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Oil Filters, whose is best, and Why?

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Comments

  • sgrd0qsgrd0q Member Posts: 398
    I am about to change the oil on my 2001 Maxima. I use Mobil 1. Do you guys think I should switch to Mobil 1 filter as well? So far, I've been using the Mobil 1 oil, and whatever filter the dealer uses. Is it worth getting the Mobil 1 filter? I change both oil and filter every 5K miles, which is once in 6-7 months as the car is not driven regularly.

    Thanks in advance for any comments.
  • armtdmarmtdm Member Posts: 2,057
    or a Pure One, Amsoil which I believe are better then the Nissan OEM. I had twoi recent Maximas, 95 and 98 and changed the oil every 12,000, filter at 6 or 7,000. Never had a problem, sold the 95 and it is sitll purring along with over 100,000 now.
  • adc100adc100 Member Posts: 1,521
    Actually, I understand that the Nissan Filters are good in they have a good anti-drainback valve. They do not have a Pure One available for that filter. It is the L 14610, they have gone to this dinky filter on all of the Nissan cars/trucks. I use the PL 14622 which is an inch longer and has the same specs. The Mobil 1 equivalent to this is the M1-110 vs the smaler M1-108. Please note that no-one will sanction the larger filter use. I just happen to believe in thinking for myself. The Pure one may be a better choice than the Mobil if the filter has a horizontal arrangement which relies on the anti-dranback valve.

    Bror: The Pure One filter which will fit your '95 Civic is a Pure One PL 24458. Same head, same relef setting. It's almost an inch longer.
    Al
  • armtdmarmtdm Member Posts: 2,057
    The Amsoil SDF 20 is the filter recommended for the 6 Cyl Maxima but it is the same size as the OEM. I switched to the SDF 36 which is larger (there is room) and holds more oil as well and used this filter for years on my Maximas. Hastings makes an equivalent filter as the SDF 36 so you should be able to find the larger filter somewhere. All filters have good anti drain back valves, (except Fram maybe) so I would not worry too much about the by pass valves or drain back valves.
  • brorjacebrorjace Member Posts: 588
    adc100 Are you saying the Pure-One you specified is longer than the Hastings ... or merely the 'recommended' Pure-One? I'll have to check that out ...

    Zr2rando, what vehicle is getting that Castrol Plus filter? If the case is a good size (the size of OEM or larger) I bet the vehicle is better off with it. I put one on my Honda tractor (same part # as most Honda automobiles!) and I'll be sure to hack it apart when it comes off next year.

    I buy Hastings filters from the site that armtdm cited after I was unable to find a local dealer.

    --- Bror Jace
  • sgrd0qsgrd0q Member Posts: 398
    Thanks everyone for responding. Your help is greatly appreciated!
  • adc100adc100 Member Posts: 1,521
    Its longer than the recommended Pure One. But if you have access to the Pure One Book-check on Page 930 (approx) and compare these two filters in terms of head, diameter, and Bypass setting. I did, but ts always possible I made a mistake.
  • zr2randozr2rando Member Posts: 391
    I am using the Castrol/Wix/Penske/NapaGold (just have to laugh at that!!!!) filter on my chev s10 zr2 truck at the moment . It is the equivalent for the Ac-pf52 which filts I think all the chev 350-v8/4.3 v6 blocks----it's a pretty std chevrolet filter, and the size looks the same. They advertise more capacity on the plus version which is what I have , I assume it has more paper and it has the larger inside holes that I think are better..(I'll be cutting it open when it's done too, be a couple months probably, so far I notice no startup noise and no diff in oil-p.
    This is cool, we are picking these things to death! we should open a store I'm telling you!

    ARMTDM, I tried that site but must have gotten something wrong, could you put it out here again?

    Where'd I put that tequila...there it is...see y'all in a little bit.
    Rando
  • armtdmarmtdm Member Posts: 2,057
    I just tried my bookmark on the site and it is down for some reason. Sorry.
  • stealth1969stealth1969 Member Posts: 162
    so long to respond. Thanks Adc100, my car and my father-in-laws uses car the pf47 so I will start using the pf52.
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    I guess we must have, since no one is posting any more. What's the deal?

    tom
  • bidandsellbidandsell Member Posts: 43
    Your mind. For information that is. For Oil I say best cheap filter Motorcraft. For best expensive filter Mobil1. Filters away!
  • seeligseelig Member Posts: 590
    that the Mobil can blow, i still like the AC Delco Ultraguard for my Silverado's. tried the Mobil and didn't like seeing the drop on the oil pressure guage.
  • armtdmarmtdm Member Posts: 2,057
    Although I use Amsoil almost exclusively (Pure One ) on one car, I also vote for Mobil 1 for best filtering ability. The few times I have used a Mobil 1 they performed great, oil analysis was great. I use Amsoil as I get them less expensive then Mobil I and Mobil 1 does not have all makes/model compability.

