Anyone Test the Amsoil Oil Filters?

[cableguy]

I have been using the Amsoil SDF-42 in my wifes 02 Chrysler Town & Country and the SDF-64 in my 02 Sierra Denali now for over 6 months. I have been very impressed with the design and construction of the filters but wondered if anyone has taken one apart or had it tested to compare it to others on the market. It is supposed to have synthetic media and appears to have solid specs.

Any feedback?

 

[Spector]

Well, I have used Amsoil filters for 10 years or so. Bob's flow test places the Amsoil's pretty high, that is the pressure drop is not as great as some of the others he tested. Almost near the top of the list in that regard. With that said, I am pretty convinced the Amsoil filters are the same as Hastings and have yet to have anyone cut open both filters and inform me they are different construction. Hastings (owned by Baldwin) makes the Amsoil filters in the same plant, side by side, with Hasting filters. Hastings are much less expensive to buy and Amsoil swears they are made to different specs but I have never had anyone prove that.

Basically, a very good filter however, I am now leaning towards the K&N due to higher flow rates and the cost is sliglty higher for a K&N (same if you are not an Amsoil dealer)

But, Amsoil filters are good. Are they worth the price???? My personal belief is now leaning towards it makes no diff what you use, filters are only good for catastrophic failure and if you change oil every 3000 miles I feel you could go filterless and have no difference in engine longevity. just my opinion. So, why am I leaning towards K&N, old values and guilt probably!

 

[TooSlick]

I've been using them since 1978 ...I run them 12,500 miles/6 months between changes and see very clean oil analysis results. Other filters I like are the Mobil 1 and the K&N, which use similiar materials and construction. If you are running extended drain intervals, I think it's important to use a high efficiency, high capacity oil filter. If you are changing oil every 3000 miles a $3.00 dollar filter is fine ....

TooSlick

 

[Ken2]

****,

Amsoil did not stand behind their claims for me.

Amsoil tells me to use a SDF57 oil filter. Baldwin tells me to use their B1405. The SDF57 has an 8 psid bypass valve vs. the Baldwin's 20 psid valve.

I asked both companies which filter to use, knowing that Baldwin makes Amsoil's FF filters and that Baldwin provides Amsoil's application chart, and I gave both companies both filters' data. Baldwin tech staff said to use the B1405. Amsoil said, "Why did you involve Baldwin?" (My answer..."Because I wanted to!" I asked Amsoil to explain why their filter was the correct one to use and they refused to back up their recommendation...they just said that they stood behind the recommendation and did not supply the explanation I requested.

Using an incorrect oil filter may not result in catastrophic damage, the stuff law suits are made of, but may contribute to added long term wear. All I asked for was an explanation. I think I know the answer; I think Amsoil desires to keep as small a product line of FF filters as they can, and therefore makes compromises in their filter recommendations.


Ken

 

[satterfi]

Ken2

What was the bypass psid for the OEM filter?

I don't think Amsoil is the only filter supplier who doesn't reverse engineer their filters to match OEM specs. IMO, "good enough" seems to be the goal for most after market oil filters.

 

[turbochem]

quote:

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My answer..."Because I wanted to!" I asked Amsoil to explain why their filter was the correct one to use and they refused to back up their recommendation...they just said that they stood behind the recommendation and did not supply the explanation I requested.

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Did Baldwin supply an explanation? Amsoil said use what Amsoil recommends. Baldwin says use what Baldwin recommeds.....how do you choose?

How did Baldwin back up their recommendation?

Just learning myself.......

[ April 13, 2003, 05:16 PM: Message edited by: turbochem ]

 

[Dick in Falls Church]

>>>With that said, I am pretty convinced the Amsoil filters are the same as Hastings and have yet to have anyone cut open both filters and inform me they are different construction.

I doubt you'd be able to tell the difference by looking. Assembly is identical (although some of the SDF filters have anti-drainback valves which may not be in the Baldwin/Hastings model). The difference is in the choice of filter material.
According to the Baldwin rep who talked to some of us last year, there are only a couple of Baldwin branded filters which use the equivalent filtration media--it is a matter of cost engineering (price).

For scientific proof, guess you'd have to hire a lab to run SAE HS806 Filtration Efficiency tests.

While I don't always agree with AMSOIL on some of the things they do, I have yet (in over 25 years) to have them make any claims they couldn't back up.