Oil filter heater not fitting on Wix filter for Generac Guardian

[stealth17]

I serviced my 22kW Generac 999cc generator today and I did my homework because getting the OEM filter online the shipping is as much as the filter and I wanted to get this done asap. Generac 070185ES is OEM and cross references to Wix 57145 which I was easily able to snag in town. Even on the Wix website it shows this filter as a cross reference, but little did I know the OD of the filter is slightly smaller which means my filter heater does not fit.

For an overnight hack I wrapped it in aluminum foil to make it snug, I hate to drain the fresh oil and buy the OEM when otherwise everything is the same. Did some research and found that Rescue Tape which is silicone tape rated -85F - 500F is the best option. Does this seem safe and would it be good to last a year until my next oil change (mostly sits idle)? Wondering if I can just do this going forward or if I really should pay up for OEM. I am still under warranty too…. not ideal I know…

Thank you!

 

[Ericm]

I know almost nothing about the application, but I like the Aluminum foil, not the Silicone tape. This is because the Al foil should conduct heat to the oil filter much better if tight enough. If you could tightly wrap the heater with several cable ties or lightly snug some hose clamps to get better contact and better heat conduction to the filter - I think that may help put more heat into the oil and less into the outside air.
Loosely wrapping the whole assembly with a few layers of woven fiberglass fabric as insulation would even be more efficient, but only if the heating pad is self regulating so it won't overheat....My 2 cents.

 

[stealth17]

Ok thank you! I tried cable ties but they didn’t do much. I’ll pickup a hose clamp to see how that does. It’s quite snug on there now so I’m hoping it’ll transfer heat decently well. It’s tied to a thermistor in the case so I believe it must be self regulating while off but I’ll check it on a cold day.

I was also thinking maybe I could just get the correct filter and drain oil into a clean container so I can just reuse it. Might be better vs worrying about this thing. I’m in Ohio so we can get some pretty nasty lows.

 

[Eddie]

Seems like a lot of effort to gain so little but, if you have the time to waste, go for it.

 

[stealth17]

Seems like a lot of effort to gain so little but, if you have the time to waste, go for it.

great point, time is one thing I don’t have to spare. I’ll just keep an eye on it then. Thanks all!!!

 

[BHopkins]

Though not as the Rescue Tape brand, I have used silicone tape quite a bit in my career, and for personal use. It is a very cool product, and is the ideal thing for many applications. It is essentially tape made of silicone that is not fully cured. It is highly elastic, so ideal application is to stretch it tight, overlapping the tape. Of course it is also a great insulator. It is somewhat expensive, and has a short shelf life, as it tends to cure with time, and then loses it's elasticity and it's self adhesion.

In your application, would it be applied partly overlapping the heater and partly on the end of the filter, so as to hold the heater in place?

I personally like your ingenious solution. Does the heater element seem like it will stay in place? Or do you need something more?

I am curious why you feel that an oil filter heater is needed. This is the fist time I have ever heard of one. I didn't think Ohio is that cold.

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

If Aluminum foil will cover my Turkey for Thanksgiving, Its good enough for a oil filter!
I say use the Foil...
However, I am overthinking and know nothing about a oil filter heater but I know when it comes to heat transfer all things are not equal? I'm talking a PC chip as example, IF the heatsink is not installed proper with the proper heat transfer gel the chip will overheat.
Perhaps it is just best to pay the man and use a oil filter that fits as you I would think want proper heat transfer?

 

[BHopkins]

I did a search for "oil filter heater", and the results I got were all related to Generac 9-26kW generators. There appears to be no other application where an oil filter heater is used. Interestingly, the instructions for the Generac oil filter heater say that 5W-30 oil must be used when using the heater. Why not just use a 0W-xx oil, and eliminate the expense, maintenance, and added complexity of the oil filter heater?

I wonder why Generac thinks they need to offer this accessory? Is it nothing more than a way to make money?

 

[Highboy]

Get an old sock and slide it over the filter and heater!!!

 

[jkasch]

When my standby was installed, there was a winter kit option. It included the filter warmer and a battery warmer (a heated pad that the battery sits on). I had the opposite problem. The filter warmer was too snug for the correct Generac filter, causing it to split. I used zip ties to hold it on.

The battery is 11 years old and still load tests fine. So, maybe the pad helps.

 

[repairman54]

I had the tube that goes from the oil filter base to the oil cooler start leaking on my old 11k Generac. I had no cold weather kit (filter heater) on it. 0-30w oil in it also. It saw -20f starts in winter. I now know why they put a heater on the oil filter and not the engine block or base of it.

 

[nomas]

We used these flexible heaters on a lot of equipment where I used to work . Basically , anything that will secure them will work . Zip ties , high temp RTV , or that adhesive tape with the foil backing .

 

[EvoMan]

I have the same generator. I’m in Florida so no need for a filter heater. I’m running a Pentius PLXL4386 oil filter. Next filter change I’ll be using a Premium Guard PG195EX. You can also use 3614 size filter.

 

[dlundblad]

I ran into this last year. It’s a shame not to be able to use a higher quality aftermarket filter.

The filter heater is a pretty tight press fit onto the filter. I would be worried about the tape job vibrating off. I’m also willing to bet you’re losing some surface area contact to where the heater isn’t heating as much as it could be.

It’s definitely a roll of the dice. Worst case, keep it on and check it monthly assuming you have it exercising regularly.