Best Oil FILTER to use?.... | Ford Explorer Forums

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Best Oil FILTER to use?....

astrochimp

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grand rapids, mi
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98 xlt
I did some research today to find that answer and I found my previous thoughts were wrong..

look at these tests and results and recommendations...

http://www.smartcar-owner.co.uk/oil_filter.htm
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I think Pure One or purolator micronic will be my choice i think cuz of the price and availability (They're at my local stores)


:banghead: :mattmoon:
 



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I think you've made a pretty good choice though I don't think that you're going to get much better than the Motorcraft FL-1A (not the CFL-1).

When I worked at Ford dealers, any warranty work performed on a motor requiring replacement of oil and/or filter had to have the FL-1A. They're a tad spendy compared to the "regular" consumer brands.

All the same, nothing is going to beat regular oil changes - AFTER one reads the fine print underneath "3000 miles".
 






what is the fine print?
 






Fine print usually runs something like "no short hops, no extended highway driving, no "extended" idling, no dusty conditions, no.....". I think they should include "no leaving bits of the foil seal on the jug" but that's something I get a chuckle out of anyway - oil pressure complaints and the screen is papered with these li'l boogers.....

Motor oil does not wear out..... it's the "ad-pack" that suffers. The antifoamants, anti oxidants, acid neutralizers and so on. In the late '50s, oil technology called for regular oil changes every 1000 miles. There simply wasn't much in the way of "ad-pack" in the oil. Now we're up to what.... SH???? SJ???? - I can't hardly keep track anymore. But at the same time, the manufacturers are giving us new metallurgy and "loose" motors in an effort to (first) reduce fuel consumption and emissions to meet EPA and CAFE standards and (second) to maximize profits and (third) to be reliable and long living enough to gain our repeat business. That's gotta be a pretty tough row to hoe.

I don't know of any magic formula to determine the optimum oil change interval..... there's just too many variables when we figure in driving conditions, driving habits, weather, engine condition..... I do know that most drivers do not fall in the maximum interval window, though we all like to think we do.
 






I thought that 3000 miles is the severe duty chaning schedule and 5000 was normal duty.
Source for that is ownerconnection.com
 






You can get Motorcraft oil filters at Walmart.....
The FL-1A cost me $2.44 to $2.77.

If anyone wants some, they can let me know and I can ship them some, as long as they pay for shipping.
 






Yeah I get the Motorcraft FL-1A at AutoZone for that same price range. And the Wal-Marts around here also carry them. They are only a few cents more than the FRAM crap so I figure I can pay those few cents and get something that actually filters.
 






I thought that 3000 miles is the severe duty chaning schedule

Actually, you're quite right...... where I live 3000mi (5000km) has become the norm. Here, in a small town in the middle of a big forest, most folks work in either oil or logging. Their road to work is what most of you guys seem to lust for ;)

For some of these guys, I go as far as recommending 3000km (2000mi) for a service interval.

Still, there's no such thing as "too many oil changes" and, without expensive oil analysis, it's tough to say what any one individuals ideal service interval is. All the same, thanks for getting my feet back on the ground.
 












I'm using a Bosch.

Is this a good filter? Is the FL-1A the same as a Fram PH-8 (the longer filter). I have the 5.0 and I dont think I can run the longer filter. I would like to. It is weird because I had a 65 Mustang 289, a 78' F-150 with a 400M and a 85 Bronco II with a 2.8 V-6 and they all used the long filter.
 






Re: I'm using a Bosch.

Originally posted by Dan Whitaker
Is this a good filter? Is the FL-1A the same as a Fram PH-8 (the longer filter). I have the 5.0 and I dont think I can run the longer filter. I would like to. It is weird because I had a 65 Mustang 289, a 78' F-150 with a 400M and a 85 Bronco II with a 2.8 V-6 and they all used the long filter.

The Fl-1A is the standard (1qt.) oil filter that Ford has used on most of their vehicles since the late '50's. There is however a shorter version of the 1A (can't remember the part # though) that should fit your 5.0.
I have always used Motorcraft filters on Fords and wouldn't recomend anything else.
 






Is the FL-1A the same as a Fram PH-8

Fram makes a good "department store" filter. I had a case of PH-8s given to me several years ago. All I drive is Fords and Yamahas and I still have all of them (the Frams). Cheap filters are generally cheap for a reason.

Yes, the PH-8 will fit where the FL1-A will fit, but they are definitely not the same filter.
 






I'm still trying to find out why everyone is against Fram. We have run Fram filters and Pennzoil 10w40 oil wiht a quart of Marvel Mystery oil added in our motors for over 20 years and never had any problems. Every motor we have tore down has had no ring groove and been absolutely immaculate inside. Could someoe please explain why Fram is so bad so I will understand why everyone puts them down so bad. I would just like to be enlightnened as to the problems with them. I have never heard of any problems with them from anyone else that runs them I know. But I would like to know of any problems though because I would hate to have some dirt get to my mains and wipe the motor out. Thanks guys.
 






Unless they've changed them in the last few years.... cardboard ends on the filter medium, less filter medium than many, and a really cheap way of joining the two ends of the pleated ring.

The Fram filter, in all likelihood, is an "adequate" filter but why would anyone settle for adequate when good is only a buck or two more?
 






Oh ok. I understand now. Sorry I had to have it explained guys. Which one is the absolute best then regardless of price?
 






I see no reason to skimp wjen it cpomes to my motor oil and filter. I only use Mobile 1 5 w 30 oil and the Mobile 1 oil filter.

This is the cheapeast insurance one can have.
 






Originally posted by MSTNGGUY88
Oh ok. I understand now. Sorry I had to have it explained guys. Which one is the absolute best then regardless of price?

It would be the Mobil1, K&N, or the Amsoil filter. All are excellent and cost $8-$10. They have extra capacity over regular filters and are good to use if you don't change oil often. I believe Amsoil recommends changing the filter at 12,500 miles and the oil and filter at 25,000 miles. If you change the oil every 3,000 miles, I doubt you would see any improvement over the Motorcraft filter.
 






I agree, if you change your oil every 3000 miles then any oil filter should suffice. I read a "consumers report" on oil and oil changes and they found no difference in engine wear when changing your oil every 3000 miles or every 5000 miles. I think they went with the car manufacturers recommended oil filters, in our case the Motorcraft FL-1a.
 






well there were some flaws in the consumer reports report but that is all discussed in another thread.
 



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