STP Oil Filters = Engine Failure??

[cwilliamsws6]

My coworker is an ex Nissan tech and he told me a story about how a lot of Nissan's had to get their engines replaced after using an STP oil filter.

He told me that something about the baffling inside the filter(?) would starve the Nissan engines of oil and cause them to fail.

Of course I am skeptical because I used STP filters on my Honda for years with no problems.

I have attached a picture of an STP S6607 next to one of my OEM Nissan filters and the holes on the bottom of the STP are indeed considerably smaller than the Nissan filter. Now I am wondering if perhaps there was some truth in his story.

If I were to run the STP filter on my Pathfinder would it cause any problems or am I worrying about nothing?

 

[Donald]

Sounds sketchy. I would assume that Nissan would pull the filter and make sure it meets the requirements they specify for the engine.

 

[HankHill]

I doubt his story, but it may be true. I think that there would be a class action suit against STP over that..

Personally, I would just buy the Nissian filter.

 

[Zee09]

Would be nice to see a complete cut job to see the inside components.
Maybe in the future?

 

[Accent Abuser]

STP filters are just jobber Champ e-cores so I seriously doubt it. I don't see how a filter design could starve an engine of oil, it would have to create a massive restriction with no bypass valve and at that point the filter would explode.

 

[Timmastertech]

I doubt it but stories like that are why we only use OE filters. That way should there be an issue no one can say I used the wrong or substandard filter

 

[blufeb95]

Probably says more about someone who buys the cheapest oil change deal at Autozone more so that the filters themselves...

 

[cwilliamsws6]

Here's a C&P thread of an STP S6607:

STP S6607 - 12, 637 miles

Forgot I had this cheapo filter on the Civic for so long. IMO, it held up just fine. The nitrile rubber was a bit on the harder side but was still pliable.

bobistheoilguy.com

And a Nissan OEM C&P:

Nissan 15208-65F0E - 7300Km Cut Open

This filter came off my friend's 2016 Nissan Micra. The car has only 7300Km (4500Mi). This was the factory original filter along with the factory fill. Dented the can because it was on so tight that no mere mortal could remove it. No tears in the media. Enjoy!

bobistheoilguy.com

 

[ZeeOSix]

Here's a C&P thread of an STP S6607:

STP S6607 - 12, 637 miles

Forgot I had this cheapo filter on the Civic for so long. IMO, it held up just fine. The nitrile rubber was a bit on the harder side but was still pliable.

bobistheoilguy.com

That STP has louvers in the center tube. It's possible the ones the tech is talking about had closed louvers which would cause the filter to bypass alot of oil and maybe cause the oil pump to hit pressure relief, and if the bypass valve opening was too small it might reduce some oil flow. That's why I always insoect louvers if the filter has them.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Double post - deleted.

 

[Donald]

Personally I don't use STP anything. But their filters are most likely fine for your car. But better filters can be bought for a few dollars more. Back in the 1960s and 1970 every young guy with a car he thought was hot had an STP sticker.

 

[bullwinkle]

STP filters are just jobber Champ e-cores so I seriously doubt it. I don't see how a filter design could starve an engine of oil, it would have to create a massive restriction with no bypass valve and at that point the filter would explode.

I think they may have changed those to a Chinese Premium Guard design, I have a couple STP XL filters around, they're definitely not Champ made.

 

[wemay]

I think they may have changed those to a Chinese Premium Guard design, I have a couple STP XL filters around, they're definitely not Champ made.

Yup, I have two blue can type. They are Hyundai clones.

 

[Sayjac]

Agreeing with a previous poster but more so, I seriously doubt it. The AZ STP brand OF has gone through at least a couple manufacturers. For a long time they were Champ Labs made filters, very similar to if not same as earlier Champ made Super Tech line. Then STP went to China coo manufacturer. Somewhat recently 'majority' STP blue have gone back to Champ made filters that again are very similar to/or same as SuperTech. However, the S6607 pictured appears to still be the China coo STP blue. So the statement reads like "urban legend", 'to me'. I think the S6607 would be ok for standard interval oci/fci.

That said, if I was seriously considering the STP blue value/jobber tier filter, I'd go to WM and buy the Champ Labs Super Tech ST6607 for $3, half the cost of the STP shown. Or better yet, get the longer MP7317 with silicone adbv for .50 less. Never seen a Nissan where the longer 7317 application didn't fit.

As for using the Nissan OEM, ironically I found they have and adbv defect that allows oil to bypass when it moves off the end of the outlet flange. And there's been several anecdotes as noted in the linked thread that showed the same thing. So, it is not an isolated or one off anecdote. I wouldn't purchase one now.

Nissan 15208-65FOE Adbv Defect

This filter a dealer installed Gonher made oem off a Rogue. It was on ~4700 miles, ~6months. Had a wide pleat at seam pleat, but no tear(s). Biggest issue as topic noted, the adbv. Prior to opening the can I had noticed the Rogue had a start up rattle and very little if any oil came out of inlet...

bobistheoilguy.com

 

[wag123]

It sounds to me like Nissan was trying to make excuses for rejecting warranty claims to replace engines.

 

[Sayjac]

........And a Nissan OEM C&P:

Nissan 15208-65F0E - 7300Km Cut Open

This filter came off my friend's 2016 Nissan Micra. The car has only 7300Km (4500Mi). This was the factory original filter along with the factory fill. Dented the can because it was on so tight that no mere mortal could remove it. No tears in the media. Enjoy!

bobistheoilguy.com

I call your attention to the third pic down in the scroll. It shows the adbv defect referenced in my previous post. The adbv has slipped down outlet flange and flipped over. Neither the OP of the thread, nor any of the commenters recognized what had happened. Had I not cut open the same filter and found the same thing I wouldn't have recognized it either.

 

[Malo83]

Been using STP filters on my Silverado for years with no problems.

 

[cwilliamsws6]

Here's a couple pictures I tried to get of the inside of the S6607 that I have. What do you guys think of it?

 

[JustinH]

I don't think STP makes anything. They are just an old fashioned car brand that has vendors for all it's parts.

I wouldn't worry about it. Champ makes so many brands now.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Here's a couple pictures I tried to get of the inside of the S6607 that I have. What do you guys think of it?

Has big holes in the center tube, so no misformed louver anxiety there, lol.