opinions on oil filters

[LONO100]

hey fellas,

im tired of using those cheap ass FRAM oil filters so i went with a ford motorcraft oil filter (fl 820-s). anyone have any oil filter opinions? the bosch platinum oil filters cost 3 times as much as the motorcraft filters, are they really three times better?

 

[IZwack]

Oil and oil filter discussions are like religion, everyone's got their own belief - while others dont always practice what they preach .

Having said that, oil and oil filters are not really vehicle specific (certainly none defined just for 2001-2005 Explorer Sport Tracs) so pretty much any discussion online about such things probably apply in your situation.

 

[Lube]

Based on some research (not recent) showing that Wix filters did a better job of filtering than other parts house filters, that's what I use.

 

[swetrid]

Definitely not fram!

 

[ncranchero]

IMO, Wix and Motorcraft (which is sometimes manufactured by Wix, sometimes by Luberfiner, sometimes by Purolator) are quite adequate when serviced at their intended intervals. Likewise, not a fan of Fram, whose quality may have been improved since the early buy-out days. Wix you never have to doubt !

 

[swshawaii]

Seems the entire line of Wix filters are available @ Amsoil.com

 

[ncranchero]

Aloha Steve!

 

[celly]

Amsoil Ea filters are all I use with Amsoil Signature Series oil. As has been said before, there is no "right" answer, except what NOT to use (i.e. Fram)

 

[OffTrac]

There are some really disturbing videos on here about Fram filters. All I needed to know about them.

When I worked for Delta's ground support in Atlanta, they used only Wix filters. All Ford vehicles, all extremely abused and all with very high mileage. As much as the employees abused the vehicles, Delta spared no expense in the parts they used. OEM, Timken, BFGoodrich, Wix, etc.

Personally, I've been using Motorcraft recently but I have a favorable opinion of Wix.

 

[LONO100]

wow, this wix must be the truth! too bad ive never seen it sold on shelves out here, or maybe ive just never noticed it. where would i go about trying to find some wix brand filters? ive been using fram lately because thats all the store thats right down the street from me carries. maybe i should stop being a lazy ass and start trying other places. well i have, and thats where i picked up the motorcraft filter.

ive just been noticing that my oil seems to be degrading faster and ive been changing my oil more frequently since using fram. dont know if the problem is the fram filters ive been using, but im gonna try something new and see what happens. if anyone else has any advice, knowledge or info please share!

 

[IZwack]

ive just been noticing that my oil seems to be degrading faster and ive been changing my oil more frequently since using fram. dont know if the problem is the fram filters ive been using, but im gonna try something new and see what happens. if anyone else has any advice, knowledge or info please share!

It's hard to tell whether or not the oil has been "degraded" without proper oil analysis (spectral exam, insolubles, etc..). Looks alone can be very deceiving.

 

[crazymind]

I've used Mobil one the two years I've had mine with no problem. And she still runs like a top at 176xxx

 

[ncranchero]

It's hard to tell whether or not the oil has been "degraded" without proper oil analysis (spectral exam, insolubles, etc..). Looks alone can be very deceiving.

Exactly.

And if you buy NAPA filters you're buying Wix. Their "Gold" premium filter is the high quality Wix equivalent.

Wix 51372 is a NAPA 1372 and fits all Sport Trac's except the Gen 1-Job 1 models which is Wix 51515 or a NAPA 1515.

If you want to go overload on oil and filters just bring up bobistheoilguy

 

[LONO100]

thanks for the napa tip ranchero, im picking one up on my next oil change. i do my own oil changes, and i by no means could i ever technically conclude that my oil is degrading faster, but i guess a better way i can describe my oil problems is that im noticing that im having to change the oil way more often than normal since ive been using the frams with no change in where or how far ive been normally driving. i was trying out the frams to save a couple bucks being that we have three cars that all get daily use and i do all of our maintainence, (except on our mini). im going to try a few different filters and stay away from fram and see if i notice a difference.

 

[Pickupman_69]

I have used fram synthetic filters since Ive owned my truck and Im having no issues with them,still changing my oil every ten thousand kilometres. and the motor runs great at 210,000km's

 

[OffTrac]

oops...

 

[OffTrac]

I couldn't figure out how to embed the video. I'll learn some other time. But for some interesting videos on Fram, go here:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=168524&highlight=fram&page=2

 

[JohnnyO]

Best filter for the money: Motorcraft.
Also very good: Wix/NAPA Gold (same thing), Purolator Pure One.
Best: Mobil 1, K&N, but pricey.

I used to use Motorcraft but since I stretched the OCI out to 7500 miles I switched to Mobil 1 filters.

 

[OffTrac]

OCI? Sounds like industry speak. That's a new acronym to me...I think I'll start using it.

 

[TekMan05]

K&N filter for the past 4 years on mine. I've used it on my mustang but using motorcraft now. That's only because I get that with an entire R.P. oil change kit off a performance site for less than I'd pay for it at a parts store.