My oil filter review - good info to read
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My oil filter review - good info to read
I figured it was time to do some investigating into who makes the best oil filter. I based my opinions on filter paper length, bypass valve type, paper quality, and construction.
$30 later I had an assortment of filters ready to give their lives for my cause. Here's the filters my friend and I hacked open for comparison (I'd attach a picture but I haven't figured it out yet).
All filters are tall versions for small block chevys:
Fram (orange)
Purolator (PureOne)
Motomaster (Canadian Tire)
Quaker State
AC Delco - American
AC Delco - Canadian (yes they're different)
Here's what I found:
Fram, Quaker State, and Motomaster were all the same piece of garbage inside. Cardboard end caps in all and only the Fram had a rubber bypass... which seems useless as the soggy cardboard end cap will just deflect under pressure anyway. The casing for all three was thinner than the other three. Paper was slighty longer in the Motomaster thus providing more surface area for the oil to pass through. In my opinion all three of these filters should be avoided.
AC Delco: Both these filters are well made. The Canadian version does not use a rubber bypass, but instead has a metal lip which is supposed to make a seal against the casing. The American version has a rubber bypass which will keep sealing if the paper deforms. Paper length and quality were superior to the three filters mentioned above. I would use either of the Delco filters with the American version having a slight advantage.
Purolator: This was the best filter of the bunch. It had the longest paper (more filter area), as well as the densest, of all the filters. The only thing missing that I would like to have seen was a rubber bypass; however given the good quality metal construction I doubt the spring will lose pressure before 3000 miles.
So that's it... My first pick was the PureOne, followed by the American AC Delco, then the Canadian AC Delco. All the other filters were inferior and I'm horrified to realise that I've used those junk filters on my car.
Hopefully some of you will find this report useful.
$30 later I had an assortment of filters ready to give their lives for my cause. Here's the filters my friend and I hacked open for comparison (I'd attach a picture but I haven't figured it out yet).
All filters are tall versions for small block chevys:
Fram (orange)
Purolator (PureOne)
Motomaster (Canadian Tire)
Quaker State
AC Delco - American
AC Delco - Canadian (yes they're different)
Here's what I found:
Fram, Quaker State, and Motomaster were all the same piece of garbage inside. Cardboard end caps in all and only the Fram had a rubber bypass... which seems useless as the soggy cardboard end cap will just deflect under pressure anyway. The casing for all three was thinner than the other three. Paper was slighty longer in the Motomaster thus providing more surface area for the oil to pass through. In my opinion all three of these filters should be avoided.
AC Delco: Both these filters are well made. The Canadian version does not use a rubber bypass, but instead has a metal lip which is supposed to make a seal against the casing. The American version has a rubber bypass which will keep sealing if the paper deforms. Paper length and quality were superior to the three filters mentioned above. I would use either of the Delco filters with the American version having a slight advantage.
Purolator: This was the best filter of the bunch. It had the longest paper (more filter area), as well as the densest, of all the filters. The only thing missing that I would like to have seen was a rubber bypass; however given the good quality metal construction I doubt the spring will lose pressure before 3000 miles.
So that's it... My first pick was the PureOne, followed by the American AC Delco, then the Canadian AC Delco. All the other filters were inferior and I'm horrified to realise that I've used those junk filters on my car.
Hopefully some of you will find this report useful.
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Thanks for the comparison, great to know that the delcos Ive been using are as good as I though they are. I have a question though. Has anyone put up the cash to buy one of the new K&N oil filters, and if so how does it rate?
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Thanks for the info. I have been using AC Delco for a while now. I would like to know how the K&N filter works as well. Sleeper that should be your next test..
Let us know
dan
Let us know
dan
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been useing purolator pureone since day one
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If people would listen to Vader or check the tech board, you would already know that Fram is junk and that AC Delco you can't go wrong with.
Nice to see someone took the time to test things out though.
Nice to see someone took the time to test things out though.
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i use an amsoil 4"x 8" oil filter with their 5" x 8" bypass filter. i don't have the data sheets on them as of yet but i think it is good to know after the oil comes out of the bypass filter it is analytically clean.....after 10 minutes of driving just about every last drop of oil has passed through it at least once. meaning: its just like pouring fresh oil in your motor every ten minutes. but it is also good to know that amsoil rates delco filters next highest to their own.
