Interesting oil filter tidbit.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6,294
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From: Amateur driver on open course.
Interesting oil filter tidbit.
Our scrap guy at work sometimes gets called to a local corvette shop to remove engine blocks. He went this week to get 3 "blown" motors. Naturally, he must drain all the oil before loading into the scrap truck. While doing this, he noticed all 3 had the same oil filter. They each had Fram filters with that black grip stuff on them. Not sure if there is anything to worry about or if this is simply coincidence. Just thought I'd throw this out there.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Mesquite Nevada
Given that FRAM is probably one of the most popular filters used today, if not the most, its not surprising and could be just coincidence. Before we make the jump that is was the filter, we'd need to know for sure what caused these engines to 'blow', if it was directly related to the filter, then those that use Fram would have something to worry about.
It could have been anyone of a hundred reasons why these engines failed, from poor up keep and missuse to a failed product/part -- possibly related, possibly not.
Although I have just switched over on my last oil change to K&N after much reading on this forum and other places about them, I've used Fram in all my vehicles for over 29 years and have never had a problem -- and I don't baby my vehicles.
It could have been anyone of a hundred reasons why these engines failed, from poor up keep and missuse to a failed product/part -- possibly related, possibly not.
Although I have just switched over on my last oil change to K&N after much reading on this forum and other places about them, I've used Fram in all my vehicles for over 29 years and have never had a problem -- and I don't baby my vehicles.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Without knowing why those motors blew, it would not be reasonalbe to blame the filter simply because it was on the motor at the tme.
There was an oilfilter study done a number of years ago and Fram came out towards the bottom of those filters tested. Fram had changed the type and amount of filter media and the report said the filter was not worth buying. Whether or not Fram has changed their filters since the report is not known.
Filters are relatively cheap so yo can always do your own test by getting a few and cutting the canister off to compare the filter media between brands. There are only 3 or 4 filter manufacturers in the US so a lot of filters out there can be almost the same between brands.
Here's the link to the study taken from the ZR-1 Net: http://people.msoe.edu/~yoderw/oilfi...lterstudy.html
There was an oilfilter study done a number of years ago and Fram came out towards the bottom of those filters tested. Fram had changed the type and amount of filter media and the report said the filter was not worth buying. Whether or not Fram has changed their filters since the report is not known.
Filters are relatively cheap so yo can always do your own test by getting a few and cutting the canister off to compare the filter media between brands. There are only 3 or 4 filter manufacturers in the US so a lot of filters out there can be almost the same between brands.
Here's the link to the study taken from the ZR-1 Net: http://people.msoe.edu/~yoderw/oilfi...lterstudy.html
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Originally Posted by 87Clwy
Given that FRAM is probably one of the most popular filters used today, if not the most, its not surprising and could be just coincidence. Before we make the jump that is was the filter, we'd need to know for sure what caused these engines to 'blow', if it was directly related to the filter, then those that use Fram would have something to worry about.
It could have been anyone of a hundred reasons why these engines failed, from poor up keep and missuse to a failed product/part -- possibly related, possibly not.
Although I have just switched over on my last oil change to K&N after much reading on this forum and other places about them, I've used Fram in all my vehicles for over 29 years and have never had a problem -- and I don't baby my vehicles.
It could have been anyone of a hundred reasons why these engines failed, from poor up keep and missuse to a failed product/part -- possibly related, possibly not.
Although I have just switched over on my last oil change to K&N after much reading on this forum and other places about them, I've used Fram in all my vehicles for over 29 years and have never had a problem -- and I don't baby my vehicles.
Larry
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Amateur driver on open course.
Originally Posted by c4cruiser
Without knowing why those motors blew, it would not be reasonalbe to blame the filter simply because it was on the motor at the tme.
