How do you choose an oil filter?

[SupremePossum]

I have a Generac generator with a Mitsubishi 4G64 engine

The stock filter, 0A45310244, is very expensive. Someone suggested FRAM Ultra XG7317, but now I'm going down the rabbit hole of oil filter cross references and there are so many options

For example,

Baldwin B179 at $6.82 - https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=6365154&cc=0&pt=5340&jsn=183

Or this Hastings BALDWIN LF240 at $4.76 - https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinf...y7njTaF6M0cGZIJLCkITNKWOmz4OAnygw7MF4B1mzNw==

Or this Larger WIX at $9 - https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=579532&cc=0&pt=5340&jsn=142

Assuming they all fit and work which I assume they do, what specs am I really looking for to determine which is "best" to stock up on?

 

[Nessism1]

Looks like you posted a similar question a couple of years ago.

Regarding filters, there is no real "best". Buy a cheaper filter that matches the cross-reference and don't look back.

Thread 'Sourcing Cheaper Generac Oil Filters'

Sep 4, 2023

have a Generac RG027 Generator, its a 2.4L Mitsubishi engine at 1800RPM, and the oil filter for this genset is model 0A45310244

They cost $25. I like to keep a stock of them incase we have a long outage, since the service interval is 1 Year or 125 hours

Is there any reason I shouldn't look for Mitsubishi oil filters, which are less than half the price? For example the MZ690116 I think should be compatible, but costs just $8

I believe its a Mitsubishi 4G64 engine

Here is an image if the Generac Filters

And here is the Mutshibushi Filter. Its hard to say but it looks like...

• SupremePossum
• Replies: 20
• Forum: Engine Oil Filters

• 

 

[SupremePossum]

Are things like the Bypass valve PSI a real concern? Thinking in general and not just for the Generac

For example on my Light Tower, the OE Kubota filter has 8-12 PSI Bypass, but the filter I'm running, the Baldwin B161-S has a 20PSI bypass

Perhaps I should be looking for a filter with lower bypass?

 

[oldhp]

In this case I would just use the OE filter and be done with it. What's the most you could save?

 

[daniel327]

I just buy the equivalent OEMassive brand filter from AliExpress and run with it.

 

[rstcso]

I just ordered a case of Pentius UXFL PLXC7317 for the Honda Pilot off Amazon for $5 each. Currently using Amsoil EA15K13, but started seeing reviews where there's potential leakage around how the bypass valve is attached to the filter element as well as the quality control being lower than one would expect from a premium-priced filter.

WCW has good things to say about the Pentius, and I found this guy on YouTube, Crazy Bill's Garage, who cut open a new one and was surprised and impressed by its quality, e.g. gasket and ADBV both silicone, bypass valve construction, number and even spacing of pleats, etc. Made in Korea.

 

[SaberOne]

I just follow the trends on this forum and go from there.

 

[rstcso]

I just follow the trends on this forum and go from there.

You could very well see a case minus one for sale soon, depending on the latest "best" filter recommendations.

Life was so much simpler before all these new-fangled oils and filters were being made. I can only guess the number of marketing majors in college has grown exponentially.

 

[Jetronic]

Are things like the Bypass valve PSI a real concern? Thinking in general and not just for the Generac

For example on my Light Tower, the OE Kubota filter has 8-12 PSI Bypass, but the filter I'm running, the Baldwin B161-S has a 20PSI bypass

Perhaps I should be looking for a filter with lower bypass?

Higher bypass is preferable, there's going to be less instances of unfiltered oil entering the oil galleries. Other then that I see no downsides, other than the bypass needs to open well below the maximum oil pressure set by the oil pump relief. As the filter gets more restrictive in use, the oil pressure will rise automatically (before the oil filter) as pressure is directly driven by restriction to flow.

 

[97prizm]

From my understanding the 4G64 is a close cousin (Identity block) to the 4G63. If the oil filters are the same have you considered looking for filters for the 4G63. I think it was a much more common engine.

