This weekend I was changing the oil in my daughters 2012 Ford Fiesta. While the oil was draining I started paging through the owners manual. In the maintenance section was a warning about using oil filters that do not meet Ford specifications resulting in voided warranty. But they offered nothing to clarify exactly what specifications they had in mind. So I did a little poking around on the net and found that Ford had apparently experienced oil starvation engine failures resulting from the disintegrating of anti drainback valves in some aftermarket filters. Ford technicians were advised to look for small bits of rubber material (usually red in color) in the engine. If the telltale rubber bits are found, the warranty claim is denied. Does anybody know any of the specific history of this? What brand of filters were coming apart? Or was it more than one brand? And I'm kind of surprised that the defective rubber valve was red. I thought the red valves were usually the better silicone valves. Particularly concerning is that I just installed a Fram Ultra filter in this car, I'm suspecting Fram may have been the culprit brand with this issue and this filter has a red anti drainback valve.
Ford Warranty and disintegrating drainback valves
- Thread starter k1rod
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Use Motorcraft filters designed for her car , and call it a day.
I suspect there's one or more TSBs out for this.
Originally Posted By: Voltmaster
Use Motorcraft filters designed for her car , and call it a day.
Originally Posted By: dishdude
I think pretty much every manufacturer has issued a TSB for damage and/or engine noise caused by cheap filters.
I would just use Motorcraft now but I already have about a dozen of these Fram Ultras. And although I am no big fan of Fram in general, I wouldn't call the Fram Ultra a "cheap filter". It's definately an exception to the typical quality seen in the Fram line and probably one of the best filters out there now.
Use Motorcraft filters designed for her car , and call it a day.
Originally Posted By: dishdude
I think pretty much every manufacturer has issued a TSB for damage and/or engine noise caused by cheap filters.
I would just use Motorcraft now but I already have about a dozen of these Fram Ultras. And although I am no big fan of Fram in general, I wouldn't call the Fram Ultra a "cheap filter". It's definately an exception to the typical quality seen in the Fram line and probably one of the best filters out there now.
First I've heard of any filter disintegrating ADBV's. It is unlikely just because the Ultra uses a silicone ADBV that it was an Ultra, many dozens of various filters use ADBV's of that color.
In fact you can nearly be assured it was not a Fram, as the Fram internet hate is so strong if they had anything to do with this situation it would be plastered all over the web.
I would like to know which filter it was though as I've never heard of an ADBV actually coming apart, I've have seen a couple pics of a split in one that had been used for an extended period but that is it.
In fact you can nearly be assured it was not a Fram, as the Fram internet hate is so strong if they had anything to do with this situation it would be plastered all over the web.
I would like to know which filter it was though as I've never heard of an ADBV actually coming apart, I've have seen a couple pics of a split in one that had been used for an extended period but that is it.
You can buy Motorcraft filters at Walmart cheap.
Originally Posted By: k1rod
Ford had apparently experienced oil starvation engine failures resulting from the disintegrating of anti drainback valves in some aftermarket filters. Ford technicians were advised to look for small bits of rubber material (usually red in color) in the engine. If the telltale rubber bits are found, the warranty claim is denied.
Can you post a link to this info? I've read of a diesel manufacturer (Cummins, I think?) who put out a TSB worded almost exactly like this and it concerned a certain FRAM orange filter, used in Dodge trucks, that was apparently re-designed because of it. I've never heard of any info like this coming from Ford.
Ford had apparently experienced oil starvation engine failures resulting from the disintegrating of anti drainback valves in some aftermarket filters. Ford technicians were advised to look for small bits of rubber material (usually red in color) in the engine. If the telltale rubber bits are found, the warranty claim is denied.
Can you post a link to this info? I've read of a diesel manufacturer (Cummins, I think?) who put out a TSB worded almost exactly like this and it concerned a certain FRAM orange filter, used in Dodge trucks, that was apparently re-designed because of it. I've never heard of any info like this coming from Ford.
Anything with a silicone ADBV will be more than fine.
Heck, I'd imagine that even basic Purolators and Fram OCD are not the faulty filters that you are referring to - imagine even cheaper filters that you find at "mom and pop" quicky lubes.
Use the Fram Ultras with confidence, and buy MC afterwards. You will not find a better, cheaper silicone ADBV than MC.
Heck, I'd imagine that even basic Purolators and Fram OCD are not the faulty filters that you are referring to - imagine even cheaper filters that you find at "mom and pop" quicky lubes.
Use the Fram Ultras with confidence, and buy MC afterwards. You will not find a better, cheaper silicone ADBV than MC.
wouldn't a red rubber ADBV be considered a silicone valve?
I was always under the assumption that black was nitrile and red/orange were silicone.
I'd just stick with Motorcraft filters and never worry.
IF a the MC filter has a colored ADBV and it fails, the dealer has no choice but to acknowledge the claim, since it's a MC filter installed ??
I was always under the assumption that black was nitrile and red/orange were silicone.
I'd just stick with Motorcraft filters and never worry.
IF a the MC filter has a colored ADBV and it fails, the dealer has no choice but to acknowledge the claim, since it's a MC filter installed ??
With potentially so much at risk why would you not just use the Ford filter? That filter might just be as good as anything on the market. How would you even know?
Originally Posted By: k1rod
Originally Posted By: Voltmaster
Use Motorcraft filters designed for her car , and call it a day.
