Honda A02 Cut Open

[SF0059]

Hello Again,

My second project of the day was cutting open a Honda A02 off the Odyssey. This was the filter from the factory and had ~6500 miles on it (when the OLM was at 10%). I emptied the FF at 15% and ran Valvoline Syn Power 0w-20 in it until 10% as a rinse of sorts for all the break in garbage. Before you say it was "a waste of perfectly good oil" I would like to mention I got the VSP at a crazy low price, so I wasn't concerned.

The filter appears to have done its job, there was a fine layer of metal sediment covering the internals of the filter. No tears or issues to report other than a tad bit of waviness.

The thing I am most disappointed in was the build quality. The can measured 0.6 mm and had a lot of flex. The media used seems to be nothing special. The cardboard ends were thick with no warpage, but the build seems lower than the price (around $7 at my dealer IIRC). The ADBV was still flexible, but had a little bit of warpage.

Now I'm in a quandry. I was going to run OEM filters through the length of the Honda Care warranty (120k miles), but I am just not in love with it. I have one in the Ody currently and two more standing by. After this I may just go with a Fram Ultra or NAPA Synthetic and run them for two OCIs per Honda's suggestions. Thoughts on that with warranty?

Enough chit-chat, here are the pics:

 

[SatinSilver]

Would an AO1 fit? No cardboard endcaps with that one.

 

[Sayjac]

Quote:
...After this I may just go with a Fram Ultra or NAPA Synthetic and run them for two OCIs per Honda's suggestions. Thoughts on that with warranty?

No problem. Just keep a record/log to document installation and save your receipts. Same as you'd have to do with either OEM if diy.

 

[SF0059]

Originally Posted By: satinsilver
Would an AO1 fit? No cardboard endcaps with that one.


I would need to procure a reliable source for an A01. Apparently those being sold on Amazon now are showing A01s on the site and shipping A02s instead. Anyone got a bead on where to get the A01s?

 

[gregk24]

Originally Posted By: satinsilver
Would an AO1 fit? No cardboard endcaps with that one.


Yes but you have to order them online, I have used both and can say that both are of good quality. Have no fear taking out the the OLM, I dont know if I would have the gumption to run either for two OCI's but you should have no problem. Use what you have on hand and if you feel like switching filters I would go with a Fram TG or Ultra. Run the TG for 1 OCI, or the Ultra for 2. Looks good! Thanks for the pics.

 

[michaelluscher]

Originally Posted By: SF0059
I would need to procure a reliable source for an A01. Apparently those being sold on Amazon now are showing A01s on the site and shipping A02s instead. Anyone got a bead on where to get the A01s?

Bam! honda
Any deal, irregardless of filter where you can get 6 for $30
Sold!

 

[ZeeOSix]

I always notice that the OEM Honda filters - who are made by Fram, right - have thicker fiber end caps which seems to make them more ridged, and stay nice and flat.

I wonder why Fram doesn't use thicker end caps in their Fram brand filters? If you put a Fram and a Honda OEM side-by-side, you'd see the difference I'm talking about.

 

[gregk24]

Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
I always notice that the OEM Honda filters - who are made by Fram, right - have thicker fiber end caps which seems to make them more ridged, and stay nice and flat.

I wonder why Fram doesn't use thicker end caps in their Fram brand filters? If you put a Fram and a Honda OEM side-by-side, you'd see the difference I'm talking about.


Yes, If you check out my post about the different Fram/Honda OEM offerings you can see a marked difference in the endcaps.

 

[KCJeep]

Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
I always notice that the OEM Honda filters - who are made by Fram, right - have thicker fiber end caps which seems to make them more ridged, and stay nice and flat.

I wonder why Fram doesn't use thicker end caps in their Fram brand filters? If you put a Fram and a Honda OEM side-by-side, you'd see the difference I'm talking about.


I have not noticed that but perhaps it is due to Honda's multiple OCI recommendation. Following Honda guidelines and doing an every other filter change could mean up to 20k miles of use IIRC. Beefing up the endcaps would be understandable for that kind of OCI.

The filter looks great to me. OP not sure why you're not feeling it but the Ultra and every other OCI is a great idea too.

As always, thanks for cutting and posting!

 

[Sayjac]

Originally Posted By: michaelluscher
Originally Posted By: SF0059
I would need to procure a reliable source for an A01. Apparently those being sold on Amazon now are showing A01s on the site and shipping A02s instead. Anyone got a bead on where to get the A01s?

Bam! honda
Any deal, irregardless of filter where you can get 6 for $30
Sold!

Not, for me. Add $17.30 ground shipping (and that's a sale on shipping) costs to my location, ~$46.50 total, ~$7.75 a piece. And if similar to other no end cap type filters and the A02, likely relatively inefficient. Pass for me.

But for those truly interested ebay sometimes has deals on Honda oem (can't say for A01), some with no/low shipping and include crush washers.

 

[dishdude]

I sure wouldn't go out of my way to buy that filter. Why not just use a Purolator or WIX? It's built better and you can pick it up locally.

 

[gregk24]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
I sure wouldn't go out of my way to buy that filter. Why not just use a Purolator or WIX? It's built better and you can pick it up locally.


