Oil Filters

PlayDate

Well-Known Member
Dec 25, 2006
3,593
Washington DC
Boat Info
1994 370 Express Cruiser
Engines
454 Mercruisers
I know we have had this discussion on occasion but I thought I would share a video which captures why buying the right filter can make a difference with the life of your engine. Keep in mind that your engine can have upwards of 60 psi of oil pressure in the filter which means that if you go cheap and it bursts....it''s only seconds away from killing the engine and possibly starting a fire.

 
I agree a quality oil filter is important. I personally use K&N filters. My question is the oil pressure you see on your oil pressure gauge the same as what is in oil filter? I believe that the engine oil passes directly from the oil pump and passes thru all the engine components then thru the oil filter on what would be considered the return side. Dies that mean the oil filter has reduced oil pressure? I think so but how much I don't know.
 
The oil is drawn from the pan, into the pump then sent to the filter before it procedes to any engine parts.

Once the oil passes across the bearing surfaces, it splashes back down into the pan.
 
The oil is drawn from the pan, into the pump then sent to the filter before it procedes to any engine parts.

Once the oil passes across the bearing surfaces, it splashes back down into the pan.

Ok. Makes sense. I'm even more convinced that using the K&Ns is the right choice. When mine were rebuilt 4 years ago they installed high output Melling pumps. They idle around 55psi hot and 75-80psi at 3000rpm cruise. The K&Ns have a heavy duty outer casing. They are actually pretty heavy.
 
Interesting video. It's funny, I've been using that old saying of "Friends don't let friends use Fram" for I don't know how long. A number of years ago, I cut open a bunch of gently used filters (all less than 100 hours on them, probably more like 50). 2 of them were Frams... and in BOTH of them, the pleats had separated and there was a huge gap allowing unfiltered oil to pass right through. It reaffirmed that saying!
 
I wonder how the OEM MerCruiser filters would rank in this lineup ? Does anybody use those? I know I do
 
I am an avid member of an oil forum. Fram has been a hot topic for years. It is true the older OCOD (orange can of death) were frowned upon and Purolator made filters considered supreme. Fast forward to today, Purolator had hundreds of documented torn filters when opened up and Fram has significantly improved to the point it is considered a great value in filters.
The Merc filters I have seen are ecore filters (plastic cages) and I personally do not use that style. However, that is very specific to certain filter models, not all of them.
 
Seems to me it's pretty difficult to find a bad motor oil nowadays but pretty easy to find a bad oil filter.
 
I wonder how the OEM MerCruiser filters would rank in this lineup ? Does anybody use those? I know I do
The last Merc filter I opened up (the standard one used for 4cyl's and small blocks) seemed to be well made, along with the use of an actual spring. I wouldn't say it's the "be all, end all" of filters, but it was certainly well made and would be a fine choice.

I think when it comes down to filter choice, that Merc is the "easy" (and safe) choice for most people - especially if you have a local Merc dealer nearby or can get the Quicksilver brand at a retail store. But other filters are/can be just as good. Wix (Napa Gold) and Mann have been excellent filters, all around, for many years. I would have no problems using one of those on my boat engines - if it wasn't for the very easy access to the Merc stuff that I have.....

Fram also makes another line of filters... a "heavier duty" version. I have no idea if it's really better, or not. Honestly, I don't even see any reason to try it when there are other, known-good, options out there.
 
I have a block mounted filter on my 4.3. Generally have used the NAPA Gold "Long" filter, but last two oil changes I noticed WalMart sells AC Delco filters. I have used the AC Delco PF 52 last two oil changes since it is right there when I am buying my oil. I made an assumption that the AC Delco filter should be good for my GM motor - figure that is what comes OEM and is put on when GM dealer does an oil change.
 
The last Merc filter I opened up (the standard one used for 4cyl's and small blocks) seemed to be well made, along with the use of an actual spring. I wouldn't say it's the "be all, end all" of filters, but it was certainly well made and would be a fine choice.

I think when it comes down to filter choice, that Merc is the "easy" (and safe) choice for most people - especially if you have a local Merc dealer nearby or can get the Quicksilver brand at a retail store. But other filters are/can be just as good. Wix (Napa Gold) and Mann have been excellent filters, all around, for many years. I would have no problems using one of those on my boat engines - if it wasn't for the very easy access to the Merc stuff that I have.....

