AC Delco E-core oil filters

HondaHawkGT · October 27, 2015

I changed my oil this past weekend. The truck had about 5k miles on the oil and filter -- a bit early but I like to get it done before it starts to snow and like fresh oil during the winter months.

Anyways I decided to open the filter up so see what these new E-core filters looked like. I wasn't impressed with what I found. I'm sticking with Wix now that I'm done with the free dealer oil changes.

LongrangeLauber · October 27, 2015

I use Mobil 1 filters. Have since the first oil change, and did so on my 02 for the last 30k miles of owning it, never had an issue. Never have tried Wix filters though. I also used Bosch filters on the 02, but seeing how every sensor I had fail on that truck were Bosch sensors or spark plugs, made me uneasy using their oil filters lol

HondaHawkGT · October 28, 2015

From what I've read over at BITOG the Mobil 1 filters are well made but you pay a big premium for the name. The Bosch filters I've seen discected are made by Mann. I like the Wix filters I've sseen opened up. Steel end caps, coil spring, steel crimp to connect the media.

http://www.gmtruckcentral.com/articles/oilfilterstudy.html

For those that don't see what's wrong with the AC Delco filter, the end cap on the right was peeling off before I pulled it out of the can. The filter media is thermally bonded. Not much of a bond IMO.

kstruckcountry · October 28, 2015

I've run M1 filters for around 40,000 miles, about 30,000 of that with oil analysis. No issues yet. But I wouldn't hesitate to use Wix or Bosch.

spectaculous · October 28, 2015

Any evidence that your ecore filter had failed though? Any signs that it was allowing some oil to bypass the filter?

HondaHawkGT · October 28, 2015

It's almost impossible to know. The spring probably held the end shut for tthe most part but I'm not interested in rolling the dice on the e-core's. That opening also looks like a nice bypass for junk to go through and ruin the engine.

TxTruckMan · October 28, 2015

I thought I read someplace that the M1 filter was made by Fram and is the same as the Fram Ultra filter. I plan on using the Fram Ultra as I can get them for $9-$10 from Amazon.

LongrangeLauber · October 28, 2015

I thought I read someplace that the M1 filter was made by Fram and is the same as the Fram Ultra filter. I plan on using the Fram Ultra as I can get them for $9-$10 from Amazon.

I've heard pretty bad reviews on Fram filters. Some guy on YouTube breaks open a bunch of popular oil filters and shows the difference between them

HondaHawkGT · October 28, 2015

From what I've read over at bobistheoilguy.com, the Fram Ultra filters are very good. The Extra Guards you'll want to avoid.

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2956943

I've also seen some bad reports on Purolator PureOne's the last couple years. I used to use them on my motorcycle but after seeing all the pictures of torn filter media I'm done with them for now.

gone_fishing · October 28, 2015

I thought I read someplace that the M1 filter was made by Fram and is the same as the Fram Ultra filter. I plan on using the Fram Ultra as I can get them for $9-$10 from Amazon.

M1 oil filters were made by Champion Laboratories who made a lot of other brand oil filters also. A few years ago, an investment group purchased both Fram and Champion Labs and formed Fram Filtration: http://www.framheavyduty.com/news/fram-group-and-uci-combine-filtration-businesses-to-form-fram-filtration

So in a way, M1 filters are made by Fram but they aren't the same as Fram Ultra's. Similar in concept but still different. Maybe that will change someday but from what I have seen over at the Bob is the oil guy forum, they are constructed diffidently.

I think Fram filters get an undeserved bad rep. Not that I'm a Fram 'fan boy' but I think their products are fine. Most people just say they are "junk" without any real evidence to back their claim up. Yes their extra guard filters are pretty basic but they are also one of the cheapest you can buy at Walmart. If they were that bad of a filter and there were widespread problems, everyone would have heard about it. I'm sure there are documented failures with their filters but you could probably find a failure with any major brand of filter. For the last year or two, there have been numerous tearing issues documented with Puraloator filters over at BITOG. Do a google image search for "purolator filter tear".

I have been using Fram's Ultras series (XG10575) on my Sierra for last few oil changes. I was pretty impressed by the construction when I took it apart (especially for $7.40 from Amazon). Here are the pics: http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3534172/Cut_open:_Used_Fram_Ultra_XG10

I also took a part a ACDelco PF63 (the original...not the E-core version). It was also well built and if you can find them before they are all replaced by the PF63E I wouldn't hesitate to use it. Here are pics of that filter torn apart: http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3433874/Cut_open:_ACDelco_PF63_with_6,

For the money though, Fram Ultra's are pretty good, not cheap but not nearly as expensive as Royal Purple or Amsoil filters.

sdeeter19555 · October 29, 2015

I was looking on Amazon for the regular AC Delcos, and they are getting hard to find at a reasonable price. Finally went to RockAuto and bought enough Wix for 70k miles or more.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G730A using Tapatalk

TxTruckMan · October 29, 2015

I've used Fram filters forever on both my vehicles and never had a problem. This will be the first time I've upgraded to the Ultras and I don't have a concern.

fondupot · October 29, 2015

WIX only for me now that my "free" dealership changes are done.

07Softail · October 29, 2015

I bought the last 12 of the PF63's at Walmart here and still have my free oil changes too at the rate I am going at only 4000 miles a year I will change once a year for the next 12 years! LOL!!!

RT