Oil filter concerns

[Beowulf]

If the guy wants to use a Fram let him use a Fram.

You are missing the point. The OP (gregp) was asking advice on which oil filter to use or to stay with Toyota. MH gave advice to use FRAM filters. They might work for MH but they are an inferior product and have been for many years.

This is a technical section, not a "group hug" section. The OP expects sound technical advice and he didn't get it so those of us that have done the research have an obligation to point out poor technical advice.

Maybe I'm wrong and if so, I guess the others in this thread and on this forum will tell me to STFU and let MH and the OP use whatever oil filters make them happy.

-B-

 

[John Galt]

I've been very happy with Pureolator PUREone's in my cars and trucks for a long, long time. I actually already picked one up for my Cruiser when I eventually get around to changing the oil.

x2 -- IMHO Purolator PUREone's are the best bang for the buck.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

My Amsoil dealer gave me an order catalogue. They were advertising a lot of Donaldson filters but I'm not sure who makes the Amsoil filter I used. Maybe Donaldson???

Not sure. In addition to Amsoil branded filters they have Wix, Mann and Donaldson. It looks like Wix might make their car/suv/light truck filters based on what I could find with a quick google search.

I was ordering so much ATF for my transmission and power steering flush that it paid at the time to get a 6 month "preferred customer" discount. I went ahead and ordered some oil filters at the same time as they weren't too bad with the discount.

 

[pmccumber]

Are you really curious and have $50 for a science experiment? Buy 1/2 dozen filters that you're interested in and get a dremel and cut them open and have a look. I saw this at a NAPA 15 years ago and don't know if it was a common display but I haven't seen it at others (like the Lucas display you'll see at all of them).

In any event, the Fram filter was appalling. If you had seen that Fram opened up you wouldn't put it on a lawn mower much less a prized possession. I remember being bummed about the display because my FJ-40 was sitting out in the parking lot with one of these marketing wonders spun on it. If somebody is offended, we're not trying to do that, it's just information.

I did a little search and found this link and it really bears out what I remember:
Oil filter comparisons

Here is an excerpt:
Fram Extra Guard - PH4967 - $4.99

Base-plate: 10 hole openings. Thickness of the plate approx. 0.12". The gasket that goes against the engine is squared. Gasket is held in place by 6 pressed lips.

Case: Thickness approx. 0.021", thickest of the group.

Anti-drainback valve: Black rubber. It seemed really thin and flimsy. Thickness of 0.054". Total width of 2.12". Hole in center of 1.0".

The by-pass valve is a plastic piece that is snapped into a coil spring that is attached to the inside case spring that resides at the far end of the paper filter element opposite the base plate (Whew!). There doesn't appear to be any gasket on this valve, just plastic against the metal of the spring creating the seal as best I can tell.

Filter element: Paper - thickness 0.036". 39 pleats of width 0.48". Filter element height of approx. 1.85". 69.26 sq. in. of filtering surface area. The seam of the filtering element was nicely put together with a metal clasp (just like the Purolator). Cardboard end caps are glued to each end of the filter element. Metal support structure inside element to prevent collapse.

General observations: The anti-drainback valve rubber was the thinnest and flimsiest of all the filters. Pretty good glue job on attaching filter element to the cardboard end caps. This filter has the grip area on the outside of the canister which makes it easier to tighten the filter by hand when putting it on the car, the only down-side I've experienced with this grip area is trying to get a filter removal tool cap over it, a really tight fit. This filter appears to be the lowest quality of the group. But it is one of the most expensive of the group too, I guess marketing costs are pretty high here. The cardboard end-caps for the filter element, the cheap plastic by-pass valve and the flimsy anti-drainback valve will make me stay away from this filter.

Several of the other filters, while taking different approaches to the problem, at least appear to be well made parts. Personally, I'm sticking with Toyota. But I'm a Toyota bigot.

Paul

 

[cary]

The K&N oil filters, unlike their air filters, are a good quality filter. If I remember they are a premium wix filter, similar to the Napa Gold filter. The 90004 Toyota filter is probably the best filter for this truck, they have a wonderful filter media in them. That said, either one works perfectly well and I would be comfortable using either.

 

[gregp]

Gents - Thanks for all the salient advice. I suspect I'll stay with K & N, as that is what I use an an AF on the Turbo. GP

 

[IdahoDoug]

Cost wise, I bought a case of NAPA Gold (Wix) filters for less than $5 each when my local store had them on special. Every time I change my oil and grab one from the box I get a little grin thinking about the money I saved. Of course, I'm maintaining 3 80s so it is only a few years supply.

DougM

 

[shawnc]

I've never had trouble finding Wix filters at O'Reilly Auto Parts. According to their web site, they have stores in 26 states (midwest primarily), so they might not be available to everyone. I just replaced my air filter with a Wix, and it looks at least as substantial as the OEM one.

 

[Beowulf]

... they have stores in 26 states (midwest primarily), so they might not be available to everyone.

O'Riley, Checker, Shucks, and Kragen are all the same. I'll bet there is one near you in all 50 states.

-B-

 

[BOUNDER]

Oil Filter (Gold)

 

[CJF]

There ya go...

That exact filter fits all three of my vehicles:

91 Land Cruiser (3FE)
82 Hilux (22R)
84 Cressida Wagon (5M-GE)

Oil Filter (Gold)

 

[lt1fire]

There ya go...

That exact filter fits all three of my vehicles:

91 Land Cruiser (3FE)
82 Hilux (22R)
84 Cressida Wagon (5M-GE)

Yeah the part number for my 80 is the same on my DD 95 ranger. Yay me. To bad my wifes matrix won't take it.

 

[jvazquez53]

12 cruisers,30 years of use,no problems with Fram but I do change every 3000 miles and use Mobil One. Mike

X2 on the oil, for the filter I was using Fram PH8 until recently, now I switched to the Purolator Gold or Mobil One filter, whichever is on the store available.