How Did Purulator Quality Control Sink So Fast?

[Sierra048]

Originally Posted By: HangFire
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix

Purolator can run tests on a thousand filters in their labs if they want. If I was them, I'd be pulling filters off the assembly line and running them hard on their machines and cutting them all open for inspection. I'd think that kind of testing would be done all the time by filter manufacturers.

I told them about a media tear 3 years ago ... would think they would have looked into it then.


The word hasn't hit the street yet. So far the complaints have been limited to a few obsessed psychopaths on an oil forum.

From late 2011:

http://www.powerstroke.org/forum/94-98-7...er-failure.html

Very disappointed by the response. I should start such a business- if you catch a quality problem with our product, you've tampered with it, and there's no way to catch a problem (short of can burst) without tampering, so ha ha ha it's NOT OUR PROBLEM.

I have two Purolator's running right now, a Classic and a PureOne. I'm buying a better can cutter (previously I just cut crudely to drain better and take a peek). If they are OK I'll use the rest of each batch, since I bought a bunch at a time. If either have a problem I'll ping Purolator and start buying something else.



Referencing the other forum thread, this is exactly what I found, and posted (the thread with the vanishing pics), several days ago. The filter was a Pure One 20195. The first two pleats to the right of the seam were lose/not anchored to the top end cap and could be easily moved back and forth. Only the top was affected, the bottom seemed well anchored to the bottom end cap.

 

[ZeeOSix]

http://www.powerstroke.org/forum/94-98-7...er-failure.html

Purolator's letter snip-it:
"In summary, based upon the condition, no analysis could be conducted and we therefore, deny any liability in this situation. The subject filter is being returned to you.

Sincerely,

Field Services Department
Purolator Filters NA LLC"

Guess we better get Superman to inspect Purolators for media tears without cutting the can open so we can tell Purolator engineers we discovered tears.

I hope at least Purolator engineering department realizes this problem exists, regardless if they want to "deny liability" or not.

Look familiar?

 

[antiqueshell]

Has anyone contacted Purolator consumer relations department directly with this issue and concern, I would be very interested to hear their response. They really need to do more testing.

 

[Sayjac]

Pretty sure by now the OP's class action lawsuit has Purulator (sic) quaking in their boots.

 

[Turk]

"No analysis could be conducted"

Baloney. Cop out. Got lazy and defaulted to that statement, or whatever their reason.

I've done FA (Failure Analysis) for implantable medical devices over many years. There's lots that they can do...

 

[rkpatt]

I sent them a Pure One filter with a failed ADBV (torn) and it was returned with to a similar message. This is very disappointing.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: rkpatt
I sent them a Pure One filter with a failed ADBV (torn) and it was returned with to a similar message. This is very disappointing.


It's Purolator's way of somewhat copping out. Of course, they could be taking the stance of suspecting all the filters that come in with internal damage after they are cut open as filters that have been maliciously damaged in order to get free replacement filters.

Bottom line is that Purolator should be listening to the feedback from consumers about failed filters, regaurless if they are cut open or not. We all know you can't find some of these problems unless the filter is cut open for inspection. Their R&D department should be focusing closely on the failure mechanism and trying to recreate those failures in the lab for a root cause fix.

 

[dnewton3]

Allow me to pull out the crystal ball and foretell the future:

I can hear it now; the WCOD references echoing down the halls of BITOG ...

 

[KCJeep]

So Fram has made notable quality improvements the last five years and has a rep on here that actually cares what we think and often provides interesting and/or helpful information.

Purolator's response is basically "Up yours".

Got it.

 

[Wilhelm_D]

Originally Posted By: qwerty1234
As a long time "lurker" here I am amazed of how fast Purulator oil filters fell out of favor here at BITOG. How can an established company go downhill so fast? I have a Classic that I still would like to use. Any company could have a bad batch of products. But this seems like a complete failure in the assembly of oil filters over a longer period of time which is scary.

BITOG is hardly a random sample of the universe of Purolator filters. I would hesitate to draw any conclusions from a non-statistically valid sample.

Generally filter manufacturers buy their media from other vendors who specialize in that type of product.

There may be something going on further back in the supply chain with a media manufacturer if in fact there is rise in media failures.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: Wilhelm_D

BITOG is hardly a random sample of the universe of Purolator filters. I would hesitate to draw any conclusions from a non-statistically valid sample.

Generally filter manufacturers buy their media from other vendors who specialize in that type of product.

There may be something going on further back in the supply chain with a media manufacturer if in fact there is rise in media failures.


My theory is the root cause of the media tearing is more about how the pleat is potted into the end cap near the seam. You will notice that the reports and photos of torn media all show that the end of the pleats that tear have a wide "V" shape where they are secured to the end caps. That along with the wide pleat spacing near the seam, which causes the oil flow to put more side pressure on the pleat, results in torn media near the root of the pleat where it's secured to the end cap.

V Shaped Pleat Tear

 

[fdcg27]

Originally Posted By: dnewton3
Allow me to pull out the crystal ball and foretell the future:

I can hear it now; the WCOD references echoing down the halls of BITOG ...


You've nailed it.

 

[AHC]

Originally Posted By: cheesepuffs
Originally Posted By: Samuraidog
So, which filters are the ones to get now?


For what it's worth my second to last filter purchase was a P1. Last night I needed a filter so I bought a Fram Tough Guard and I feel good about it.


I hear that.

 

[dlundblad]

Has anyone returned their Purolator filters yet?

 

[HTSS_TR]

I did last weekend.

 

[dlundblad]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
I did last weekend.


Thinking about doing the same, but I think Im passed that 30 day return policy. Still worth a try i suppose..

 

[Big Smoke]

Funny that I come on here to look for some Pure One issues and the Purolator quality thread is right on top. Just did an oil change on my Camry today. Upon removing the filter I knew right away something was wrong with the filter as the usual gush of oil from the filter is absent. The filter is mounted at about a 45 degree angle with the face pointing down. Upon inspection, the ADV is cracked and the filter is completely empty. I know this happened in use as I always inspect the filter before installation. This filter was used for 4,500 miles. This also explains the very brief oil light flash at initial startup, something that never happens to this car. I have been a diehard Purolator user for years.

This incident coupled with all the other complaints in this thread has me rethinking my choice of filter. I have 4 of these left from the Pep Boys BOGO last year. Note and pics already sent to Purolator. I never complain about anything but to me this is unacceptable.

Tried to get the best shots I could but here are a few pics:

 

[dlundblad]

Are you able to cut the filter open? Its a bit difficult to see the damage in these photos.. with my screen at least.

 

[subaroo]

same here returned mine (4-P1'S) a couple of weeks ago. also, I never ever had start-up clatter until one morning about a month ago with running a classic.

 

[JDW]

Hope you can get it cut open, What will be next with them things