan to swap filters at 5,000 miles.

Might as well use 'em - especially if they were free...

Ray H - anywhere near Santa Clarita, Valencia?

 

[Ray H]

Near San Bernardino.

 

[blupupher]

I agree with the above, probably nothing wrong with the "defective" fram. Strange though how even the "good" fram still does not look as good as the STP. The STP just has a better overall quality look to it. Even pleats, tight fitting o-ring, no excess glue.
You could always return the Frams for store credit or exchange them for STP's (show them to the counter guy and say you just don't like the look of them).

 

[OriginHacker21]

I run a 10k OCI 0w30 and swap out the STP filter with another at 5k.

OK - so how many of you think that running 5,000 miles on both of those frams would be ok?

Also - The STP oil filters look great after 5k, would you take them longer?