Just have a quick question. Are fram oil filters really that bad? My neighbour gets me these with his discount and at Wally World beside me,thats all they have to sell.My 4.6 sometimes blows blue smoke on start up with just 18000 miles,could fram filters be doing this? Sorry I think that was 2 questions. Any input would be great.

 

There have been some pretty damning test comparisons on this site where guys have cut open various brands of filters...Fram is very cheaply made and not sure the oil drainback valve works very well, either.

Wally World DOES sell Mororcraft filters for our Fords (820s) for about $4.00.

Blue smoke out the tailpipe at startup historically means worn valve guides, but could indicate high moisture conditions or just a short run on last trip.

 

Alot of people bag on alot of filters.
THE most important thing is to change your oil and filter often, every 3000 miles, and your vehicle will last a long time.

My last new car (before my Screw) was a 1991 SHO and I ran nothing but fram filters. It has 198,289 miles on it today, and the wife and daughter are out shopping in it right now.

My 2 cents,
Lonster

 

I've used Fram filters in every vehicle for the past 20+ years, never had problems. As mentioned, do it every 3,000 miles.

 

i have also used nothing but fram filters in all my vehicles since the early 80's, and have never had a problem with them.

 

Guess it depends on which Fram oil filter you are talking about.

The bad rap is in general on Fram, where they make several "series" of filters. If memory serves me correctly, Neil uses Fram Duragraud, and he is making the most HP that I can think of from a N/A engine.
The general are suposed to have a carboard bypass valve, and that is what gets the bad press. The Duragarud and X2 use the same bypass as the others.
Now I use Napa Gold filters, which are to be the Wix filters. Why due to having used them for years, and over paying for years.

So if the material of the by pass valve is that important, go with a big name filter to get something other then card board, or just use the fram duragaurd or X2 series Fram filter.
I use Fram on my Kaw ZG-1000-A17, and have nto had a problem. I have also used the X2 on my F-150 when I can;t get to the Napa to get the gold filters, and have not had any problems from it.

If you want to be like me and pay way too much for an oil filter, go for it. It is your ( and mine ) money, spend it like you want to.

 

I've had good luck with Fram. Again, most important is to change oil and filter every 3K miles.

 

To get a better idea of how filters rate please read this study. But to sum it up, Fram filters are the worst you can buy, they used to be good but in the last few years they changed their manufacturing process. This study ranks Mobil 1 filters as the best filter that you can buy from a local auto parts store. At around 11 bucks it’s pricey, but they are the best made filter out there.

http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/oil_filter_study/

 

Spellbound,

I used the Fram PH8A for two years on my 1994 F150 with no problems. I then realized I could get a Motorcraft for less than the Fram at Wally World...are you sure yours ONLY carries Fram? I pay $2.77 for my Motorcraft 820S in Phoenix.

 

A had used Fram for 15 years before switching. I saw ugly stuff about the filters on the internet, but one thing really got me. I bought a bunch of them to use for my business while I was waiting for my "good" oil filters to come in. I was left with a problem on more than one occasion when the filter number on the outside of the box didn't match the filter in the box. Then I am stuck with a drain pan of oil and no way to install a new filter. No serious harm done, but not cool.

 

I believe that in the past FRAM was a good filter so that covers the people who say that they have used them for 20 years with no problems. However they have since been sold and have been made cheaper.

Remember, change is constant. The comment "I have been doing/using it for 20 years with no problems" rarely holds true these days with the way things are out of date in a matter of months!!

Peace-

 

I wouldn't put a Fram filter on my vehicle if Jesus himself came down from heaven and handed it to me.

Wix/Napa Gold or Motorcraft only.

 

I've never had a problem with a Fram filter, but I also change it everytime I change the oil.

 

Motorcraft filters and Mobil 1 5w30 full synthetic only for my 98 4.6
They had a display down at Autozone about a year ago comparing oil filters---Frams is a little scary looking

 

Fram filters have been junk ever since they were bought out by Allied Signal over a decade ago. Why waste money on a fram when you can get the Wal-Mart brand (super tech) oil filter for 1.97 and you get the same filter?