Oil Filters-Fram: Why aren't they as good

[z1ggy]

I just read a forum where everybody bashed them. I can see why. I just put one on my motorcycle last night (before I read all that) and now I am freaking out thinking I am going to get leaks or worse. Should I just go grab an STP or something?

 

[LTC8K6]

The plain Fram orange filters are the ones to avoid.

The higher end Fram filters are okay.

 

[Zivic]

you'll be fine. fram just have weak cardboard guts. back in the day you would hear horror stories about the insides giving out and people finding bits of cardboard in their motors.

if they were that bad they would be off the market

 

[overst33r]

They're perfectly fine, not the best, but average. OEMs such as Honda use them on their cars.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

It's probably not going to blow up, but personally I would lean the bike to one side (or lift the front) and replace the filter.

They have all sorts of issues, from brittle cardboard filter media to plastic antidrainback valves.

I will only use purolator, OEM, or bosch (in that order).

Is it the type with a metal casing (orange) around it, or does your bike have just a filter with no metal housing?


Defacto year/make/model of bike???

 

[SpatiallyAware]

They're perfectly fine, not the best, but average. OEMs such as Honda use them on their cars.

I would hope that honda's oem specs are higher than fram retail specs. Just because fram makes it (perhaps with cotton filter media and metal antidrainback valves) doesn't mean they're the same quality as the $1.99 orange frams you see at walmart.

 

[JCH13]

It's such an inexpensive and yet critical part of your engine's health system it's hard to not justify the extra $3-5 for a top-o-the-line filter.

 

[HarryLui]

Expensive than other better filters
Less filter media than others
Card board ends
Sloppy anti drain seal


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRRgw4B7R-I&feature=related

$2 vs $3, which one would you buy?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJxuXoUNcZE

Not sure how accurate this is. 2nd one used?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vDz3dVLaaM&feature=related


Why support a company that makes an inferior product?


PS,

Some people buy oil filter because the filter "felt good" in their hand with gripper rubber on the casing. I use a filter wrench and I care more about the internal of the filter than external.

 

[z1ggy]

It's probably not going to blow up, but personally I would lean the bike to one side (or lift the front) and replace the filter.

They have all sorts of issues, from brittle cardboard filter media to plastic antidrainback valves.

I will only use purolator, OEM, or bosch (in that order).

Is it the type with a metal casing (orange) around it, or does your bike have just a filter with no metal housing?


Defacto year/make/model of bike???

2001/suzuki/gsxr 600

It wasn't orange, it was black. If I got buy a purolator to replace the fram, when I take the filter off.. not much oil should come out right? I did this with a buddy of mine who is a manager at Autozone and I don't know why he'd let me buy a shitty oil filter.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

2001/suzuki/gsxr 600

It wasn't orange, it was black. If I got buy a purolator to replace the fram, when I take the filter off.. not much oil should come out right? I did this with a buddy of mine who is a manager at Autozone and I don't know why he'd let me buy a shitty oil filter.

Personally I would replace it since it's an 'all in one' spin on type filter versus the 'media only' drop ins.

Just pulling the filter off with the bike upright will drip some oil, I would guess 1/4 to 1/2 quart depending on how fast you spin the new filter on. Try to raise the front of the bike if possible.

Most people think fram is the best filter around. I dunno if they ran subliminal marketing in the 90's or what, but seriously there are a ton of people who swear by these crappy products.

 

[z1ggy]

Personally I would replace it since it's an 'all in one' spin on type filter versus the 'media only' drop ins.

Just pulling the filter off with the bike upright will drip some oil, I would guess 1/4 to 1/2 quart depending on how fast you spin the new filter on. Try to raise the front of the bike if possible.

Most people think fram is the best filter around. I dunno if they ran subliminal marketing in the 90's or what, but seriously there are a ton of people who swear by these crappy products.

I don't have a front lift :-/ only rear. I have to go buy another quart anyway because I only put in 3 and I am still a tad bit low.

On a side note, it's funny how people claim to take care of their bikes. I am the 3rd owner and apparently the last guy never changed the front brake fluid. I opened the res. and found to be what looked like man-spunk in there.. or something gross. It's clean now but holy hell. He told me he had gotten the bike "serviced" but I guess flushing the brake fluid doesn't count? Shens.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I don't have a front lift :-/ only rear. I have to go buy another quart anyway because I only put in 3 and I am still a tad bit low.

On a side note, it's funny how people claim to take care of their bikes. I am the 3rd owner and apparently the last guy never changed the front brake fluid. I opened the res. and found to be what looked like man-spunk in there.. or something gross. It's clean now but holy hell. He told me he had gotten the bike "serviced" but I guess flushing the brake fluid doesn't count? Shens.

