If you're using a WIX oil filter read this (1 Viewer)

[BILT4ME]

I just installed a fresh 51515 two weeks ago.

Am I going to panic? No.

Are there bad runs of parts? Yes. Manufacturers and consumers all know this. It sucks to be on EITHER receiving end of a failure.

In spite of what this thread states, the sky is NOT falling.

If it was my vehicle, yes I would be terribly upset. You also have to weigh your situation. In my case my LC is my DD and if the engine puked because of a bad filter, I would dig in and address the issue and probably rent a car for a given period of time to get me past it. It will NOT happen quickly. I would probably end up going through it and rebuilding it before it was settled, but I would document it all VERY well so they could pay it when done.

Good Luck!

I will have to check into those Toyota filters by the case.......

 

[fj40z]

Correct the sky is not falling, I'm sure I just got a "dud". When you make millions of something it's bound to happen time to time. The intent was just to make fellow 80 owners aware of the filter difference (for warranty sake) and also to stress how important it is to NEVER cut an oil filter if you suspect it's faulty even when your intentions are good.

 

[Bryanseye]

Assuming the Toyota filter is not immune from a manufacturing defect, what would happen with a filter induced engine failure? Would Toyota buy a new engine or would it be a service matter and you are billed accordingly?

I currently have a Wix on my 80 and Sequoia. I always inspect the filter for what I can see before buying and have found 2 defective Purolator PureOnes in the past (both antidrainback issues) and a bad o-ring on a Fram (long before I knew about their quality issues). Wix is one of the brands that I have been using based on reputation. I have also used Motorcraft FL1As. I stress too much about oil.

 

[mechanist]

Correct the sky is not falling, I'm sure I just got a "dud". When you make millions of something it's bound to happen time to time. The intent was just to make fellow 80 owners aware of the filter difference (for warranty sake) and also to stress how important it is to NEVER cut an oil filter if you suspect it's faulty even when your intentions are good.

True. Errors happen. However, by current standards they should only have 3 (three) defects per million units produced. It seems unlikely you got 1 of 3.

What's burning me up is that there is no difference between the 1996 and 1997 1FZ-FE. And the only difference between the 51348 and the 51515 is the dimensions of the product. WIX position to not cover the damage seems arbitrary.

Yeah I'll only use Toyota filters from this point forward.

 

[cruiserdan]

I wouldnt feel the need to change anything..... think they are great filters. I have one on mine, and a spare on the shelf. I think it was a numbers game and they make millions of filters assembled by human hands and check 1/10 for depth and thread bore as I understood. Mistakes are bound to happen and its unfortunate the end result is costing the PO but mostly disappointing how they chose to handle it even though the reasoning is understandable.

I tend to be a belt and suspenders kinda guy. Is it overboard? probably. On the other hand IF I had a filter failure, running an OEM piece reduces finger-pointing significantly.

 

[DirtScaresMe]

I don't think any reasonable person is expecting 100% error free manufacturing. Rather that a company who's product damages someone else's property that, if indeed they are responsible because of errors, they figure out something better than a shoulder shrug.

It's worth pointing out that if Wix got a bad machine in their factory that screwed up their assembly line they'd certainly seek compensation / legal remedies. They wouldn't put up with a shoulder shrug.

 

[fj40z]

Here's the way the motor sounds now. New filter, great oil pressure, terrible knock

 

[fj40z]

True. Errors happen. However, by current standards they should only have 3 (three) defects per million units produced. It seems unlikely you got 1 of 3.

What's burning me up is that there is no difference between the 1996 and 1997 1FZ-FE. And the only difference between the 51348 and the 51515 is the dimensions of the product. WIX position to not cover the damage seems arbitrary.

Yeah I'll only use Toyota filters from this point forward.

Not unlikely at all, the District sales manager said the filter never had a bypass valve installed.

 

[cruiserdan]

 

[fj40z]

He also said when they do pull off inspections there is no check to see if bypass valves are installed.

 

[Allen9480]

I've heard about checking a filter by blowing into it or sucking on it verify something. Anyone heard of this? Would look funny at the store doing this.

