Oil filter revisited

[Cattletrkr]

Here's a list of Approved filters that I copied from another thread from a couple years back. I couldn't find a newer list so I thought I'd start one here.



OLD list--these are from a while back so check with retailer before you buy



Part Number ... ... ... ... ... ... Manufacturer

05016547AC... ... ... ... ... ... . Mopar

LF3894... ... ... ... ... ... ... ..... Fleetguard Stratopore

LF3552... ... ... ... ... ... ... ..... Fleetguard Microglass

LF3949... ... ... ... ... ... ... ..... Fleetguard Cellulose

3937695... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Cummins Cellulose

FL896... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... MotorCraft Cellulose

L45335... ... ... ... ... ... ... ..... Purolator Cellulose

PF1070... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... . AC Delco Cellulose



New additions to list:



LF16035... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Fleetguard Stratapore

LF3972... ... ... ... ... ... ... ..... Fleetguard "regular"-- not sure of material used



Non DC approved filters that I know work 'cause I've used them:



Mobile M1-403

Wix 51607



I've been using Mobile M1-403 filters for a couple years with no ill effects. Don't know anything about them except for they are an "extended life" filter specially made for use with synthetic oils. . blah, blah, blah. I still changed them at 5k 'cause they're cheaper than the Wix 51607 I had been using. Get them from Mobile oil guy by the case.



I know Baldwin and Amsoil filters are OK as well, but I don't know the numbers. Anybody with more info, please chime in.

 

[Buffalo]

Back in 1991, I bought my first Dodge/Cummins ('91. 5 W-250). On my vacation, that year (Oct. '91), with my trailer, I drove through Cortez, CO.

I saw a lot of Dodge diesels up there and thought I'd stop at the local dealer, talk to the service mgr. and see if he could impart any of his wisdom, regarding my new truck.

He said yes and asked me to come with him to the back of the service dept. where he showed me 3 trucks parked in the back. He said all of those trucks were having their engines being rebuilt because of improper oil filters. They were a Wix, NAPA and I don't remember the third. The problem, at that time, was that the element inside the filter was coming apart from the high oil preasure and clogging the oil journals.

At the end of my little lesson, He told me that it was extremely important to use Mopar or Fleetguard filters. And that's what I've done. He convinced me!

This is not to suggest that Wix and NAPA are still making inferior oil filters. But, is seems like they did have, at least, a bad batch.

I never hear anything bad about the Fleetguard's, so that's what I buy from Rocky Mtn. Cummins, for both my Dodge's.

You shouldn't have any worries with the Fleetguard products.

Hope this helps.

Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[jwduke]

Fleetguard is what is used on our "over the road" trucks where I work.

 

[Cattletrkr]

quick update

Asked dealer guy today and found out that Mobile warranties your engine against filter problems. If their filter comes apart and causes your engine to go bye-bye, they'll fix it.

 

[rbattelle]

Do you remember the infamous whiteknight fiasco? Perhaps the single most famous story at the TDR.



Bottom line: if some part of your oil filter causes engine damage, it'll be a LONG time before it's resolved.



-Ryan

 

[rschmitt]

The Baldwin filters are BT 339 and BT7339. The 7339 is a newer version with a stronger can. I have used them for several years. I buy by the case at a truck oil dealer and they are around $5. 00 ea on a case buy.

 

[CPG]

I'm inclined to agree with Buffalo on the Fleetguard & Mopar brand filters. Worked on a lot of Cummins in my time. Why economize in the wrong direction. Of course some of these other brands might be OK, but is it a risk if something goes wrong. ? Arbitration can be a long route for warranty.



Chuck

 

[jwduke]

We use Fleetguard on our over the road trucks, thats what I'm going to use on mine.



It's kinda like the old Fram commercial, "You can pay me now, or you can pay me later"

 

[Cattletrkr]

WIX...a little scary...