    The nut on the Hard Driver I think is a libility rather then a plus. Some filter wrenches do not fit this design and a socket may not be able to get into the space.
  • jawhnjawhn Member Posts: 15
    I keep seeing people talking about oil analysis. What does this consist of, where do you have it done, and how much does it cost?
  • bnosytbnosyt Member Posts: 23
    I bought some Titan Labs oil analysis kits from the local K-Mart. It consists of a small bottle, label, and prepaid mailer to send the sample to the lab. When you change the oil, you drain some into the bottle and mail it to the lab. After a few weeks, they will send you a report describing the condition of your oil. I bought mine on clearance for $8.00, but I believe they are normally around $15-$20. Maye some of the other posters here could give you some advise on other places to try.
  • ocelot1ocelot1 Member Posts: 101
    I ues the ACdelco ultra gaurd gold based on these numbers single pass tast at 8-10 Microns Fram extra gaurd 50.82% Fram tough gaurd 82.12% Purone 82.46% Fram Double Gaurd 46.57% Mobil One 76.13% Ac Ultra gold 98.5% Plus theirs been some discussion about high effencient filters may hinder flow? The Ac Delco ultra gold can pump 10gal's a min at 30 Psid using 5w-30 at 30 deg F thats the differential presure. While the others mention above pump a range 2-6 Psid 5w-30 at 30 deg F. I am a former user of Purone's. Now I know this is only a single pass test I will call Acdelco to see what they have for a multiple pass test. Purone is 96% multiple pass 10-12 microns I believe,I tried to go to there web site but had no luck I've been there befor I'll have to go get a old box to get the address. But so far these are the best numbers I've found,And I would not waist my money on a Mobil one Buy a purone save 5 bucks and get a better filter.Tony
  • ocelot1ocelot1 Member Posts: 101
    PUREONE Thanks!
  • adc100adc100 Member Posts: 1,521
    I'd have to see that data-can you produce it??. Plus you said:range 2-6 Psid what this??? Also you have no proof that the Mobil 1 does not have a better filter media. I believe it(Mobil 1) is more of a depth media vs. a surface media.
  • ocelot1ocelot1 Member Posts: 101
    All the info I looked up on the AcDelco web site.And the 2-6 psid was the range that all the other filters tested performed at.I looked at the mobil site last night and their filter was 98% single pass 10-12 microns and 96% multi pass and the recomended that their filter be changed at manufactures recomended intervals.Those specs exactally match the pureone specs.As I recall the mobil one filter was made by purolater but with out the string around the paper,and with A stronger burst pressure.They say they use synthetic FIBER not nessasarly (?on that spelling) synthetic paper? as where others say 100% synthetic paper. I'm not trieing to convert anyone or slam the mobil filter but for the money and exactally the same specs I would buy the pureone. Oh buy the way AcDelco returned my email about multi pass test Which they did not conduct, if some one could tell me how to paist my email to this forum I'll post what they did send me. If anybody is interested?
  • adc100adc100 Member Posts: 1,521
    I believe it is made by Champion labs. To get that article: Go to the top of the article and hold in your left button with the mouse. Move down until everything you want is in blue. Then release right button. Then take mouse curser over the blue and press and release the right button. Select "copy". When you are in Edmunds in the post press and release the right button and select "paste".
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    You are correct in saying that the Mobil 1 is made by Champion Labs.

    tom
  • ocelot1ocelot1 Member Posts: 101
    write ACDelco.
    We do not have a multi-pass J1858 beta ratio for the Ultraguard Gold Oil Filter. However, the
    results of the Single Pass Efficiency test (Modified J1858) show the Ultraguard Gold filter to have
    a Beta ratio for 10-micron particles of 50. The Beta ratio is simply a ratio of the following:
    (The # of particles of a particular size (in microns) measured upstream of the filter)

    (Divided by)

    (The # of particles of the same size (in microns) measured downstream of the filter)

    Since the Ultraguard Gold filter is 98% efficient for 10 micron particles (i.e. for every one
    hundred 10-micron particles going into the filter, 98 are trapped by the filter), the Beta ratio
    would be 100/2 = 50. The Duraguard Silver and the Duraguard oil filters also each have a beta ratio
    of 50. However, the Duraguard Silver is 98% efficient at 15-20 microns while the Duraguard is 98%
    efficient at 25 microns.

