Hot Rod Forum banner

Oil Filter questions.

3K views 38 replies 18 participants last post by  1meancuda 
#1 ·
Okay, I got a couple questions for you guys.
First, is there a brand that you guys particularly like or any brand that you would never use?
Second, Do you guys use an oil-filter wrench to remove the oil filter, or do you jab it with a screwdriver?
 
#2 ·
I myself like to use K&N oil filters, but I generally buy Purolator filters...they seem to do the job just fine.
I have a huge pair of channellock pliers that I use to remove the filters with. I do have a few different size filter wrenches that fit on the end of a ratchet, but they don't get used very often. Its just as easy to grab the pliers and use them.
Later,
WEIMER
 
#5 ·
Well I guess I am a little barbaric since I always pierce the darn things mainly because every vehicle I have owned in last 10 years had the filter at some weird angle so that if you tried to remove it full it would spill all over the place when you twisted it to get it out of the odd place it was mounted. I have a homemade filter cutter that I used to use to open up the filters to check for particles on my RX7 vintage car and to tell you the truth I now buy filters by color so it looks nice on the engine, I have cut many open and the paper used in all the ones I seen were all the same. I think there must be one manufacturer of this paper because all the major brands use the same paper, the only other difference was in the can design and number and size of the inlet holes. One thing I should mention is I don't buy them if they are not wrapped anymore, I bought one once that was full of shotpeen pellets! :eek:
 
#6 ·
I hate Fram...I work at Wally World and we got the "Super Tech" filters and if some of you didn't know, they are an STP oil filter in a different color and sticker, and 1 dollar cheaper than the STP. It's kinda funny that they have the same stamps on the bottom of the filter and the same patent numbers stamped on the top....I use Super Tech on my wifes car and Bosch on my 302...3 dollar oil fiter wrench I have works on both filters ;) . Steve
 
#7 ·
the reason i ask.
I just changed my oil today and found out my brother swiped my oil filter wrench, then, the one i bought wouldn't fit so i had to jab it with a screw driver..... My oil filter is in such a weird *** place...... makes me wonder what they were thinkin' when they built it.
 
#9 ·
I use Pennzoil on all my spin-on apps 'cause they are yellow. Seriously. My Willys still has the old cartridge filter so it is a polished cast aluminum canister w/ chrome lid. I have purchaces every trick spin-on filter wrench known to man but usually get them off any way I can. I am with Chuck, there are very few cars that have filters you can even reach with the fancy wrenches or even a screwdriver! The absolute worst was my '81 Turbo Trans Am. It's filter was the size of a shot glass and had to be taken off from the top and just BARELY squeezed thru the opening between the air conditioning unit on the fire wall, the passenger side exhaust header, and the wheel well. The whole operation was done blind, no way in the world to see what you were doing.
 
#11 ·
I have always used the Fram filters with a filter tool. I have used the screwdriver trick too. I think Hot Rod or one of the other Car Mags did a filter test but I don't know which filters came out best in their test. Anyone have that info?


Todd :)


Rat Rods Rule!
 
#13 ·
I reached this on the net awhile back. The finally result of the report, was that Fram is the worstt!!! And the best was NAPA gold series filters. Take it off any way you have to.
2 penny`s worth.
SAlider in Wa.
 
#14 ·
i always prefer to stab them with a screw driver. i like to run the engine for at least half an hour first to make sure it all comes out, otherwise it's too gooey to flow out of the hole. i like when the hot oil runs down my arm and into my armpit. it's really *****en when it goes all over my face. it's extra fun when you forget your shirt is soaked in oil and wipe dirt out of your eyes. i threw my filter wrench away. <img src="graemlins/spank.gif" border="0" alt="[spank]" />
 
#18 ·
Talkin' oil filters, this is about the best place I've found. This guy is a real oil filter Guru.

<a href="http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/oil_filter_study/" target="_blank">http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/oil_filter_study/</a>

I'll NEVER buy another Fram anything filter.
 
#20 ·
Hey Willys.........


Penzoil


PZ-1


This filter was a big disappointment, but I knew what I was in for the moment I took it out of the box. It is a Fram Extra Guard (PH8A) in every way, shape, and form. The only difference is the yellow paint and Penzoil logo. As with the Fram, please do not buy this filter. Penzoil is insulting their own name by putting it on this filter, but obviously they are not interested in selling a quality unit.

All the measurements were exactly the same as the Fram Extra Guard PH8A.

<hr></blockquote>
 
#22 ·
that filter comparison link was a good read. i never thought filter brands were that different - just figured a filter was a filter, and i never bought a mobil 1 because of its high price. never considered it was that much better.

now that someone actually checked into this, it seems the mobil 1 might actually be worth the $10 price. what's an extra $5 per oil change, anyhow?

one thing's for certain: i had a fram on my olds yesterday, but not anymore...
 
#23 ·
Originally posted by PrimeMover:
<strong>
I'll NEVER buy another Fram anything filter.</strong><hr></blockquote>

It is funny that you mention that. The 302 ( lifters )in my T-Bird used to rattle to death whenever it was started cold. I read a while back about how crappy Fram filters are so I obtained a Wix filter. No more lifter rattle. My next oil change I had a Fram filter lying around so I used that. The noise returned. No more Fram for me.

I use a filter wrench to remove them.

[ April 14, 2003: Message edited by: CET ]</p>
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top