Comment on OEM oil filter

D

dutchman

Member
Aug 26, 2009
169
Alberta
Boat Info
2016 GTS185
Engines
Merc 4.5L MPI 200
Since I purchased my new toy, I figured it was a good thing to stay with OEM parts for general maintenance. I don't even mind paying extra, because, hey OEM is the best, right?
I was surprised to find, after I cut open my $12 Merc oil filter, that it's one of the cheapest I have seen. I haven't checked the specs for filtering media but just eyeballing, it looks cheap cheap all round. Not sure who makes Merc filters and I suppose it's "good enough" if it's OEM.
But I can buy a better filter for half the cost at an automotive store. I use Wix in all my road vehicles.
Is there a problem using a non-Merc filter.?
Does the boat motor need something special?
 
My perspective is you (usually) only change oill and filter once a year in a Marine engine so use the Merc Filter. Marine engines use an oil that is specifically designed for higher RPMs and load levels as well as lower operating temperatures compared to an automobile. It also doesn't get nearly as dirty as a car engine's oil does under normal conditions. Whether the filter is "cheap" or just designed differently to function better with Marine oil is something I don't know. But if it were me I would stick with Merc filter.
 
I have switched to the Merc Hi Efficiency Oil Filter as suggested by Scott and others. I have not cut either open but as I understand it, the HE filter is much better.
 
We use auto filters and they seem to work well we also use 40 weight oil at 1700 hours the engines burn half a quart of oil each at 100 hours. On our 28 footer we could get marine oil filters that were suposed to have a thicker shell. May be the Merc ones have a thicker shell.
 
I use WIX 51060 oil filters on the mains and 36918 on the Westerbeke. Engines are expensive. Oil and filters are relatively cheap. Might as well use the best. I've not found better than Wix.
 
I'm doing my first oil change. Normally the marina does it. I've been told that my filters have a check valve which are unique and that I must use mercruiser filters. I'm assuming this is to provide quicker engine lubrication at start up.
 
Yachtmaster. said:
I'm doing my first oil change. Normally the marina does it. I've been told that my filters have a check valve which are unique and that I must use mercruiser filters. I'm assuming this is to provide quicker engine lubrication at start up.
Click to expand...

Don't listen to that someone because either he's clueless or he's a liar.
 
fc3 said:
Don't listen to that someone because either he's clueless or he's a liar.
Click to expand...

Or he sells OEM marine oil filters....
 
bmac said:
Or he sells OEM marine oil filters....
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Or your filters are inverted like mine with the threads on the bottom. It has a check valve so the oil doesn't gush out when removing for an oil change...

Trust me, it's not fun doing an oil change with conventional auto filters!
 
Over the years, I have seen marinas who were merc dealers or sold merc parts install oil filters from AC delco, Wix, Mercruiser, and even those crappy orange Frams. Never, ever heard of an engine problem attributed to using them when the application was spec'd correctly.

Since these motors are largely sourced from GM blocks, don't the engines have their own bypass valve, not in the filter? I was pretty sure all the "typical" GM powertrain engines were like that...
 
terminaldegree said:
Since these motors are largely sourced from GM blocks, don't the engines have their own bypass valve, not in the filter? I was pretty sure all the "typical" GM powertrain engines were like that...
Click to expand...

The check valve spoken about earlier in this thread that is in the Merc filter allows the oil to drain back in to the block when the filter is installed up-side-down on the top of the engine in a remote oil filter application. It has nothing to do with GM or the Block, it is the Remote Oil Filter Application Merc adds to the engine. Not typical for a GM engine application.
 
