Motorcraft Filter Date Codes

[Jim Allen]

Anybody know how to decipher the codes of Motorcraft filters?

909250216 for example on a FL784

I can pull a "09/25/02" out of there if I assume the first digit and the last two are shift or line codes or something. But you know the acronym for "ASSUME".

 

[WellOiled]

Jim,

I would like to know the answer to this myself.

I found your post while searching the web for it but turned up empty handed.

I have 3 each FL-820S in my stash with the following date codes:
908271517
909031527
909141527
I assume digits 2-7 are the date code in MMDDYY format.

I have cut open 2 FL-820S one with 2 tears in the vicinity of the splice. I think this was a long OCI. I do not know. It is not sludged up. The second FL-820S was a short OCI without issue but with wide pleat spacing at the splice.

Firestone installed a TF-4651. This filter is also a short OCI and the filter has even pleat spacing and the fiber end caps appear to be affixed to the media very well.

I am dissecting oil filters until further notice.

If I see one more tear in a Motorcraft FL-820S, I will be searching for reliable filters for Ford recommended service intervals. 2004 Ranger 4.0 V6. 5W30 oil.

There are millions of Fords on the roads using oil change places probably installing Champion Labs designed filters.

Note: there is a slight change in the bypass valve area. Maybe Motorcraft changed the design.

Gene

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: WellOiled
Jim,

I would like to know the answer to this myself.

I found your post while searching the web for it but turned up empty handed.

I have 3 each FL-820S in my stash with the following date codes:
908271517
909031527
909141527
I assume digits 2-7 are the date code in MMDDYY format.


That would make sense, and is probably correct.

Originally Posted By: WellOiled
I have cut open 2 FL-820S one with 2 tears in the vicinity of the splice. I think this was a long OCI. I do not know. It is not sludged up. The second FL-820S was a short OCI without issue but with wide pleat spacing at the splice.

If I see one more tear in a Motorcraft FL-820S, I will be searching for reliable filters for Ford recommended service intervals. 2004 Ranger 4.0 V6. 5W30 oil.


Motorcrafts are manufactured by Purolator ... you probably already know about the Purolator tearing issues.

 

[WellOiled]

Yes. That is why I bought a filter cutter. The first one I cut was a FL-820S. Surprize, surprize.

Since I was a sloppy DIY oil changer before joining BITOG, I accept responsibility for going long.

I would like to see some evidence that Purolator has a fix. I do have a recent P1 to use up.

Gene

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: WellOiled
I would like to see some evidence that Purolator has a fix.


How about a whole new line-up of their filters that are starting to hit the stores now. Only time will tell if they are redesigned and better than the present ones.

 

[WellOiled]

I plan to try a variety. I hope Mann-hammerly is not totally greedy and they bring some quality to the table at a reasonable price point. They have had a couple of years to resolve issues. What is concerning is they purchased Affinia, Wix's parent company. Companies that buy up their competitors have higher prices in mind. Hopefully the new Purolators will be more than a new paint job. So far, no sightings in the Houston area stores.

Gene

 

[CarbonSteel]

For a moment (with some glee) I thought that Jim had returned to the board, until I saw the date of the post...

 

[WellOiled]

Sorry, his last post was on 1/22/2014. I wish I would have looked.

 

[ZeeOSix]

^^^ It's still good to address the Motorcraft filter date code. I guess Jim bailed out.