Who has had problem with FRAM personally

[ZeeOSix]

All these cases of start-up rattle with a FRAM (assuming it's the low end orange can), sounds like cases of bad ADBV sealing allowing the can to drain oil while sitting.

Doubt anyone has had any issues with the Ultra, which has a silicone ADBV.

 

[jdeare]

I had start-up rattle in a 1997 Civic when I used a Fram filter (PH3593A). The rattle went away when I switched to some other brand that I can't seem to recall anymore... Hard Driver maybe?

 

[fdcg27]

I like this thread.
Instead of either Fram bashing or Fram fanboyism, you ask an honest question.
I'll give you an honest answer.
I used Farm orange cans as a matter of preference for many years based upon a CR test of oil filters showing that Frams had about the best filtration, and they were pretty cheap.
I've had problems in the past with Lee and Purolator filters not sealing at all, to the extent that I had to R&R them right after starting an engine after install, to a small base gasket leak with a Purolator on the Forester last summer.
I never had any issues with a Fram.
Fram oil filters have never been as bad as BITOG legend makes them out to be.
Cardboard end caps?
So what?

 

[shell_user]

Good point FDCG27, as I have one on my 91' chevy truck at the moment, no issues. I have a PH 7317 Tough Guard on the civic, as I dislike the STP S6607 filter.

 

[LeakySeals]

Lot of action in the first hour of this Fram thread from people that "heard something", flinging insults, hate, etc. Meanwhile over on the PureOne thread started yesterday at approx the same time... with visual proof of media failure..quiet as a mouse. Over here people recommending the same filter brand with a hole in it on another thread.

Hmm...

 

[motorguy222]

Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
All these cases of start-up rattle with a FRAM (assuming it's the low end orange can), sounds like cases of bad ADBV sealing allowing the can to drain oil while sitting.

Doubt anyone has had any issues with the Ultra, which has a silicone ADBV.


My filter is angled to where the ADBV does not come into play.

 

[driver123]

I agree, I've been around auto shops my whole life, I've seen alot of engine failures, but can't remember one that was attributed to an oil filter. I think there is a decidely anti fram bias here. I've used fram orange cans before, for many years without issue, and never met anyone personally that had a problem either. I used a P1 once, and was dissapointed with the flimsy can,in fact the first one I bought had a decent sized dent in the can, I assume from shipping or in store handling. It still makes me wonder why such an otherwise good filter should have such a flimsy can, I'll taka a NAPA gold anyday. I have read threads about this issue, but apparently this fault is more acceptable than fiber endcaps......hmmmmm.

Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
Lot of action in the first hour of this Fram thread from people that "heard something", flinging insults, hate, etc. Meanwhile over on the PureOne thread started yesterday at approx the same time... with visual proof of media failure..quiet as a mouse. Over here people recommending the same filter brand with a hole in it on another thread.

Hmm...

 

[WiskyBadger]

I've had the tapping on my 06 Chevy Silverado. Two guys that I work with have had them collapse and ruin their engines that was enough for me not to use them.

 

[OVERKILL]

I have some pictures of a severely deformed FRAM TG that came off my sister's Explorer. There was serious concern on whether the bypass valve was still sealing against the bottom of media stack, as the fibre end-cap was distorted.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: motorguy222
My filter is angled to where the ADBV does not come into play.

Depending where the filter is in relation to the oil level in the sump and how many oil galleries are above the filter, the ADBV could still come in to play regardless of how the filter is orientated.

 

[motorguy222]

The filter is above the oil pan and almost vertical,adbv up.The engine noise that happened with the Microgard has never happened with the other filters I have used and that covers Purolator,WIX made and Champion(e-core design)made filters.

The filters always have a full or close to full amount of oil when they are changed.

 

[KCJeep]

Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
Lot of action in the first hour of this Fram thread from people that "heard something", flinging insults, hate, etc. Meanwhile over on the PureOne thread started yesterday at approx the same time... with visual proof of media failure..quiet as a mouse. Over here people recommending the same filter brand with a hole in it on another thread.

Hmm...


I noticed that too...if that had been any Fram the lynch mob would have come out of the woodwork. I've honestly seen far more pictures of Puro's with blown/torn media than Fram. And Fram sells more filters. Fram doesn't use enough media IMO, but at least it appears to be good and strong.

Ever notice how many people post that they used Frams for years, decades even, without issue before they "found out" from the internet they were no good? I'm one of those people too, I used orange cans for nearly 30 years without so much as a hiccup, and I can't say that about several of the esteemed brands here since I've been "enlightened".

