Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Problems with NAPA filter

[Crash_AF]

Hi all,

I was on my way home from Denver tonight and stopped to check out a classic Power Wagon at a gas station in Castle Rock. Come to find out, the owner was broken down with filter problems on his 12V. Turns out, this wasn't the first time and I asked him if he was a TDR member. He wasn't but reads the forums so I thought I'd ask the question for him.



Has anyone had a catastrophic failure of a NAPA Gold filter? Two separate times, the filter housing itself failed, causing a massive fuel leak and shutting down the engine.



The first incident was a couple of months ago when the filter housing split at the top outer edge where it is folded over and sealed to the mounting surface. The second filter housing had 15K miles on it and cracked on the bottom where the bung for the water drain is welded on.



Now to NAPA's credit, they gave $100 in store credit to him for his trouble the first time so at least they made it right, but I'd just like to know if anyone else has had trouble like this with a NAPA filter as I'd never heard anything like this before. I'll keep you apprised of the outcome of the second incident.



Oh, and David, I hope you made it home to Cheyenne safely with no further problems and hope to see you on the TDR soon.



Later,

Joe

 

[TGaines]

I have been running the Napa golds for three years and I haven't ever had any problems like that. Knock on wood. I just changed it the other day and it was fine. Of course, I usually change it out at 15K.



Travis

 

[bgilbert]

Why do people keep using anything other than Fleetguard filters on their Cummins? Although with 5 1st gen Dodge truck gassers in the family we all use Napa Gold oil filters with no problems, wouldn't use anything else.

 

[Kalaehina]

15,000 miles on a fuel filter, isn't that way over due for a change?

 

[tgrfan2]

Fuel Filters

I have never had trouble with NAPA filters, but I only use Fleetgard om my CTD's. If you need to change filters more often than 15K, you need to change fue suppliers! I change my 98 at 30K and my 95 has run over 50K. I don't tow heavy with it now, but it is time to change it.

 

[Brand-X]

Napa filters are made by wix even use the same number they either add one or subtract one number I forget. We had the same problem with filters failing on the 12 valves at work We went to fleetgard and never had a failed filter again. The reason they came up with after in house testing is the fleetgard is the only filter made to take the constant presure change from the mechanicle lift pump. ps I wish I could find the spell check on the new fourm.

 

[JNailor]

Right about Wix making NAPA filters. NAPA just deletes the first digit in the part number. Never had any fail in 150,000 miles.

 

[bmoeller]

Never had that happen, but if Carquest fuel filters are also made by Wix, I had one with the wrong o-rings and rubber gasket. The o-rings and gasket were made from the wrong kind of rubber. They all swelled up, caused an external fuel leak. Not sure what effect it had with the other one. Carquest reimbursed me the filter cost.

 

[pwknapp]

I had to stop using the Napa fuel filters because of the seam splitting. Usually around the water in fuel sensor, once at the top. Napa store would not make good on them either.

 

[TSchuetz]

I am a NAPA store owner and I will volunteer this as an objective view on the subject.



1. Do we have problems from time to time? Yes. The one thing I must point out is that it happens with all product that are manufactured on a large scale. If someone tells you that they do not have any problems with any of their products is full of it or not being honest with themselvs. I have watched individuals and fleets condem my products or competitive products without looking at the common threads that cause problems. This could range anywhere from installation procedures, diagnostic procedures, or problems with a particular vehicle that perhaps the typical parts counter person or technician does not possess the knowledge to indentify.



2. Is Wix a stand up company? You Bet! Unfortunately, sometimes the people involved can change how others see that. Whenever I have been conceared with a particular problem, my filter rep will IMMEDIATELYget the product from us, send it in to Wix, and get back to us with a report and or a failure analysis

(which ever my apply).



I can appeciate a persons concearn about products. I am just a passionate about my truck (03 4wd, Edge EZ, 4" exhaust, etc. ) I too can be awfully critical of products I sell and use. I am lucky to have the customers I do and I try to find solutions to their problems wherever fault may be. As you can most likely can see by now I believe in NAPA/ Wix Filters 100%. They are not perfect by any means. No company is nor will they ever be.



If O. E. is so perfect... ... and most of us continue to purchase Dodge Trucks..... why are there so many negative posts on this web site?