Fram also makes another line of filters... a "heavier duty" version. I have no idea if it's really better, or not. Honestly, I don't even see any reason to try it when there are other, known-good, options out there.


Thanks Dennis I have a Merc dealer right up the street from Marina definitely easy choice
 
Ok. Makes sense. I'm even more convinced that using the K&Ns is the right choice. When mine were rebuilt 4 years ago they installed high output Melling pumps. They idle around 55psi hot and 75-80psi at 3000rpm cruise. The K&Ns have a heavy duty outer casing. They are actually pretty heavy.
55 psi at idle is a problem cold or hot. 75-80 psi hot at 3000 is also a problem. Surprised your gaskets and plugs are not leaking and the stress on the oil pump shaft hasn't twisted it yet. Melling high volume will raise the overall oil delivery flow rate but the relief spring should be at the stock pressure. Melling does make a high pressure pump which for these engines would be the wrong choice. Did your engine builder shim the relief springs?
Tom
 
I'm disappointed with Fram. This video is from 2018. They have great marketing but the actual product appears to be junk.
 
55 psi at idle is a problem cold or hot. 75-80 psi hot at 3000 is also a problem. Surprised your gaskets and plugs are not leaking and the stress on the oil pump shaft hasn't twisted it yet. Melling high volume will raise the overall oil delivery flow rate but the relief spring should be at the stock pressure. Melling does make a high pressure pump which for these engines would be the wrong choice. Did your engine builder shim the relief springs?
Tom

Not shimmed that I'm aware of. The engines have run flawlessly for 4 seasons and no oil leaks or oil consumption with 40-50 hours per season. Given some of the nightmares I've heard of with "rebuilt" engines I am very pleased with how these have worked out.
 
Not shimmed that I'm aware of. The engines have run flawlessly for 4 seasons and no oil leaks or oil consumption with 40-50 hours per season. Given some of the nightmares I've heard of with "rebuilt" engines I am very pleased with how these have worked out.
If it works - keep it!
 
I’ve seen many videos on oil filters on YouTube where they’re cut open and examined.

Many are identical to each other, namely because a manufacturer makes for several companies.

The majority used a clip vs spring for bypass valve, the thickness of the can varied, the density, uniformity and spacing of the filter material also varied across the same brand for different applications.

Check the one (vs brand) you use to be safe.

K&N was surprisingly mediocre especially for the price.

There weee several that are superior in construction and consistency that were quite surprising ie Napa Gold superior to many name brands including Mobil1, and others.
 
For my cars I use the MOPAR White SRT filter (made by WIX), I am going to talk to my mechanic and ask that he switch to NAPA Gold for this spring.
 
For my cars I use the MOPAR White SRT filter (made by WIX), I am going to talk to my mechanic and ask that he switch to NAPA Gold for this spring.

The WIX filter is a great high quality piece. I use them all the time as they are readily available at my local auto parts store. I believe that in the video, reference was made that WIX makes the NAPA Gold filters for NAPA.

For great prices on WIX filters, go to filter1.com

They have a cross reference section, a link to the WIX site with all the specs on each filter part number, free shipping when you spend $50 and there is a discount code. Enter the word "moparts" and get 5% off.
 
Couldn't it just be that some filters are made better than others, but almost all are exceptable? In our previous business, we used mostly Cat, Fleetguard, Donaldson and Napa Gold, and a lot of them. Those are the ones that I would buy for normal shelf stock. Occasionally I bought boxes of filters at equipment auctions for pennies on the dollar if most of the filters in a particular lot were compatible with our machines. Over the years I'm sure I have run just about every well known kind at least once or twice. Never had any problems with any of them and the insoluble numbers were always in range on the oil reports.
TT, I run the LF9009 on my boat, found this DIY youtube video:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwi0_taSoIfgAhUGTawKHf3BAd4QwqsBMAB6BAgFEAQ&url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDWzXXYXX-k&usg=AOvVaw06Nk5ekU2D2FUUVwpNMP3W
Not sure what conclusions can be drawn from it, but the oil lab always states in their little blurb with the oil report that the filters are doing their job.

found a used Cat filter.

 
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