    For the modified J1858 test, we actually flow fluid through the filter continuously, and add test
    dust upstream of the filter. We only run the test for 30 minutes total and do not allow the filter
    to reach termination pressure (The pressure that the filter is considered plugged -- 8 PSI
    differential). We take upstream and downstream fluid samples at specified intervals (5, 10, 15 ...
    minutes), and do our particle count analysis on each sample to determine the efficiencies for the
    different particle sizes. The efficiency results from each sample are then averaged to determine
    the efficiency number that we use.

    J806 test is gravimetric (You actually weigh the test dust instead of counting particles of a
    particular size, therefore you can not know how many particles of any particular size are captured).
    We ran this same 806 test on the Ultraguard, and the results are posted on the website. We refer to
    this test as Weighted Average Efficiency.

    Thank you for your interest in ACDelco.

    ACDelco Customer Assistance

    Original message follows:
    -------------------------
  • ocelot1ocelot1 Member Posts: 101
    Thanks for the help easer than I thought.You are most likley right about the maker.And if you can help me decifer the response it would be appreciated.
  • edwardh5edwardh5 Member Posts: 130
    we might be chasing ghosts -
    as at some size, the particles are too small to damage the engine.
    I though anything under 35 microns was not a problem.
  • ocelot1ocelot1 Member Posts: 101
    I would consider anything over 10 microns to big,not ever reading anything to say yes or no?
  • ocelot1ocelot1 Member Posts: 101
    We could be spilting hairs here but I thought that this forum was based on that.I AM a little finaticle about oil and filters more so than one needs to be.I think the deeper story is I have a problem with dirt! It's good to grow food in and through on a grave but on my stuff or in!! Some of you know what I mean and some of you laugh,but all in fun I hope. Tony
  • brorjacebrorjace Member Posts: 588
    To answer the question Tom posed a while back, I think I know enough that I don't need to know the absolute best filter available ... but rather there are many good ones. And, from what I can learn by cutting them apart and seeing how well each is put together, I can make a very good decision and procure very effective filters for my autos and equipment.

    Assuming the Hastings filters I have are as well made as the Baldwin filter I cut up a decade ago, I'll feel perfectly justified in sticking with them and paying $5 (delivered) per cartridge. >:^)

    --- Bror Jace
  • arkie6arkie6 Member Posts: 198
    Sorry if this has been previously stated, but I saw a question asked near the beginning of the topic about who makes Toyota filters and I didn't have time to wade through every single post to see if it was answered.

    Anyway, I can't speak for all Toyota filters, but the Toyota 90915-YZZB5 for my Tundra V8 is made by Denso in Japan. Says so on the filter. That is the filter I used initially on my truck, but I have since switched to the Bosch Premium filter after doing a little research.

    The Bosch filter is made by Champion Labs, the same maker of the Mobil 1 oil filters. The Bosch filter also uses a semi-synthetic filter media, has nearly identical filtering capabilities as the Mobil 1, and looks identical internally to a comparable Mobil 1 oil filter. The main difference is the price. The Bosch filter is about half the price of the Mobil 1. And the Bosch is conveniently available at AutoZone (so is the Mobil 1), whereas I had to get the Toyota filter at the dealer which can be a pain because of my work schedule.

    I'm also running a Bosch filter on my 1984 Honda CB700SC motorcycle with good results. The last time I checked, the local Honda dealer wanted $14 for a Honda filter, so I started looking for alternatives. Turns out the oil filter to fit a 1984 Honda Prelude is the same size in all respects and has the same bypass valve relief pressure as my motorcycle oil filter. So, I got the Bosch filter for the 1984 Honda Prelude for about $5.00 and all is well with my motorcycle.
  • csandstecsandste Member Posts: 1,866
    This is based on memory (which isn't too good)from about 3 weeks ago. Autozone had all of their filters cut open in a display.

