KNOCK OFF FILTERS – BUYERS, BEWARE (Updated!)

[TDRComm]

Hello to all. Here is an excerpt from a recent LinkedIn post by Jay Stephenson from Atmus Filtration Technologies (Fleetguard):

“We’ve seen a surge in counterfeit Fleetguard filters over the last year, and unfortunately some vehicle and equipment owners are getting burned. This is a PSA for anyone out there considering purchasing their filters through online retailers like Amazon or eBay…buyer beware. You could be getting legitimate product, but there’s no good way to verify until after you get your hands on it. Don’t risk damaging your engine with knock-off products that haven’t been engineered and validated by the Filtration Science experts at Fleetguard.” Jay Stephenson / Atmus (Fleetguard) North American Training Leader – from his January LinkedIn post.



FILTERS – A GENO’S GARAGE BUYER’S GUIDE

The prevalence of counterfeit filters sold online has become a growing and serious concern, and it can also be a tough one to navigate when purchasing filters for your truck. The folks at Geno’s Garage have put together their own public service announcement (PSA) with these quick reference tips to help spot counterfeit filters. Many of these common-sense clues can be applied to other knock off truck parts sold online. Also included is a list of some of the key reasons why this issue is so important, as well as a sampling of comparison photos of fake OEM filters versus the legitimate filter equivalent.

How To Spot Knock Off Filters​

• Questionably low prices (If it’s too good to be true…)
• Misspelled words
• Logos and symbols look “off” with odd dimensions and/or colors
• Poor print quality
• Missing information on outer box and/or labels
• Filter dimensions are slightly smaller or larger than legitimate OEM brands

Dangers of Using Substandard Filters in your Ram Turbo Diesel:​

• No-start or loss of power
• Blocked or diminished lubrication
• High risk of element burst
• Faulty bypass valves
• Low fuel rail pressure codes
• Questionable filtration micron rating
• Potential for far-reaching damage throughout the engine and fuel systems.

GENUINE OEM VERSUS CHEAP KNOCK OFF FILTERS
Geno’s Garage staff went shopping for filters online so they could see for themselves about the fakes out there. Below are three examples of legitimate OEM filters compared to the same part number but counterfeit and cheap aftermarket versions. (Note, this is by no means an exhaustive study and these examples are focused on counterfeit versions of OEM filters).

OTHER DISCUSSION
Hand-in-hand with the information from Geno’s Garage, we found many TDR posts discussing this issue. The insight from truck owners gives you the “real world” details.
Here’s a sampling of some of the posts we read:

NOT WORTH THE RISK.
“Counterfeiters are only in this for the quick buck; they can’t hope to replicate the thousands of hours of research, development and engineering that stand behind genuine parts, even with something as small as an oil filter. For the sake of a small short-term saving, these poor-quality copies don’t even operate as a filter and risk many thousands of dollars in repair costs.” - Tristan Tancredi, Automotive Journalist www.whichcar.com

 

[Carolinadave55]

1980 I worked making fuel, oil and air filters. Many companies moved elsewhere I know. Then; filters were graded as; passed, 2nd's and failed. Failed were sold at discount outlets, 2nd's went to parts stores and passed went to Dealerships. Off brand filters like Fram, etc didn't grade their filters to be distributed. I purchase filters from Dealership.

 

[GAmes]

1980 I worked making fuel, oil and air filters. Many companies moved elsewhere I know. Then; filters were graded as; passed, 2nd's and failed. Failed were sold at discount outlets, 2nd's went to parts stores and passed went to Dealerships. Off brand filters like Fram, etc didn't grade their filters to be distributed. I purchase filters from Dealership.

So you worked for a company who knowingly sold defective filters using the good will brand that people trust? That sounds like a company that members should be warned about. It wasn't Fleetguard so who was it?

 

[Carolinadave55]

So you worked for a company who knowingly sold defective filters using the good will brand that people trust? That sounds like a company that members should be warned about. It wasn't Fleetguard so who was it?

You want to follow up here as on you did on Cummins Forum, harassingly calling me a lair basically. "Stanndye", when I left NC 1982. No longer going by that name. Yes they sold filters with brand names to discount stores. Why? Because you would buy them at discount. They don't take a loss throwing them out.

 

[GAmes]

You want to follow up here as on you did on Cummins Forum, harassingly calling me a lair basically. "Stanndye", when I left NC 1982. No longer going by that name. Yes they sold filters with brand names to discount stores. Why? Because you would buy them at discount. They don't take a loss throwing them out.

So what is their name now? Under what brand names did they market back then? What brand names do they market now? I never called you a liar, but your assertions that all filter manufacturers do the same thing isn't very logical. Besides that was over 40 years ago.

 

[Carolinadave55]

So what is their name now? Under what brand names did they market back then? What brand names do they market now? I never called you a liar, but your assertions that all filter manufacturers do the same thing isn't very logical. Besides that was over 40 years ago.

You just don't give up. What's your point to to pursue this with me if you aren't implying I'm lair? Name a brand, we made them. FOB

 

[GAmes]

My point?

I purchase filters from Dealership.

You are insinuating that the Mopar filters sold by Genos is inferior to the ones sold at a dealer but the ones from Genos are superior to the ones sold at Wal-Mart. You might be truthful about the plant you worked in 40 years ago but I doubt there is any semblance to today's Mopar (or any other quality brand) today.

 

[Carolinadave55]

My point?



You are insinuating that the Mopar filters sold by Genos is inferior to the ones sold at a dealer but the ones from Genos are superior to the ones sold at Wal-Mart. You might be truthful about the plant you worked in 40 years ago but I doubt there is any semblance to today's Mopar (or any other quality brand) today.

