Please explain the E-core hate

[KCJeep]

I've seen more negative comments on here about e-core filters than about anything other than Fram. What is the issue with them? I've done a lot of searching, and other than some reports of failures early on when they were first introduced I'm not finding much, other than a whole lot of dislike for them.

Are there still issues with them? Is the design flawed, or just "different"?

 

[JasonC]

It is the simple phobia over the plastic cage. People can't stand change nor can they comprehend that plastic can be stronger than "monkey metal" that is used inside some filters.

They are an excellent 5k filter, plain and simple.

 

[ZeeOSix]

I don't like the design for two reasons:

1) The center cage supports are too open, and the pleat spacing it too large - this combination can cause the media to flatten out on the cage and blow a huge chunk out and into the engine. There have been plenty of photos of this type of failure on ecore filters posted on BITOG.

2) The "combo" ADBV/by-pass valve has questionable reliability ... especially when it' cold outside and the nitrile rubber combo valve gets stiff.

As long as I can buy filters with a metal center tube, metal end caps and a typical silicone ADBV and typical bypass valve, then that's what I'll be using.

 

[Lead Shoes]

Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
I don't like the design for two reasons:

1) The center cage supports are too open, and the pleat spacing it too large - this combination can cause the media to flatten out on the cage and blow a huge chunk out and into the engine. There have been plenty of photos of this type of failure on ecore filters posted on BITOG.

2) The "combo" ADBV/by-pass valve has questionable reliability ... especially when it' cold outside and the nitrile rubber combo valve gets stiff.

As long as I can buy filters with a metal center tube, metal end caps and a typical silicone ADBV and typical bypass valve, then that's what I'll be using.

That pretty much sums up the reason for the hate around here....

 

[ARCOgraphite]

I'll add to zeeosix: The pleats are too shallow given the large DIA center tube therefore total filter media area will be compromised in a given form factor.

 

[NHGUY]

The filters also got shorter when they went E-core.Champ explained it as the new plastic core improved the filter enough so that a shorter dimension equaled the same filter/performance.Sounded like an flimsy excuse for the cheapening of their filters.

 

[Sayjac]

The following thread with pics illustrate the questions regarding the reliability of the ecore design.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/2-x-e-core-shocker-20k-fram-p-classic-pics.126890/

 

[HTSS_TR]

If you don't like plastic cage of E-core, you will afraid to use non-cage cartridge filters.

This K&N cartridge filter is very similar with other brands that is used in many MB engines.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
If you don't like plastic cage of E-core, you will afraid to use non-cage cartridge filters.

This K&N cartridge filter is very similar with other brands that is used in many MB engines.

That design has a cage around the outside of the pleats to keep them in place, which will prevent the pleats from folding flat - plus the pleats are pretty well packed. That's a better design than I've seen on a typical ecore spin-on filter.

If ecores had tighter spacing on the center cage windows, and tighter pleats, then there probably wouldn't be any problems with media blow-outs.

But there's still the "combo" valve issue; and there have also been photos of ecores with bad "fiber end cap" glue jobs so the pleats detach from the end caps.

 

[KCJeep]

Thanks for the responses, if the drain back valve is not any good it explains a lot also. I had searched but all I found were good "after" e-core pics. I finally tried a search for "E-Core failure" and found a few pics of bad ones. I kept reading posts about media failure but never saw any pics.

Long story short, I bought an STP e-core yesterday for a short cleaning OCI. The pleats look real tight on it but now I don't know if I'll use it or not.

 

[ltslimjim]

Originally Posted By: sayjac
The following thread with pics illustrate the questions regarding the reliability of the ecore design.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/2-x-e-core-shocker-20k-fram-p-classic-pics.126890/


^This.

...and ZeeOSix's post.

 

[chainblu]

It sounds like you are trying to talk yourself out of using it. If you're that worried about it, don't use it.

Just keep in mind that as you read this, there are literally hundreds of thousands (millions?) of cars on the road RIGHT NOW that have an e-core on them.

I think if there were hundreds of thousands of cars simultaneously slinging their rods out the side of the block, we'd know about it by now.

 

[Chris11]

Well I have to admit that i'm one of the guys that's hated on the E-cores here. I've been using AC Delco products on my GM car its whole life. I think they make great parts and have never had any issues with them. I remember when the Delco's switched over to the E-core design. I was doing an oil change and noticed the filter was shorter. It was a PF-47 like the old one so it must still be the right filter I thought. I put it on, it fit, didn't leak and that was that.

I did start to notice that the engine seemed louder once the E-core was on it. I ran the E-core for years all the while hearing a very noticeable cold engine tick that really bothered me. It was years later that I learned about how the E-cores were shorter than the classic AC Delco design and what was in them.

Now I had read all about media blowouts and poor thermal bonding of the end caps and all that but what really got my attention was people over the net (not just here on BITOG) saying they too noticed a louder cold engine tick with the E-core design. I began to look for the old classic designed Delco's again but could not find them. I could only get them from the Dealer (unlike in the USA where they can be bought all over) and the GM Dealers here only sold the E-core designs. I didn't want to order any of the old classic Delco designed filters online (too much of a hassle for me) so I came to this site and asked questions and ultimately switched over to Napa Gold oil filters.

Guess what? Once I switched over to the Napa Gold the loud cold engine tick was completely gone! It kills me to this day to think that I could have eliminated that noise years ago simply by switching over to a different oil filter. Who knows how much wear and tear my engine suffered at the hands of those E-cores. As a big supporter of AC Delco products it angered me that they would switch over to that design.

So there you have it. My story. Poor thermal bonding on the end caps, a plastic core, possible media blowouts, a questionable combo ADBV/Bypass Valve is one thing. All I know is my engine had loud cold engine tick with E-cores and now is quiet without them.

 

[yaris0128]

E-Core's are just cheap in design and cost the same as the "normal" ones. I can get a good Puro Classic and be proud to spin that filter on or use a cost saving measure filter that has highly controversial flaws. Even Fram isnt cutting the corners like Champion Labs with their filter.

 

[bullwinkle]

And now that the "Rank" Group owns both Fram and Champion Labs-look for a combination of Ecore AND "engineered media" end caps!! Hello Driveworks!

 

[SS1970chrysler]

I stopped buying Fram products in the mid 90's, but I still use free ones. Now I've added these ecores to the do not buy list. The only thing worse would be a filterstein combination of the two. I think a bit before I put a leftover Fram on my work car(my GM vehicles never seem to mind Frams), but I'm very, very hesitant to use an ecore.
Sadly, a $2 Pronto or Protec is a far better deal than either of those.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Originally Posted By: bullwinkle
Hello Driveworks!


+1 (Me too)

I'll also use a Puro Classic.

 

[Silver02ex]

I don't hate them, I cut enough of them open to know that they will do it's job.

 

[KCJeep]

Without sales a Puro Classic is 40 cents more than an STP, and 50 cents more than a Driveworks. I've been using the Puro Classic for short OCI's and PureOnes for longer OCI's, I guess I'll stick with those. I'm only out $3 and change on the STP anyway. Maybe I'll exchange it for a quart of oil or something.

 

[abycat]

Even though i cant readily get the ecore filters up here I would not use them in my rides when i can get a nice wix or mobil 1 EP for wholesale. I think Id even use a fram over ecore. The pic of the hole in the media turned me off of them. Ps. Dont tell anyone i do have a fram EG on my camaro. I plan on cutting it open when im done a nice run of about 4-5 thousand km on it. Got a nice filter cutter coming in soon