Fram response RE: Fram oil filters in Cummins 5.9

[jlccc]

Some of you may have seen this already, but it's dated Aug 2002 so it's fairly recent.



http://cpgparts.alliedsignal.com/cpg/catalog/fram/legal/CumminsBulletin.pdf



Regardless of what they say, I'll continue to use the Fleetguard. In fact, I was on the FRAM sight looking up oil filters (by application) for all my vehicles. Then I march right over to the Fleetguard website where I x-ref to a fleetguard filter.

 

[RAndrae]

junk

would rather use no filter at all than a FRAM, seen them collaps burst and motors trashed. JUNK

 

[John Berger]

"Honeywell Consumer Products Group warranty policy also protects the consumer if it is determined that a FRAM filter is responsible for damage to an engine due to defects in design or workmanship. "



In other words, go ahead and use the filter. If you lose your engine, they will determine if it was the filter. Yup, I'm going out and getting a case right now. Anybody want in? And how will your friendly neighborhood stealer weigh in?



I'll stick with Fleetguard

 

[fj40charles]

Sounds like the same crap from Banks products. Go ahead and use it and if it voids the warranty, sue DC to get your money back.

Fram oil filters suck and I will never use them.



Charles

 

[lschultz]

NO

The 91 I had that developed a leak in the engine oil cooler and caused a mess had a Fram on it. Thats when I was told about the Fram filters and stopped using them. Have not use one since that.

 

[Dkevdog]

I feel so much better now... ... I was really losing sleep over it



Kev

 

[Briar Hopper]

Cummins Cumberland in Louisville , Kentucky has an interesting display of cutaway oil filters in their parts showroom. All the major brands, even Baldwin, and Wix. Just a cursory glance at the insides is enough to make you glad you're using Fleetguard or Amsoil filters.

As most people in these forums know, I've lost two engines to Fram filters, one a Dodge 318, the other a high performance engine. In both cases, the filter media came apart and clogged the oil pickup tube in the pan. That was 15 years ago, I've never bought another Fram. Warranty? Hahaha. Yeah right. Cheaper to get a new engine, than take them to court.

 

[nickleinonen]

In both cases, the filter media came apart and clogged the oil pickup tube in the pan

how did the filter media make it to the pan? all the filter media would have had to pass through the oil galleries and bearings before returning to the pan... just curious

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by John Berger



how will your friendly neighborhood stealer weigh in?



I'll stick with Fleetguard

John, after what happened to Whiteknights Dad, you will need to stick with a "Mopar" (made by Fleetguard) filter and have the dealer install it. Only way that you will not have to fight about warranty coverage

 

[John Berger]

Pit Bull, if I'm not mistaken Fleetguard manufactures the Mopar filters and just re-badges them with the Mopar name and color.

 

[mbaston]

What about the Penzoil filter? I did just order Fleeguard filters for the future but was curious about Penzoils as that is what has been used for 118,000 miles in my 2000.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Pit Bull

"Mopar" (made by Fleetguard) filter

I know, but if they don't get you on the filter they will get you on the installation. Even though Mopar filter is made by Fleetguard they will say that it is not a DC filter and the dealer did not install it. Anytime you deal with more than one company you will be the one in the middle. At least that is what I keep seeing on the TDR where the customer is put in the middle between DC and the other components supplier (filter, oil ) That is why I was saying the only way to make sure your covered is to have the dealer do everything and do everything by the warranty schle.

 

[RKohn]

Mopar... . Most Our Parts Are Rebadged or Most Our Parts Above Retail???

 

[curatchko]

A FRAM STORY



I occasionally dyno an engine that I build for various racers, and this was a friends Small Block Chevrolet, roughly 800 horse 410 cubic inchs. NOT a cheap engine.



Well we show up at the dyno shop and the guy I did this for shows up with a Fram oil filter. I told him I'm not a fan of those and he's telling me that's all he's ever used. Okay... I'm sure it won't be a problem right now... changes oil after every race anyhow... . no big deal



We get everything set up and begin warming up the engine and breaking it in.



For those not aware, a common thing is to plug or remove the bypass valve under the oil filter on a wet sump type oiling system.



Long story short. We begin noticing that the oil pressure is falling off... slowly diving towards zero... . we're only putting a slight load on the engine at around 2200 rpm just for a break in so no big emergency..... we shut it down, and I cut the filter apart to see if there is any bearing damage. NONE... . just normal stuff in the element.



So, he sticks another fram filter on there and we start over again pressure is fine now... . wierd. Well **** after about 15 minutes pressure starts falling off again. So now I'm not sure if it's a temperature issue in the block... crack in an oil galley??? WTF??



Pull the filter again, cut it open again... nothing. I told him to go get an AC Delco filter this time and quick screwing around.



Wouldn't ya know it... . pressure was good... everything was good all day long.



NEVER USE A FRAM FILTER.

 

[kevincook]

Originally posted by John Berger

"Honeywell Consumer Products Group warranty policy also protects the consumer if it is determined that a FRAM filter is responsible for damage to an engine due to defects in design or workmanship. "



In other words, go ahead and use the filter. If you lose your engine, they will determine if it was the filter. Yup, I'm going out and getting a case right now. Anybody want in? And how will your friendly neighborhood stealer weigh in?



I'll stick with Fleetguard

Fram a large company with lawyers on retainer, us parents with familys and homes and not lawyers on retainer. On top of that we cant afford to spend years in court to get our funds back! Yes I sure they will pay but at what cost to us.



As stated use Fleetguard and save the time, cost and trouble!



KC

 

[rblomquist]

Originally posted by mbaston

What about the Penzoil filter? I did just order Fleeguard filters for the future but was curious about Penzoils as that is what has been used for 118,000 miles in my 2000.

I was reasearching oil and filters a couple of years ago and at that time (if I remember right) Penzoils are really FRAMS.



Wouldn't catch me dead using a Fram in anything I own (or any other el cheapo filter).





p. s. A neighbor of mine has a VW dune buggy that cranks out about 250-300 horse and has a "Racing" Fram on it; I keep telling him he's crazy.

 

[illflem]

Not that I use Frams but since they are the most used filter in the US by far how come there isn't a bunch of rigs on the side of the road with blown engines?

Me thinks any problem with them is greatly exaggerated.

 

[Briar Hopper]

You seem to always have a contrary opinion on most threads, illflem.

Cut open a few filters and see for yourself. Most people don't or can't take the initiative to do that. Since we can't see inside an oil filter, most consumers are operating on blind faith when they buy an oil filter, simply taking someone elses' word for it. Like, their "daddy always used Brand X, so it's good enough for me. " Well times have changed, and daddy ain't around anymore, and they're not built like they used to be. Newer engines and transmissions have tighter tolerances.

Smart consumers research the heck out of any product they're concerned about, especially if a lot of money is on the line.

 

[jwilliams3]

Illflem,

The FRAM Cummins issue is not an exaggerated problem.



--Justin

 

[C. Harlan]

I use BALDWIN filters.. They are Second to none!

That is all I have ever used on my truck, along with ROTELLA... I used to use Baldwin filters on my 3406E, and over time, everyone grows partial to their own things. This being Baldwin filters in my case, as well as Rotella. Oh well, my $. 02 worth.



-Chris-