[greendurango]

Is Fram any good?

 

[FSTDANGO3]

In a word "no"! Frams have been known to have internal failures.

Use a Wix, K&N or Mobil 1 filter
Steve
DOC Pres

 

[greendurango]

what kind of internal failure?

 

[DelDurango]

A good high quality/low cost oil filter is the Bosch Oil Filter available at Auto Zone for around $6.

HTH & my 2¢

 

[Thunderchild]

I use the Amsoil oil filters on mine. They're good for 10,000 miles and I like the synthetic medium inside.

 

[WETHERDAD]

I have to say I disagree about Fram. We had a papermill where I live that made the paper for both Fram and Wix, the guys from the plant always made sure to tell us that they wanted a Fram filter because the paper was much better?just my 2¢ I run Fram filters, the PH16 with 10,000 mile drain intervals with no problems. I've used Fram all my life and, until they give me a reason not to use them, I'll continue doing so. Again, just my 2¢.

 

[tomk]

The not-bottom-of-the-line Fram filters seem to be fine. I order XGs for the "fleet" here from Rockauto in clumps of 4/ea (12 filters for the three cars.)

Most brands have a bottom-of-the-line filter that can be sold at a profit for $1.99, and you want to stay away from those.

Intellectually, I like some of the finer filters (and still like the Mobil 1 filters), but after reading though the reams of info on the various variations of the various brands, I've settled in for a while on these and they've served me well.

?tom

 

[IndyDurango]

Do a search on Fram here and you'll get all the info you need as to why not to use them anymore. Mike did a good job with crosslinks, etc to folks that have done the real research. I too used them forever but I won't be using them anymore.

IndyD

 

[Kevin_Rants]

Not mentioned yet - but very good are the Purolator filters. Either the premium or pure one are the filters I'd use.

 

[RLG]

I use K&N filters

 

[IndyDurango]

I use K&N filters

Ditto here.

IndyD

 

[Dadditruck]

From some of my research, from searching other forums, sites, and just general reading, Wix/Napa Gold are up there. I've use both of them now since they're really one in the same, with no problems. In other words, my engine keeps turning and hasn't turned into a giant paperweight. :lol:

 

[TheDodgeGuy]

Not mentioned yet - but very good are the Purolator filters. Either the premium or pure one are the filters I'd use.

Purolator makes the OEM Mopar 5281090. I personally have had oil pressure issues with a PureOne on my 5.2 Dakota, but that's one engine and one instance. I never used them again on that application, but they worked fine on the Grand Prix. Some have said that the PureOne is actually too good?It's got so much media that it's somewhat restrictive.

Fram filters are junk with a capital "J". A quick trip to the oil filters forum at www.bobistheoilguy.com will give you more than enough reason to never use them. Avoid Fram, or their "value" line, Defense. Just what we need?a lower quality Fram! Is that even possible?

Basically, I tell people to avoid any Fram product, and you'll be just fine. Most other brands are of excellent quality, and you'd be surprised how many various brands are all the same inside.

Carquest, NAPA, and Wix are all made by Wix.

Hastings, Baldwin, Federated, and Amsoil's SDF line are all made by Hastings.

Mobil 1, K&N, Bosch, STP, AC Delco, Wal-Mart's SuperTech, and AutoZone's Valucraft are a few of the many filters made by Champion Labratories. There's little internal difference between the $1.99 Valucraft and the $11.99 K&N. Slightly different media, and different anti-drainback valve, but that's about it.

There's a thread in the oil filters forum at BITOG that lists many more brands and their parent companies, but these are the popular ones I know.

My personal favorite is Baldwin?They're a little tough to find, but my buddy at the speed shop stocks them along with Schaeffer's oil, so I just get everything in one trip. Otherwise sometimes my dad will give me some Mopar 5281090s (repainted Purolator L14670) as he buys them by the case. All his vehicles take this filter, so he goes thru them quite rapidly, and he's a bigtime stickler for using only OEM parts.

Most brands have a bottom-of-the-line filter that can be sold at a profit for $1.99, and you want to stay away from those.

Not true at all. In fact, a lot of the "value" filters are identical to their "premium" counterparts. Others are just good filters. AutoZone's Valucraft filters are absolutely identical to their STP line which sell for at least twice as much. Not one difference except the color of the can.
NAPA's Silver line, and Carquest's Red line are also "value" filters, but are both made by Wix, and are of outstanding quality. We buy Carquest Red filters in case lots for $1.49 a piece, and they'll easily outperform even the most expensive Fram.
Price isn't always everything when you're shopping for oil filters.

 

[jimbo]

The Totalgrip at Advance Autoparts is a Purolator Premium painted with a red wrinkle finish and given Fram part numbers.

The Powerflo is also a Purolator.

IIRC the Bosch sold in the US are made by Champion Labs.

 

[Thebugman]

Oil filters

I like the K&N and the top line Fram. I also use the no mess oil change hose that screws on to the drain bolt on the oil pan. I usually don't get oil on me until I reach for the sky?I mean filter.

 

[IndyDurango]

Re: Oil filters

I like the K&N and the top line Fram. I also use the no mess oil change hose that screws on to the drain bolt on the oil pan. I usually don't get oil on me until I reach for the sky?I mean filter.

Exactly the same here. I use that Fram drain hose thingy too. I added a long hose to the end and funnel it right into my drain pan. I cut a hole in the screen and insert the hose end directly into it. The up side, zero mess. The down side, slow drain times. I start the draining first and then do everything else like getting the oil out of the cabinet, etc.

Once empty, I reach for the filter for that change, and the mess starts. No real way to stop that. Without my skid plate, it's a bit easier, but just as messy.

IndyDurango

 

[TheDodgeGuy]

What? You guys don't have hoists in your garages?

Oil changes are never a problem with me. Of course, I practically live at the dealership, and am blessed with having the entire shop at my disposal any time after normal business hours.

One of these days I'm going to get up enough motivation to put a set of shocks on the D, but lately, I've barely had enough time to fill it up with gas! Meeting Matt Kenseth after his win at the Miller Lite Nationals at Slinger Speedway was worth it though, even if it required taking a night off from messing around at the shop.

 

[BigRick01R/T]

When using synthetic oil, does it make a difference in chosing a filter? I'm running sythetic and, since my radiator hose explosion, Ive changed out everything in the D including the oil. Is Mobil 1 a good choice (filter and oil) and which weight of oil?

 

[TheDodgeGuy]

When using synthetic oil, does it make a difference in chosing a filter? I'm running sythetic and, since my radiator hose explosion, I've changed out everything in the D including the oil. Is Mobil 1 a good choice (filter and oil) and which weight of oil?

For the 5.9, 10w30 is recommended. I'd run it all year round. M1 is a great oil, as are their filters?they're made by Champion Laboratories. I'd probably run 5000 mile oil change intervals to start, and send a sample in to Blackstone Labs at that mileage for analysis to see if you should go shorter or if it's possible to go longer on each change. 5000 is a good baseline mileage to start with for that combo though.

 

[BigRick01R/T]

TYVM