Why is FRAM oil filter so bad?
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From: Ga
Why is FRAM oil filter so bad? I've read alot of post on here saying fram oil filters are really bad. How bad are they I have one on now but next oil change im going to delco. What problems have they caused in the past on LS1 engines. How do I tell if using it has harmed my engine. I use mobile 1 synthetic and change oil often. Thanks for your info.
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From: Mississauga, Ontario
Re: Why is FRAM oil filter so bad? They are made with inferior components, and many many people have reported more valvetrain noise on startup with these filters. They use cardboard endcaps which can easily leak and cheap bypass valves which are known to stick open. You could get lucky and run them without a problem, but knowing that there are better choices for the same money, why take a chance? I'd go with an AC Delco or Purolator filter for the same money, both of these are solidly built filters.
If you do a google search on Fram oil filters, you'll find enough horror stories on why they suck.
Here are a few I found over the years:
http://www.twocreeks.net/toby/fram.shtml
http://www.cs.rochester.edu/u/jag/vw...ilfilters.html
http://www.math.uwaterloo.ca/~rblander/FRAM_recall.html
http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/Maintenance/fluidfilter.htm
If you do a google search on Fram oil filters, you'll find enough horror stories on why they suck.
Here are a few I found over the years:
http://www.twocreeks.net/toby/fram.shtml
http://www.cs.rochester.edu/u/jag/vw...ilfilters.html
http://www.math.uwaterloo.ca/~rblander/FRAM_recall.html
http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/Maintenance/fluidfilter.htm
Re: Why is FRAM oil filter so bad? If you want to see firsthand, buy a FRAM and an ACDelco and cut the bottoms off them with a hacksaw. Look at the filter element inside and their general construction differences. This should be enough to convince you and it'll only cost about $7 <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
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From: Eastern MA
Re: Why is FRAM oil filter so bad? All those sites refer to 1994, 1995, 1996. That was at least 6 years ago. There have been many advances in oil and filters since then. Is there any good/bad reviews experices concerning new Fram filters (especailly their new triad <sp?> ones)? Do they still make them so cheaply, or were people buying the cheap version and complaining when they failed under abuse? I am in no way sticking up for Fram. I am just wondering how product claims from 6 years ago affect todays products.
--VIP1
<small>[ July 30, 2002, 11:13 PM: Message edited by: VIP1 ]</small>
--VIP1
<small>[ July 30, 2002, 11:13 PM: Message edited by: VIP1 ]</small>
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From: Ga
Re: Why is FRAM oil filter so bad? VIP1 I was thinking the same thing if so many people were having problems with Fram dont you think they would have got it fixed. I also noticed those years in the complaints. Im not taking any chances im getting rid of fram the only reason im using it now is I didnt know about the problems but thanks to this awesome site I found out before its to late. Hopefully more people will contribute to this info about frams to let other people know before they have problems.
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From: Mississauga, Ontario
Re: Why is FRAM oil filter so bad? Even though those reports are older, Fram has not changed a thing. Even their new X2 filters are still using cardboard, and the same cheap bypass valve that sticks open. Nothing has changed.
Fram has no need to improve, because they sell like hotcakes, the driving public still thinks Fram are the best, due to past reputation and heavy advertising.
Fram has no need to improve, because they sell like hotcakes, the driving public still thinks Fram are the best, due to past reputation and heavy advertising.
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Re: Why is FRAM oil filter so bad? Dammit man...I put a fram on about a month ago and will be replacing it this weekend just because of all the bad stuff I've been reading about them. I try to go with 5k mile oil changes, and I've been told the Fram won't hold up that long.
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From: Mississauga, Ontario
Re: Why is FRAM oil filter so bad? </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Red200235thAnniversary:
<strong>Ive used Fram for quite a while now and not a single problem</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">That you are aware of anyways. That filter could be in bypass mode the entire time it's on your car, and you would never know it.
The point is, when there are better oil filters out there for the same money, or even less money, why use a filter like Fram with it's questionable construction?
<strong>Ive used Fram for quite a while now and not a single problem</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">That you are aware of anyways. That filter could be in bypass mode the entire time it's on your car, and you would never know it.
The point is, when there are better oil filters out there for the same money, or even less money, why use a filter like Fram with it's questionable construction?
Re: Why is FRAM oil filter so bad? </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Patman:
Fram has no need to improve, because they sell like hotcakes, the driving public still thinks Fram are the best, due to past reputation and heavy advertising. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">No kidding. Everytime I dump my used oil at the local auto parts store I see the 55 gallon drum literally full of used FRAM filters <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />
Fram has no need to improve, because they sell like hotcakes, the driving public still thinks Fram are the best, due to past reputation and heavy advertising. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">No kidding. Everytime I dump my used oil at the local auto parts store I see the 55 gallon drum literally full of used FRAM filters <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />
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From: Eastern MA
Re: Why is FRAM oil filter so bad? Has anyone cut open a new Fram oil filter? How about the X2? Patman, I know you said that the new Fram filters still suck, but have you seen them on the inside or are you just relaying what you've heard (no offense)?
--VIP1
--VIP1
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From: Mississauga, Ontario
Re: Why is FRAM oil filter so bad? I haven't personally cut open the new X2 but I did see pictures of one cut open and saw the same cheap cardboard in there. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" /> The only real differences between all of the Fram filters are the media and the thickness of the can. All of their filters use the same endcaps and bypass valves. If they were smart they'd upgrade this, but then again they have no motivation to do this since they sell so well already.
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From: Eastern MA
Re: Why is FRAM oil filter so bad? BAD *** TA WS6: I'd like to know. Inquiring minds and all that jaz. I use the AC Delco anyway.
Patman: Thanks for the response. I figured by now they would have improved things, especially on their X2 line.
--VIP1
<small>[ August 01, 2002, 11:31 PM: Message edited by: VIP1 ]</small>
Patman: Thanks for the response. I figured by now they would have improved things, especially on their X2 line.
--VIP1
<small>[ August 01, 2002, 11:31 PM: Message edited by: VIP1 ]</small>
Re: Why is FRAM oil filter so bad? I didn't mean to sound sarcastic. I was just messing around. I think the best choice would definately be either the purolator or the ac delco. Although that wasn't the point of the post....just my oppinion
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From: Dallas, Texas
Re: Why is FRAM oil filter so bad? Me and my friend who works at Auto Zone cut all the new ones open a month ago after reading the FRAM horror stories and yes - the "new" FRAM sucks so much it is unreal. We took a hacksaw to all of them and I'm telling you the FRAM was the worst by a mile. I believe the STP and the AC Delco were the same company. The tall STP was S3675 and the AC was a PF44.
If you use FRAM in your car (or truck for that matter) then you are much, much braver than I am...
If you use FRAM in your car (or truck for that matter) then you are much, much braver than I am...
Re: Why is FRAM oil filter so bad? Guys, what about Pennzoil oil filters? Are they the same as Fram? I use the AC Delco Ultraguard Gold but my parents get what the QuikKar has up the road and that's Pennzoil. I'd rather not have them ruining their motors if they can have a choice on it