FL-820s vs FL500s filter in 4.6L

[mickeyaaaa]

I've had my 09 limited for a few years now. found a great deal on ebay for a case of Purolator TL22500 (oem FL-500s Equivalent) and just installed one the other day.

Just wondering if others have made the switch and found any problems/issues? not really worried but thought I'd check on the forum here...

FL820 is the oem recommended filter, the FL-500 is for newer engines. The FL-500 is slightly smaller diameter, has lower bypass pressure rating, and about 9% lower maximum flow rate - not the kind of flow you see in normal driving anyways.. not worried about cold starts as the lower bypass ensures oil will flow.

FL500s vs FL-820:
10-12GPM max vs 11-13gpm
8psi bypass vs 16psi
170 sq inch vs 250 sq inch filter area
96.5% efficiency at 20 microns vs 99%

I've read up as much as I could find online regarding these 2 filters, and found out quick lube shops are often subbing in the FL500 equivalent on the 4.6 just to keep inventory down. Mustang performance guys generally say use the 820 if it will fit but for tight spaces the 500 is perfectly acceptable (oil coolers often in the way on some models).

Given the apparent low risk from all I could find online, and better availability of the FL-500, I thinks its worth a try.... but if you have a horror story you can attribute to using this filter spec on this engine, I'm all ears. Otherwise I'll be happy to be a lab test rat and report back in a year or 2 if I suffer any oil starvation engine issues.

 

[94Eddie]

As long as it seals properly and provides proper flow through the filter, I don't think it makes a difference which one is used. I do prefer OEM brand oil filters over most third party ones but I don't think there is much risk from using non OEM filters. Especially, if the oil change interval is 5k miles, or less. I use the recommended OEM filters for my Mountaineer and Mustang GT. I don't rack up the miles on either of them so oil filter cost is a non-issue for me.

 

[mickeyaaaa]

Seals perfectly - gasket is identical size and diameter. Purolator is the manufacturer for the OEM Fomoco filters i believe so im going to assume they are just as good if they come with the purolator branding. my OCI is 10,000kms using 0w20 full synthetic. im at almost 300,000kms and engine burns virtually no oil, fuel economy still spot on...this SUV has been a surprisingly reliable and tough vehicle for a work truck...

 

[Blackhawkxx]

Walmart had the Motorcraft FL-820S for $3.97 (haven't looked lately) and Rock Auto $5.63. Never even thought to look for anything cheaper.

 

[mickeyaaaa]

Walmart had the Motorcraft FL-820S for $3.97 (haven't looked lately) and Rock Auto $5.63. Never even thought to look for anything cheaper.

Im in Canada, everything costs more - and i can never find the FL-820 in stock at my usual places.... was buying a wix for $15 CAD at auto parts store. these were under $7 so big difference.

 

[94Eddie]

Walmart had the Motorcraft FL-820S for $3.97 (haven't looked lately) and Rock Auto $5.63. Never even thought to look for anything cheaper.

I buy them in bulk off Amazon for $3.97 per filter with free shipping. A dozen of them last me forever for the Mountaineer and Mustang. I am down to changing oil in both to once a year and even then it typically isn't due to mileage. My wife's vehicle gets changed 2-3 times a year. We both work from home so our miles driven are pretty low.

 

[Blackhawkxx]

Just to follow up, while at Walmart tonight I'd thought I would look. This rotten economy has taken it's toll on oil filter prices. The Motorcraft FL-820S is now $8 something (don't remember the cents) which was $3.97 and The FL-1 which is the filter used on a ton of Fords through the years which also was $3.97 is now $12 something.

 

[Bazz270]

Buy a 12qty motorcraft fleet bulk package and it will last like for ever

 

[mickeyaaaa]

Buy a 12qty motorcraft fleet bulk package and it will last like for ever

Yeah all i could find is still double the price of the FL-500....

really im just looking for input from other 4.6l owners who have used the FL-500....

 

[94Eddie]

Yeah all i could find is still double the price of the FL-500....

really im just looking for input from other 4.6l owners who have used the FL-500....

You can buy them off Amazon for $3.97 each.
Amazon - FL-820S

You can buy a dozen FL-500 filters for $5.62 each.
Amazon - FL-500

 

[mountaineer2004]

As long as you don't buy the absolute cheapest bottom of the barrel quality, they're all equal in my book. Changing the oil on timely intervals is what really matters.

 

[Blackhawkxx]

really im just looking for input from other 4.6l owners who have used the FL-500....

Yeah, sorry we got off track from your question.

 

[mickeyaaaa]

You can buy them off Amazon for $3.97 each.
Amazon - FL-820S

You can buy a dozen FL-500 filters for $5.62 each.
Amazon - FL-500

not in Canada....
really im just looking for input from other 4.6l owners who have used the FL-500....

 

[mickeyaaaa]

As long as you don't buy the absolute cheapest bottom of the barrel quality, they're all equal in my book. Changing the oil on timely intervals is what really matters.

The FL-500 is not exactly equal, but it is considered acceptable by some - what has been your experience with the FL-500 filter?

 

[mountaineer2004]

The FL-500 is not exactly equal, but it is considered acceptable by some - what has been your experience with the FL-500 filter?

Good, but I've always used different ones (except Fram) too, and my engine is still running strong at 333k.

 

[mickeyaaaa]

Good, but I've always used different ones (except Fram) too, and my engine is still running strong at 333k.

good to know thx. im approaching 300k on my 09 and rust is the only problem so far....

 

[m j]

Im in Canada, everything costs more - and i can never find the FL-820 in stock at my usual places.... was buying a wix for $15 CAD at auto parts store. these were under $7 so big difference.

I just order a case from rockauto for all my vehicles. the FIL gets in them for his Explorer so I still have to verify my stock before draining the oil on change day

 

[m j]

just to add context, clicking that Amazon link as a Canadian the filter is $18 bucks on Amazon.ca. not sure how the quote thing works on this forum so hope it looks right

 

[BamaDawg]

I see some on here saying that purolator makes the motorcraft FL500S so they are the same. NO NO the motorcraft is made by purolator but to Ford specs and has a top bypass valve and the purolator like most others is at the bottom of the can. This is a huge difference. In cold start weather and if the filter gets clogged is when the bypass opens. On the FL500 the oil is immediately sent back to the engine at the top of the filter. The purolator and everyone else is running the oil past the outside of the dirty filter media and then sending it through the bottom bypass right into your engine unfiltered. It has a chance of grabbing some particulate off the dirty side of the filter on the way. I have a GMC Yukon and I use the motorcraft FL500S for this specific reason.