jlells01

I guess you'll flip out when I tell you I just put a Wal-Mart SuperTech filter on a Dodge CTD.

BTW, although not quite as good as a Fleetguard, they are pretty darn good filters (especially for the price).

Dieseldude4x4

[quote author=Jelly link=board=4;threadid=23740;start=0#msg223694 date=1071500315]
I guess you'll flip out when I tell you I just put a Wal-Mart SuperTech filter on a Dodge CTD.

BTW, although not quite as good as a Fleetguard, they are pretty darn good filters (especially for the price).
[/quote]

No problem here at all, it's your truck. People look at me funny and shake their heads when I tell them I run my oil 50,000 miles. ( but I also run a dual remote filter system )

jlells01

It's actually dads... ;D

Dr. Evil

I hope your dad carries a cellphone and a phone book with him so he can call a tow truck when the noname oil filter disintegrates and clogs his piston cooling ports with neoprene....I have heard of this happening way too much with name brand filters....Wix, Fram, etc. and causes major engine trouble......just thought Id mention that in case you already didnt know.

I dont mind spending $1.50 more to protect my warranty and engine.....

jlells01

Dr. Evil,

Well, not to start an argument with you, but I don't believe you know much about filters...

The SuperTech (Wal-Mart) filter is actually produced by Champion Labs. which also produces such filters as ACDelco and K&N. It's a real good filter for a low price.

The problems you are talking about relate to the Fram filter, which is a pretty much the worse filter you can buy...


Quote:

"TECHNICAL INFORMATION

It has been brought to our attention that a few DaimlerChrysler service technicians are
recommending that the FRAM PH3976 filter not be used on DaimlerChrysler vehicles with
the Cummins 5.9L Turbo Diesel engine and that use of these filters can cause damage to
the engine. DaimlerChrysler has informed us that they released a Technical Service
Bulletin to their dealerships communicating a potential contamination issue and
recommending the use of Fleetguard manufactured filters.
FRAM has been selling PH3976 filter for this engine application since the engine platform
launch and it has maintained an extremely reliable service record.
Late in 2000, Cummins and DaimlerChrysler brought to our attention a low incidence
failure mode in their Cummins 5.9L Turbo Diesel engine of the piston cooling nozzle
plugging, resulting in engine failure. The plugging was caused by contaminates lodging in
the nozzle. The contaminants included metal chips, calcium carbonate, polyethylene, and
styrene butadiene that are not associated with filter manufacture, and a neoprene
compound, which is used as a sealant on the tapping plate of the filter. There were also
several other engine warranty issues determined unrelated to the piston cooling nozzle
plugging that were part of the engine failure sample.
A small amount of neoprene rubber was used in the FRAM filter as a sealant. Throughout
our investigation with Cummins & DaimlerChrysler on various engine failures, no
conclusive evidence was found to assign cause to filters or other contamination
sources. However, driven to satisfy our customers, the FRAM engineering team made
modifications to the design eliminating the neoprene and expedited development and
manufacturing to release a revised filter model number to PH3976A.
With the design change on the PH3976A completely removing the use of neoprene,
there is absolutely no validity in comments that the Fram filter should not be used
for this application or that it may cause engine failures associated with plugged
nozzles.
The Honeywell Consumer Products Group warranty policy also protects the consumer if it
is determined that a FRAM filter is responsible for damage to an engine due to defects in
design or workmanship.
This information should be openly conveyed to our customers if they have any concerns or
apprehension about using a FRAM filter for this application."

After this, Fram went back and made some changes to their filter:

"FRAM ANNOUNCES PRODUCT IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PH3976

THE PH3976 WILL BE SUPERCEDED TO THE PH3976A

Several important product
improvements have been made to the
PH3976A:
· The cartridge has been upgraded
to contain a spiral center tube.
· The retainer spring is more robust.
23% thicker and stronger material.
· A plastic centertube seal has been
added between the centertube and
the tapping plate. This
improvement creates a better seal
between the filter cartridge and the
tapping plate"

You still won't see me running a Fram though (ON ANYTHING)...mostly noteably, the small filter element size and cardboard endcaps make me stay away.

