I would agree that waves are good in moderation. Excessive waves would tell me there is compression on the end caps (filter too long) or the filter media is not up to the flow rate or requirements.
Wix oil filter warped for 2025 chrysler pacifica
- Thread starter Dragon44
- Start date
One cause of wavy pleats can be the media absorbing water from combustion blow by. The media can expand depending on its composition, and since the end caps are fixed the media needs to move somehow between them. Oil flow may have an inpact if the media becomes weaker from expansion and use.
If a cartridge filter is installed dry, then removed before running the engine and the pleats aren't deformed then it's not from being to long between the end caps or getting twisted from torque. If the cartridge filter has a stiff built-in center tube then that should keep it from deforming in compression.
Run a new filter for just a few days and get the engine to high revs a few times, then remove it to see if the high oil flow deformed the pleats. I doubt the flow would deform the pleats when new. If they become weaker from expansion, then may be possible oil flow could deform them.
If a cartridge filter is installed dry, then removed before running the engine and the pleats aren't deformed then it's not from being to long between the end caps or getting twisted from torque. If the cartridge filter has a stiff built-in center tube then that should keep it from deforming in compression.
Run a new filter for just a few days and get the engine to high revs a few times, then remove it to see if the high oil flow deformed the pleats. I doubt the flow would deform the pleats when new. If they become weaker from expansion, then may be possible oil flow could deform them.
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@Glenda W. recently posted a nice Carquest w/ reinforced filter for this engine.
Free with the Advance Auto oil bundle. ESP 0W-30 and this filter for $37.99. This will be going on my 2021 Jeep Wrangler 3.6. Nylon mesh backing, 100% synthetic media, 20k rated, 99.5%@25 microns. Excellent construction.
@Sayjac This is what was on my memory about what you posted that I found. Anyone know if the China reinforced media is still available?
Mentioned this on another Pentastar cartridge thread, new made in China XG11665 looks pretty good to me. I know many liked the made in S Korea XG cartridge and have been disappointed in one made in Brazil. Happened to be an open Ultra box so decided to check it out. Sorry pics not the best but tough in store to compose. Anyway, looks to be wire backed full synthetic media and a quality cartridge for ~$11. If looking for a little higher end cartridge this one would fit the bill imo.
Just for laughs, I pulled a Mopar M0349 from the shelf of my garage and looked at the center cage. It does NOT spin. Not even a little bit. Seems like I've bought some that spin and some that don't, and I've used 12-15 of these over the last 6-7 years (M0349 is the only filter I've used on the Pentastar). FWIW
I found the same of some spinning, and some don't, I think Mopar uses different vendors to make their filters by putting them out on bids to meet a certain specification. My question has been does the ones that don't spin have a chance of twisting with a chance of torn media and the ones that spin have a chance of dirty oil getting by on the filter part that spins?
It's my understanding that Hengst designed the filtration system for the Pentastar engine and the older GM Ecotec engines. I only use Mopar oil filters for the pentastar in my family and have never noticed any obvious concerns. For what it's worth the Ecotec engine in my Cavalier has seen many oil changes with several different filters and the ACDelco ones that have the Hengst logo on the filter have easily held up the best (no waves). Mopar filters are fairly easy to find and are a fair price at Walmart. I don't remember at the moment if the Hengst logo is on the Mopar filters for the Pentastar though.
