Aftermarket Oil Filters

HappyKamper

HappyKamper

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242
This spring I was having a low oil pressure problem on my 8.1 Merc.
Ended up being a bad oil filter. The local marine supplier didn't have a Merc filter so he
sold me a Fram filter. It was less than half the cost. Are the OEM filters better? Should I change it over to a Merc filter?
 
I had a Oil Pressure problem YEARS AGO, it also was the filter and it was painted ORANGE. Replaced it with an OEM filter, in this case it was a MOTORCRAFT. Topped off the oil level and the problem went away. Now I only use OEM or WIX/NAPA filters on everything!!!!!! I'd ditch that ORANGE painted Filter.

Google "bob the oil guy oil filter comparison" and see his historic oil filter decapitation!!
 
I only use OEM filters.
Not sure the savings is that great in the scheme of things.
Between oil and fuel I have 10 filters.
I find if I shop them around and buy all at once with free shipping I can get them pretty cheap.
Alot of the afermarket crap is a china copy with no regards to specs.
 
Fram is good, I would use them always.In fact I do.
 
OEM aren't necessarily OEM. The big issue is Chinese and Korean knockoffs. In the auto world, it's as scary. Knockoff brakes that disintegrate in a panic stop ain't a picnic.

As to the oil filters;

Check a site bobistheoilguy(dot)com

They cover all things oil.
 
Used to use Fram a number of years back till they moved production.
I try to stay with Baldwin filters but will also use WIX, Napa, and Fleetguard for most applications.

Hope this helps
 
I've been using aftermarket Purolator filters on our 5.7. In automotive, there's a "short" filter, about as long as its diameter. Then a "long" filter about 50% longer. I'd use that one, except the stringers won't let me handle anything bigger than the short one.

MerC claims that its Quicksilver-branded filter is short but made with the same amount of filtering material as the "long" automotive version. I can't verify that, but if you want an "OEM" filter from a major marine source, I've seen MerC filters at WalMart, reasonable price.

Many are not fond of FRAM, and many ARE fond of NAPA Gold, also Baldwin.
 
Yup merc's oil filter company is right next door to their spark plug company and their oil refinery and their foundry.

I remember a couple decades ago, before chinese knock-off's, I cut open an oil filter. It had part of a 'pork and beans' can as part of the internal structure. Yup, only trust OEM.
 
quote:
Originally posted by JimPend

Fram is good, I would use them always.In fact I do.

Click to expand...


Used to work in an auto parts store. FRAM USED to be a good filter. Now IMHO they are a POS. Even their best filter is at best, average. Read this, look at the pictures, measurements and descriptions of the individual parts.

http://minimopar.net/oilfilters/index.html

Like all auto parts there is only about 3 mfrs, maybe 4 of these components. Everyone has them made and their name painted on. One of the best, is a Mobil 1. I use it in all my cars and trucks. I don't use it in the boat because boat engines run at high rpm and need a lot of flow, the Mobil 1 and others like it are a little too tight for the kind of flow a boat engine needs. I run a straight Purolator. Good filter with good flow. Not the tightest filter, that would be a Mobil 1, but tight equals less flow. The Purolator and its equals are a good compromise. Do not use Frams.
 
Good point Greg. I've been using Hasting oil filters for about 10 years. They are commercial/fleet quality. They have as much flow as Merc claims with not as tight of filtering agent. Boats don't run in as dirty a condition as cars so don't need that tight of a filtering agent.
 
NAPA Gold, AC and Wix are my commonly available go-to's for a long time now. After reading all the comparisons and seeing the dissections years-back, I would certainly not want the cheap Frams on these expensive engines.
 
Used Fram filters years ago, never an issue with Fram, just have heard they are not what they used to be. These days I use NAPA on the boat and Lexus's and Mahle on the Volvo (it has the replaceable element type filter).
 
"Volvo (it has the replaceable element type filter)."

FWIW - NAPA and Baldwin make the replaceable filters as well - use them with great results in my past 3 boats for both lube oil and fuel oil filtration.

Hope this helps
 
Is it really so important being that we typically only put 50 to 100 hours on the oil anyways?
 
"Is it really so important being that we typically only put 50 to 100 hours on the oil anyways?"

Yes - and the great part is in this case it does not cost much more(if any)than running a poor filter.

Hope this helps
 
First, I only use OEM.

Second, with respect to Merc their application in later years had the filter appearing upside down. This was apparently done for a reason having to do with not starting dry. Use an OEM filter and it has a little flapper of some sort to keep the oil in when you take it off. Use an after market and you have a big mess.
 
quote:
Originally posted by mintregila

First, I only use OEM.

Second, with respect to Merc their application in later years had the filter appearing upside down. This was apparently done for a reason having to do with not starting dry. Use an OEM filter and it has a little flapper of some sort to keep the oil in when you take it off. Use an after market and you have a big mess.

Click to expand...


FWIW- Here's a look inside the NAPA Gold aftermarket filters:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcJ0pp2pneY
You can see they have the anti-drainback seal.

I just changed oil & filters( Napa Gold 1515) in my I/B's at 49 hrs this evening. Crusader specs changes every 50 hrs for the Vortec engines at least.
 
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