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Yup get an Amsoil one and see why they are king!:hail:
I don't care what anyone says AMSOIL ROCKS!!!!:hail:
I don't care what anyone says AMSOIL ROCKS!!!!:hail:
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Engine: slowtacular L03 305
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Hmm i have been useing Wix since i started driveing and have had no problems, any info on these?
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Here are a selection of articles I found comparing oil filter brands:
http://subtopics.freeyellow.com/Oil.htm
http://www.frankhunt.com/FRANK/corve...lterstudy.html
http://www.mbmopar.com/Hot_Topics/hot_topics.htm
http://www.89tta.com/oilfilter.htm
http://www.tech2tech.net/library/General/oilfiltr.htm
http://www.shotimes.com/SHO3oilfilter.html
http://www.mr2.com/TEXT/oil_filter_test.html
http://www.forums.vmag.com/suvmonter...ages/1941.html
http://www.fuggup.com/articles/galle...er_failure.htm
http://subtopics.freeyellow.com/Oil.htm
http://www.frankhunt.com/FRANK/corve...lterstudy.html
http://www.mbmopar.com/Hot_Topics/hot_topics.htm
http://www.89tta.com/oilfilter.htm
http://www.tech2tech.net/library/General/oilfiltr.htm
http://www.shotimes.com/SHO3oilfilter.html
http://www.mr2.com/TEXT/oil_filter_test.html
http://www.forums.vmag.com/suvmonter...ages/1941.html
http://www.fuggup.com/articles/galle...er_failure.htm
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they stopped making delco filters months ago, shows how much you guys change oil
unless you bought ahead of time
unless you bought ahead of time
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last time i changed my oil, about 3 months ago, I looked at about 3 stores to find delco, but done, i asked my buddy that works at a chevy dealorship, he said they quit making them, its a shame, a inexpensive filter that was one of the best
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AC Delco not done.
I just bought a Delco filter from a Chevy dealership 1 week ago. No way have they stopped making them.
While we are on the subject of oil filters, does anyine have any experience with Mobile1 filters? They are sold at Wal-mart.
While we are on the subject of oil filters, does anyine have any experience with Mobile1 filters? They are sold at Wal-mart.
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I tried out the K&N filter recently... still in car with Amsoil running.. been running great with it, checked oil level a few times, nothing much to report cept its normal... we'll see at my next change, I'm due in about 3 weeks for a change.
If the effort put into the K&N air filters was put into their oil filters, then we have ourselves a product worth the coin...
As for delcos I got one just last week... was gonna go back after my stint with K&N...
If the effort put into the K&N air filters was put into their oil filters, then we have ourselves a product worth the coin...
As for delcos I got one just last week... was gonna go back after my stint with K&N...
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Re: AC Delco not done.
Originally posted by kevosiroc
I just bought a Delco filter from a Chevy dealership 1 week ago. No way have they stopped making them.
I just bought a Delco filter from a Chevy dealership 1 week ago. No way have they stopped making them.
Last edited by vic_V8; 09-26-2002 at 01:09 PM.
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Car: 1988 Trans Am
Engine: 5.0 TBI
Transmission: 700R4 Auto
As far as tall versions, did you use the Fram XGard, or the Double Gard? I think the XGard uses a different element than the others.
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Isn't there a by-pass valve built into the adapter that the oil filter threads onto? IIRC, the by-pass opens at 5 or 7 psi. Most of the engine oil by-passes the filter and goes unfiltered anyway.
It still isn't an excuse to use a poorly constructed oil filter.
It still isn't an excuse to use a poorly constructed oil filter.
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Re: Mobil 1 oil filters
Originally posted by kevosiroc
While we are on the subject of oil filters, does anyine have any experience with Mobile1 filters? They are sold at Wal-mart.
While we are on the subject of oil filters, does anyine have any experience with Mobile1 filters? They are sold at Wal-mart.
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Vic,
I contacted A/C Delco through their website and they told me that they were not aware of the discontinued oil filters. They also said the filters can still be ordered (I posed as a prespective buyer of mass quantities).
I contacted A/C Delco through their website and they told me that they were not aware of the discontinued oil filters. They also said the filters can still be ordered (I posed as a prespective buyer of mass quantities).
Last edited by kevosiroc; 09-27-2002 at 11:41 AM.
