PartsMaster filters

[Ben Boyle]

My local auto parts store is an Auto Value affiliate. They sell Wix oil filters which I normally buy. However, they also have their store brand "PartsMaster" filters. The box on them says they are made by Arvin-Meritor which I believe is Purolator. These filters retail about $2 less than the Wix. Should I be using Wix or are the PartsMaster filters a good?

 

[labman]

You may be on your own. I don't remember seeing any mention of them here. Look inside one. There should be a perforated metal center tube and a spring at the inlet end if your application calls for a bypass. If so, try one. Pay attention to noise and the oil light or gage on start up. One OCI with a crappy filter likely will not hurt your engine. After all, many of us ran Frams for years. After using it, cut it and a WIX open and compare them. Measure the filter areas and look for torn media and general poor quality. Unfortunately I know of no way of evaluating the quality of media. I have seen very few direct comparisons of WIX to anything else. Then you can make an informed decision. The more objective here will be happy to read your report. Wear your Kelvar if you knock either WIX or Purolator.

If it has a black plastic cage in the center, it is an E-core. See http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=002400;p=2#000046. We have a small war going on here over them. I am still holding out for more info before I use one.

 

[ufbbc]

I was about to post asking who makes these as my wife's van has one on it now. The shop I use apparently uses them. Wix has a cross reference on their website and I used it. PartsMaster part number is 61348 and Wix part number is 51348. Coincidence? Anyone know with certainty who makes partsmaster?

I can't climb under both cars all the time. You can't beat $10 oil changes. It's valvoline all-climate but I don't run it long.

 

[Ben Boyle]

The box says Arvin-Meritor right on the box which I understand is Purolator. I am just interested if they are as good as the Wix.

 

[Ken2]

Just about all the filter makers produce two or three (or more) quality levels in filters. ArvinMeritor makes top filtering Purolator Pure One, average filtering Purolator Premium Plus, and who knows what in their Group 7, SuperFlow, and whatever else they make.

Clarcor makes top quality Baldwin & Hastings, equal or better Amsoil oil filters, and lower quality Casite.

Champion...Wix...the list goes on. You can not assume that a filter is as good as the best just because it comes out of a certain factory.


Ken