Oil filter ?

[DocDetonancour]

Went to my Fleetguard dealer today and picked up an oil and fuel filter. When I got home I noticed that I had a different part # that GENO's for the oil filter. I have LF 3972 and the dealer looked it up? Is this filter OK and what is the difference? Thanks, Doc

 

[BillGotthelf]

I believe the filter you have was the one for the 98. 5 to 02's. It doesn't have the fluted bottom to take advantage of the large oil filter socket to remove it. Other wise they are the same.

 

[KKlepfer]

The LF3972 will work and is less expensive because its not fluted at the bottom. It is also less expensive because it is cellulose (the standard filter). It is not a Fleetguard Stratapore. The Stratapore is supposed to filter better (i. e. smaller material which is supposed to be more damaging to your engine). If you go to the fleetguard website, they will explain how and why stratapore is better.



Next time ask for the LF3894 it is a stratapore w/o fluted bottom or pay a little more and get the LF16035 which is a stratapore with the fluted bottom.

 

[DocDetonancour]

Fluted bottom..

Thanks, guys. The 3972 DOES HAVE THE FLUTED BOTTOM FOR A WRENCH TO GRAB? Thinking of taking it back anyway and getting the 16035. Is the 3972 OE quality? Thanks, Doc

 

[KKlepfer]

I believe the 3972 is OE for pre '03 2nd Gens, so it will work fine. The OE for the 03 is stratapore simply an upgrade due to technology.

I'm running a 3972 right now because they're cheaper and I'm changing my oil every 5k until I hit 20k. Then I'll switch to synthetic oil (amsoil) and install stratapore. I'll be extending my drain intervals though.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

The Stratapore holds more contaminants and filters to a smaller micron size more readily than the cellulose type filters.



Vaughn

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Anyone know who makes the oil filters DC sells for the later trucks? Are they by any chance made by Fleetguard?

 

[trucknut]

D.C. Oil Filters:

I was told D. C. Oil filters for the 03 trucks are made by wix, but are not the stratapore design.

 

[KKlepfer]

I was told D. C. Oil filters for the 03 trucks are made by wix, but are not the stratapore design.

No, Fleetguard is a subsidiary of Cummins. They own each other so it doesn't make sense to contract out to another company. Especially when you make better filters.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Only thing I know for certain, is that my last oil change, I used a new DC filter I had on hand, and looking down inside and at the outer flange area, it was NOT the same as the Fleetguard Stratapore that came off the engine...

 

[KKlepfer]

This was the original dodge oil filter part # 3949561 that came off my truck during my first oil change. This is a fleetguard filter, but I'm not sure if it's their cellulose or stratapore.

 

[RottonRob]

How about the NAPA Gold 1607. I had them left from my 97

 

[JHardwick]

Funny this should come up. I run the NAPA Gold (Wix) and was asked today why I wouldn't use a Fram.



I simply said "I don't know", LOL.



I explained that I had no good reason other than my brothers @ TDR said not to.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I've run Fram most of my life - and I'm pushing 70 - never had any problems or failures, and I've generally defended Fram in groups like this - but as I've gotten deeper into QUALITY engine care, and looked at oil analysis and cutaways of oil filters, I hafta admit - I'll NEVER willingly use another Fram oil filter on my truck or any other vehicle.

 

[Prairie Dog]

There were some problems with frams coming apart and damaging CTD's. Cummins or Dodge (I forget which one) even put out a bulletin saying they would not warrant engines damaged by Fram. Folks were having a hard time getting Fram to pay up.

 

[Steve M]

Strange that we'll use Wix (NAPA) but not Fram when they're both guilty of damaging several Cummins engines. Wix isn't on the approved list of filters either. They caused severe damage in the early '90s. Fram had a problem with silicone breaking loose in the filters and clogging the piston cooling nozzles leading to engine damage. Fram no longer uses silicone in their filters due to the problem they caused. They and Wix both paid up for damages done. They have a far better warranty than K&N and some other high dollar filters that are held in high regards here. The new Fram filter number is followed by an "a". It should be fine but I prefer to use Mopar (Fleetguard painted grey) or a Fleetguard from Geno's.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

WIX had the briefest of problems immediately after the later 24 valve engines hit the scene with higher oil pressure than previous Cummins engines - this was related primarily to strength of the steel outer housing. WIX immediately upgraded the thickness of that housing, and no further problems with PSI or Cummins acceptance as far as I know...

 

[Steve M]

Wix was the first brand to destroy Cummins engines in the early '90s. Here's the list of approved filters from the TSB.



RECOMMENDED OIL FILTERS FOR USE WITH CUMMINS 5. 9L DIESEL ENGINE:



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

 

[Tony T.]

Originally posted by Steve M

Wix was the first brand to destroy Cummins engines in the early '90s. Here's the list of approved filters from the TSB.



RECOMMENDED OIL FILTERS FOR USE WITH CUMMINS 5. 9L DIESEL ENGINE:



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

I noticed the LF16035-(Stratopore) is not listed in the above part numbers. Is this saying that the LF16035 is not recommended oil filter, or is this a old listing that needs to be updated.

 

[Steve M]

The list hasn't been updated. I'm still using LF3894 filters without the fluted bottom on mine. Leftover from my '01. 5 stock. I prefer removing the intake tube and changing mine from above. I think it's safe to assume Fleetguard filters are safe and brands not listed are still not approved. Just my $. 02