Originally Posted By: dishdude
I think pretty much every manufacturer has issued a TSB for damage and/or engine noise caused by cheap filters.
I would just use Motorcraft now but I already have about a dozen of these Fram Ultras. And although I am no big fan of Fram in general, I wouldn't call the Fram Ultra a "cheap filter". It's definately an exception to the typical quality seen in the Fram line and probably one of the best filters out there now.
She will be fine , FRAM ultras are great filters for the money specially if you can find deals on them. Id sleep at night with FRAM ultras.
Originally Posted By: Voltmaster
Use Motorcraft filters designed for her car , and call it a day.
Originally Posted By: dishdude
I think pretty much every manufacturer has issued a TSB for damage and/or engine noise caused by cheap filters.
I would just use Motorcraft now but I already have about a dozen of these Fram Ultras. And although I am no big fan of Fram in general, I wouldn't call the Fram Ultra a "cheap filter". It's definately an exception to the typical quality seen in the Fram line and probably one of the best filters out there now.
She will be fine , FRAM ultras are great filters for the money specially if you can find deals on them. Id sleep at night with FRAM ultras.
Originally Posted By: k1rod
... In the maintenance section was a warning about using oil filters that do not meet Ford specifications resulting in voided warranty...found that Ford had apparently experienced oil starvation engine failures resulting from the disintegrating of anti drainback valves in some aftermarket filters... I'm suspecting Fram may have been the culprit brand with this issue and this filter has a red anti drainback valve.
These are similar examples from Dodge/Cummins and ACDELCO.
ACDELCO has picture of failure caused by Anti-Drain back valve.
http://www.acdelco.com/pdf/resource-libr...%20examples.pdf
A Dodge Cummins bulletin has the same warning....
http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2001/09-004-01.htm
Old letter (2002) letter from Fram. While refusing to take any responsibility, they also noted that they have removed neoprene and changed the ADV.
http://www.moparchat.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-55869.html
... In the maintenance section was a warning about using oil filters that do not meet Ford specifications resulting in voided warranty...found that Ford had apparently experienced oil starvation engine failures resulting from the disintegrating of anti drainback valves in some aftermarket filters... I'm suspecting Fram may have been the culprit brand with this issue and this filter has a red anti drainback valve.
These are similar examples from Dodge/Cummins and ACDELCO.
ACDELCO has picture of failure caused by Anti-Drain back valve.
http://www.acdelco.com/pdf/resource-libr...%20examples.pdf
A Dodge Cummins bulletin has the same warning....
http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2001/09-004-01.htm
Old letter (2002) letter from Fram. While refusing to take any responsibility, they also noted that they have removed neoprene and changed the ADV.
http://www.moparchat.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-55869.html
Originally Posted By: k1rod
So I did a little poking around on the net and found that Ford had apparently experienced oil starvation engine failures resulting from the disintegrating of anti drainback valves in some aftermarket filters. Ford technicians were advised to look for small bits of rubber material (usually red in color) in the engine. If the telltale rubber bits are found, the warranty claim is denied.
The only way disintegrated ADBV material could get into the engine is if the media blew out or the bypass valve opened and let stuff by the media. Otherwise, the bits would be caught in the media as the ADVB is on the inlet side of the filter.
So I did a little poking around on the net and found that Ford had apparently experienced oil starvation engine failures resulting from the disintegrating of anti drainback valves in some aftermarket filters. Ford technicians were advised to look for small bits of rubber material (usually red in color) in the engine. If the telltale rubber bits are found, the warranty claim is denied.
The only way disintegrated ADBV material could get into the engine is if the media blew out or the bypass valve opened and let stuff by the media. Otherwise, the bits would be caught in the media as the ADVB is on the inlet side of the filter.
Originally Posted By: k1rod
I would just use Motorcraft now but I already have about a dozen of these Fram Ultras. And although I am no big fan of Fram in general, I wouldn't call the Fram Ultra a "cheap filter".
The Ultra is a very good filter ... don't worry about them, I'd use 'em no problemo.
I would just use Motorcraft now but I already have about a dozen of these Fram Ultras. And although I am no big fan of Fram in general, I wouldn't call the Fram Ultra a "cheap filter".
The Ultra is a very good filter ... don't worry about them, I'd use 'em no problemo.
Originally Posted By: Jim Allen
Yep, use Motorcraft. You don't have to know anything. You don't have to understand anything. By all means, don't investigate anything for yourself. Don't find that there may be BETTER filters than MC. Just follow the herd.
While in warranty just use Motorcraft. Makes it a whole lot easier if there are issues. It's all on them then. And it's one strong argument for servicing at the dealer while under warranty. If something happens and they try to claim incorrect maintenance you can go right back to the dealer and say "You guys did all the maintenance now fix it!" rather than digging up reciepts for oil changes and filters.
Yep, use Motorcraft. You don't have to know anything. You don't have to understand anything. By all means, don't investigate anything for yourself. Don't find that there may be BETTER filters than MC. Just follow the herd.
While in warranty just use Motorcraft. Makes it a whole lot easier if there are issues. It's all on them then. And it's one strong argument for servicing at the dealer while under warranty. If something happens and they try to claim incorrect maintenance you can go right back to the dealer and say "You guys did all the maintenance now fix it!" rather than digging up reciepts for oil changes and filters.
There are some amazingly cheap filters out there. Use Motorcraft or a high-quality aftermarket, and rest easy. The cheap filters failing isn't worth the savings.
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