Yes I am sure that you are an expert on this....So let the posts continue bashing an oil filter that was installed on the wrong vehicle..It makes good reading....
WCW: Fram TG6607 with damaged end cap
- Thread starter KevinMalone
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I’m pretty sure we can find defects with any filter company. Most of these manufacturers are ISO 9001 certified but that doesn’t mean they make 100% good product 100% of the time. Defects will always exist. Imo we can’t write off a brand just because we see some isolated issues.
We also need to remember that Honda OEM filters (as far as I know) use fram filters with fiber end caps. They also recommend changing the oil filter every other oil change. If this was a systemic issue, I’m sure we’d see a lot more Hondas on the road with premature wear among other issues.
We also need to remember that Honda OEM filters (as far as I know) use fram filters with fiber end caps. They also recommend changing the oil filter every other oil change. If this was a systemic issue, I’m sure we’d see a lot more Hondas on the road with premature wear among other issues.
This is the first end cap failure of this nature seen here over the last 15 years that I've been here. It's not because it's 0.4 inch shorter and 0.4 inch smaller in diameter. Other factors were the main cause, not the size.
Analyzing a failure is not "bashing", lol. People claim I'm a fanboy of Frams, yet I analyze ("bash") them when they fail, just like I do with any other brand. I'm a fanboy of filters that don't fail. That's why I went from media tearing Purolators to the OG Ultra many years ago (and now to something else), and why I gave up on Motorcrafts when sloppy glue starts coming off in use. Failures don't get my business.Yes I am sure that you are an expert on this....So let the posts continue bashing an oil filter that was installed on the wrong vehicle..It makes good reading....
In the case of this filter, I wouldn't worry about this failure unless more show up as time goe's by. Just like the media tearing Purolators and the Champ Labs ruffles stamped leaf springs, it starts to be seen, but will it become something common or not, like when torn Purolators were posted here every other day for many months back when they first went into media tearing mode.
If filters failed like this just because of the size, then we should be seeing all kinds of these same failures over the last many years on fiber end cap filters when fast lube places and even filter makers downsized the 7317 sized filter to the 6607 size for the same engine in thier filter application specs. Where's all the other blown-up filters because they are 0.4 inch smaller? 
I changed the oil and filter on an Infinity G35 with the 3.5L V6. It had a fast lube tiny filter on it, not much bigger than the tiny cartridge filter used on my KLX300 motorcycle. It was even smaller than a 6607. But it looked fine when I cut it open. That engine was clean inside, even though it had 170K miles on it, because it had regular 3K-5K OCIs.
Fwiw, that's my take too. It's true filter is a downsized version of spec. That said, I don't believe that the cause of endcaps folded up. As noted previously, seen posted here where quick lubes did similar a few times and post use filter was fine.
And for those thinking WCW did something devious to the filter endcaps, don't think so. I don't always agree with him, but purposeful misrepresentation of a finding, I don't see that one. And afaik, he was the first to start with flashlight testing filters bypass area. That's turned out to be very informative.
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Ok…not sure why you are schooling me on that fact. Nowhere in my post did I mention the wrong application being at fault.
I was actually agreeing with your "If this was a systemic issue" comment wrt the failure, not saying it's the application. There are may engines running around with this filter and like said, never seen one fail like this one ever. Pointing out it's not application but many factors adding up in the wrong direction. Don't know why you're all bent over that.
To everyone who saying that the wrong oil filter was installed, it may not be as black and white as that. I wonder if the 9688 is a recent sku from Fram.
Previously, if you had the option to run a "chubby" filter for naturally aspirated Subies, I seem to recall the 3593A being specified - as it still is for the Titanium variant. It was closer in dimensions to the Purolator made (white can) 15208AA060 that was at one time the service item used by North American Subaru dealerships.
If you wanted to run (or had to run due to the newer models having an exhaust manifold that wrapped around the filter) a thimble sized "skinny filter" you'd go with the 6607 or the now discontinued PH9715. The PH9715 had the correct bypass pressure and I am guessing was discontinued when Fram stopped making the dealer service item (blue can) 15208AA12A filter for Subaru of America.
