K&N "Commercial" diesel - BIG unexpected surprise!

[Linctex]

All of the K&N filters I have ever seen cut open were some variant of a pleated paper "blend" media -

I can't recall EVER seeing a K&N oil filter with wire-backed synthetic media before... ever.


This is a K&N "Commercial Grade" Diesel engine oil filter, an HP-8017 (the original spec is for a 4BT-3.9 Cummins)

This one was on a remote filter boss for a Ford 300 Industrial engine that runs at 2700 RPM pretty much from start to stop. The engine is about 20(?) years old and this filter was run for 10 months and 188 hours (about 11,300 miles if you were driving 60 MPH)

The oil was some bulk Chevron 10W-30 in a blue 55 gallon drum, I didn't get to see the label closely, but am assuming it is a industrial/HDEO variant.

It looks to be made pretty much EXACTLY the same parts and construction methods (Champ Labs?) as Royal Purple and AmsOil filters, like this one: https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/4969163/2

Enjoy! I would be surprised if anyone else here has seen these before.

The date code is the exact same format as AmsOil & Royal Purple.
Sloppy glue like those, also

Filter is a little dirty from rolling around in the back of my truck for 3 or 4 weeks

 

[Linctex]

The pleats are nice and straight -

the media is STRONG and doesn't tear easily at all.

The last one, I tried to pry the seam open with a screwdriver. I couldn't/didn't

 

[Linctex]

This engine is pretty clean inside - looks like a little carbon settled in the bottom of the can

 

[OVERKILL]

Yup, definitely looks like a Champ Labs filter. Is that November 17th, 2009? I know their current passenger car filters are or were moved to China

 

[Pinoak]

They're making them in the U.S. again.

 

[RooflessVW]

That filter is a beast. Would love to have one that fit my car.

 

[billt460]

My only gripe with K&N Oil Filters is that stupid spot welded, sheet metal "nut" they put on the end. They're useless because they are too short, and the flats and the end are so rounded off, it's all but impossible to get a socket to properly engage without slipping right off. The idea is very good. It's just poorly and cheaply executed. They should have charged a buck more, and welded an actual mild steel nut on the end. Instead of screwing around with that flimsy sheet metal nonsense.

 

[bullwinkle]

Originally Posted by billt460
My only gripe with K&N Oil Filters is that stupid spot welded, sheet metal "nut" they put on the end. They're useless because they are too short, and the flats and the end are so rounded off, it's all but impossible to get a socket to properly engage without slipping right off. The idea is very good. It's just poorly and cheaply executed. They should have charged a buck more, and welded an actual mild steel nut on the end. Instead of screwing around with that flimsy sheet metal nonsense.
Not only is the nut weak, but the spot welds can crack & the nut has small (safety wire?) holes in it that can collect moisture & potentially salt in Rust Belt areas-it's not painted inside the nut/dome area, so there's lots of potential issues with the stupid nut.