Possible Problem with Pure One

[IndyFan]

I had the oil changed on my Solstice and was talking to the owner of the shop as he changed the oil on my Sol. I asked him about what he's been seeing with the cartridge oil filters in the Ecotec engines and he said he'd seen some "cheap filters" (refering to Wal-Mart) having the pleats start coming apart at high mileage (over 5,000). We pulled my filter (it had about 5000 miles on it) out and one of the pleats appeared to have begun coming apart. It looked like we got it out just in time. I thought it was a Supertech, but got home, updated my maintenance log, and discovered it was a Pure-One. I was surprised. He had said he had recommended Pure-One as one that he had not seen do that before. Needless to say, I'm going to pull the current one somewhere close to 3,000 miles and replace it with something different. One nice thing about the cartridge. I can replace it anytime without messing with the oil, as it comes out of the top of the engine.

Has anyone else seen this with this type of filter or in an Ecotec?

 

[unDummy]

I've seen pleats move around. But, I've never had a filter with pleats coming apart.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

 

[blue_goose]

The OEM filter was twisted a bit in my Ecotec 2.2 in my HHR after 1100 miles..the Supertech that I had in there for 3K looked solid...same filter as the Fram and STP. I avoided the Purolaters due to what I thought looked like cheapness...well..yeah they just looked shoddy

I'm going to continue to use the ST's and Frams


Goose

 

[IndyFan]

Sorry, no pic. It was tossed. I'm kicking myself for not keeping it. I did not inspect it closely before installing it, however, that is why I said it "appeared" to be coming apart on one pleat.

That is also why I asked if anyone else has seen this.

Quote:

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I've seen pleats move around. But, I've never had a filter with pleats coming apart.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

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[blue_goose]

Just got back from Pep Boys and looked at P1 filter...I don't like who where the filter is glued together...looks like it could open up which sounds like it may have in this case



Goose

 

[LoneRanger]

The Purolator Premium Plus I put in looked pretty well made.



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2007 Chevy HHR 1LT 2.2L Ecotec

 

[blue_goose]

I didn't like how it was glued together on the fold..looked like there was some gaps in it...also the media itself felt flimsy...not tight like the Fram or ST...good or bad? Who knows! Just my preference I guess


Goose

 

[glenncof]

Two comments:

1) I pulled a FRAM 3980 apart and found a long metal clip at the seam.

2) I've cut apart a MC-820S (puralator mfg) and found no metal clip, just glued. The pressure difference on the outside vs inside is only a result the media. Assuming the filter is not 'clogged' I would guess this pressure difference is low and not high volume.

For a 5K OCI on a clean engine I'm not worried. If I was doing 10K OCI or had a dirty engine I would be concerned.

 

[jbas]

"He had said he had recommended Pure-One as one that he had not seen do that before."

Appreciate the attention-warning, but isn't the above, considering your's was the first, a good evaluation? Have to wonder what other filter brands he has seen with problems. And frequency, severity, etc.

 

[IndyFan]

He claimed he had seen Super Tech filters come apart like that. Only on long intervals, though. My interval was only 5,000 miles. He didn't expect to see it on my filter. I wasn't sure I had a Pure One in there until I went home and checked my Maintenance log. (I enter everything after each service, including the brand of oil filter because I frequently alternate between Super Tech and Pure One). I've got another Pure One in there now. At 3,000, I'm going to pull it, inspect it, and replace it. They have Mobil 1 filters on sale at Advance Auto, or I might throw a Super Tech that I have on the shelf in there and inspect it after 3,000. One great thing about this little Ecotec is that I can pull oil filters and replace them without having to open the drain plug or making a mess.

I might also consider switching to a NAPA Gold. (Wix)

I'm also going to closely inspect every filter before it goes in to make sure the problem wasn't there before it got into the engine.

Quote:

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"He had said he had recommended Pure-One as one that he had not seen do that before."

Appreciate the attention-warning, but isn't the above, considering your's was the first, a good evaluation? Have to wonder what other filter brands he has seen with problems. And frequency, severity, etc.

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[LoneRanger]

Quote:

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I might also consider switching to a NAPA Gold. (Wix)

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Keep in mind that there is an inherent difference between the Wix and Delco Ecotec cartridge filter design vs. the Supertech, Fram, and Purolator Ecotec cartridge filter design (and possibly other aftermarket brands) as detailed in this thread:

http://theoildrop.server101.com/forums/s...ge=1#Post930841

Whether the design difference matters or not is up for debate.