PL20195 Dissection

[Sierra048]

Well,

I couldn't resist anymore so I changed the oil in the Jeep. Out came Motorcraft 5W20 and this Pl20195. There were 4805 miles on this run. Observations were that all in all I wasn't too disappointed in this filters performance. There were no noticeable tears in the media which I was very happy about. The only negative, if you can call it that, was that the two pleats just to the right of the seam were loose (could slide left and right well past their assumed anchor points) and didn't appear to be bonded to the end cap. This was at the top only. The bottoms of the pleats seemed secure. Your opinions? Hope the quality of the photos is good enough.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: Mfrank84
Well,
The only negative, if you can call it that, was that the two pleats just to the right of the seam were loose (could slide left and right well past their assumed anchor points) and didn't appear to be bonded to the end cap.


Not sure what you mean exactly by that. If they didn't seem bonded to the end cap, then that's not really a good thing.

 

[901Memphis]

I used to run these on my Taurus when they were blue cans but I recently ran out and switched back to the FL400S due to cost. The filters in this size range are usually pretty great, (PH3600, L20195, FL400S, etc). Pictures look okay for mileage but hard to see any separation.

 

[Sierra048]

You'd actually have to grab the two pleats just to the right of the seam to notice they were loose. You wouldn't be able to notice this if you didn't. It wasn't obvious to the naked eye. Not enough of an oil filter expert to determine the ramifications of this. It wouldn't appear that much, if any, unfiltered oil would have gotten through. Just the top top of those two pleats could be slid left and right of where they should have been secured. Bottoms were firmly anchored.

 

[Turk]

I'm torn (D-OH!!) about buying Pure One's any more from what I'm hearing...

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: Mfrank84
You'd actually have to grab the two pleats just to the right of the seam to notice they were loose.


Well, if they are loose and move around, then there's no seal there. It's possible the glue didn't catch them during manufacturing, or the media is tore there.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: Turk
I'm torn (D-OH!!) about buying Pure One's any more from what I'm hearing...

... I think many are getting 'torn' on the decision to use Purolators lately.

 

[Sierra048]

Originally Posted By: Turk
I'm torn (D-OH!!) about buying Pure One's any more from what I'm hearing...



I hear you. Today I returned seven Pure Ones I purchased at AA with their discount codes and replaced them with some Fram Ultras. I wanted to get some Fram Tough Guards but they didn't carry them.

 

[Sierra048]

Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: Mfrank84
You'd actually have to grab the two pleats just to the right of the seam to notice they were loose.


Well, if they are loose and move around, then there's no seal there. It's possible the glue didn't catch them during manufacturing, or the media is tore there.


I took a flashlight and looked really close at this spot. I didn't see any tearing of the media that's been posted on here previously. As mentioned earlier, I'm not an oil filter expert, but it does seem that the media should not have been able to be moved at the end cap.

 

[copcarguy]

I just used this same filter on my commuter '97 Mercury Tracer wagon. Got it with an oil change deal @ AA. Every cold start sounded like I just changed the oil - it must've drained out of the filter. Swapped it out with an FL400S and problem solved. I wasn't impressed.

 

[copcarguy]

I come on here about once a month, and just posted above about my P1. I then started reading about torn pleats and other drama people are discovering with their P1's. I was thinking: I changed the oil in my wife's Caravan and used whatever P1 that calls for and she started having her oil light come on at the end of the OCI, which has NEVER happened since we bought it new. I bought a new oil sending unit but just changed the oil since it was due and the light has remained off. I wonder if THAT P1 had something to do with it??

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: copcarguy
I come on here about once a month, and just posted above about my P1. I then started reading about torn pleats and other drama people are discovering with their P1's. I was thinking: I changed the oil in my wife's Caravan and used whatever P1 that calls for and she started having her oil light come on at the end of the OCI, which has NEVER happened since we bought it new. I bought a new oil sending unit but just changed the oil since it was due and the light has remained off. I wonder if THAT P1 had something to do with it??


Did you cut it open for a look inside?

 

[KCJeep]

That one looks good although pleats shouldn't be moving around.

As always thanks for cutting and posting!

 

[Sierra048]

Originally Posted By: copcarguy
I just used this same filter on my commuter '97 Mercury Tracer wagon. Got it with an oil change deal @ AA. Every cold start sounded like I just changed the oil - it must've drained out of the filter. Swapped it out with an FL400S and problem solved. I wasn't impressed.


My wife's Xterra has a start up rattle and it never had it before. It's not earth shattering, but noticeable. It will be interesting to see if it goes away when I replace the current PL14610 with either a Fram Ultra/Tough Guard or a Wix I have ready to install (haven't decided which). In 83K original miles, this is the only start up rattle its ever had.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: copcarguy
I come on here about once a month, and just posted above about my P1. I then started reading about torn pleats and other drama people are discovering with their P1's. I was thinking: I changed the oil in my wife's Caravan and used whatever P1 that calls for and she started having her oil light come on at the end of the OCI, which has NEVER happened since we bought it new. I bought a new oil sending unit but just changed the oil since it was due and the light has remained off. I wonder if THAT P1 had something to do with it??


Did you cut it open for a look inside?

Do you think the oil sending unit guts are in the filter?

 

[Turk]

Originally Posted By: Mfrank84
Originally Posted By: copcarguy
I just used this same filter on my commuter '97 Mercury Tracer wagon. Got it with an oil change deal @ AA. Every cold start sounded like I just changed the oil - it must've drained out of the filter. Swapped it out with an FL400S and problem solved. I wasn't impressed.


My wife's Xterra has a start up rattle and it never had it before. It's not earth shattering, but noticeable. It will be interesting to see if it goes away when I replace the current PL14610 with either a Fram Ultra/Tough Guard or a Wix I have ready to install (haven't decided which). In 83K original miles, this is the only start up rattle its ever had.


You HAVE to let us know!

Cut open the Filter if you will, please...

 

[Sierra048]

Will be my pleasure. Anxious to see what it looks like inside as well.

 

[KCJeep]

Tough Guards do well at killing start up rattle problems in my experience.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: KCJeep
Tough Guards do well at killing start up rattle problems in my experience.

KC, can you post an illustration of your engine showing the oil filter location? Thanx.

 

[KCJeep]

I don't have a pic of mine but it sits horizontal off the side of the engine. I believe that horizontal alignment has contributed to my start up rattle issues, but as you know I've now found 3 filters that will overcome it so I tend to use those exclusively now and rarely have rattle anymore.

Napa Silvers, Motorcraft S series and Fram Tough Guards all work very well for me.

I'll see if I can find a pic of someone else's Jeep filter for you so you can see.