I recently put a WIX filter on my p/u because the Mobile ones aren't in yet. I've got an old WIX book from 2001 in the back of the shop. Looked up what other filters they used on the 5. 9 powered Dodge's through the years. Turns out WIX only lists one number from 89-01 the same 51607 that I've used dozens of. I know they have a new number now for the '03 and newer 'cause the guy tried to sell me one. I said "no", I'll take one of the older ones. Now I'm wondering if it's the same one that Buffalo saw way back when. I might just cancel the Mobile order and try to find some Fleetguards somewhere. I imagine the local big rig shop would handle them as they have a big "C" hanging out front. Problem is they're also a Furd p/u dealer as well. My truck gets a complex and tries to show off whenever he goes near there... and now with the Juice... :-laf

 

[jsimpson]

I've got a Wally Mart filter in mine. Excellent filter, but would have used Fleetguard had one been available locally same day. Just don't use Fram - they're made with cardboard.

 

[EEdmondson]

I've got a Wally Mart filter in mine. Excellent filter

How do you know it's excellent?

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

After spending thousands on toys for the truck, isn't it wise to spend that $7 or 10 for the proper filter? Buy 5 or 10 of them from Geno's, for example, and be done with it for a while. Do your poor Ram a favor and change oil every 4000-5000 miles so it will last as long as the toys. I always used the standard cellulose LF3349 on my 12 valve, and tore the short block down after 133,000 miles when I put in the new one with marine pistons. The frequent oil changes and Fleetguard filter kept everything perfect. The 2003-up filter costs a bit more than the old 12 valve filter, but it is way easier to remove and replace with the fluting at the bottom of the can, worth the cost difference for that alone (the new one has a stronger can too). I buy Delo by the case at Costco, and never have to go searching for oil or filter at oil change time.

 

[Red360]

Joe,

The AMSOIL part number is SDF-80, but AMSOIL no longer makes/stocks these units. I'm not sure why... I called the customer service rep and she didn't know either. Oh well, back to Fleetguards.

 

[Tim]

Napa doesn't make oil filters, Wix makes them. Wix also makes Carquest's filters.



You guys all ***** and whine because they went to AAM axles. You all want your Dana axles back. Guess who owns Wix? That's right, Dana Corporation.



I'm sorry but all this nonsense about use a Fleetguard or else is pure and utter hogwash.



I've used Wix filters exclusively for years. There are a handful of brands that I find acceptable, and Wix is certainly one of them.



If an engine fails because the oil filter fails it doesn't matter what brand it is. Of course a full flow oil filter is very important, but any quality brand will do you just nicely.

 

[Buffalo]

Fleetguard Oil Filters.

I've heard that the old Fleetguard filters used a cellulose filter element. The newer, fluted, filters are supposed to be using a synthetic (Stratopore/Microglass) element that, apparently, filters better.



Joe Donnelly,

Are you still using 4-5000 mile oil change intervals? The reason I ask is that the newer filters are supposed to be quite a bit better and the new Chevron Delo-400 (CI-4+) is supposed to, now, have Moly and Boron (?) in it. This, of course, is referring to your newer (2004) truck.

What are your thoughts regarding oil by-pass filters? I've been reading a bit about them and am somewhat intrigued by the Oilguard product. It's supposed to filter down to 1 micron and allow you to extend your oil change intervals, sometimes dramatically.

I know that during the engines warranty, you are still supposed to change the oil at the recommended intervals.



Thank you.

Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[EEdmondson]

I've used Wix filters exclusively for years. There are a handful of brands that I find acceptable, and Wix is certainly one of them.

How many years, old man? :-laf



How do you KNOW which filters are good and which are bad? I used Fram for years but never in my CTD. I will stay with Fleetguard which I'm 99% sure is good. But, there's no way to know for sure.

 

[jwduke]

Didn't you know, Tim knows the old man on the mountain from when he was a little boy... ..... hehe



If Wix filters are so great Tim, how's come none of your over the road oil change places use them? Navistar-International, Cummins, Detroit, etc. use Fleetguard filters. Go to a International truck dealer, see what kind of filters are on the shelf. Its Fleetguard, not Wix.



If Wix filters are so great, why does Cummins & Dodge specify them?

