Oil Filter Talk

[DFG 5OH]

I've always used Motorcraft FL-1A oil filter for my car. I know theres Fram, and K&N and a few others, but i've always heard Motorcraft made the best. Someone told me yesterday that motorcraft oil filters suck, and i should use a K&N. That they filter better, and provide more flow. Is this true, should i use a different oil filter? I use 20w50 oil. What is the best oil filter?

 

[Paul-Wall]

FL1A...you've been doing it right.

 

[DFG 5OH]

thats what i thought.

 

[Grn92LX]

I can almost garantee yuou the k&n is BETTER than the motorcraft one. The motorcraft is fine though. I use it, but my next change I have a mobil 1 oil filter and mobil 1 oil.

 

[DFG 5OH]

well which is best for my car?

 

[Grn92LX]

Using the motorcraft is fine. If you have the cash, it certainly won't hurt to run a better filter like the mobil 1 or k&n. Its $4 as opposed to $10.

 

[MysteryMachine]

I have always used Fram ones on everything never had any problems with them

 

[HISSIN50]

There are a school of folks who are not wild about the K&N's. M1 and K&N should not be spoken of in the same category IMHO.

If cost is not a factor, The M1 is what I would use.

For normal use, as Paul said, the Motorcraft filter (deduced to be a mix of Pure one and Plus filters) is a great filter for the money.

 

[Grn92LX]

JT, what have you heard about the k&n oil filter? I was told its good for 8hp on the dyno by a very reliable source. Just wondering what you have heard? I got the mobil 1 like I said for my next change with mobil 1 oil. The filter was on sale for $8

 

[DFG 5OH]

i might pick up a mobil 1 next time and see if its any cleaner when i change it

 

[HISSIN50]

Mike, what you said is a tell right there. From what I have seen with the K&N, it flows more oil, but at the cost of better filtration (not really unlike a free-flowing air element). Really good flow and really good filtration dont usually go hand-in-hand.

Many folks like to use the K&N for race only applications - where a motor is torn-down more often. The K&N might not catch the smaller particles that other filters can, which is kinda important for a DD.

 

[DFG 5OH]

I run 20w50...next time i'm switching back to 5w30...i have trouble getting the car started sometimes, and i think it might be due to the heavy weight oil.

i'm going to stick with my motorcraft filter. I cant see myself spending 7 more bucks for the mobil 1 filter, i doubt it makes any real difference when i change my oil every 3000 miles.

 

[slo65]

I run 20w50...next time i'm switching back to 5w30...i have trouble getting the car started sometimes, and i think it might be due to the heavy weight oil.

i'm going to stick with my motorcraft filter. I cant see myself spending 7 more bucks for the mobil 1 filter, i doubt it makes any real difference when i change my oil every 3000 miles.

well u said u had some leaks right? i have a very slight front main leak, i used to run regular castrol 20w50, recently switched to 10w30 high mileage (also castrol) havent had any problems with leaks, and my car gets taken through the gears quite often, then again i work at an oil change place, so i change my oil once a month usually

 

[DFG 5OH]

i should really do a compression check. When I do my H/C/I i'm gonna replace the rear main.

 

[94gts]

the mobil one and the k&n are made in the same factory. Just some fyi

 

[HISSIN50]

the mobil one and the k&n are made in the same factory. Just some fyi

Yep - both are Champion Labs filters IIRC.