I was just posting the info. I meant no blame to the filter.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 210
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From: Helotes TX
While there is no proof that the engine failures were related to the choice of oil filter, I always use the vehicle manufacturer branded oil filter for my vehicles. The reasons:
1. The filter was engineered for the engine by the vehicle manufacturer
2. It should fit, seal and not come off due to thread differences
3. The manufacturer has no problem warranting the engine as designed so it stands to reason the OEM filter should not cause any problems
4. Posts like this that would otherwise keep me up at night!
1. The filter was engineered for the engine by the vehicle manufacturer
2. It should fit, seal and not come off due to thread differences
3. The manufacturer has no problem warranting the engine as designed so it stands to reason the OEM filter should not cause any problems
4. Posts like this that would otherwise keep me up at night!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
Originally Posted by Texas CE
While there is no proof that the engine failures were related to the choice of oil filter, I always use the vehicle manufacturer branded oil filter for my vehicles. The reasons:
1. The filter was engineered for the engine by the vehicle manufacturer
2. It should fit, seal and not come off due to thread differences
3. The manufacturer has no problem warranting the engine as designed so it stands to reason the OEM filter should not cause any problems
4. Posts like this that would otherwise keep me up at night!
1. The filter was engineered for the engine by the vehicle manufacturer
2. It should fit, seal and not come off due to thread differences
3. The manufacturer has no problem warranting the engine as designed so it stands to reason the OEM filter should not cause any problems
4. Posts like this that would otherwise keep me up at night!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 7
From: n/a SC
If you look on digital they're videos of a guy doing a engine swap on a 97 c5.....the motor went at only 28k miles, he said he had no clue what happened. Well anyway when he took the old motor out I saw a orange fram oil filter on it! I just wonder if that filter calapsed.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,146
Likes: 1,730
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I'd try to open up the oil pump to check for material and the filters and see if they collapsed, that in particular has happened before with Fram filters.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,375
Likes: 1
From: Northern CA
Bogus, a filter can be pretty bad and the average driver will never know it.
I think it's safe to assume you are above average. If you didn't install your own filters, and if every third filter installed on your car had no element inside it, would even you notice?
Other than a failure that causes a big leak or blocks oil flow, most oil filter problems go completely unnoticed.
Fram was once one of the best filters. Now it has the best product placement of any filter, is low priced, has good advertising and attractive packaging. It's popularity has nothing to do with it's quality. Most people are sheep. Those are the secrets to Fram's success.
Anectodal evedence like Billy-Bob saying"I ran Fram filters for 200,000 miles on my Blitzmobile and didn't have any problems" doesn't mean squat. A failure rate of even 1% on oil filters would be disaterous. I doubt that Fram is nearly that bad, but there is a lot of evidence that they aren't very good.
Generally, if a product looks like a cheap piece of crap, it is a cheap piece of crap.
I think it's safe to assume you are above average. If you didn't install your own filters, and if every third filter installed on your car had no element inside it, would even you notice?
Other than a failure that causes a big leak or blocks oil flow, most oil filter problems go completely unnoticed.
Fram was once one of the best filters. Now it has the best product placement of any filter, is low priced, has good advertising and attractive packaging. It's popularity has nothing to do with it's quality. Most people are sheep. Those are the secrets to Fram's success.
Anectodal evedence like Billy-Bob saying"I ran Fram filters for 200,000 miles on my Blitzmobile and didn't have any problems" doesn't mean squat. A failure rate of even 1% on oil filters would be disaterous. I doubt that Fram is nearly that bad, but there is a lot of evidence that they aren't very good.
Generally, if a product looks like a cheap piece of crap, it is a cheap piece of crap.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
I understand what you are saying (and I use the K&N in mine) but at the same time, if they did have a 1% failure rate, I think we would know about it.
I put a Fram "heavy duty" in Bastet44's Vette... I will check it when it comes out.
But the difference between the Fram and the K&N is like night and day. Insane. The K&N is built like a tank.
I put a Fram "heavy duty" in Bastet44's Vette... I will check it when it comes out.
But the difference between the Fram and the K&N is like night and day. Insane. The K&N is built like a tank.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,375
Likes: 1
From: Northern CA
Originally Posted by bogus
I understand what you are saying (and I use the K&N in mine) but at the same time, if they did have a 1% failure rate, I think we would know about it.
Seems like the falure rate on Fram filters I have actully paid attention to is a lot higher than 1%. But that's one persons experiance and isn't conclusive.
Last edited by xs650; Jul 31, 2004 at 05:34 PM.