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Originally posted by Fast3rdGen
i want some of whatever that guy is smoking that said they aren't making delco filters anymore.
i want some of whatever that guy is smoking that said they aren't making delco filters anymore.
I was told by two different places that they quit making them, and i searched 4 stores and came up with nothing, so based on that i'd say my theory was backed, kevosiroc, thank you for contacting delco, I use their products and was mad that i couldn't get oil filters anymore
monday I'll talk to my local chevy dealorship and tell them that because of them I look like an @ss
Last edited by vic_V8; 09-28-2002 at 08:42 AM.
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It hard to beat Mobile 1 in there synthetic brands. but you gotta pay tripple price. 10-12 for a v8 filter. 8-10 for a 4-6. I do beleive they have the best one. That filter and a few magnets and nothing but oil should get through.
#28
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Ok here's the deal. I work in an auto parts store, and in fact we just had two salesmen from A/C Delco come out Friday. The deal with Delco is not the fact that they are discontinuing their products, it's the fact they are discontinuing supplying a lot their products to small businesses. This includes Autozone, Advance Auto, etc. Now we're a very small business compared to Autozone and all that, but, we've been doing business with Delco for longer than Autozone and Advance Auto, and our owner had a meeting with those two salesmen about it. I'm not totally sure on Delco's situation but I know they've stopped supplying to a lot of businesses for whatever reason. Mostly because a lot of their p/n's are superceded, etc. etc. etc.
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I used to get my AC filters at KMart. Now they only carry Penzoil and Fram. The Walmart here is also wall to wall fram. Thankfully Autozone has AC.
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Car: Check The Sig
i work at strauss auto... and we have sh*t loads of them... i have pure one in my car... thats all i put on.... im glad someone did this test... someone should put that magnetic blanket around one... see if that does anything? aight peace
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Magnets do work
Originally posted by bigals87z28
i work at strauss auto... and we have sh*t loads of them... i have pure one in my car... thats all i put on.... im glad someone did this test... someone should put that magnetic blanket around one... see if that does anything? aight peace
i work at strauss auto... and we have sh*t loads of them... i have pure one in my car... thats all i put on.... im glad someone did this test... someone should put that magnetic blanket around one... see if that does anything? aight peace
P.S. The use of magnets like this has NOTHING in common with their use on the fuel line, which some people claim changes the fuel so it burns better. That's just plain impossible!
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Re: Magnets do work
Originally posted by Sciguyjim
I've been putting magnets on my oil filters for over 10 years, and when I cut open an old filter there's always fine metal stuck to the can by the magnets. I have no way to measure the particle size so I don't know how much would have gotten through the filter, but the magnets do stop quite a bit. I just bought a bunch (8) of the strongest, flat magnets I could find and stick them evenly around the oil filter with their magnetic fields all pointing in the same direction (repelling each other). None have ever shaken off during driving because they are strong enough to hold on. I also have a home made magnetic oil plug 3" long. The stuff it collects is even finer than the stuff in the filter can. I'll always use magnets.
I've been putting magnets on my oil filters for over 10 years, and when I cut open an old filter there's always fine metal stuck to the can by the magnets. I have no way to measure the particle size so I don't know how much would have gotten through the filter, but the magnets do stop quite a bit. I just bought a bunch (8) of the strongest, flat magnets I could find and stick them evenly around the oil filter with their magnetic fields all pointing in the same direction (repelling each other). None have ever shaken off during driving because they are strong enough to hold on. I also have a home made magnetic oil plug 3" long. The stuff it collects is even finer than the stuff in the filter can. I'll always use magnets.
vicV8rs91 -- they stopped making delco filters months ago, shows how much you guys change oil
Jay
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Originally posted by paulo57509
Isn't there a by-pass valve built into the adapter that the oil filter threads onto? IIRC, the by-pass opens at 5 or 7 psi. Most of the engine oil by-passes the filter and goes unfiltered anyway.
It still isn't an excuse to use a poorly constructed oil filter.
Isn't there a by-pass valve built into the adapter that the oil filter threads onto? IIRC, the by-pass opens at 5 or 7 psi. Most of the engine oil by-passes the filter and goes unfiltered anyway.
It still isn't an excuse to use a poorly constructed oil filter.