 

[Carolinadave55]

My point?
Like I said earlier, comprehension is required. You don't have any. There are several brand filters today, not around in 1980. You point is baseless. I'd wager you buy tires at Walmart. Those tires have flaws, but you'd have to be in that production to know. You need to grow up, do more reading.


You are insinuating that the Mopar filters sold by Genos is inferior to the ones sold at a dealer but the ones from Genos are superior to the ones sold at Wal-Mart. You might be truthful about the plant you worked in 40 years ago but I doubt there is any semblance to today's Mopar (or any other quality brand) today.

 

[Carolinadave55]

Like I said to you earlier, "comprehension is required ." There are many filters sold today not marketed 1980. China makes many. They make filters for HD Do you think China going to make something and throw it in the trash because it was never tested or failed if it was tested. I bet you buy discount tires too. Insulting you is a waste of my time. FO

 

[GAmes]

Like I said to you earlier, "comprehension is required ." There are many filters sold today not marketed 1980. China makes many. They make filters for HD Do you think China going to make something and throw it in the trash because it was never tested or failed if it was tested. I bet you buy discount tires too. Insulting you is a waste of my time. FO

Like I told you on the CF. If you had any valid information you wouldn't attempt bashing. The tires on my truck are Michelin and the tires on my RV and gooseneck trailers are Michelin too. I comprehend you perfectly.

 

[Ozymandias]

I'm following here, interesting in a way.

 

[Carolinadave55]

I no intention of bashing anyone. I was only sharing 1st hand knowledge from 1980 the practice of manufacturing that was happening then. Government caused a lot companies to go outside of USA. I once a 03 FHLRC, every part I every purchased had "Made in China" on the packaging, oil filters included. Government taxing is why companies leave.
Big Agricultural spray glyphosate on crops before harvest. They pay lobbyist to government to have it approved as safe for consumption. It is legal as long as government is paid. Blackrock, JPMORGAN CHASE and other investors into products for emissions pay government for mandates and so manufacturing of it. It's all smoke and mirrors. Look in the right places.

 

[Carolinadave55]

Several years ago I purchased oil filters at big truck supplier for my 2015 6.7. Before installing I notice the inside diameter of the new filter did not match the Factory OEM. I then went to local parts store for a filter, it didn't match. I then purchased from dealership for exact match. Inside diameter on oem isn't oval, it's oblong if memory serves me. Thinking about it, that was the fuel filter.

 

[GAmes]

My Fleetguard filters were made in Mexico but many Cummins parts are made in China. Made in the USA doesn't guarantee quality. The filter company you worked for attests to that. The filters for my Cummins won't fit my Hemi. What's your point, and how did big agriculture get into the discussion?

 

[Timd32]

I bought an 68436631AA Mopar 6.7L chassis filter off Amazon and a local Dealer, as shown in the OP above.

The AMZ had a green dot on the bag and the dealer did not.

Not a big difference but the green dot has to mean something, could be a simple 2nd shift assembly vs a 1st shift assembly, or a darker meaning like it had a flaw on the green sticker. If I were to use a color system I would invert the colors for sure not mark a defect in red or yellow, if it was still sellable.

I ordered 2 from Genos they will be here early May, which is the only reason I have the dealer and AMZ filters, so will we see more dots or some other magic markings, stay tuned.

Green Dot on left bag.

 

[Carolinadave55]

My Fleetguard filters were made in Mexico but many Cummins parts are made in China. Made in the USA doesn't guarantee quality. The filter company you worked for attests to that. The filters for my Cummins won't fit my Hemi. What's your point, and how did big agriculture get into the discussion?

Lot of things aren't as they should be, or one would think. Trusting government or manufacturing is blindly accepting honesty.

 

[Carolinadave55]

My Fleetguard filters were made in Mexico but many Cummins parts are made in China. Made in the USA doesn't guarantee quality. The filter company you worked for attests to that. The filters for my Cummins won't fit my Hemi. What's your point, and how did big agriculture get into the discussion?

Games, we're both retired military I assume. You ever given thought to all the people who are employed by city, county, State and Federal government? 99% of them think their tax withholdings contribute to paying taxes. When reality is their entire paycheck derived at the expense of private sector citizens. All I'm saying is there is more going than most people care to know. 35 trillion debt.

 

[GAmes]

I think I've got the picture. 40 years ago you worked at a manufacturing facility that produced filters for all the brands. They had an apparatus in place that separated high quality filters for dealers, medium quality filters for outlets like Genos and Auto Zone and inferior filters for discount outlets like Wal-Mart and Amazon. All these filters had identical packaging and could not be identified as to their quality standard by looking at them. You believe filter manufacturers, like Fleetguard, do the same today. You also believe that a person's intelligence is measured by the cost of the tires they buy. It is all a government conspiracy that extends far beyond our control and is responsible for the national debt. Got it.

 

[Carolinadave55]

I think I've got the picture. 40 years ago you worked at a manufacturing facility that produced filters for all the brands. They had an apparatus in place that separated high quality filters for dealers, medium quality filters for outlets like Genos and Auto Zone and inferior filters for discount outlets like Wal-Mart and Amazon. All these filters had identical packaging and could not be identified as to their quality standard by looking at them. You believe filter manufacturers, like Fleetguard, do the same today. You also believe that a person's intelligence is measured by the cost of the tires they buy. It is all a government conspiracy that extends far beyond our control and is responsible for the national debt. Got it.

I never once mentioned any brand names except maybe John Deere on another blog. JD was the only company to pay for trashed materials by the manufacturer I worked for. They only sold at Dealer. Currently I have no idea what any brand name does. You been making reference to brands, not me. Have a good day.