Correct Oil Filter- READ - IMPORTANT!!!

[Dkevdog]

Guys- I had the opportunity to see what happens when an incorrect oil filter is used on our trucks. It can (and in this case did)separate and clog the piston cooling nozzle and total the engine. Complete loss. In or out of warranty, DC will not be responsible for repairs if an incorrect filter is or was in use. My father in law had a Fram on his 99, and I removed it the day I saw that blown engine. These are the accepted and reccommended filters from a TSB that DC had circulated:



05016547AC - Mopar

LF3894 - Fleetguard Stratopore

LF3552 - Fleetguard Microglas

LF3959 - Fleetguard Cellulose

3937695 - Cummins Engine Co. Cellulose

FL896 - Motorcraft Cellulose

L45335 - Purolator Cellulose

PF1070 - AC Delco Cellulose



If you don't have one of these in your truck, better do something about it now. The TSB covers ALL cummins 5. 9 trucks, any valve from 1989 to current. Take note that several of the filters listed in the recent review of filters in TDR issue 32 are not on the list.



Kev

 

[Archive]

Yep... would not doubt that! Fram filters have been covered on this board several times... probably a very good topic to bring up once in awhile for the newbies!

Thanks.

 

[klenger]

Amsoil?

 

[Dkevdog]

This TSB is from May 2001. While the issue of Fram may have been discussed before, I felt it pretty important to note which ones actually are included on the DC list. And No, Amsoil and single or dual bypass filters are not on the list. While I have no doubts that the Amsoil are high quialty and are not at risk to separation, they still didn't make the list I have.



Kev

 

[illflem]

According to the law in order for any manufacturer to deny warranty due to the brand of filter you use they must supply the specified filter for free. Since Cummins isn't doing this you are free to use whatever filter you please. Don't let Cummins or the dealer pull your leg, it just isn't true, they can recommend a filter but can't deny warranty because you don't use it. Of course they are going to recommend a filter made by a company they are in bed with.

 

[Archive]

Kev... I was not cutting you for posting this... I hope you did not take it that way...



I even stated that it was good for the new guys. Trying to avoid a long statement like on the pre turbo pyro thread...

 

[Scollins]

Fram commercial: "Pay a little more now, pay A LOT more later!" I can get the Fleetguards from Cummins NW for a good price. Why mess with anything else?

 

[tntway]

why mess around?

i've got a cummins shop within WALKING distance. why mess

around?

 

[John]

Originally posted by Scollins

I can get the Fleetguards from Cummins NW for a good price. Why mess with anything else?

True however, I feel I have superior protection with my Amsoil SDF-26 full flow filter and Amsoil BE-100 bypass oil filter (with my Amsoil Dual Remote Bypass oil filtration system), and I'm willing to stake my Cummins on my decision.



illflem and others, do know this, DC and Cummins are simply saying this, if your engine fails with an oil filter other than those mentioned (and preferred), you are at the mercy of the filter manufacturer... you would have to take your "warranty" problem back to them (the filter manufacturer). As Amsoil has their backing in writing I feel confident that I'm very well protected.



..... besides, I have waaay too much into my Ram to protect it with anything less than the absolute best



DISCLAIMER: I'm an Amsoil "dealer"

 

[Dkevdog]

Rob- No offense taken . And you all go and use whatever filter you want. I've seen the results first hand and will be sticking with my fleetguard. I wouldn't hesitate to go with the Amsoil filter set up either. And Illflem- they can and will deny your warranty if you use a filter that separates and clogs the nozzles. Besides, anybody here willing to take on that battle???



Kev

 

[Cooker]

FWIW - I'm with Bill on the warranty issue stance. There was a thread sometime back about filters and warranties, and Bill is correct.



I don't want to be the one to argue this issue with Cummins or DC but it is a fight that you are sure to be the winner (assuming you used the correct part number for the application).



I was at Cummins Michigan a while back talking filters with the guy behind the counter and he stated that NAPA has paid for a few Cummins engines because their cheaper filter line (not NAPA Gold's) let loose internally and destroyed the engine. He didn't comment on Fram nor did I ask.



-Ryan

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Since i have the Amsoil Dual Bypass, i am going to copy some fleetguard logos and print them on stickers and put them over my Amsoil filter.

 

[Archive]

EMD... that would be too funny!



Kev, I use a fleetguard 3894. Always will!

 

[Doc Tinker]

Thanks Dkevdog, Another good post for the new boys.



Doc

 

[TowPro]

Dodge can void the warrantee in this case, because the aftermarket filter (which was not up to factory standards) came apart and distroyed the engine. They can prove this by the pieces of the filter in the engine.



