Oil Filter

C

Chrishaun B

New member
Just wanted to share some good info, dont use the new Fram oil filter you can buy at Advance Discount or other parts houses, It is way to restricted for this engine, I tried it and my top end really got noisy ( more so than normal ) I put the OEM filter back on it and all the noise went away. I did some investigating on my own and I took apart both filters and the spring was way stronger then the OEM, and the filter particulate was different also.

Just wanted to share, but now K&N came out with the air filter for the M50, ooohhh what a difference that made...woohoo...

Ride safe ride smart :)
 
Anyone that researches oil filters knows Fram does not have a good reputation for quality. I used them years ago until I wised up and did some research.
 
Oil Filter Manufacturers

Here's a list of different oil filter manufacturers and the private brands they make. Understand this is as current a list as I could find, but changes occur. ADBV = Anti Drain Back Valve

Most Champion Labs filters are good quality, except for some recent versions known as "e-core" construction. Many shops are reporting failures with the e-core types where the filter media separates from the ends. This allows unfiltered oil to pass straight thru the can.

Wix filters are excellent, and I consider them about the best value. They provide quality construction, good filtration, and good flow characteristics.

Purolators are also excellent filters, though I recall hearing of shops reporting some media coming unglued. This was only on a few filters manufactured for a distributor at a low price.

Also keep in mind HD specs 10 micron filters for the Twinkie motor. Do not use these filters on older engines (Evo, Shovel, etc.) as they won't necessarily flow enough, and might go into bypass mode. There are a few people who believe that the HD Twinkie filters bypass more oil than they filter almost immediately after installation. Haven't seen any tests yet, but several engineers seem to think along those lines. Maybe one day soon one of 'em will set up a protocol and run the filters.

Fram
Fram Extra Guard (std)
Fram Tough Guard (different media?)
Fram X2 (Silicone ADBV, Fuzzy media)
Fram Extended Guard(same as the X2)
Mileguard (Jiffy)
Honda
Chrysler line up except for the Cummins
Penzoil
Quaker State
Deffense

Champion Labs
Bosch
Car and Driver
Deutsch
Mobil 1
STP
SuperTech
K&N
Valvoline filters
Mighty
Service Champ
Lee
AutoZone Value Craft
Some AC Delco

Wix
Carquest blue
Napa Gold
Napa Silver (lower quality with nitrile ADBV)

Purolator
Purolator premium plus (nitrile adbv) ML16818
Purolator Pure One (silicone adbv, different media)
Havoline
Group7
Promotive
Quaker State (less media)
Advanced Auto Total Grip. (less media)
Pep Boys Pro Line
MotorCraft

And just to spice things up, some studies have shown that almost all engine wear occurs with particles of less than 5 microns. Which might mean that running an oil filter ain't doing much, anyway! (Not that I'll stop running my Wix filters.)
 
These days it is so difficult to tell a good filter unless you use it, cut it apart and inspect it. I have a Suzuki OEM filter I have not used and it is made in China, says so right on the box. I also have a K&N-138C and it is made in Thailand. I have not looked at a Wix or any other filter to see where they are made. I like K&N so I will stick with it. If I have a problem on the road, loose filter I don't need a filter wrench to snug it just a 17mm wrench which I have in my tool pouch.
 
There's a discussion on the Intruder Alert Forum about a guy having his oil analyzed after using a K&N air filter. Blames dirt in his oil on the free flow filter.
See IntruderAlert Cafe (I assume it's OK to post links to other forums???)

I'm rethinking the possibility of putting one on my bike. Also makes me wonder about their oil filters.
 
I have not heard anything bad about K&N, as far as I know they are the only manuf. of such high flow air filters, have to check that one out. I did read the other post and as far as the oil being dirty, well I guess the guy is not familiar with bikes that share oil between the engine and tranny. The color of oil in our bikes is not a good indicator of cleanliness or viscosity breakdown due to the sharing of oil. Before I was running my K&N air filter I was running a stock air filter and OEM oil filter. There was no change in the appearance of the oil color from one to another. I really don't think it would matter what air, oil filter was used the oil would still have the appearance of being dirty with a shared mechanical function.

I have a K&N air filter on my 93' F150 and have had it for 10 years if I remember correctly. I am certain that the air filter has not allowed excess dirt into the engine. When I run it I run it hard, mostly as a wood hauler and the compression is still good, the valves are still good and the oil never has the same appearance as the oil in my bike with regular changes.

I will stick with K&N until I have sufficient info that they do allow excess dirt into the engine. The guy from the other forum is a dumb azz IMO.
 
Actually, the guy did not say it was the colour that was the indicator. He said. "...We just did oil analysis on 4 bikes, 3 Harleys and a Triumph.... Mine was the only one that came back with elevated Silicon (Dirt) and wear metals. The only difference between my bike and the 2 other Harley's ? K&N Air Filter on mine..."

Anyway, according to him, the silicon and metal particles in his oil he attributes to the K & N air filter. I know NOTHING about this stuff so I want to be clear that I`m not posting this in support of his opinion. It just makes me, because of my ignorance about this subject, a bit wary about using one. Their (K&N) oil filters might be fine but then one of the posts in this forum said they were only mediocre.

The Suzuki oil filter seems to get a good rating. But they cost about $20 from the dealer here (Canada). I'd like to find one that does as good a job at trapping fine particles as the Suzuki but at a more reasonable cost. Seems maybe Wix may be the answer. I`ll have to see if they are sold locally by anyone.

Keith
 
I have not heard anything about K&N oil filters or air filters being bad or not so good, I use them both on my car and have great results, I have also tested the oil from both filters on my car OEM and K&N and the only thing found was a little extra metal in the oil, Bit I see that from the amount of miles on the vehicle, You will have more wear on a older engine then a new one. Other then that, I will continue to use them or Wix filters.
 
I am pretty sure that the engine and tranny oil in HD are not shared. Read it here. I am not sure about the Triumph though. Start over. Still comparing apples and oranges.

I did think it was funny how the dude was comparing the oil in his bike to the oil in his Ranger. DUHHHHH!!!!
 
I used a K&N for many years and many miles on my old gasser pickup, never had a problem. I also used them on many motorcycles, also no problems. With that said, I will not use one on my diesel. The turbo pulls in much more air, and it is proven the K&N will allow dirt to pass. Now some of this may be due to improper maintenance. I have seen people put too little or too much oil on the filter. Too little, dirt will pass - too much, oil in the intake.
 
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