Until very recently (when Subaru of America went back to the Tokyo Roki 15208AA100 due to supply chain issues), the Fram made (blue can) 15208AA12A would have been THE filter to use if you wanted to use a part from a North American Subaru dealer. (True FRAM haters would import 15208AA100 from overseas.)
Now, if you go to Fram's website and lookup the cross for the 15208AA12A, you get the 6607.
If you lookup the recommended filter for a 2005 Subaru Impreza which uses an EJ251 engine (similar to EJ251 used on the 2002 2.5l Outback in the video) and does not have a wraparound exhaust manifold and therefore can use either the chubby or skinny filters, Fram specifies the 6607. If you lookup the filter for my current daily driver, a 2008 Subaru Legacy with an EJ253 engine, Fram specifies the 6607. I haven't looked up the exact flow numbers, but I suspect the oiling system hasn't changed very much between these vehicles.
That said, if you lookup the cross for the 15208AA100 (which is now dealer supplied part for EJ251 and EJ253 engines), you get both the 9866 and the 6607.
So, just saying that it's not as cut and dry as you may think. When the original owner installed the 6607 filter, it may have indeed been the filter called out by Fram for that application.
Welcome to the world of Subaru oil filters!
---
Current ride: 2008 Subaru Legacy with naturally aspirated 2.5l EJ253 engine
Previous ride: 2005 Subaru Impreza with naturally aspirated 2.5l EJ251 engine
Previously, if you had the option to run a "chubby" filter for naturally aspirated Subies, I seem to recall the 3593A being specified - as it still is for the Titanium variant. It was closer in dimensions to the Purolator made (white can) 15208AA060 that was at one time the service item used by North American Subaru dealerships.
If you wanted to run (or had to run due to the newer models having an exhaust manifold that wrapped around the filter) a thimble sized "skinny filter" you'd go with the 6607 or the now discontinued PH9715. The PH9715 had the correct bypass pressure and I am guessing was discontinued when Fram stopped making the dealer service item (blue can) 15208AA12A filter for Subaru of America.
Until very recently (when Subaru of America went back to the Tokyo Roki 15208AA100 due to supply chain issues), the Fram made (blue can) 15208AA12A would have been THE filter to use if you wanted to use a part from a North American Subaru dealer. (True FRAM haters would import 15208AA100 from overseas.)
Now, if you go to Fram's website and lookup the cross for the 15208AA12A, you get the 6607.
If you lookup the recommended filter for a 2005 Subaru Impreza which uses an EJ251 engine (similar to EJ251 used on the 2002 2.5l Outback in the video) and does not have a wraparound exhaust manifold and therefore can use either the chubby or skinny filters, Fram specifies the 6607. If you lookup the filter for my current daily driver, a 2008 Subaru Legacy with an EJ253 engine, Fram specifies the 6607. I haven't looked up the exact flow numbers, but I suspect the oiling system hasn't changed very much between these vehicles.
That said, if you lookup the cross for the 15208AA100 (which is now dealer supplied part for EJ251 and EJ253 engines), you get both the 9866 and the 6607.
So, just saying that it's not as cut and dry as you may think. When the original owner installed the 6607 filter, it may have indeed been the filter called out by Fram for that application.
Welcome to the world of Subaru oil filters!
---
Current ride: 2008 Subaru Legacy with naturally aspirated 2.5l EJ253 engine
Previous ride: 2005 Subaru Impreza with naturally aspirated 2.5l EJ251 engine
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Being inactive and pop in read the forum from time to time and this is not what I'm expect to see from fram, my go to every day $5 oil filter for 5k or 6 month from Walmart.
I might switch to $5 oil filter microguard or STP.
Dang..
I might switch to $5 oil filter microguard or STP.
Dang..
The Subi chewed it up and spit it out that's for sure. CQ premiums are a good option at this moment in time as well. Still no response from FRAM on my particular email about the issues we've been seeing on premium filters. I guess they don't care...
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