What the TSB is doing is telling us which ones Dodge beleaves are good.



I would like the orginal poster to follow through with us on this one to let us know if Fram pays for the engine. It sounds like you say the filter after the engine broke, then changed it, then took it for repair? Hope you still got the filter.



If Fram pays for a bunch of these engines, they will either fix there filter, or stop selling it!

 

[rob10858]

ive used the napa "wix" filters on all of our ctds and psds for over a decade with no oil related problems for millions of miles. the article in the recent tdr gave them , what i thought, i good overall rating. when dodge and cummins start dictating to us which filter is acceptable to them, they are both crossing the line. iimho, this filter and syn lube stuff is getting to be a little extreme. if you have a fram, napa, wix, or any major auto part co's filter or lube, you are putting your trust into years of mnf and selling filters. its going to be a dogfight to prove who is responsible for a motor failure. everyone is going to try to lay the blame on someone else, including you. when i was in the blding mat business in atlanta, and we had a warranty prob with roofing or siding, it was usually "installation error" that was the main excuse for warranty denials, remember that.

 

[Sled Puller]

Yup, If filter "XYZ" came apart and is the reason for engine failure, Dodge and Cummins have legal right to tell you to stuff it. It would be nice if THEY went after the filter company, but don't hold your breath.



Hopefully, "xyz" filter company is an honest business, and will cover you.



The Amsoil SDF 80 has you covered with a warranty as does the By-pass system. Anybody worried, just ask Amsoil for a copy of the warranty.



Dodge is not going to test every filter that is out there, we all know the reasons!



Once again, you can have better than OEM, without fear of voiding your warranty.

Gene

 

[merryman]

From a legal point of view;

I belive the rule is that if a manufacturer specifies one specific brand of any maint. item, they must supply it free. That does not generalize to saying that if they specify standards, that they must provide a item meeting that standard.

In case of the filters, by listing several that are acceptable, such as the list posted here, Dodge would not be required to furnish one of those. They would be required to furnish the filter ONLY if they required you to use ONLY the Dodge filter.



In order to deny coverage of a failed engine on the grounds that an inadequate filter failed and caused the damage, the burden is on Dodge to prove that the filter caused the engine damage.

BUT, and its a very large but; It can be a very expensive and very long road to recovery even if you eventually prevail. You see in order to "win" you will have to sue Dodge, and get them to trial. Once you are in trial then the burden is on them. From the day you go to see your lawyer, till the day you collect money from them, count on three to five years in most areas.

First of all lawsuits like that just tend to get long, but an even greater problem is that in most areas now, criminal trials must be heard within a specified number of days, generally 60 days from time of arrest. That means that civil cases are regularly bumped from the calendar because some lowlife has been sitting in jail for 58 days and will have to be released if trial isn't today or tomorrow. Thanks to all those good bleeding heart liberals in Wash. and in your state capitol.

Secondly, your lawyer, being familiar with the above, is going to want a very large chunk of change up front before he takes on a major corporation because he knows he will being doing weeks of work before he sees the inside of a courtroom, much less collect any money for you. In addition, you will need one or more highly qualified experts on engine lubrication and filtration at a couple grand each, because you can bet Dodge will have several, and if you don't the jury will be swayed by those of Dodge, and you may as well not show up.



My point is only that you need to feel very strongly about the filter you chose (if its other than one on the list) in order to justify the potential in cost, hassel and ulcer that you are in for if Dodge takes the position that the engine failure was due to another brand filter.

No, I am not saying this is good, just that is the way it is.



Vaughn

 

[Doc Tinker]

Very interesting information, merryman. Thanks



Doc

 

[fmj]

Its interesting that these filters crap out on our diesels. I always believed that there was a difference in filters used for gassers and diesels. I didn't know why, but just assumed there was. I used WIX on my old chevy diesel, and Fleetgard and now Amsoil on the Cummins. I never would have used Frams on my trucks. I do however use Fram HP4 (their high performance version) on my blown gas engine. I've used them on all my performance vehicles and would continue to do so as they have never caused a problem. Periodically I cut them apart to see insides for shavings, contamination, etc. and haven' t seen any evidence of failure. Anyway, the point of all these ramblings is are they failing because of the increase oil flow (15gpm vs 8gpm), length of time between oil changes, temperatures, cheap version?? It can't be oil pressure as gassers see higher pressure. Just a thought. Again there is enough evidence that they are a problem on our diesels and as others have stated, I've got too much invested to take a chance.