In the quest to find a similarly priced alternative to Motorcraft FL-820S I decided to cut one of these open for an initial inspection.
CQ R85372-A43301 exterior #1. Good looking appearance from the exterior.
Nice heft to the filter also. I believe the date code is A43301 but I do not know the date code format.
CQ R85372-A43301 base end - dome end bpv #2. View of the thread end and showing the dome end BPV. No rust anywhere in this filter.
CQ R85372-A43301 filter element #1. You can see the splice on this shot and several wide pleat spacings on either side. I counted 10 wide pleat spaces ranging from 1/4" to 3/4". The 1/2" to 3/4" pleat spaces might be a problem but the embossed media and filter geometry might fix this.
CQ R85372-A43301 filter element #2. Another wide pleat space on this sector. If you look closely, the epoxy is pooling up on the thread end cap.
CQ R85372-A43301 filter element #3. Nice pleat spacing in this sector.
CQ R85372-A43301 filter element #4. More wide pleat spacing in this sector.
CQ R85372-A43301 dome end bypass. The dome end bypass appears to be made of nitrile rubber and does yield to finger nail pressure. I do not have a spring gauge to check the spring tension. It does operate smoothly.
CQ R85372-A43301 nitrile ADBV. Thread end of the filter with the Nitrile ADBV. Shot of the metal inner tube.
CQ R85372-A43301 nitrile ADBV #2. More accurately shows the dome end Relief Valve. If you look closely, you can see the almost deburred inlet holes are cutting into the ADBV. I don't think this will be an issue.
CQ R85372-A43301 dome end BPV. Clear shot of the center tube and dome end Relief Valve.
CQ R85372-A43301 nitrile ADBV very pliable. This is a very pliable and soft ADBV. It is much softer than the Champ PH820 I cut earlier. The ADBV may work better in this model because of the softness until it hardens with time and temperature.
CQ R85372-A43301 thin epoxy top cap. Demonstrates the thin but even amount of epoxy on the dome end cap. Also irregular pleat spacing. Note, this is the splice and nicely embossed media.
CQ R85372-A43301 pooled epoxy bottom cap. Clearly shows the pooled epoxy on the threaded end cap. Nice thick embossed media. Also a wide pleat space on left. I doubt the pooled epoxy is an issue. Other than it subtracts from the usable filter area.
CQ R85372-A43301 inside view base plate. The inside of the base plate was not as smooth as the one on the PH820. However, it may be sufficiently deburred to not cause an issue.
CQ R85372-A43301 embossed filter media. This media is relatively tough. It took awhile to dissect the filter using a utility knife. It is embossed which I think strengthens the media.
CQ R85372-A43301 metal core spliced. This is a tough metal center tube. Splice looked good to me.
Number of pleats: 41 pleats including the spice
Filter cartridge height: 3" to 3 1/16"
2x pleat depth: 1 11/16"
Effective pleat width: 3" - 0.25" = 2.75"
Filter area: 1 11/16" x 41 x 2.75" = 190.3"
Number of wide spaces from 1/4" to 3/4": 10
Number of holes in the center tube: 95
Center tube hole diameter: 7/64"
Center tube hole area for 95 holes: 0.893 sq in.
In my view this filter may operate perfectly fine. However, I can not prove it with this cut and post.
I could not rip the end caps from the core and all the pleats were solidly glued to the end caps.
With a filter that is a bit longer than the PH820 and embossed media, this media may resist tearing in spite of the wide pleat spaces.
In order to finish the evaluation, it would have to go on a vehicle and checked at the end of the OCI.
So, if you are using a CQ R85372, I would encourage you to cut it open and the end of your next oil change and give us a report.
CQ R85372-A43301 exterior #1. Good looking appearance from the exterior.
Nice heft to the filter also. I believe the date code is A43301 but I do not know the date code format.
CQ R85372-A43301 base end - dome end bpv #2. View of the thread end and showing the dome end BPV. No rust anywhere in this filter.
CQ R85372-A43301 filter element #1. You can see the splice on this shot and several wide pleat spacings on either side. I counted 10 wide pleat spaces ranging from 1/4" to 3/4". The 1/2" to 3/4" pleat spaces might be a problem but the embossed media and filter geometry might fix this.
CQ R85372-A43301 filter element #2. Another wide pleat space on this sector. If you look closely, the epoxy is pooling up on the thread end cap.
CQ R85372-A43301 filter element #3. Nice pleat spacing in this sector.
CQ R85372-A43301 filter element #4. More wide pleat spacing in this sector.
CQ R85372-A43301 dome end bypass. The dome end bypass appears to be made of nitrile rubber and does yield to finger nail pressure. I do not have a spring gauge to check the spring tension. It does operate smoothly.
CQ R85372-A43301 nitrile ADBV. Thread end of the filter with the Nitrile ADBV. Shot of the metal inner tube.
CQ R85372-A43301 nitrile ADBV #2. More accurately shows the dome end Relief Valve. If you look closely, you can see the almost deburred inlet holes are cutting into the ADBV. I don't think this will be an issue.
CQ R85372-A43301 dome end BPV. Clear shot of the center tube and dome end Relief Valve.
CQ R85372-A43301 nitrile ADBV very pliable. This is a very pliable and soft ADBV. It is much softer than the Champ PH820 I cut earlier. The ADBV may work better in this model because of the softness until it hardens with time and temperature.
CQ R85372-A43301 thin epoxy top cap. Demonstrates the thin but even amount of epoxy on the dome end cap. Also irregular pleat spacing. Note, this is the splice and nicely embossed media.
CQ R85372-A43301 pooled epoxy bottom cap. Clearly shows the pooled epoxy on the threaded end cap. Nice thick embossed media. Also a wide pleat space on left. I doubt the pooled epoxy is an issue. Other than it subtracts from the usable filter area.
CQ R85372-A43301 inside view base plate. The inside of the base plate was not as smooth as the one on the PH820. However, it may be sufficiently deburred to not cause an issue.
CQ R85372-A43301 embossed filter media. This media is relatively tough. It took awhile to dissect the filter using a utility knife. It is embossed which I think strengthens the media.
CQ R85372-A43301 metal core spliced. This is a tough metal center tube. Splice looked good to me.
Number of pleats: 41 pleats including the spice
Filter cartridge height: 3" to 3 1/16"
2x pleat depth: 1 11/16"
Effective pleat width: 3" - 0.25" = 2.75"
Filter area: 1 11/16" x 41 x 2.75" = 190.3"
Number of wide spaces from 1/4" to 3/4": 10
Number of holes in the center tube: 95
Center tube hole diameter: 7/64"
Center tube hole area for 95 holes: 0.893 sq in.
In my view this filter may operate perfectly fine. However, I can not prove it with this cut and post.
I could not rip the end caps from the core and all the pleats were solidly glued to the end caps.
With a filter that is a bit longer than the PH820 and embossed media, this media may resist tearing in spite of the wide pleat spaces.
In order to finish the evaluation, it would have to go on a vehicle and checked at the end of the OCI.
So, if you are using a CQ R85372, I would encourage you to cut it open and the end of your next oil change and give us a report.