Thanks everyone for your input. The filter I am using right now is a Merc 35-866340K01.
By the way, this particular one does not have a relief valve in the bottom.
I have done this with other filters and it's surprising what the differences are between specific brands. When I cut open the OEM, it seemed like a cheap filter. The cost of the filter is not the issue here, (even though it costs twice as much), it's the idea of having a "better" filter. So like most people with toys, we like to take the best care possible. I'm sure the OEM would work fine, but if I can use something better, I'm going to do it. :smt101
 
dutchman said:
Thanks everyone for your input. The filter I am using right now is a Merc 35-866340K01.
By the way, this particular one does not have a relief valve in the bottom.
I have done this with other filters and it's surprising what the differences are between specific brands. When I cut open the OEM, it seemed like a cheap filter. The cost of the filter is not the issue here, (even though it costs twice as much), it's the idea of having a "better" filter. So like most people with toys, we like to take the best care possible. I'm sure the OEM would work fine, but if I can use something better, I'm going to do it. :smt101
Click to expand...

The best one Merc makes is 35-858004K

http://www.mertenmarine.com/servlet/the-362/mercury-precision-mercruiser-oil/Detail

Do a search here ont he part number and you will find some threads talking about it. Apparently, Merc designed this for marine use for particular reasons. An automobile engine is not run at 3500-4500+ RPM for long periods of time. This was taken in to account on the design of this filter from what I have been told.
 
FWIW, I used Fram's on my 20' I/O for 12 years I owned it and never had a problem. I changed oil and filters spring and fall. It's cheap insurance. I typically ran my boat in the 3000-3200 rpm range, similar to what a car would be doing on the highway. That's the easiest "mileage" you can put on a boat so I felt comfortable with the Fram filters.

Watch for sales at Shuck's Auto.
 
jason78 said:
The check valve spoken about earlier in this thread that is in the Merc filter allows the oil to drain back in to the block when the filter is installed up-side-down on the top of the engine in a remote oil filter application. It has nothing to do with GM or the Block, it is the Remote Oil Filter Application Merc adds to the engine. Not typical for a GM engine application.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. I thought almost every filter has an anti-drainback valve in it (including ones for automotive applications), though. Of course, the quality of different ADBV materials varies. I can think of several GM automotive applications where the filter was mounted sideways, but not upside down (have seen it on some other cars, though).

A quick google search didn't yield any cut-open filter comparisons since 2003 with the merc filter in the mix; do you happen to have a link to any "hands on" comparisons like that?
 
terminaldegree said:
A quick google search didn't yield any cut-open filter comparisons since 2003 with the merc filter in the mix; do you happen to have a link to any "hands on" comparisons like that?
Click to expand...

I do not. I am by no means an expert of oil filters but am relaying what many others have stated on CSR in the past including mechanics. If you order one of the filters I spoke about in Post #14 you will notice they it is alot heavier built to better resist collapse at high RPMs. The Hi-Efficency filter also has improved filtering over the "traditional" filter you cut open.

What are the chances of an oil filter collapsing during normal marine use?, probably not very high. I am all for substuting automotive equivalent parts where it makes sense and is safe. For me, as far as Oil Filters and Oil Goes, I will be using what Merc recommends. As I said before these engines endure much more stress than if installed in an auto, Merc takes that in to account in design. I don't know if FRAM does or not. I am willing to pay the extra $9 a year for a Merc Oil Filter. Those who do not want to will probably never notice a difference but who knows. As they say, to each, their own.....
 
thanks for the info on the HP merc filter. Looks like the typical upgrade with synthetic media for better filtration.
Hey, I am no expert either when it comes to this. Several years ago, bored at work, my curiosity got the best of me. Ever since then, I have examined every different filter that I have used in my vehicles and toys. From hands on visuals, the regular orange Fram (extraguard) is the poorest quality so far. Wix is one of the better ones.
 
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The new Mercruiser oil filters
(not high performance ones) I have seen lately are actually made by Champs, and are their Ecore design. Do a little reseach on these, but I can assure you they are not high quality filters. It is the EXACT same filter as the Walmart ST, also an ecore design for $2.50. Mercruiser marketing can claim all they want about "marine" grade, etc., but in this case, it is the lowest price point filter made by Champs. This company does also make some good filters, just not this one. The way you will know is to look down the center hole. If you see filter pleats and a plastic cage - run.... If you see a metal center tube with holes - decent filter.
 
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