Bulk filters at O'Reilley's

[RF Overlord]

Originally Posted By: rastoma
Would they actually be better than Fram?
Here's the part most people have trouble with:

FRAM filters aren't BAD...they're just overpriced for what you get. If you could get a FRAM filter for $1.67, that would be a good deal...and no, your motor wouldn't fall out the next day.

Even if these filters have cardboard end caps and are "just like FRAM", they're priced appropriately so there's no foul.

I did notice the other day, after someone here mentioned it, that FRAMs are now $3.00 at Wally's, down from $4.49, but the prices of all the other filters stayed the same........"Things That Make You Go Hmm".

 

[ThirdeYe]

I wasn't aware Affinia/Wix made any filters with cardboard endcaps... I was going to guess that they were similar to the ProSelect.

 

[labman]

Good info on the quality of oil filters is hard to come by. I don't worry what the end caps are made of. Did you note where the bypass is? Fram and all the Purolator products except Motorcraft have dome end bypasses.

 

[Pete C.]

Originally Posted By: rastoma
Ok... went to the O again today. Talked to same guy as before and got more information.

They are shrink wrapped individually in a box. I seriously have a problem with short-term memory so I have already forgotten the name that was on the filter. But I asked again if he was sure they were Wix and he said yes and pointed to the address on the filter and said that's the same address on a Wix branded filter. Also when he scans the item # in the computer, the item description calls it a Wix filter too.. hmmm....

BUT, he then elaborated. He said they are not as good as Wix branded filters. They have less pleats in the media. And what he called the top cap inside the filter is cardboard instead of metal like on a Wix branded filter.

He got one for me and it felt a lot heavier than it looked. Seemed to be very well made from an external inspection.

He said that if the filter called for a check valve (or maybe he said by-pass valve) then it would have it. He compared it to a Fram. I told him I have been reading bad things about Fram's lately and he said yeah, he didn't like Fram either LOL

So.... guess it's not a super and exciting find then

I guess the PowerFlo's from AA will be better than these at O for a cheap but OK filter.


If it did not say Wix on the filter itself, with a Wix PN, it is not a filter made by Wix. 32 years and I have yet to see an unmarked Wix brand filter leave this plant. The Wix PN for a Master Pack filter would read 5XXXX MP for a spin on type filter.

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: labman
Good info on the quality of oil filters is hard to come by. I don't worry what the end caps are made of. Did you note where the bypass is? Fram and all the Purolator products except Motorcraft have dome end bypasses.


I was looking at Motorcraft filters and several of them had a dome-end bypass. I'm not sure of the numbers or applications. They weren't FL400s or 800s but they were USA made Motorcrafts and they had a dome-end bypass. Champion and Ecores aren't looking so bad.

 

[Gary Allan]

What Pete C. is saying is that even though that filter is made by Wix, it's not a WIX® filter. It's a lower quality filter that conformed to other than WIX spec's.

These probably are of the Proselect level of quality.

I don't think anyone but Fram used cardboard end caps.

 

[SuperBusa]

Originally Posted By: Gary Allan

I don't think anyone but Fram used cardboard end caps.

... Doesn't SuperTech use cardboard end caps. Nissan OEM uses cardboard end caps. I'm sure there are others ... these supposed WIX bulk filters at O'Reilley's for $1.67 each have cardboard end caps per the store clerk. Does that mean all filters with cardboard end caps are made by FRAM? Guess I'm not seeing your point.

 

[ThirdeYe]

I think the endcaps on the SuperTechs are some sort of felt-like material.

 

[Gary Allan]

Yes, St uses some polywhatever ..most of the Euro's use a injected polywhatever ..

 

[SuperBusa]

Humm ... guess those recycled cardboard paper towel and toilet paper tubes need to be used for something.

 

[rastoma]

Found out this evening, the filters at O are Pro-Tec.

 

[postjeeprcr]

Originally Posted By: rastoma
Found out this evening, the filters at O are Pro-Tec.


Here is a picture of a Pro Tec filter cut open. I bought it from Rock Auto. It says made in the USA on the filter and the address for Pro Tec is Little Rock, SC.

 

[postjeeprcr]

Originally Posted By: RF Overlord
Originally Posted By: rastoma
Would they actually be better than Fram?
Here's the part most people have trouble with:

FRAM filters aren't BAD...they're just overpriced for what you get. If you could get a FRAM filter for $1.67, that would be a good deal...and no, your motor wouldn't fall out the next day.

Even if these filters have cardboard end caps and are "just like FRAM", they're priced appropriately so there's no foul.

I did notice the other day, after someone here mentioned it, that FRAMs are now $3.00 at Wally's, down from $4.49, but the prices of all the other filters stayed the same........"Things That Make You Go Hmm".


The Wally World where I live has Tough Guards for $5.50, I do not remember how much they were last time I was there but I am thinking something like $6.47.

 

[labman]

So for another $.83, I can walk into Wal*Mart anytime and buy the one filter I need? What's a Value Craft sell for now?

 

[rastoma]

Originally Posted By: labman
So for another $.83, I can walk into Wal*Mart anytime and buy the one filter I need? What's a Value Craft sell for now?


Another 83 cents from what?

 

[tenderloin]

Pro Tec Filters appear to be Wix "value" line...used by mechanics and shops to save a few pennies.

At under $2.00 they dont look bad...

http://home.mindspring.com/~cewhite3nc/id7.html
Pro-Tec 159 Oil Filter

"This filter is a reduced cost version of the Wix 51372 Oil Filter. If you don't include shipping, the Pro-Tec 159 Oil Filter is the cheapest FL-820S substitute filter I have seen. At $1.50 from Rock Auto, it has to make you wonder why all the other filters cost so much. You won't confuse this filter with one of the premium filters, but it has all the same components as the most expensive filter I've evaluated, the Amsoil Ea011. Clearly many of the parts are of a lower quality level but they are all there and in the same place. The filter media is a weak link. It is easily torn oiled paper. On the other hand, there is a lot of it, at least as far as surface area is concerned. Despite the large surface area, I cannot imagine it has good contaminant holding capacity. Other "less expensive" features are the thin case material, the nitrile anti-drain back valve, and the dome end relief valve. Although the comparable components in the Wix 51372 Filter are similar, the Wix version has better quality components - more and thicker filter media; silicone anti-drain back valve; thicker case.

So who would buy this filter? I suspect anyone who gets an oil change at Jiffy Lube is getting a filter very much like this one. I suppose it is better than nothing or the Wal*Mart ST2".

 

[Kruse]

Originally Posted By: rastoma
I just bought 4 filters from AA last night and two were $1.99 each and two were $2.49 each. Told the OR guy and he said yeah, you can buy their PowerFlo's individually but as I found out some are higher than others. OR's bulk filters are all one price. If they carry it in bulk it's $1.67 each no matter what number.


I've never used these filters, but I would much rather use these than some of the other economy filters that are currently being outsourced to China. Looking through a shop owner's point of view, I can see him using these to save a few pennies.

 

[mrsilv04]

If the black ADBV says "Parker" on it, then that's a good sign that it is likely manufactured by Wix.

I'd rather use something built like this, instead of any of the e-cores. Metal end caps, coil spring, a good traditional style of construction.

 

[labman]

A done end bypass and cardboard end caps? You would take a piece of junk like that over an Ecore?

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: labman
A done end bypass and cardboard end caps? You would take a piece of junk like that over an Ecore?


Huh? That doesn't describe any NAPA ProSelect that I've ever cut open.