Hey guys! Question, new to this type of filter but is it normal for the filters pleats to look warped like this? I change the oil every 7k miles recommend is 10k miles. Everytime I've changed it they look like this. Thought i might be over tightening the filter but after i installed the new filter i took it back out and it looked normal. The filter is a Wix XP. Thanks for the responses and God bless!
Wix oil filter warped for 2025 chrysler pacifica
- Thread starter Dragon44
- Start date
Every WIX Pentastar oil filter I have handled, the center support tube does not spin independent of the outer media like the OEM ones do since rev AB and subsequent. Sometimes the filter will grab when cranking down the cap. I avoid WIX for Pentastar applications because of this.
Interesting! I used a baldwin filter for this change to see if it happens with this brand. Curious if it happens again or at all now. Ive always liked wix but may not use them with the mini van again. Thanks for the reply!
The Fram Endurance has wire backing 
Are you sure you are getting the filter all the way on the filter cap? Some of them can be hard for the last inch or two.
Yes im sure it gives a positive click when its down all the way. And im over paranoid and make sure its installed correctly. The one i installed today i took back out to see if it gets damaged during install but it looked fine when i pulled it out.
Some oil filters can get wavy pleats from use ... seen many times on various cartridge and spin-on filers.
As noted, in my observation of Pentastar cartridges, it's pretty common to see some wave in them post use. As cartridges go, it is a relatively long narrow one. Other than aesthetics here, I don't think any harm done. Function maintained. That said, the comment by @Hootbro is food for thought, first I've seen of that observation. And another point for, when it comes to cartridges, OEM recommendation not a bad call.
I use the Fram Titanium for now in my GL450 and it gets the same waves after an OCI.The Fram Endurance has wire backing
dnewton3
Staff member
Wavy pleats are not unique to cartridge filters. Also seen aplenty in canister filters as well.
As long as the waves are not extreme and don't induce splits in the media, there's no concern.
I've heard the arguments both ways ...
- waves are bad because the media isn't able to resist the spring force which seals the ends
- waves are OK because it proves that the ends caps are properly sealing (if there were no waves, it could indicate that the end caps are not sealed)
Pick your poison.
As long as the waves are not extreme and don't induce splits in the media, there's no concern.
I've heard the arguments both ways ...
- waves are bad because the media isn't able to resist the spring force which seals the ends
- waves are OK because it proves that the ends caps are properly sealing (if there were no waves, it could indicate that the end caps are not sealed)
Pick your poison.
To date, I have only seen the issue of the stuck center cage on WIX (Made in China) and recently a Hengst (Made in USA) filter.
Found this thread back in 2019 bringing it up before and a few more times since of the issue with WIX filters either made in Poland or China.
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/new-filters-fram-vs-mopar.313122/#post-5174689
Does stuck center cage really matter? The filter spins free on the cap when you snap it into place (at least mine always have).
I tested my Purolator cartridge filter the same... torqued it down to spec & removed it but there were no wavy pleats. Certainly happening during use & not installation error.
Must matter to some extent if they made the change to the OEM filter for it to spin.
4wd
$50 site donor 2026
I literally had only one not do that - a Mobil 1 which has likely changed makers anyway …
I used a baldwin 9600 filter this change. So we will see if it happens again. It looks similar to OEM so we will see. I may try mopar next if it happens again.
