I used to use only Fram oil filters years ago, because I believed the advertising. This was long before the internet and forums became so accessible. I first began to doubt Fram's quality when a filter I had removed felt and sounded "clunky". I felt sure that the element had come loose inside, but figured it was just a fluke and continued to use them on all of our vehicles. However, after that first time, I looked for this problem specifically on subsequent oil changes and soon found several more like this on different vehicles with different part number Fram filters. Keep in mind, we never extended our OCI back in those days and were not using synthetic oils (read, low miles on these filters). At that point I decided to use other filter brands and since then have never spun off another "clunky" filter from one of our vehicles. I have changed oil on a friend's vehicle and have found the element loose inside a Fram, even recently. I can't say for sure that these Frams had stopped filtering oil, but I'm not taking any chances personally. I wish now I had cut one of these open to confirm my suspicions. Anyone else have a similar experience?
What is it about FRAM
- Thread starter keval85
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Most studies show it to be constructed worse than others and have less sq. in. of filter media. That doesn't mean it will fail or do a bad job filtering (a guy in my Ranger club is approaching 300k on his truck with Frams), BUT for me it's just a matter that better stuff is available for the same or less money (AC, Motorcraft, SuperTech).
Yeah, now that I researached this a litte more, I'll be going back to ACDelco. I've already done so on my '98 Blazer.
I personally have'nt liked Fram filters since I ran one on my 72 Ford F100 with a 240 c.i. straight six engine. It knocked on start-up and I did'nt know why at the time, it was years later until I found out. The filter on this engine screwed onto the side of the block, the best way to describe it i guess would be that the filter was parallel to the ground. The motor knocked on start up because all the oil drained back into the block. HOWEVER I don't see how this could occur on the filters that are'nt tilted when they are screwed onto the engine block. I still won't use one though. Just my .02. Like everyone else has said. Why pay 3.50 for a Fram when I can buy an OEM Motorcraft sitting right next to it on the shelf at Wal-Mart for 2.97 !!!!
Fram uses decent media, but poor construction and ADBV/BV design.
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