Oil Filters - FL 3349 and 3959

[RSchwarzli]

Looking through my fleet catalog I just got on Fleetguard, and noticed it says FL 3959 is the correct filter for our motors. I use 3349 as I know many others do as well.



What is the difference? My understanding is 3959 is a marine filter so it is better, but.....

 

[JLEONARD]

The 3349 is the base filter. Cellulose material as I recall. This is also used on marine enginesas the "standard".

The 3552 is a step up and is "microglass" material. That is the one I used on my marine 6BTA.

The 3894 is the "stratopore" material another step up and this can be used on our engines also. I used this on my 91.

These as well as the 3959 and others are listed in the Geno's catalog.

 

[HHhuntitall]

The LF3349 filter is scheduled to be phased out by Cummins/Fleetguard in the future, as well as the LF3959, LF3894. I believe they are to be superceded by the LF3972 or LF16035 filters. LF3349s are still available, though.....

 

[RSchwarzli]

And here I thought I was getting the good stuff for my truck when infact, I am getting the crappy stuff!



So, what is the best one to use then?

 

[JLEONARD]

I am getting the crappy stuff

I would not call the standard filter crappy. Engines have gone many miles and hours using this filter.



Some of the newer filters are not element changes rather physical changes to the can to allow a wrench to be used from the bottom in addition to the traditional strap style.

 

[Greenleaf]

Call me simple, like my truck. It is easier for me to remember the Baldwin BT339 that replaces all the above filters.



I once asked the filter rep what its contents are and I don't recall what it was.

 

[JLEONARD]

what its contents are

How about "filter media"?

 

[RSchwarzli]

Nice! I love it! Lol

 

[Greenleaf]

I suppose there is some "media" in there, but I don't recall what it was made of... ... ... .



Perhaps Dan Rather or Walter Cronkite?

 

[JLEONARD]

Perhaps Dan Rather or Walter Cronkite

They belong on the bow of a boat. They are both anchor men.

 

[Greenleaf]

... ... ... ... ... ... . Will Ferrell.

 

[moser11]

not to hi-jack the thread but can anyone tell me some honest specs on these filters??

My Cummins guy shrugged his shoulders when I asked about micron capabilities and bypass... Thanks

 

[JLEONARD]

I inquired to Fleetguard about 10 years ago when I did the marine repower.

At the time there were only the standard cellulose and the micrglass media available.

The way I recall him explaining it was that it was a matter of efficiency... the microglass was more efficient meaning it would filter out a higher percentage of certain size particles. No filter was 100% efficient.

The particle size ratings were the same.

 

[notron46]

Filters

After hearing that Fleetguard is moving out of the country, I'am switching to NAPA's top of the line filter. It's expensive but it's made in the USA. Norton

 

[Greenleaf]

They are Wix and come from ... ... ... ... ... ... . ah... ... ... ... ... North Carolina if I recall (?)



Perhaps a better alternative would be Baldwin. They seem to be about 1/3 rd the price of Fletguard and seem to have quite a following/recognition.



You can get on line and read all about Baldwin, but you must phone then and speak with the tech rep (they really do have actual people working there/speaking to you) to get the micron specs.



Remember, there are two micron rates. So compare apples to apples.

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

I am currently using Fleetguards LF16035 Stratapore. The only diffrence in this filter is that it has a fluted bottom so it can be removed from the bottom of the vehicle. It is much easier to remove filters from the newer CTD powered trucks. I have seen the specs on the synthetic media Stratapores and the filter media has more consistant filtering "holes". I will try to get the specs on all the above mentioned filters and post for this thread.



Bob

 

[CToney]

The 3959 just has a thicker thread base to handle higher oil pressure in the newer trucks compared to the 3349. 3552 is microglass, 3806 is stratopore and 3894 stratopore. I use 3806 of 3894.

 

[RSchwarzli]

So in english, ( ), what is stratapore and what makes it better?

 

[Greenleaf]

The 3959 just has a thicker thread base to handle higher oil pressure in the newer trucks compared to the 3349. 3552 is microglass, 3806 is stratopore and 3894 stratopore. I use 3806 of 3894.

My 2010 model year buses (6. 7L) use the same filter as the 1999 engine. So, I don't know about higher oil pressures. Would the engine in the Dodge Ram have much higher oil pressure than a school bus engine? Maybe so. It "could" be a oil pressure war between the Big Three... ... ... ... "Our engine oil pump develops 137 GPH and a peak pressure of 93 PSI" ... ... ... "Best in Class engine oil pressure"

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

The difference is in the synthetic filtering media. When the filtering media is made they can control the size of the filtering "holes" and make them more uniform. This then provides better filtration. Conventional media on the other hand does not have consistancy in the "holes" thus larger particles can get through the media. Stratapore also has smaller "holes" thus provides a more thorough cleaning of the oil.



Bob