If stored in a humidity controlled environment, the Ultra and Xtended Gaurd filters can last decades, but I got some off ebay before that had not been stored well and they were rusty and they smelled pretty bad, I don't know what the smell was, the rubber decomposing, the sealant decomposing, the rust inhibitor they use on the bare metal inside becoming varnished. Even some of the ones I've used that are old that look good have a slight off smell from the rubber or whatever.This was posed not long ago ... 19 year old EG (which later morphed into the OG Ultra), which has the materials and construction needed to be used after sitting that long.
Fram XG3593A
Date code: Feb 28, 2006
2012 Honda Odyssey, 5k OCI
4th run of VRP
Silicone ADBV was pliable, pleats were uniform and media was intact. The 19 y.o. filter performed well and probably could have gone longer, but the package indicated that it was only rated for 7500 miles.
Suggestion: if you plan to use the tin snips technique to open the can, do it on a weaker unit like a Pure 1; this one was a real B and the old dykes worked better than the snips!
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Oldest oil filter you ever used?
- Thread starter 53' Stude
- Start date
I'm guessing they were stored in a basement, some of the boxes also had rodent chew.
I've installed two est. 15 year old Carquest Red Box cartridge oil filters on my old Range Rover. Was an easy decision since they were inserts and therefore didn't need to worry about rubber ADBVs or similar, and the media appeared uncompromised in any way, color, texture, rigidity. Whenever I get a filter to store until use, I always remove from the box, place in a plastic bag with those little pill/vitamin desiccant pouches, then reinsert into their box. May help...can't hurt.
Some people think their filters need to be "fresh" like donuts, but if these cellulose components really were that fragile, they'd come with expiration or best-by dates. The fact that they don't suggests they're typically good for many years, perhaps even a couple decades if their rubber parts remain flexible. A similar situation for tires, although single-digit ages are more reasonable for those.
Some people think their filters need to be "fresh" like donuts, but if these cellulose components really were that fragile, they'd come with expiration or best-by dates. The fact that they don't suggests they're typically good for many years, perhaps even a couple decades if their rubber parts remain flexible. A similar situation for tires, although single-digit ages are more reasonable for those.
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- Joined
- May 9, 2023
- Messages
- 314
So my brother has a mint 58 Biscane with the 250hp 348
He recently found a stash of original filters that were said to be from the mid sixties. He is a nut for originality.
Anyrate, the filters look like a large soup can. I’ve heard the have a nickname of cheese graters.
I’ll see if I can get a pic
He recently found a stash of original filters that were said to be from the mid sixties. He is a nut for originality.
Anyrate, the filters look like a large soup can. I’ve heard the have a nickname of cheese graters.
I’ll see if I can get a pic
We used filters from the 80's on my dad's 87 Mazda B2200 he bought new, he bought a ton of them before he quit working at the dealership. Sold the thing in 2019 that's all it ever had were those OEM Mazda filters. I kept one and cut it open and it looked fine. They were always stored in the loft in the garage.
I had bought some WIX GOLD filters (several years BEFORE the M&H buy-out.) Still have a couple of them. Probably 9 years old now, give or take. I'll probably use one on my son Kia Rio this fall.
Oldest I used was Purolators from 2001. I got c&p on here somewhere.
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2025
- Messages
- 6
Just got some Royal Purple filters made in 2008 as part of RA clearance for the duramax. Seem ok at first inspection, but will probably cut one open before using the others.
