I have noticed a lot of people saying they don't like Fram oil filters. It doesn't just seem like a few either. Many people seem to have a very strong disliking for them. Why is this?
I usually buy a Fram at the local Kragen when I change the oil. I sure don't want to be making a mistake here. Thanks a lot.

 

Take a look at this site, I believe it will answer your questions.


P.S. and 80% of all Mopar Filters are Purolators not what that says.

 

opps here is the site http://www.frankhunt.com/FRANK/corve...lterstudy.html

 

the short of it - don't buy them. Not recommended by Cummins and will probably void your warranty.

My experience with them. Customer had a nice (entered into shows and such) low milage GSXR 1000 1991 or 92 model...actually may have been pre 91...anyway. Ran a Fram oil filter on it. Brought it to us claiming engine noise. Pulled the pan on it. Oil filter had regurgitated it's insides and clogged the oil passages and cooling jets. Never again from that point forward.

Take your own risk. FWIW - JKE

 

I've never had any personal experience, but from I keep hearing from people (and from an experience a friend of mine had with one), I wouldn't run one on my mower.

 

Do yourself a favor. Cut one open.

 

I bought filters the other day at Bi Mart, they were Purolaters, upon opening and looking, the fuel filter said Stratospore on it ! ! fuel filter =$ 16.97 and oil filter = $3.75, with 3 gal of oil at $17.97 . I do believe that I serviced it for a LITTLE LESS than visiting my dealer. Besides I didnt find dirty seats or oily finger prints on my steering wheel afterwards---which was even better !!
FRAM = not for use on my dodge !!!!!

 

I did once, it will cure you of any temptation to use a Fram on anything valuable

High-Ten, in my 4+ years of surfing TDR there have been at least 3 instances I recall of a Cummins engine damaged because of a failed Fram oil filter.

Vaughn

 

Cut a Fram open and a Mopar or other quality filter and LOOK.

 

Years ago I used them till the info came available here. Then I cut then open as they came off of the trucks-gas motors- and every one had issues. Most were colapsed. Never bought another since those days.
I still open most and the fleetguards are a quality unit. But what isn't in conparison to the cheapest!!!

 

This is an information bulletin issed by Fram in November of 2001. Although they claim the problem have been resolved, it may make you think twice before using one. It's interesting to see they mention their warranty policy regarding engine damage caused by a defective filter. I wonder how hard it would be to prove that one?

"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.
Gary Bilski
Manager PC/HD Filter Engineering"

.....And as a reminder to the new guys about to change their oil, any contaminant be it paper, plastic, foil, etc. that falls into the hole in the filter gets immediately sucked into the engine upon startup. Be careful with that new filter. You'll notice that Fleetguard shrink-wraps theirs very tightly to keep foreign matter out.

 

Wow! Thanks everyone for the warnings! No more Fram filters for me! I really want to cut one open like some of you said and take a look.

Where's a good place to get a Fleetguard oil filter?

 

Any Cummins shop should have them, or they can be bought on the Net at Geno's Garage. I'm sure that they are available other places, but I live in the sticks and order mine from Geno's.

 

I am buying my parts from a local Cummins dealer from now on. Although I just changed my oil with an oil filter from the dealer, I bought a fuel filter from Cummins for $12.98. The dealer wanted $32, arg.

Fram filters are cardboard inside, really cheap. The reason they are so popular is availability and marketing/advertising.

By the way, went to Delo 400 oil from Rotella. To me it's worth using just for the ease of removing the seal. Comes right off. The Rotella always made me nervous that a piece of foil would get into the system.

Later
Pete

 

Are the Fleetguard oil and fuel filter the same # (LF16035 oil & FS19579 fuel) for the 04.5?