Purolator has had quite a few tears lately, and doesnt Wix use those combo ADBV/bypass valves? I say keep using the A02 or go with a TG/Ultra.

 

[KCJeep]

Originally Posted By: gregk24
Originally Posted By: dishdude
I sure wouldn't go out of my way to buy that filter. Why not just use a Purolator or WIX? It's built better and you can pick it up locally.


Purolator has had quite a few tears lately, and doesnt Wix use those combo ADBV/bypass valves? I say keep using the A02 or go with a TG/Ultra.


Wix only uses the combo valve in store brand level filters like Napa Silvers, Carquest or Microgard. Even then it is not in all of them, just some.

None of the high level store brand filters made by Wix use it, like Napa Gold, nor do any filters marketed under the Wix name.

I personally don't have a problem with the combo valve though, it seems to work well.

 

[michaelluscher]

Originally Posted By: sayjac
Not, for me. Add $17.30 ground shipping (and that's a sale on shipping) costs to my location, ~$46.50 total, ~$7.75 a piece. And if similar to other no end cap type filters and the A02, likely relatively inefficient. Pass for me.
But for those truly interested ebay sometimes has deals on Honda oem (can't say for A01), some with no/low shipping and include crush washers.

$7.24 w/ Tax and S&H each for the east coast is steeper then first appeared.
I only say this as my Local Honda dealers get nearly $11 for a filter
All the markups on common parts here in NYC are astrofkingnomical
But, if you combine your maintenance items into one order, you could save on shipping. Get a hoard of crush washers for everything, Coolant, PSF, Dual Pump II, DW-1, Even if your gregk24 level pedantic, get a 12qt case of Honda Syn 5w-20. Even the infamous Shin Etsu is reasonably priced. If you lump 60k worth of pre paid service items into one order, you'll probably come ahead.
Oh well...

 

[Sayjac]

Originally Posted By: michaelluscher
Originally Posted By: sayjac
Not, for me. Add $17.30 ground shipping (and that's a sale on shipping) costs to my location, ~$46.50 total, ~$7.75 a piece. And if similar to other no end cap type filters and the A02, likely relatively inefficient. Pass for me.
But for those truly interested ebay sometimes has deals on Honda oem (can't say for A01), some with no/low shipping and include crush washers.
$7.24 w/ Tax and S&H each for the east coast is steeper then first appeared.
I only say this as my Local Honda dealers get nearly $11 for a filter...

I'm in the east, ~5 hours from the coast and the H&A shipping is as I quoted. As for your local stealer charging $11, that's whacked and beyond stealing, highway robbery. I'd tell them to pound sand. At least my local stealer recently matched an online price for Type 2 AF and gave me 10% off retail on some parts recently. But even at $5-6, too much imo for a ~66@20um (A02) filter especially with all the silicone adbv filters with better efficiency, readily available for the same or less cost.

As for the comment about Wix (Napa Gold) using a combo valve, no Wix branded/labeled filter uses a combo valve, and not all napa Silvers or Pro Select use them either. Yes some P1's have shown tears recently, but personally never having an issue with the equivalent PL14610, I'd still choose it over the oem.

 

[NormanBuntz]

You can use www.zorotools.com and buy the Hastings LF240 for $4.67 each. If you buy 11 or more, it's free shipping and no tax. If you buy less than $50, shipping is a flat $5. I like Clarcor quality, and the price and convenience is great.

 

[NormanBuntz]

Originally Posted By: michaelluscher
Originally Posted By: SF0059
I would need to procure a reliable source for an A01. Apparently those being sold on Amazon now are showing A01s on the site and shipping A02s instead. Anyone got a bead on where to get the A01s?

Bam! honda
Any deal, irregardless of filter where you can get 6 for $30
Sold!


Yeah, but the cost of shipping makes that deal no bargain.

 

[rrounds]

Honda makes a larger oil filter for the S2000, the largest that Honda put on any of its cars. It's built like a tank, here are some pic's of a Honda S2000 filter, Napa filter for the S2000 and the Baldwin that I use on my S2000.
http://s949.photobucket.com/user/rrounds/library/Oil Filters?sort=2&page=1
If you have the room you can use the larger Honda filter made for the S2000 and run it for two oil changes.

The Baldwin filter in the pic's was on my S2000 for 15k miles, the other two were on around 4k miles on some club menbers cars.

ROD

 

[David1]

I have a K&N 1004 on my Honda now b/c it was FREE with Valvoline FULL SYN for 19.99$ at AAP.

However I have used Honda AO2 and even FRAM ULTRA and FRAM HIGH MILAGE.... Even used a FRAM OCOD... Used a MANN and a Boesh and I used a napa Silver

and I cut them all open expect the K&N b.c its on the car now.

but the FRAM Ultra really looked the best.

The A02 looked like a Fram TG... Not sure about the filter element but it was the silacone ADBV...

Really for the $... Fram TG or Fram Ultra is the best Choice IMO

Or if there is a deal get a K&N....

 

[threeputtpar]

Thanks for cutting and posting. I'm on my second fill of oil in our Ody, and I went with a Bosch Premium 3323. I got them when buying oil for the Audi in an OC special, because I already had a stash of filters for the A6.

It's a good filter, and if I can get them at a decent price I'll stick with them.