I'm not impressed with the ST filters I saw.

Chris142 · Jul 9, 2003

I went to Wally mart on the way home. I needed a filter for my Jeep and one for my old truck. Every ST filter I looked at had metal shavings from the threads either in the filter or in the threads.

I removed a piece of metal from one filter that looked like a spring.....It was from the threads and about 3 inches long when straightened out.

The motorcraft filters were not much better.

The Frams did not have any metal shavings in them, But I don't do Frams.

I then went to Pep Boys and found metal chips in the house brand (purolator) and in the Purolators.

They had some AC filters but none that fit my junk, these appear to be Purolators also.

Gonna chack Napa tomorrow and see how the Wix filters look as far as metal in the filters.

Whats the deal with metal chips in new filters?

jsharp · Jul 9, 2003

I don't know what Motorcraft part number you looked at but I've bought many FL-1A's over the years and have never seen this...

Chris142 · Jul 9, 2003

The FL1-A is the one that fits both of my cars. Next time you see/buy one stick your finger in the hole, turn it a little and see what you get.

I also checked the FL-300's and they were the same.

I thought maybe a bad batch?

Virtuoso · Jul 9, 2003

Well I hope your trip to Napa goes better than your one to Wally world. I just switched to Napa Gold filters & the 1515 (FL-1A crossref) I got had no metal shavings in the threads.
I usually don't see this but have come across it from time to time.

JoggingGuy · Jul 9, 2003

Got a brand new FL1A from Walmart here on my desk. Looks ok. No metal, shavings, or burrs on the threads.

Chris 2421 · Jul 9, 2003

I have eight Super Tech ST8A's in the shop and just checked all of them...no metal shavings.I even used a pencil magnet to check.

Schmoe · Jul 9, 2003

Metal shavings are probably from the die used in creating the threads on the can. Filter media would trap them.

Brian Barnhart · Jul 9, 2003

Based on the description given, it sounds like the metal shavings are "after" the filter element. That means the filter couldn't trap the shavings until they got through the engine, back to the sump, through the oil pump, and finally back to the input side of the filter, potentially causing serious damage along the way.

pscholte · Jul 10, 2003

Brian,

From the incidence of this I have seen I believe you are right. The shavings would make one pass before they would get trapped...I wish I could remember what filters had this problem (it was probably a year or two ago), because I examined a bunch of them and most if not all had the problem. I do know it was a major brand but I don't want to "label" a brand unfairly since I am not certain which one it was.

Ray H · Jul 10, 2003

I've noted the shavings in the output port with ST filters, too. I just give the treads a thorough wipe with a shop towel wet with solvent before I install the filter. But, I do think this is something that Champion Labs should be doing before the filters are ever boxed and shipped. I've noticed no such issue with the WIX (Castrol MaxPro) filters I bought on closeout, though. I wonder how this situation compares with the dreaded "orange" filters that use cardboard endcaps regarding actual engine damage.

got boost? · Jul 10, 2003

I notice the same thing and it REALLY bothers me. look here:

http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=000622

I use AC delco, which tends to be the best, why do filter manufacturers allow this? the shavings could EASILY pass through the engine and do damage.

jsharp · Jul 10, 2003

quote:

Originally posted by Chris142:
The FL1-A is the one that fits both of my cars. Next time you see/buy one stick your finger in the hole, turn it a little and see what you get.

I also checked the FL-300's and they were the same.

I thought maybe a bad batch?

I hope so since I've never seen this but honestly, it's not like I've examined them super closely either. I'm going to check a few when I go to WalMart this weekend.

Whatever crap is there is going to end up in the engines oil galleys and from there who knows where...

Chris142 · Jul 10, 2003

quote:

Originally posted by Schmoe:
Metal shavings are probably from the die used in creating the threads on the can. Filter media would trap them.

The metal is from the tapping of the threads. The metal is after the filter element where it would go straight into the soft engine bearings.

This would cause more damage that using an old filter! Might as well use the used one w/o the metal shavings.

I didn't get to Napa today, masybe tomorrow.

It's my opinion that Fram has Purolator beat in the clean thread scene.

jsharp · Jul 15, 2003

quote:

Originally posted by Chris142:
I went to Wally mart on the way home. I needed a filter for my Jeep and one for my old truck. Every ST filter I looked at had metal shavings from the threads either in the filter or in the threads.

I removed a piece of metal from one filter that looked like a spring.....It was from the threads and about 3 inches long when straightened out.

The motorcraft filters were not much better.

The Frams did not have any metal shavings in them, But I don't do Frams.

I then went to Pep Boys and found metal chips in the house brand (purolator) and in the Purolators.

They had some AC filters but none that fit my junk, these appear to be Purolators also.

Gonna chack Napa tomorrow and see how the Wix filters look as far as metal in the filters.

Whats the deal with metal chips in new filters?

Ok, in the last few days I've checked the Bosch and STP filters at Autozone, and the Fram, ST, and Motorcraft filters at WalMart. A few of each in fact but only the FL-1A size.

None of them had any chips in the threads but some brands seem dirtier than others just by what rubs off on my finger after running it around the threads.

Looks like something else to check before installing a filter but at least the chips aren't a constant problem...

[ July 16, 2003, 09:16 AM: Message edited by: jsharp ]

I'm not impressed with the ST filters I saw.

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