Push the front up on a 2x4 or something, just be careful because the kickstand might not hold it upright with the front lifted higher than the rear.

I have owned many bikes, at least 20+, and only one or two were truly maintained well. Most people do oil changes and *maybe* valve adjustments but that's it.

Any used bike you buy needs to have the brake fluid flushed front/rear, fork oil changed, chain closely inspected for missing o-rings, sprockets checked and every nut/bolt related to safety checked (IE all swingarm and SA pivot bolts, etc etc etc). Being that it's a 2001 I would personally replace brake lines with braided. The stock rubber stuff isn't trustable after about 10 years.

I have seen some really stupid and dangerous stuff over the years. A motorcycle only has two wheels, ANY failure is going to be very painful.

 

[z1ggy]

^Agreed. I have to look into getting the fork oil changed and brake lines. They seem to look okay for now, but I could look into it. I really want to get a new air filter and PCv, too.. plus a better jacket and helmet..Sigh I just hear the cash register going off right now..

 

[skyking]

One of my diesel friends had a recent fram experience, and a big claim filed with fram.
The rubber spacer you see inside the filter came apart, and the piece of rubber traveled through the oil passages to the end of the line, the cooling nozzle for piston #6. It also blocked the turbo oil and trashed the primary turbo.
That cooling nozzle is essential.
Here is what piston #6 looked like at teardown.

So you decide, is it really worth it? Does this happen with other filters? Maybe, but I only hear true horror stories like this on with the frams.

 

[foghorn67]

One of my diesel friends had a recent fram experience, and a big claim filed with fram.
The rubber spacer you see inside the filter came apart, and the piece of rubber traveled through the oil passages to the end of the line, the cooling nozzle for piston #6. It also blocked the turbo oil and trashed the primary turbo.
That cooling nozzle is essential.
Here is what piston #6 looked like at teardown.

So you decide, is it really worth it? Does this happen with other filters? Maybe, but I only hear true horror stories like this on with the frams.

Damn. That is a solid testimony on not to ever use Fram.

 

[jpeyton]

Per mile driven, oil and filters (actually any fluids and filters in general) are the cheapest component of car maintenance.

Even if you "splurge" for synthetic oil and a quality filter, you are not paying significantly more per mile driven than someone getting the basic oil/fiter special at their local shop.

You are, however, getting significantly better protection on your engine.

Since oil change #1 (I'm at 70k miles now), I've only used Mobil 1 and a quality filter (Purolator Pure One, Bosch Distance Plus, Mobil 1).

 

[96Firebird]

I just picked up some Mobil 1 fully synthetic and a Wix filter for the Trans Am, now I just need to pick up a jack and some jack stands so I can do it this weekend...

I've heard horror stories about Fram, I'm staying away.

 

[skyking]

I use Wix on my Cummins, so far so good. I got it used with 224K on it, up to 245k now.

 

[Throckmorton]

Fram is the K&N of oil filters. They used to advertise on all the car shows. Before I could drive I remember thinking "they must be good".

I get Wix or Purolator filters for both air and oil. NAPA brand ones are made by Wix I think.

 

[Pacfanweb]

you'll be fine. fram just have weak cardboard guts. back in the day you would hear horror stories about the insides giving out and people finding bits of cardboard in their motors.

if they were that bad they would be off the market

There ARE such horror stories. If you have been in the car business long enough, you'd have heard them. A simple google search of 'fram filter engine damage' found plenty.

Cut one open, then cut an OEM filter open, and you'll never use a Fram again.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Fram is the K&N of oil filters. They used to advertise on all the car shows. Before I could drive I remember thinking "they must be good".

They used to be. In the '70s and '80s Fram made pretty good stuff, but after Bendix (Fram's parent company) merged with Allied Signal quality started to go downhill and by the time Allied Signal bought out Honeywell in '99 the quality of the Fram oil filters was pretty much in the crapper.

These days I stick with Wix/DANA or Bosch.

ZV

 

[z1ggy]

Shot in the dark here but is there anybody in the RI/CT area that would be willing to help me change my fork oil and seals?

 

[jlee]

I've used Fram in the past and never had an issue, but I now exclusively run OEM in the MR2 (I also ran OEM when I had the Forester XT). The CTS-V gets Wix (NAPA), and the Tacoma gets whatever the $19 oil change place puts on.

 

[leper84]

NAPA brand ones are made by Wix I think.

Is correct, NAPA Gold is a Wix with a different label. Same parent company making the filters. Even the NAPA Silver while not to the same spec as Wix are gonna be waaayyyy better than even the expensive Frams IMHO.

Here are some good articles on the topic-

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters/index.html

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters/reference.html

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters/opinions.html

 

[skyking]

I say Wix, but it is the Napa part I use.