    If I remember properly I really couldn't tell a great deal of difference between any Champion Labs products. The Bosch seemed about as good as the Mobil 1, but then the Deutsch and STP filters looked about as good as the Bosch. I'm sure that the MiniMopar study said that the construction of the Mobil 1 filter was heavier along with the filtering media, and that even then some splitting accidents occured, but I can't remember that being evident in looking at the disassembled samples.

    That's certainly not the case with the different types of Pure filters and the AC Delco filter had looser but deeper pleated filtering media, but all Champion Labs filters looked pretty much the same to me.

    Also, looking at drawings at K-Mart I was unable to see much difference in their Castrol filter and the K-Mart (Penske) brand. Both have a rather typical Wix look to them. Am I missing something here? Is the filtering media, if not the construction different?
  • bnosytbnosyt Member Posts: 23
    I contacted Wix and they make those brands of filters(Penske and Castrol). According to them, the penkse is 'good', the Castrol white box is 'better', and the black box one is 'best'.
  • csandstecsandste Member Posts: 1,866
    I know you don't want to comment on different filter brands. I assume the difference in the Wix filters might be quality of paper rather than amount of filtering agent or overall filter construction. Would I be right or is this just marketing?
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    You got me, Pal. I am not familiar with the Penske nor the Castrol filters, but maybe I can find out.

    Other folks in our company have more contact with Wix than I do. Even if I'm working on something for Wix, I often don't know which filter they are using the sheet for.

    I've told everyone before that the customers often take a grade we are already selling them and put it in a different filter. If it works OK, then they most likely wouldn't even tell us that they have done it. We would just see a new size that we have to cut that grade into on our slitter. Or, maybe even the same slit width that they are already ordering would work for that new application, if the filter design requires the same height in the cartridge.

    So, in this case, I just don't know. Sorry.

    tom
  • bidandsellbidandsell Member Posts: 43
    Everyones opinion on these filters. They appear to be good quality . I get a pretty good discount on these and may start using them instead of Pure one.
  • adc100adc100 Member Posts: 1,521
    Who knows?? I believe they are made by Champion Labs (recall from former posts) Obviously the filter media is the key though.
  • zr2randozr2rando Member Posts: 391
    they are the Wix filters, supposed to be pretty good ones too, check wixfilters.com. Napa has gold and silver, Castrol has plus(black) and regular(white), Penske is yellow I think,,,,,they should probably start painting them red/white/blue, they would sell a bunch....
  • zr2randozr2rando Member Posts: 391
    I just changed the oil in my truck 99 s10 ZR2 with 45k miles. I used a Castrol "plus" this last time, and I cut it open a little bit ago...
    I compared it to a AC filter (Walmart version).(I am using a PureOne this time..
    The Castrol paper is obviously thicker, the Castrol cannister 'visually' seems thinner, the length of the Castrol cartridge is shorter than the AC, the pleats are fewer and deeper than the AC, the cartridge had been compressed by the tensioner spring so the pleats showed some compression deformity (not bad, but obviously a tight fit), the Castrol has a separate spacer to separate the anti-backflow valve from the cartridge which sits on the cartridge metal to metal...the cartridge has a raised pattern pressed into the endcap at that point which looks like keeps the spacer from sitting flush against it...looks like it may let a little oil through there which would be bypassing the element but given the tension probably is not a major factor...
    I change oil at 3k and this time the oil was definitely dark, seemed darker than normal,,,BUT,,,,I started using Havoline this time also, used CastrolGTX up until now, could be that the Havoline detergents are cleaning up stuff that the Castrol was leaving behind.. Maybe so but it looks like the filter started bypassing before I changed it , or if it didn't bypass then the better looking paper doesn't actually filter any better than the normal paper?....I think I am leaning towards using normal filters (AC in this case) which are not as efficient at the beginning but don't seem to bypass at all, and just let the normal carbon/debris just add to the paper media to increase efficiency by the time the filter is changed anyway....
    any thoughts folks?
  • adc100adc100 Member Posts: 1,521
    I know what you are saying about the less efficient filter. In the grand scheme of things at 3K it probably doesnt matter. Out of my three cars the Toyota 2.4L has the oil turning darker the soonest. But it doesn't turn relatively dark until about 5 or 6 K. I've gone 13 months now and have used 2 Pure Ones filters and and now I have on an oversize Purolator(not Pure One) on. I probably will keep using the higher efficiency filters and continue to change filters at about 5K with oil changes once a year with the Mobil 1. If you are using a PF 52, I didn't think they had a bypass valve-the Pure Ones don't. Chevy doesn't require bypass valves cause there is an internal bypass valve. (I thought)
  • zr2randozr2rando Member Posts: 391
    the AC pf52/PureOne 24011 doesn't have a bypass, the engine does. I was saying I thought the filter was possibly clogged enough to start bypassing (using the bypass in the engine filter mount)...or the paper just doesn't do that great a filter job even though it LOOKS better....
    If you're using MOBIL1 I think you're doing good to change filter midway, I learned back in school (WAR EAGLE!) that you need to filter as much as neccessary but no more due to back pressure constraints..(reduced flow)....sometimes a mediocre filter is better in the big picture...the dirt in the filter adds efficiency(restriction) after the filter gets a little used...good example my water filter under my house..or the air filter for the furnace..
    I'm also wondering if the Havoline oil is cleaning up stuff left from the Castrol though...I'll see after a couple k miles on the new change
    hear from ya shortly
    Rando
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Just wanted to say hi. Hasn't been much posting going on in here lately, but maybe that's because of the Thanksgiving holiday.

