I am mad! I'm just not sure who at.....

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ZiTS

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I own a 2009 Dodge Journey with the 3.5L V-6. Even though it only has about 7,500 miles, the air filter is pretty filthy, with almost all light being blocked, and noticable black marks and debris visible. This concerns me a little bit, as I don't live or drive through dirt roads or anything like that, but that isn't the point of concern right now...

So, I pick up a FRAM Tough Guard air filter for my application. It didn't fit. Next, I pick up a NAPA Gold air filter. It doesn't fit! Here's the problem -

The rubber seal on both the FRAM and the NAPA is too thick. The airbox lid will not close down so that I can get it locked with the metal clamps. I compared both to the stock, factory Chrysler filter. Dimensionally, they're the same size. However, on the Chrysler filter, the seal is "stepped down", and much thinner around the outside edge. It seats perfectly in the airbox. I've already ruined the FRAM and NAPA filters because I tried cutting down the rubber on each to try and make them fit. Needless to say, it didn't work. At this point, I guess I'm stuck having to buy another filter from the dealership. Has anyone had any experience like this? Is this poor design by the aftermarket filter manufacturers, or is Chrysler to blame for making an airbox that is so particular? I have never had something so simple be so aggravating!
 
To me, it is the fault of the aftermarket companies. If they say it fits, it should fit. If I ruined it trying to make it fit, I would return it anyway and explain it is their fault. After all, if it doesn't fit yours it doesn't fit other Journeys either.

John
 
I have yet to find an after market filter as well built as the oem Honda AF. See if you can find an online oem source for the AF.
 
ZZman,

Yes, that is the one. The FRAM was TG9054. I'm just going to have to go pick up the OEM tomorrow, and then I am planning on sending e-mail's to FRAM and NAPA to let them know.

I was thinking about purchasing the Amsoil Eaa-series, but I certainly don't feel like going through the hassel of ordering one, and then discovering that it has the same problem. I stopped in at an Advance Auto Parts today and looked at a Purolator. I could tell that its' seal would have been too thick as well. So far, it seems like every aftermarket has a uniform, thick seal running around the edge. The OEM is the only one with the step-down necessary to get the lid secured.

Z-
 
I experienced this the last time I attempted to put a fram in my 05 Sport Trac. Part of the seal was deformed, but I managed to squish it in there and get the box latched. So now I just buy Ford filters for it.

After comparing Mazda OEM filters to pretty much anything else I've found, I continue to purchase Mazda filters. The quality is unsurpassed so far.
 
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Go with OEM.
+1
thumbsup2.gif


Also is this the first A/F change you are doing on that new truck?

If so then it could be some goof at the dealership swapped the filter out on the truck before you got it because he/she didn't want to pay for their own. Lots of Chrysler products use the same A/F's so it is possible you got scammed.

Your A/F should not be that dirty in that little of mileage! I would be raising [censored] and asking questions.
 
I have had problems with aftermarket airfilters too.The STP filters seem to fit a little bit better than the puralators and Frams.
 
Originally Posted By: gonzo
I have had problems with aftermarket airfilters too.The STP filters seem to fit a little bit better than the puralators and Frams.


Me too with a VW Passat. Sometimes it takes a while to find a brand that works for a particular application.
 
In one post someone is complaining for the lack of material to seal the air box , in another someone is complaining because there is too much sealing material around the airbox.........

Looks like aftermarket stuff sucks, go OEM and sleep at night ;-))
 
This seems to be happening more and more. I had a similar problem with my daughter's Sebring. The first Korean made quality NAPA/Wix air filter fit perfect. Two years later there is a U.S. made filter in the box (same part number) and it fit too loose and looks like poo. I checked 4 different aftermarket filters and none were the same. Fram was best in matching OEM fit.

There seems to be no consistency within aftermarket brands nowadays. That 2389 fits perfect in my Caravan and seems to be very high quality. It seems like the filter companies are not quite keeping up with OEM changes.
 
Originally Posted By: ZiTS
... The rubber seal on both the FRAM and the NAPA is too thick. The airbox lid will not close down so that I can get it locked with the metal clamps...

I had the exact same experience with the Fram FA-1643 for my 98 Escort ZX2. I had to trim the seal to make it fit. The filter was Made in USA. At that point I realized that Made in USA has come down to the Third World level.
 
Originally Posted By: Kestas
Originally Posted By: ZiTS
... The rubber seal on both the FRAM and the NAPA is too thick. The airbox lid will not close down so that I can get it locked with the metal clamps...

I had the exact same experience with the Fram FA-1643 for my 98 Escort ZX2. I had to trim the seal to make it fit. The filter was Made in USA. At that point I realized that Made in USA has come down to the Third World level.


When is the last time you have been in a US factory? I go to them all the time for field service work, and English is usually a second or unknown language, at least for the workers on the floor.
 
Filter can get dirty quick depending on where and how it draws in the fresh air.

Stick with OE until you are willing to try again. Now, why did the automaker make it that snug so that a universally sized filter didn't fit?

Filter size is pretty common. Gasket size too! So now lets change something just a little so that no aftermarket filter fits. Yeah, you don't see me running to buy a Chrysler product.

I'm glad that all my cars Nissans, Toyotas, Kias, Fords, Mazdas.... over the years would gladly accept any brand filter I installed.
 
Originally Posted By: gonzo
I have had problems with aftermarket airfilters too.The STP filters seem to fit a little bit better than the puralators and Frams.


I just looked at a STP air filter for my car today and I was impressed. It had a metal liner around the outside of the filter element. It's made in China too. The Fram that's currently in my car looks cheap compared to it.
 
I believe the metal liner is a flame suppressor. Should the car backfire, this metal would quench the flames before it has a chance to ignite the paper element.
 
I've had trouble stuffing a Fram and now a Purolator air filter into the housing, too. Maybe it's just the lack of maneuvering room around that housing that makes it hard to get the new filter seated in there.

Ah, for the days of a big round cake pan air cleaner, where you undid a wing nut, swapped filters, and closed it back up again. . . .
 
There is a certain "standardization" in a lot of companies where "close" is "equivalent".

Others where dimensions are badly converted to inches.

Report it to both manufacturers so they can fix their records and crosses.
 
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