P.S. this is not to be confused with anti drainback valves incorporated inside some oil filters
Jay
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Just some info for you guys. AC Delco has not stopped production of oil filters. What you guys are experiencing is AC Delco has stopped and is still in the process of stopping supply orders to local auto-parts stores, wal-marts, and other resellers. All AC Delco parts, if I'm not mistaking, will be available only through GM dealerships (Chevrolet, Pontiac, Cadilac, etc..) However, a company called Delphi (whom I was told manufactures parts for AC Delco) will offer all Delphi replacement parts for all of the AC delco parts no longer available through resellers. All Delphi parts will or should be available at O'reiley's and Autozone, and other former resellers of AC Delco parts and the parts are the exact same as AC Delco (Delphi made them to begin with) now Delco parts will just bare the Delphi name. I've always used AC Delco oil filters in everything I've owned, currently own, and will own. Just my $.02
Mike (1bad91Z)
Mike (1bad91Z)
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Originally posted by bigals87z28
where did u get these magnets.. just a local hard ware store? thanks guys!
where did u get these magnets.. just a local hard ware store? thanks guys!
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FYI... ceramic magnets are one of the strongest you can buy
Does this mean that the cost of Delco filters is going up by multiple dollars? Dealerships are always too expensive... guess I'll have to start buying Purolator...
Does this mean that the cost of Delco filters is going up by multiple dollars? Dealerships are always too expensive... guess I'll have to start buying Purolator...
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radio shack sells some nice 1/2 thick 2 1/2 in long magnets, kmart use to carry them too.
I put them everywhere, on my oil filter, fuel filter, oil pan, trans pan,rear end cover. between the flex plat and oil pan is a good place. on flat surface they can travel or slide untill they hit something. but they never come off.
old speakers are also a good source for magnets.
I put them everywhere, on my oil filter, fuel filter, oil pan, trans pan,rear end cover. between the flex plat and oil pan is a good place. on flat surface they can travel or slide untill they hit something. but they never come off.
old speakers are also a good source for magnets.
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If you had a magnetic crank trigger setup, throwing a bunch of high powered magnets on the engine probably wouldn't be the best idea.
If the crank is cutting lines of magnetic flux from the oil filter magnets, it will produce a current through the engine, if I'm not mistaken. I don't know if the magnets are powerfull enough to do anything, but it could happen.
To the rescue
-Captain Random
If the crank is cutting lines of magnetic flux from the oil filter magnets, it will produce a current through the engine, if I'm not mistaken. I don't know if the magnets are powerfull enough to do anything, but it could happen.
To the rescue
-Captain Random
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Oil filter magnets safe
Originally posted by TonyC
If you had a magnetic crank trigger setup, throwing a bunch of high powered magnets on the engine probably wouldn't be the best idea.
If the crank is cutting lines of magnetic flux from the oil filter magnets, it will produce a current through the engine, if I'm not mistaken. I don't know if the magnets are powerfull enough to do anything, but it could happen.
To the rescue
-Captain Random
If you had a magnetic crank trigger setup, throwing a bunch of high powered magnets on the engine probably wouldn't be the best idea.
If the crank is cutting lines of magnetic flux from the oil filter magnets, it will produce a current through the engine, if I'm not mistaken. I don't know if the magnets are powerfull enough to do anything, but it could happen.
To the rescue
-Captain Random
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I always got my Delco filters at K-mart also, and Delco batteries.I was pissed when they quit carrying them because they were so inexpensive there. I was in there the other day and they must have found some in the back,they were on clearence for $1.88 so I got about 4 of them.When I checked out they rang up $1.00 !!,needless to say,I went back and cleared the shelf.I ended up with about 14 of them.
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Originally posted by 87Formula391S/C
ive seen magnet blankets that stick to the underside of the oil pans an the tranny..
Sammy
ive seen magnet blankets that stick to the underside of the oil pans an the tranny..
Sammy
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Originally posted by sub
So ... where would I be able to find a magnet like this with decent strength?
So ... where would I be able to find a magnet like this with decent strength?
http://www.scientificsonline.com/
(or: http://www.edmundscientific.com/ ) (it's the same company)
You can also have them mail you their free catalog of stuff.
#50
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Originally posted by sleeper
actually... there was more filter area in the Motomaster than there was in the Fram
actually... there was more filter area in the Motomaster than there was in the Fram