Premium guard is copying Fram

[Chris142]

Cut open the smashed filter I got in a box of 12 last weekend. Crosses to a ph3614.

Exactly the same design as the Orange can... Does look to have been improved though.

The non metal caps are glued to the paper well.. the flat spring has a larger area where the element seals to it.
I see no reason not to use them but was thinking they would have had metal end caps.

 

[MurkyAsparagus]

Service Champ has more than one manufacturer, similar to how STP has many manufacturers based on specific filter and region.

I don't believe this is PGI made. We would see a leak tested marking on the end.

 

[fantastic]

Yeah, It does appear that way on those ends.

 

[Lubener]

Fram has been around successfully for decades. Why not duplicate a decent design.

 

[Escape08]

Before there was a Chibson then a Chonda and now a Chram

 

[Chris142]

Fram has been around successfully for decades. Why not duplicate a decent design.

I see no reason not to use them. I would have preferred a coil spring myself. I ASSumed they were PG made.

Regardless they still look better made than any coming out of the American facilities lately.

 

[FowVay]

Those end caps look like the end caps that Mahle uses on some of their filters. It's a fleece material as opposed to the "engineered rigid fiber" Fram paper end caps.

 

[Chris142]

Those end caps look like the end caps that Mahle uses on some of their filters. It's a fleece material as opposed to the "engineered rigid fiber" Fram paper end caps.

It's very strong and hard to remove from the paper, paper tears when removing it

 

[SC Maintenance]

Thanks for posting!

Service Champ is not part of PG. Its owned by the largest franchisee of Jiffy Lube, or so google says. So presumably they could source wherever they like.

I agree it does not look like normal PG text, or build. It also does not look like current Fram / Champ who have gone either to E-core or large square louvers, haven't seen any stamped holes in years.

Its a mystery!

 

[ZeeOSix]

Service Champ is not part of PG.

The Service Champ brand is shown in this PGI line-up. Some other PGI filters like the STP are also made in China. It could be that the lower tier Service Champs are made by someone else, similar to the lower tier MicroGards are not PGI made - made by Mann-Hummel instead. Oil filter manufacturing source snd by who ... it's a big puzzle that constantly changes.

 

[MParr]

Champion Laboratories once had a factory in China. I have no idea if they are still in operation.

 

[zzyzzx]

It's missing the grippy part on the outside.

 

[Chris142]

No pics but the bypass valve does NOT seal well. Plenty of light going through it this morning when I checked that .

 

[ZeeOSix]

No pics but the bypass valve does NOT seal well. Plenty of light going through it this morning when I checked that .

The bypass valve itself, or the leaf spring to end cap seal? Since it has fiber end caps, and the leaf spring looks smooth then I'd think it would seal well on the end cap.

 

[fantastic]

When I spoke to Service Champ they stated that they were moving away from Champion labs filter. Service Champ shows up under the PG manufacturing & High line Warren owning Service Champ but also 3rd party supplier for the new Mobil 1's can get a bit confusing.

 

[Chris142]

The bypass valve itself, or the leaf spring to end cap seal? Since it has fiber end caps, and the leaf spring looks smooth then I'd think it would seal well on the end cap.

The valve seals against the flat spring and I can see light there where the 2 meet.

 

[ZeeOSix]

The valve seals against the flat spring and I can see light there where the 2 meet.

Did you actuate the bypass valve a few times to see if it seated and sealed better? Maybe there is a piece of debris stuck in it.

 

[Chris142]

Did you actuate the bypass valve a few times to see if it seated and sealed better? Maybe there is a piece of debris stuck in it.

Yes and no change

 

[blufeb95]

Champion Laboratories once had a factory in China. I have no idea if they are still in operation.

That's what I'm thinking, most made in Asia filters look very similar at the core and the outside can because they use the same tooling, but the markings on the can and the rest of the construction screams champion labs.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Yes and no change

The bypass disk or the hole it covers in the leaf spring must not be flat.