Tim

 

[Bob4x4]

After going to a filter seminar at L. A. Freightliner a number of years ago and seeing many different brand filters cut apart,I can only recomend buying OEM filters for the Cummins... ... . Fleetgaurd had considerably more filtering media and stronger base and housings than any other brand displayed. The wix/napa were about middle of the pack,Baldwin should have been embarrassed to sell what they had. Fram was a total joke. Notice who changes part #s they are usually improvements. Fram has only changed once in how many years?Napa?

Having seen engine failures with Fram,purolator,and none branded filters I will protect mine with a sure thing.



Bob

 

[dseabaugh]

I got PO'D at napa just this week. Stopped in and bought filters for my wifes toro mower. $23. 00 for the air filter and $6. 00 fo the engine oil. The mower needed a key switch too , so I stopped at the Toro dealer a couple blocks down to pick it up and guess what??? the air filter was $15. 00 ( john deere lablel) and the oil filter was $3. 50. Then to top it all off, I was reading the box on the napa filters and the were wix. I quit wix a long time a go when my tractors would set idleing while I filled up the 180 gallon fuel tanks while engine oil leaked down the sides of the cheap crappy made good for nothing junk wix filters. I don't want anything wix has ever dreamed about on anything of mine and Fram isn't far behind. Purolater new how to make filters.

 

[vssman]

I'm a fleetguard user but will tell you that they aren't perfect neither. I had my fuel filter leak at the welded section where the water sensor is mounted. The filter only had a couple of thousand miles on it too.

 

[TSchuetz]

I got PO'D at napa just this week. Stopped in and bought filters for my wifes toro mower. $23. 00 for the air filter and $6. 00 fo the engine oil. The mower needed a key switch too , so I stopped at the Toro dealer a couple blocks down to pick it up and guess what??? the air filter was $15. 00 ( john deere lablel) and the oil filter was $3. 50. Then to top it all off, I was reading the box on the napa filters and the were wix. I quit wix a long time a go when my tractors would set idleing while I filled up the 180 gallon fuel tanks while engine oil leaked down the sides of the cheap crappy made good for nothing junk wix filters. I don't want anything wix has ever dreamed about on anything of mine and Fram isn't far behind. Purolater new how to make filters.

Ever see a Purolator cut apart?? Things that make you go Hmmmm... ... ... ... .



The gasket wouldnt have split from too much torque?

 

[JThomas]

I had a NAPA fuel filter split where the outer case is folded over the top. I have never used anything but Cummins since. I always carry spare fuel and oil filters. Not worth the few bucks to lose an engine

 

[TSchuetz]

After going to a filter seminar at L. A. Freightliner a number of years ago and seeing many different brand filters cut apart,I can only recomend buying OEM filters for the Cummins... ... . Fleetgaurd had considerably more filtering media and stronger base and housings than any other brand displayed. The wix/napa were about middle of the pack,Baldwin should have been embarrassed to sell what they had. Fram was a total joke. Notice who changes part #s they are usually improvements. Fram has only changed once in how many years?Napa?

Having seen engine failures with Fram,purolator,and none branded filters I will protect mine with a sure thing.



Bob

Bob,



To the best of my knowledge, the part number that pertains to the 5. 9 has changed 4 times to say nothing for any running changes for internal improvements that did not warrant a new part number. ( I have been here since 1986).



It is a good practice to cut them apart every once and again just to see what you are getting. The one thing I will add to that, There is much more to filtration than just visual impact. Have you ever seen a filter performance report? (beta ratings, single pass efficiency, multi pass efficiency, fluid restriction, etc. )

 

[Ron Bissett]

filter oil and fuel

I don't know how the filter could cause the canister to leak . The canister will still work if no filter is in place only no filtration will take place . the failure of the canister is a defect in the metal and would happen no matter what filter was in use. I use the OEM filter from Cummins for both fuel and oil the oil filter housing is reinforced to withstand the pressure of the oil pump . Those in warranty will have to consider to use the oem or other brands . Ron Bissett in Metro Louisville KY :-{} :-laf

 

[dseabaugh]

Never saw the guts of a purolator. The Implement Dealer told me that purolator made their filters to company specks and I never had any problems with their filters, so I assumed purolator made a decent filter. I wonder who makes John Deeres filters. I have enough problems without getting crappy filters too. I Have 4 John Deere engines torn down right now; 3 with spun #4 rod bearings.

 

[Joe G.]

Why do people keep using anything other than Fleetguard filters on their Cummins?

I agree completely. Why mess around with other brands? I get Fleetguard oil and fuel filters at the local Peterbilt shop for less than other brands at auto parts places.