    Everybody doin' OK?

    tom
  • zr2randozr2rando Member Posts: 391
    Probably right , we've all been eatin too much I'll bet. I'll be huntin for the next few days so I'll see y'all probably the end of the weekend, Enjoy the holidays everyone
    Rando
  • adc100adc100 Member Posts: 1,521
    and accounted for...Sir.
  • etechetech Member Posts: 4
    This is one of those, it sounds like a good idea but am I missing something.

    1998 Jeep Cherokee with I6 4.0L motor. I bought it used with 50K miles on it so I'm not sure of it's maintenece record though it looks as if the previous owner took good care of it.

    http://www.madxj.com/MADXJ/technical/technicalfiles/OilFilterConversion/OilFilterConversion.htm

    I found this site that indicates I can use the Mobile One M1-301 instead of the specified and smaller M1-204. I have not been able to find all of the specs such as bypass valve opening pressure, but am assuming that it will be close enough. I hate assuming though.


    The question, is there any reason not to run the larger filter?


    The reasons why I want to run a larger filter. I am going to run Mobile One synthetic oil. I have heard that it will clean some of the deposits out of the engine. The larger filter will have more capacity for the debris and should also flow better.

  • adc100adc100 Member Posts: 1,521
    There is every reason to go with an oversize filter.


    I tried to cross reference those filters to a Pure One Filter:


    http://www.pureoil.com/NewFiles/ecat_frame.htm


    No matches. PL14670 is the Pure One filter for your vehicle. If you get to an auto parts store you can get the Purolator Book and go to page 930 and look for another filter with the same head and relief specs. I'll check it out today if I get a chance.

  • armtdmarmtdm Member Posts: 2,057
    I have used a larger filter whenever possible for many years. I don't bother with the pressures etc. ( to me that is mostly hogwash) If it fits I will use it and have not had a problem. But, I use only one brand (high quality) primarily.
  • adc100adc100 Member Posts: 1,521
    I didn't find any with the same bypass settings and head dimensions. Your filter is relatively large-I wouldn't worry.
  • sinjin_dogsinjin_dog Member Posts: 84
    For 2000 Camry, the filter is rather small (same size as my old Tercel), do you guys know if there are any web site that I can look for a bigger filter. I've been using either PureOne or Mobile1. I'll even take Bosh.
    thanks
  • adc100adc100 Member Posts: 1,521
    If yhou have the V-6 the Pure one is PL-10241 the PL-25230 will fit. The 4 cyl is PL 14476 and I believe the PL 25230 works (don't quote me).

    Later
    Al
  • bidandsellbidandsell Member Posts: 43
    The larger fiter has the same bypass valve and gasket. I run a Motorcraft FL1A on my 94 Grand 6cyl with no problem.
  • noobie1noobie1 Member Posts: 326
    I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience with By-Pass/Off-Line Filtration Systems where Oil is diverted from the pump through a remote mounted additional filter and directly back into the sump. I'm looking into adapting one to my truck (Chev 8.1L). Specifically, how much oil pressure is lost to the engine due to the diversion? It would seem to depend on the flowability of the off-line filter: the greater the flow rating, the more pressure lost. Anyone?

    -David
This discussion has been closed.