Wix quality control

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Buick92

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I've used many Wix filters over the years but the last two oil filters I've bought (Wix oil filter #51085)have had issues. One had a dent in the top about the size of a dime, there was no damage at all on the box so it leads me to think the filter was dented before going in the box (it's in use right now). Today I bought another Wix #51085 and when I looked down the hole where the mounting threads are there is a one inch piece of rubber just hanging there (it looks like a small piece of string) in the shape of a coil, I tried to pull it out but no luck so far, would this get trapped on the first pass through the filter?

T
 
The center hole is the return TO the engine from the filter... anything hanging in there will go into the engine, not into the filter. A small piece of rubber would probably get ground to bits and not do much harm, but you never know if it might block oil to some key component just long enough to cause a problem.

Everyone makes a bad one now and then, but it is troubling to see things like this in a reputable brand. The one constant in today's auto parts world is that there's no guarantee that consistent good quality last year will mean consistent good quality tomorrow. More and more companies are cutting corners, moving production overseas, etc.
 
Are the 2 filters the same lot number, or were they different? Take it/Mail it back, email photos to WIX or whomever you can to get a new one.

Last year I had a OEM Land Rover oil filter (gasket) fail on me, and allowed a quart or more of oil to leak out onto the garage floor. When I pulled it off, I saw about .5" of the gasket was deformed (think wavy). No idea...[censored] happens.

Lucky I noticed before I started to drive away.
 
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I thought about taking a picture and sending it to Wix, the filters were of a different lot number as far as I can tell, I'll have to varify it though.
 
I QA my filters @ the store. With no sealed boxes, it is too easy for one to be dropped, switched, etc. The packaging is barely enough to keep the filter from falling out IMHO.
 
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I QA my filters @ the store.
Bingo. Always inspect the filter before purchase (if possible), cuts downs on the surprises the OP found later. Dent may well have come after production.

As for Wix QA, while I don't use Wix, mostly because I can get P1's for less, imo they are a quality filter at a fairly reasonable price. However, as with any mass produced product, there's going to be issues from time to time. It happens. I've seen no indication of an overall Wix quality decline posted here.
 
Originally Posted By: Buick92
I've used many Wix filters over the years but the last two oil filters I've bought (Wix oil filter #51085)have had issues. One had a dent in the top about the size of a dime, there was no damage at all on the box so it leads me to think the filter was dented before going in the box (it's in use right now). Today I bought another Wix #51085 and when I looked down the hole where the mounting threads are there is a one inch piece of rubber just hanging there (it looks like a small piece of string) in the shape of a coil, I tried to pull it out but no luck so far, would this get trapped on the first pass through the filter?

T


I would waste no time in contacting WIX let them be responsible for their product you are a good customer and should be treated as such but you need to give them a chance to do so.

A good way to purchase filters is when they are in the stock room behind the counter when they are on the display sometimes people handle them and drop them.

Good Luck.

Toto.
 
Originally Posted By: sayjac
Quote:
I QA my filters @ the store.
Bingo. Always inspect the filter before purchase (if possible), cuts downs on the surprises the OP found later.


Same here. I started doing that meticulously after buying a P1 and getting home to find a standard Purolator in the box. Nothing against regular Purolators, but I don't want to pay P1 price for it. Pep Boys let me exchange it.
 
I have made it a habit to check everything I buy not just oil filters unless its packaged in a way you can't readily get to it. You just never know what you have. I would contact Wix as others have said and hopefully they will take care of you. Its just like anything else there's always one bad apple that falls from the tree every now and then. I have to say though it makes you wonder if its a repeat though.
 
I've always checked with AC Delcos because the GM part number doesn't always tell the story on which ones are ecore. I haven't been checking the Bosch filters I've been buying. I think I will from now on.
 
Originally Posted By: Buick92
One had a dent in the top about the size of a dime, there was no damage at all on the box so it leads me to think the filter was dented before going in the box...


Was this "dent" dead center of the dome? Was it flat, or concave? If it was flat, then it is supposed to be there. On the label of the filter is says not to use dented filters.
 
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Originally Posted By: Buick92
...and when I looked down the hole where the mounting threads are there is a one inch piece of rubber just hanging there (it looks like a small piece of string) in the shape of a coil,...


Don't use this filter. Take it back to where you purchased it for a replacement or refund.
 
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Originally Posted By: Torrid
I've always checked with AC Delcos because the GM part number doesn't always tell the story on which ones are ecore. I haven't been checking the Bosch filters I've been buying. I think I will from now on.

If the part number ends in CL...like PF16CL, for example, then it is for sure the old style. Special order usually. The CL stands for "classic."
Just an FYI.
 
Always eyeball filters now. Ive seen a dented filter, wrong filter without gasket(someone may have switched), and once a used filter that I took up to the counter dude. He thinks a couple days ago, a fella bought a filter, went to his vehicle and was back in a minute saying "Hey I Got The Wrong Filter, need to switch to the correct filter". Opportunity switch-a-roo he thinks.
Another time I got a quart of used dirty oil.
 
Originally Posted By: river_rat
Originally Posted By: Torrid
I've always checked with AC Delcos because the GM part number doesn't always tell the story on which ones are ecore. I haven't been checking the Bosch filters I've been buying. I think I will from now on.

If the part number ends in CL...like PF16CL, for example, then it is for sure the old style. Special order usually. The CL stands for "classic."
Just an FYI.


I think I've been finding old stock because the PF46 filter doesn't always say PF46E as it should. I've yet to find one marked PF46CL. That's why I switched to Bosch. I've got 8 filters on my shelf so I think I should have plenty for now.
 
Originally Posted By: Torrid
I think I've been finding old stock because the PF46 filter doesn't always say PF46E as it should. I've yet to find one marked PF46CL. That's why I switched to Bosch. I've got 8 filters on my shelf so I think I should have plenty for now.

You can usually get the PF-XXCL "Classic" version from Amazon auto parts, should you ever run out and want some. I have never seen them on a shelf anywhere.

Back to the Wix topic, I have seen defects posted on just about any brand. I still like and use them. But always look at the filter before installing to try to catch any visible defects or debris/dirt. I do that with all brands.
 
Originally Posted By: Pete C.
Originally Posted By: Buick92
...and when I looked down the hole where the mounting threads are there is a one inch piece of rubber just hanging there (it looks like a small piece of string) in the shape of a coil,...


Don't use this filter. Take it back to where you purchased it for a replacement or refund.


+1

To the OP, you asked about it getting filtered out on the first pass. The center tube is the outlet for the filtered oil, it will not go through the filter first. Surprised this didn't get mentioned sooner.

I too open the box and take a look, give a shake too. The kid at Part Source where I just ordered the K&N looked at me a little wierd as I checked the one off the shelf but promptly handed me the ordered one to "take a look"...lol
 
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