 

[NMC_EXP]

I tend to be a belt and suspenders kinda guy. Is it overboard? probably. On the other hand IF I had a filter failure, running an OEM piece reduces finger-pointing significantly.

In an earlier reply you mentioned Toyota filters and the fact that when removed they dump their contents all over the vehicle. All I ever used on my '79 FJ40 was Toyota filters and they puked their contents when they were cracked loose. I seem to recall the '79 FJ40 had a little catch pan/diverter which at least theoretically would direct it away from engine and axle.

Anyway, when I got the FJ60 I started using Wix. These apparently have a valve to prevent drain back from an inverted filter.

You've mentioned newer Toyota filters for the 2F. Do the newer units have the anti- drain back feature?

Thanks

 

[NMC_EXP]

When you make millions of something it's bound to happen time to time.

I previously mentioned high speed manufacturing in reference to filter manufacturing. I toured a filter plant. The plant manager told me that they purchased the metal "cans". The assembly operation was so fast that if they ran out of cans, and a semi load of them backed up to the dock, before they got the truck unloaded they had finished filters coming off the line and going into another truck.

This is one of those situations where it is impossible to "inspect quality into the product". All of the materials, parts, sub-assembles plus all aspects of the assembly operation have to be at 100% before you hit the start button.

 

[Allen9480]

Now I'm starting to wonder if I need to replace the filter canister on my 02 Volvo. Bypass is built into the canister.

 

[allan man]

Well folks for $8.63 for a single oem oil filter
Versus taking the risk of an engine knock
Is certainly clear to me.

To the OP hope wix will compensate you in some way and thanks for looking out.

 

[Output Shaft]

...Now I'm wondering if I should have gone with the 90915-YZZD3. I have used this filter in the past on my 80s with no issue and assumed it was the correct application for the 80 but maybe not?

...I've got a Wix sitting in the back of the truck right now waiting for oil-change'o'clock. What part# is the Toyota oil filter for the 3F-E?

The Toyota 90915-YZZD3 is the recommended oil filter for the 2F, 3F-E and 1FE-FZ

 

[iptman]

I tend to be a belt and suspenders kinda guy. Is it overboard? probably. On the other hand IF I had a filter failure, running an OEM piece reduces finger-pointing significantly.

Yeah but the question is in the same situation with an oem filter on a 20 year old truck would Toyota rebuild the engine for free? I highly doubt it.

 

[sleepycruiser]

@fj40z I am not sure if you saw my predicament with the local car wash recently. The car wash ripped off my front fender flare on my 80. From the moment I grabbed a manager while I was there it was nothing but roadblocks. 'We don't cover vehicles over 10 years old'. The manager tried to road block me....I went around him. The corporate tried to Road block me and referred me to their DM who said they couldn't do anything. I was persistent and professional. I emailed their corporate office, their Facebook page, I posted on MUD, I posted on Facebook, I even emailed WLOS....they eat that stuff up. I don't know what the company saw as far as postings, but I do know that eventually a pretty high up Ops manager contacted me. I told him a time to call me and he called me at the EXACT time. I told him that I understood their policy, but I also understood customer service and I expected them to 'do what was right'. We were in a battle for basically $300....so not a lot in the grand scheme of things either way, but it was absolutely the principle to me. I wouldn't let it go....that was 5 weeks ago. I finally picked up the check 2 days ago.

Moral: Be persistent and let them know you expect them to do what is right. Bad press is sometimes enough to turn the heads of companies.

I had never even heard of Wix before, but I guarantee you I won't forget them because of this thread.

 

[mechanist]

Yeah but the question is in the same situation with an oem filter on a 20 year old truck would Toyota rebuild the engine for free? I highly doubt it.

I'm sure any manufacturer would balk in this scenario. However, if a critical failure is caused by a faulty product or negligence in the manufacturing process, then the maker of the product should be obligated to correct the failure - regardless of the age of the vehicle.

If a 1908 Bugatti suffered an engine failure due to a faulty filter... It would probably make headlines. And while our trucks aren't 1908 Bugattis the fact remains that a faulty product caused a failure.

It furthermore showcases negligence in the WIX quality assurance and control processes. Buyer beware.

 

[fj40z]

Good stuff @sleepycruiser That's my plan, Courteous persistence.