They are not the best filter or the best value, but the heat Fram takes is beyond ridiculous.

Most filters use a paper based media to filter the oil, lots of it, and that's just fine with everybody. But if Fram uses an even thicker paper based endcap to hold that media somehow that's the end of the world.

For the record my favorite entry level filters are Motorcrafts. But I still use the orange can once in a while, still without any issue, if only to thumb my nose at the haters.

 

[motorguy222]

I can only go by what I have experienced with the Microgard and dont plan on buying Fram or their products again unless there is no other choice.

Are Frams the worst? No and if you check comments I have made before regarding them you will see I have said they arent.

However,it has been some time since I had used a Fram or Fram made filter and I thought I would try one.I did and was not happy with what happened and since this did happen,why would I want to get another one?

I think this is how many feel.Are they the worst? Not really but why choose them when you can get better and usually at a lower cost? I dont have that much of a concern about the endcaps if they are sealed.I dont like the restrictive inlet holes and the lack of filter material. I also dont like the fact that they are made cheap but cost more than most others in their class.

This thread was started to ask people about what they had experienced with Frams and I told mine just as others have.

Do other filters have problems? Sure they do.

Are Purolators the best? Probably not.It seems that they too are having problems and they need to do something regarding them.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: KCJeep

I noticed that too...if that had been any Fram the lynch mob would have come out of the woodwork. I've honestly seen far more pictures of Puro's with blown/torn media than Fram. And Fram sells more filters. Fram doesn't use enough media IMO, but at least it appears to be good and strong.


Could be other factors too, like people who use FRAMs don't bother to cut the filters open. Or if they do, maybe they don't want to post up photos showing a failure. I like Purolators, and I had one tear a pleat where it meets the end cap. I posted it up and contacted Purolator to let them know in hops they improve their product. Even if something goes wrong with the brand I use, I'm not biased about it. Transparency is golden. regardless if it makes what you like look bad.

 

[NHHEMI]

I HAVE had a personal failure wiith Fram filters( caused engine failure ). I HAVE seen 1st hand Fram filters sold through the store I worked at have failures of various kinds. Hardly qualifies me as a lynch mob member or "hater". I am smart enough to learn from what I see.

 

[RF Overlord]

I freely admit to be a recovering FRAM-aholic. I haven't used a FRAM oil filter since joining here, NOT because of how allegedly "bad" they are, but because they just aren't a good value for money.

Now their FUEL filters OTOH, I have had 2 fail on family cars. One rusted through to the point of leaking, and the other was also severely rusted, but hadn't begun to leak yet. Both were installed for approx 1.5 years on 2 different cars in the same geographic area.

The MC fuel filter on my personal car in the same area was 2 years old at the time it was changed and still looked good.

Tell me why I should use FRAM products.

 

[danthaman1980]

I admit I used FRAM spin-on oil filters almost exclusively from the time I started driving at 16, until I was about 22; First on a 1987 Ford F-150 4.9L I6 and then on a 1994 GMC Sierra 4.3L V6. When I switched away from FRAM it wasn't because they had fiber end-caps or because I read bad things on BITOG... I still had no idea that FRAM filters had fiber end caps; I switched because I was tired of the FRAM filters being crushed under the force of the oil filter wrench when taking them off, and I finally noticed how thin the cans were compared to other filters that were about the same price.

The only 'failures' I've had personally (several times) were difficulties removing the filters (sometimes my fault due to overtightening the filter) due to the thin cans. I've had friends with exactly the same problem. So I haven't used a FRAM spin-on filter since my early 20s.

On the other hand, I do like some of the FRAM cartridge oil filters; they seem to be very well made.

In the end, you are better served doing some research on your specific application and figuring out for yourself which filter works best for you; after putting 200,000 miles on my current vehicle and doing all but one of the oil changes myself, I've found 4 or 5 specific oil filters that work very well for me, and I use whichever of those I happen to have sitting on the shelf.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
There was serious concern on whether the bypass valve was still sealing against the bottom of media stack, as the fibre end-cap was distorted.

If the end cap is distorted, we should refer to it as cardboard. If it works as intended, then it's fibre.

 

[KCJeep]

Originally Posted By: NHHEMI
Hardly qualifies me as a lynch mob member or "hater".


I agree, I just see a lot of "me too" piling on types of comments. That's what I'm referring to.

 

[KCJeep]

Originally Posted By: RF Overlord
Tell me why I should use FRAM products.


I could care less what you use, my point is simply they are not as bad as they are made out to be. The "Chicken Little" type posts that are so common are just silly, that's all.