My 1st DriveWork Oil Filter

[charbaby]

I just bought my 1st DriveWorks Oil Filter #DW-4011(made in China). It was $3.59 and I have a $5 AAP Card to use up. So, I bought the filter and a "plug in the ciggarette lighter" Memory Saver" that was in the closeout bin for .95cents(no battery included). I just wanted to use up the card and did need the filter for the future.

I bought the filter for my Firebird FORMULA which replaces the Purolator Classic #24011/AC Delco #PF-52 that I typicaly use(slightly oversized).

This filter is Black instead of White if this matters!
The filter is heavier than the equivolent Purolator and most of the DriveWorks filters that I picked up/opened the boxes were heavier than their Puro equivolent...again, if this matters!

The DW filter comes packaged very nicely in a heavier gague/ml box and the bottom of the filter/gasket area is wrapped similarly to the K&N Oil Filters.

I have seen cut opened DW filters here in the Oil Filter Section and for the money, they don't look to bad.

I have heard of members experiencing startup rattle from these filter but, this engine in my Firebird hasn't ever had this issue in 33 year with any filter. So, I am going to give it a shot as the DW filter ceratainly looks well made for sure.

The DW filter box doesn't give any information pertiaing to how much dirt is stops.

Any opinions?

 

[Donald]

Hopefully you will get more than you paid for!

 

[charbaby]

Well, since I usually change the oil/filter each summer(500-600 miles), the filter should be good for at least 1 OCI.

Although lately, I've been letting the Oil/Filter go for 2 summers with Valvoline MaxLife or Quake State DEFY(both 5W30) and Puro Classic.

Each time I drain the oil at 1 year(500 miles), I often wonder why? The oil still looks so good and clean. I guess old habbits are hard to break!

 

[Donald]

With time rather than miles, I think the filter will break down before the oil. I might change the filter every year but the oil every other.

 

[Sayjac]

Other than the odd black can color for this application, what you've posted is what is and isn't known about the DW.

'Looks' well made but there's no authoritative published efficiency specs. Excluding country of origin, only complaint I've read here is a stiff/malfunctioning adbv, seeing as it's nitrile not that unusual.

Below is a link to a bitog dissection thread of a DW-4011, can is white though.

DW-4011 10k miles OCI

 

[99Saturn]

I had a low oil pressure light for longer than usual with the last one I used. Other than that, never a complaint.

Add: On the efficiency front - I did read this on the DW-5607 page listing "86.8% Based On 20u mc" - not sure if each filter tests different though...

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/...1442#fragment-2

 

[KCJeep]

Originally Posted By: 99Saturn
I had a low oil pressure light for longer than usual with the last one I used. Other than that, never a complaint.

Add: On the efficiency front - I did read this on the DW-5607 page listing "86.8% Based On 20u mc" - not sure if each filter tests different though...

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/...1442#fragment-2


Interesting. First "spec" I've ever seen on a DW filter. Would be a mystery if that carries over accurately to the canister filters though, likely not.

 

[Sayjac]

I've said before that I'm very skeptical of AAP spec sheet(S) when it comes to filter efficiency. Also the spec listed is for that cartridge.

The spec sheet for the OP's DW-4011 says "Micron rating >5mc, which to means absolutely nothing without a percent combined with the level. So no authoritative published efficiency spec for the DW spin on filters.

 

[accent2012]

I've used driveworks filters twice so far for my vehicle with no issues, no extended oil light on my dashboard, etc.

I'm sure it filters the same as a purolator classic filter and I think it uses nitrile rather than the more expensive silicone.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_oil-filter-driveworks_10056212-p?navigationPath=L1*14932|L2*14984

 

[stchman]

I would have still bought a Purolator Classic oil filter over the Chinese filter.

 

[Plumber]

I bought one of these filters last year for my Astro. The threads were crooked in the filter so it did not install correctly. I returned it for another and they all looked the same.

I see a lot of crooked threads on gas fittings as well.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: stchman
I would have still bought a Purolator Classic oil filter over the Chinese filter.


Same here. I'm not sure I understand the logic of buying something of questionable quality and of dubious origin over something that is generally regarded as excellent quality that is almost the same price

 

[charbaby]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: stchman
I would have still bought a Purolator Classic oil filter over the Chinese filter.


Same here. I'm not sure I understand the logic of buying something of questionable quality and of dubious origin over something that is generally regarded as excellent quality that is almost the same price

It is questionable quality but, how will we here at Bob's ever know if this filter is any good in the future, if guys like me don't experiment a little?

From the Drive Work's exterior construction and the cut away pics posted here, I 'm going to give it a chance!

I'll know if the filter is causing strange noises in the engine before my engine will get damaged. This could be a real sleeper. If I hear any strange noises, I keep extra Puro's in stock. If I don't like this filter for any reason, it's coming off.

I have had questionable Purolators even recently. So, I retutned it and got another. I have another one right now for my wife's Lexus. I take it back too! The Puro doesn't look damaged, it just looks poorly put together. I've had less than desireable WIX filters and others but, in over 40 years of doing OCI's, I've only had a small handfull for filters that I didn't like.

 

[OVERKILL]

I find the Motorcraft-branded Purolators are excellent. I've never had a bad one

And they are priced extremely well.

 

[Whimsey]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
I find the Motorcraft-branded Purolators are excellent. I've never had a bad one

And they are priced extremely well.

Over 18 years of using Motorcraft oil filters.

Whimsey

 

[steve20]

I don't see the logic either--if you care enough about the car to keep it 33 years-why f around with a filter of questionable quality/efficiency?
I use nothing but the best I can find (Fram Ultra--before they became avail, it was P-1) for my performance cars

 

[charbaby]

You all convinced me! Back it goes

 

[KCJeep]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
I find the Motorcraft-branded Purolators are excellent. I've never had a bad one

And they are priced extremely well.


X3

The Motorcrafts work well for me and the Puro's don't. Go figure.