What's the longest I should use an e-core for?

[cheesepuffs]

Hey guys. I'm currently using an ACDelco e-core because I didn't even know what an e-core was until after I bought it. My truck sees lots of short trips on a daily basis and it takes me about 10 months to accumulate 3,000 miles. I'm not panicing about it or anything but obviously these filters are less than top-notch so I'm wondering if I should just do an oil and filter change earlier, maybe around the 6 month mark or so, and switch to Purolator or Wix.

What do you guys think? Can I run this thing for nearly a year through the entire range of relatively extreme New England temperatures? Or are they really too poorly built to handle it? Will the nitrile ADBV valve harden and become brittle with 10 months of use?

 

[actionstan]

Not a big fan of the e-core design, that being said, I don't think you'll have any issues with a 3000 mile oci.

 

[901Memphis]

The nitrile will be hard from the factory, but that shouldn't be any big issue unless its mounted extremely angled. You should cut it open after a year and see how it faired. If you are unable to cut open, at least drain it and peek down the hole to check for any media holes or cage damage.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3177630/Re:_Are_Champ_Ecores_that_bad?#Post3177630

 

[Klutch9]

I still don't understand why people hate e-core filters so much. Every cartridge filter setup I've seen thusfar uses basically the same setup, wherein the cartridge filter slides down over an e-core style cage. The only difference is that the "e-core" cage is part if the whole filter/cap assembly, and possibly that the OEM plastic cage might be a little stronger than the aftermarket e-core cages. But I don't think strength is why people hate these filters. Yes, I've seen a few instances where the media has blown a hole where a cage opening exists. But if the problem really was even remotely common, every OEM that uses a cartridge-style setup (and there are a lot of them) would be out of business by now.

 

[bepperb]

It's probably not a filter I would double OCI Honda style (15,000 or 20,000 for some of their cars) but anything under 10,000 miles I'm sure would be fine, assuming no other issues. 3000 miles, don't be ridiculous. Any filter can go that distance. If you have enough contaminants to plug a filter in that amount of time you have bigger issues to deal with.

 

[lawmanracing]

I believe the main complaint with e-core is the construction which has synthetic end caps that are not attached very securely to the filter media. This could allow contaminant to bypass the media and cause engine damage.

 

[ZeeOSix]

"What's the longest I should use an e-core for?"

Zero seconds ...

 

[KCJeep]

Use it long enough to drive somewhere and get another filter.

Way too many failures posted here and elsewhere of ecores with blown media. There are a host of more reliable alternatives available for the same money.

In regard to the cartridge filter comment, its correct the cartridge filters resemble the interior of an ecore in appearance. But I have never seen a single cartridge filter exhibit the media characteristics that are all too common on ecores. I tried one (ecore) once because I am quite open minded about different designs. Not only did it give me horrible start up rattle on cold start (and it was summer) when I took it off the media had already flattened badly in one spot. Media flattening is the precursor to blow out from what I've seen. All that in only 6 days and 300 miles of use. No thanks.

 

[bullwinkle]

Anything but an Ecore-and that list even includes Driveworks, Rural King, and the other PRC made filters.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: KCJeep

In regard to the cartridge filter comment, its correct the cartridge filters resemble the interior of an ecore in appearance. But I have never seen a single cartridge filter exhibit the media characteristics that are all too common on ecores.


As sayjac mentioned in a thread or two ... it's possible the "combo" ADBV/bypass valve might have something to do with blown out media cases. If the bypass part of the combo valve doesn't work well, then it's possible the media experiences too much delta-p, and that along with the open ecore cage and spaced out media pleats caused blow outs.

 

[cheesepuffs]

For the record guys, my engine has exhibited no noticeable start-up rattle with this filter. At least not yet. It's been six weeks (and only 600 miles) and I can't tell a difference in performance upon start-up between this and the Valvoline (Puro Classic) filter that was on it before.

Although I will say that my oil pressure gauge is doing some funkier things since the switch (I even made a thread about it) but I was told that it isn't the filter causing it...

We'll see. No matter what I am going to cut this filter open upon removal and post pics.

 

[bullwinkle]

Good news is a SB Chevy doesn't need a bypass (it's in the block), nor an ADBV (located open end up under the block), so that's in your favor.

 

[KCJeep]

Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: KCJeep

In regard to the cartridge filter comment, its correct the cartridge filters resemble the interior of an ecore in appearance. But I have never seen a single cartridge filter exhibit the media characteristics that are all too common on ecores.


As sayjac mentioned in a thread or two ... it's possible the "combo" ADBV/bypass valve might have something to do with blown out media cases. If the bypass part of the combo valve doesn't work well, then it's possible the media experiences too much delta-p, and that along with the open ecore cage and spaced out media pleats caused blow outs.


Makes sense as a possibility, although as he pointed out many Chevy applications don't even have a bypass in the filter and I've seen plenty of blown ecores from GM apps as well.

 

[cheesepuffs]

Originally Posted By: bullwinkle
Good news is a SB Chevy doesn't need a bypass (it's in the block), nor an ADBV (located open end up under the block), so that's in your favor.


The lack of an in-filter bypass is a plus, however as an fyi my filter is mounted horizontally, parallel to the ground.

 

[bullwinkle]

Originally Posted By: cheesepuffs
Originally Posted By: bullwinkle
Good news is a SB Chevy doesn't need a bypass (it's in the block), nor an ADBV (located open end up under the block), so that's in your favor.


The lack of an in-filter bypass is a plus, however as an fyi my filter is mounted horizontally, parallel to the ground.
Sorry, thought they were all vertical. Must be a 4X4 thing.

 

[salv]

I have run many e-core filters without issue on several vehicles. I will use them if the price is right.

 

[fdcg27]

3K should be no problem.
I would not buy one of these filters as a matter of choice, but I might use one if I had it laying around.
There are too many quicky lube serviced vehicles running too many miles on the cheapest possible oil filters for me to suggest that you change it at once and we have seen pictures here of random failures with every brand and construction of oil filter.

 

[steve20]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
3K should be no problem.
I would not buy one of these filters as a matter of choice, but I might use one if I had it laying around.
There are too many quicky lube serviced vehicles running too many miles on the cheapest possible oil filters for me to suggest that you change it at once and we have seen pictures here of random failures with every brand and construction of oil filter.


Maybe I missed the example of an OCOD with blown media--don't recall ever seeing a Fram with media issues

 

[fdcg27]

No, but there have been Frams with other issues, like torn media and there have been Purolators with issues like blown base gaskets. Had one myself.
All brands and all constructions show the rare problem.

 

[cheesepuffs]

So as a quick response here guys I'm gonna run this filter about 4 months (which will be only about 1,000 miles, short trip vehicle) and last night I bought a PureOne for my next OC. It's getting changed this quickly mainly because I'm changing my OCIs to 6 months after that and want to be changing around March and September. I will be changing the oil every six months but using oil filters for one year straight.

Anyway, this P1 is the first 'premium' filter I've ever bought and now I understand why they're so popular. Even just holding it in your hand it feels like a much higher quality product. The metal core looks extremely stout, the canister even feels stronger, and the silicone ADBV was a must now that I'm going a year on filters. I have complete confidence in this filter and as long as I don't have some crazy bad experience with it these will be my new go to.

I'm gonna cut the e-core open when I take it off in a couple months and if it collapsed or tore then I'll post pics. It'll be my first and last e-core for sure.