In my opinion though, oil filters, and the choices you make are not nearly important as what oil you run. I would have never thought this before, but based on reading many analysis results, I do believe it now.

Just buy a good-flowing, well-constructed filter...if you're only running a full-flow filter, as most everyone here is, you're only gonna catch the big stuff anyways, and if you have two filters that flow enough oil, your engine wear isn't gonnna differ any if you choose a 10-micron $8 filter or a 20-micron $2-filter.

Shovelhead

This is a link to a TSB from Dodge which lists the approved oil filters to ensure warranty compliance.
http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2001/09-004-01.htm

The approved list:
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

Shovelhead

Please confine your discussions to relavent facts and take the attacks elsewhere.

Ed
Moderator

jlells01

Dr. Evil,

I said what I said because the statement you made is exactly what someone who knew nothing about oil filters would say...if you are knowledgable in the subject, then I am truely sorry...I don't mean to start stupid fights with fellow board members.

I'm not trying to make a personal atttack on you; I just know that the SuperTech filter, while just a lowly, aftermarket, no-name filter, is actually very well-constructed, has a good amount of filter element (about double the Fram), and flows prety darn good as well. Saying that this filter will just blow apart in this engine is, for lack of a better word, a B.S. statement.

Also, thanks Shovelhead for the TSB link...and in my opinion, if DaimlerChrylser thinks the Purolator and AcDelco is good enough for the CTD, then I feel absolutely sure that the SuperTech is good as well, as it is a basic clone of the AcDelco (well, the AutoZone ACDelco) and is made just as well as the Purolator.

Cumminsdude

I didn't mean to start and oil filter war, I merely wanted to know if I was using the wrong filter and if so what one to use. Cost to me is not an issue because it is cheap insurance in my oppinion. I just bought the wrong filters the first time and just realized it. Do you guys think I will be safe for another 2,000 miles on this LF3349 now that its winter or should I just rechange it now with the good filter? Thanks and sorry for any arguments this may have caused.

Dr. Evil

Guys,

There is no war here.....I just dont appreciate someone telling me that I dont know what Im talking about, when they dont know anything about me or my background....I, and most people on here would never do that.

My point is that there have been documented failures with oil filters - not just Fram.....I would bet that the no-name filters are the ones that will eventually lead to engine demise.

Like I said before....I do not believe in saving $1.50 on an oil filter that may/will cause major engine problems. If you want to risk engine damage - its your choice. I have NEVER heard of ANY engine problems caused by a Fleetguard filter. My advice is to always use an "approved" filter especially if you still have warranty.

blackjack

I think that the most bang for my buck can be had by staying with the factory recomendation through the warranty period. Thanks to Shovelhead for the post from the factory.

jigdog

i have heard of these filter wars before. i use a baldwin like alot of the comm vehicle owners such as construction companys etc. i got the bums rush from dc once when i showed up with a improved fram filter. so i emailed fram and they explained hoe a few engines had problems with particals plugging oil ports etc and they had redesigned. i think dc wants us to by their filters from them. if it meets industry standards dc has to prove that the filter caused the failure.just by industry standard filters.

Dr. Evil

Jigdog,

Who does DC have to prove this to?? They can and will just void your warranty whether the filter caused the problem or not...

You must have some pretty deep pockets - I cant even imagine what it would cost to take DC to court over an oil filter....instead, you could go out and buy yourself 3 or 4 new CTD's....

jigdog

dr.This is an information exchange forum. I have given my information from personal experience i am not here to have a debate about warranty satisfaction. that is all.

KATOOM

I personally have witnessed one of the trucks sitting at the dealer (engine apart). Cause? Fram filter. Like Dr. Evil said, why risk anything over a couple of bucks? Jelly is also right by saying that oil quality is most important, and there is a type of oil that is also recomended by Cummins. But I would have to say that if DC can void your warranty by using the wrong filter then they have a darn good reason. I dont think they got their high powered attorneys to rig up a scam so they can make a few extra dollars cornering the oil filter market! Every manufacturer recomends you use their factory parts. No war here, just opinions. ;D