 

[twX]

Are things like the Bypass valve PSI a real concern? Thinking in general and not just for the Generac

For example on my Light Tower, the OE Kubota filter has 8-12 PSI Bypass, but the filter I'm running, the Baldwin B161-S has a 20PSI bypass

Perhaps I should be looking for a filter with lower bypass?

A filter with a higher bypass setting will cause a larger drop in oil pressure if the oil filter clogs, which increases the risk of rod bearing damage. If you don't neglect oil and filter changes, it shouldn't matter, but I still wouldn't go higher than 15 psi.

The Pentius XL 7317 is a great filter and has a 13 psi bypass valve. The Pentius PLB7317 is also good, but less efficient. 12-packs are $60 for the XL and $37 for the PLB on Amazon. The Baldwin or Hastings filters are also fine if you're not concerned about efficiency.

 

[twX]

Higher bypass is preferable, there's going to be less instances of unfiltered oil entering the oil galleries. Other then that I see no downsides, other than the bypass needs to open well below the maximum oil pressure set by the oil pump relief. As the filter gets more restrictive in use, the oil pressure will rise automatically (before the oil filter) as pressure is directly driven by restriction to flow.

When the oil pump's relief valve is open, it won't be able to compensate much for the additional restriction. On a 3600 rpm generator, the oil pump PRV is probably cracked open at all times, so filter restriction will have a substantial effect on oil pressure.

 

[Bighorn2500]

I'd look at that Carquest Premium 85334 cross reference.

 

[Jetronic]

When the oil pump's relief valve is open, it won't be able to compensate much for the additional restriction. On a 3600 rpm generator, the oil pump PRV is probably cracked open at all times, so filter restriction will have a substantial effect on oil pressure.

oil pump reliefs are in the 70 psi range, oil filter bypass 20 psi. no engine "needs" 50 psi+ to feed oil to bearings, or evn for vtt which this engine won't have.

But a drop in oil pressure "after" the oil filter can definitely be used to judge filter loading.

 

[oil pan 4]

I have a Generac generator with a Mitsubishi 4G64 engine

The stock filter, 0A45310244, is very expensive. Someone suggested FRAM Ultra XG7317, but now I'm going down the rabbit hole of oil filter cross references and there are so many options

For example,

Baldwin B179 at $6.82 - https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=6365154&cc=0&pt=5340&jsn=183

Or this Hastings BALDWIN LF240 at $4.76 - https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=6364992&cc=0&pt=5340&jsn=465&_nck=jb38c6P4Fi5lb3DXs3729yqYTVecIHNXf+H89gDLrWNFXeNSX9b8iPFQ31DGig5XJQ58sq/+lvWDj/E5QzmMxK6IhS1NNpT89Vg4CzKVQDZZ7YnheQBu+LspEikYnxp0ocL/0hx4uQLVW5Bs0U10GdY3oxNF0NN0R9KEhZ/SF+rNeFQVt4kkQu/vPoG7QLhued1uLFUBtfk1VvIL1seOHWhB1/pKXmUoWk0pm3Q9UexdNvKUimV1FZZuhi7xkFt1tg6KgjPXpwNy7njTaF6M0cGZIJLCkITNKWOmz4OAnygw7MF4B1mzNw==

Or this Larger WIX at $9 - https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=579532&cc=0&pt=5340&jsn=142

Assuming they all fit and work which I assume they do, what specs am I really looking for to determine which is "best" to stock up on?

I look for big and cheap. A fe3800 is a big 3/4-16 filter and it's $13 for around a 12mu rating.

 

[oil pan 4]

Are things like the Bypass valve PSI a real concern? Thinking in general and not just for the Generac

For example on my Light Tower, the OE Kubota filter has 8-12 PSI Bypass, but the filter I'm running, the Baldwin B161-S has a 20PSI bypass

Perhaps I should be looking for a filter with lower bypass?

It likely won't matter. You have to run Kubota flood lights for thousands of hours to kinda dirty the filter.

 

[Delta]

Any of those Baldwins or Hastings will be just fine. Made by the same company. Not the most stellar at filtration, but for your application is just fine. I run a Baldwin on my mower.