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The way I feel is this: If I want to be my own warranty station on any failure that could be related to the oil filter, or it coming apart and plugging the piston cooling nozzles, then I will run any filter I want and change it or not each time. If I want Cummins and Dodge to stand behind my engine, I see no reason to save a bit of trouble or money ginching on the filter ad then arguing with them or with the filter manufacturer while they point fingers at each other. It is easy to be vocal about using any other brand of filter, but who is going to stand up when a disintegrated filter causes a problem. No one did 10-15 years ago, and no one will now. If someone will do so, then he can recommend off-brand filters and I will listen. If you really want to save a $ or 2, how about running 1-2 quarts low. Surely you don't "need" all 12 quarts, now do you



I used a 3000 miles change interval on my 97, in part because of all the soot it could produce. That interval can be extended some with the new engines because they don't make much soot. But, if you have a hot box on it and make a lot of soot, keep the 3000 mile interval. I use 4000 now.



To me, the question is similar to asking how often I flush my commode. Engine oil collects a lot of "stuff" like acids, soot, etc. The additives can last only so long and deal with only so much of that stuff.

 

[y-knot]

Their are many filters to choose from for the Dodge/Cummins equipped trucks. Many of the most popular brands have already be mentioned like the Fleetgaurd, Mopar, Wix, Napa and so forth. I have been doing a lot of research for a venture I plan on opening soon, and there are many, many quality filters available for the Cummins engine. We only normally get a chance to here about the filters that are marketed most heavily. Mobile One, Fleet Guard, Wix, Fram and many others spend lots of money to convince us that we should buy there filters. Now their is nothing wrong with a good marketing campaign, this country spends billions each year just on bathroom tissue. We are a competitive society, and for all it's good and bad points, it's who we are. My point is, don't condemn something just because you have not heard 50 commercials telling you to buy it. Many fall into the traps that advertisers spin,thinking a well known (well advertised) product must be a better product. Our world is changing, the advent of the WEB has many business changing the way they do things. Now days it is far more likely to find manufacturers doing business on the web that 10 even 5 years ago they never would have given a thought to. Many companies that make products for others are now marketing a line for themselves, the WEB makes it possible and profitable. When Dodge decides to sell a oil filter for the Cummins engine, they do not invest in all the machinery it would take to make them, instead they hire the job out. More precisely, they have various companies BID for the job. And like any other business arrangement, the low bidder gets the contract. So this company will call , "filter A " gets the contract and he produces however many filters they request for say two years. Now, after the two years Dodge puts out word that they are taking bids for another filter contract, and all the interested filter makers submit their bids. This time "filter B" is the lowest bider and they start making filters with the Dodge Mopar name on the side.

What I want you to see is that say you were a Dodge man through and through and you only bought Dodge filters for your truck. Now you were willing to pay a little more for the Dodge name because you only wanted the best for your truck, and you would make fun of "Filter A" manufacturer when others asked about them on the TDR site. You also would not recommend the "filter b" guy, because you never heard of them and you are sure they most be making a low quality oil filter because they don't advertise on Nascar or in the magazines. But in reality, they are the guys that have been supplying the filters for you Dodge for the last several years, just you were not aw hare of it. Now, does that mean that the Dodge filters you bought were of a low quality? NO. It just means they were manufactured by a company you had never heard of. This is not something new to the industry, it has been going on since Ford started the assembly line, and all manufacturers do the same, they get other companies to build the many parts they will need, and to do it under the car manufacturers name.

So don't be so easy to dismiss the many UN-known makes so fast. There are only so many filter makers and many of them operate under different names. If the filter or any other part meets OEM standards, then it should be fine for the application. I have used Amsoil, Mobil one, Fleet Guard, Mopar, K&N, and just recently Premium Guard and International Filters.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

How many of you guys who think any filter is OK have actually compared them side by side Fleetguard filter? Take note of how much it weighs in your hand, and more importantly note the size and number of the oil return holes. You will see that the 8 holes on the Mobil or Hastings/Purolator filters are significantly smaller than those on the Fleetguard/Mopar filters.



Or how about this. . . the holes on the Wix and Napa aren't that big either, but there are just SIX of them.



Keep in mind the Cummins oil pump generates 17 gallons per minute of flow. I'll stick with Fleetguard



Vaughn