PL14612 safe, or OEM? 2010 Subaru Forester XT

[smokey25FXT]

Hey Everyone,

I've searched and enjoyed reading about everybody's experiences but couldnt seem to find the answer I was looking for.

I have a new to me 2010 Forester XT and about to do my first oil change. I know the Subaru OEM filter 15208AA12A has a special bypass that activates at high PSI. It is more convenient for me to pick up a Purolator PL14612. Basically- Is the PL safe to use the and recommended in the Forester XT? Or should I go OEM?

Thanks in advance!

 

[webfors]

Yes, the PL14612 is my go to filter for the subaru. I've cut open several at the end of OCI's and they were all perfect. Well made and a bypass that is in the higher range than most after market filters.

 

[webfors]

Here's my thread from way back:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1855050

The 14612 impressed me the most, along with the discontinued tokyo roki.

 

[smokey25FXT]

Originally Posted By: webfors
Here's my thread from way back:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1855050

The 14612 impressed me the most, along with the discontinued tokyo roki.

Awesome thread. Thanks a lot!

 

[mattwithcats]

How much room do you have at the end of the filter?

The Purolator 14610 is the same base and bypass pressure, but a third longer...

Fram 6607 (short) VS 7317 (long)

 

[smokey25FXT]

I am not sure, haven't been under to wrench on it yet.

Slightly off topic, but maybe you guys have some input- What about oil? I had a 2000 Impreza 2.5RS that used Castrol EDGE (prev syntec) 5w30 and seemed to love it, more than the Mobil 1 I used previously (Seemed to lose/burn that).

The dealer fills with Pennzoil in the Forester (doesnt specify exactly which Pennzoil).

What do you think between Castrol EDGE 5w30, and Pennzoil Platinum 5w30?

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Castrol is purported to be more "real synthetic performance" than PP. I think you'ld be better with a euro 40 grade "real synthetic" in the turbo. Subarus dont traditionally like M1; Ive been told stories by more than one subaru sevice manager about a buried FMEA report XoM M1 5w30 "pseudo-synthetic" lack of traction and lubricity required for this engine by Fuji FMEA. Bluesubie could give you a really good report given his long history with subie turbo motors. If I owned one my first choice would be PU 10w30 or Amsoil ATM 10w30.

 

[smokey25FXT]

Thanks. Would Total Quartz MC3 be similar to a "Euro" grade oil? I have access to that as well.

Maybe I will just stick with what I know- Castrol Syntec/Edge

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Castrol is purported to be more "real synthetic performance" than PP. I think you'ld be better with a euro 40 grade "real synthetic" in the turbo. Subarus dont traditionally like M1; Ive been told stories by more than one subaru sevice manager about a buried FMEA report XoM M1 5w30 "pseudo-synthetic" lack of traction and lubricity required for this engine by Fuji FMEA. Bluesubie could give you a really good report given his long history with subie turbo motors. If I owned one my first choice would be PU 10w30 or Amsoil ATM 10w30.

 

[webfors]

The 14612 has a lot more pleats than the 14610, while the 14610 has a thicker media (probably higher efficiency). As far as small filters go, they are not all created equally. For example I wouldn't run the FRAM Ultra 6607 again, too small too little media, same goes for the wix spec'd filter for this application.

However the 14612 is one of those small filters that is really well made, a lot of media, and I wouldn't hesitate to use it.

Oil, that engine will run on anything... I've used everything from 15w40 down to 0w30. Find a sale on name brand 30 weight, buy a bunch, stick with it.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: webfors
The 14612 has a lot more pleats than the 14610, while the 14610 has a thicker media (probably higher efficiency).


The 14612 is just the short version of the 14610. I don't see how the 14612 could have more pleats or media area than the 14610. I've used 14610s on my V6 Altima and have cut open quite a few. The PL14610 has 59 pleats and ~105 sq-in of media. I highly doubt the PL14612 has more.

And as far as efficiency ... look at the fine print on the filter box. Both the PL14612 and the PL14610 are rated at "99.9% @ 40 microns". It's printed right on the box. These two filters are two of the only 4 spin-ons that Purolator rates at 40 microns (for some unknown reason). I highly doubt the media is different between a PL14612 and a PL14610.

 

[webfors]

Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: webfors
The 14612 has a lot more pleats than the 14610, while the 14610 has a thicker media (probably higher efficiency).


The 14612 is just the short version of the 14610. I don't see how the 14612 could have more pleats or media area than the 14610. I've used 14610s on my V6 Altima and have cut open quite a few. The PL14610 has 59 pleats and ~105 sq-in of media. I highly doubt the PL14612 has more.

And as far as efficiency ... look at the fine print on the filter box. Both the PL14612 and the PL14610 are rated at "99.9% @ 40 microns". It's printed right on the box. These two filters are two of the only 4 spin-ons that Purolator rates at 40 microns (for some unknown reason). I highly doubt the media is different between a PL14612 and a PL14610.



See my thread where I cut them open:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1855050

The pennzoil is a 14610. Thicker media, less pleats, but could very well have the same or more sq inches of media. I counted 34 pleats on the 14610 versus 52 on the 14612. So if you have 59 on yours then the 14610 has changed since the last time I opened one.

My point is, no reason to choose one over the other. I use them both on my Forester. I have a couple of 14610's and several 14612's on my shelf.

 

[Sayjac]

Originally Posted By: webfors
....The pennzoil is a 14610. Thicker media, less pleats, but could very well have the same or more sq inches of media. I counted 34 pleats on the 14610 versus 52 on the 14612. So if you have 59 on yours then the 14610 has changed since the last time I opened one....

The Pennzoil filter imo is closer to a commercial/quick lube type filter compared to a P1 PL14610. Last PL14610 I dissected in February posted below* had 51 pleats (excluding the metal joining pleat) and a total media area of ~109 sq. in. Though I haven't dissected the shorter PL14612, I'd think it's media area would be less than the PL14610.

For my applications, Hondas, I wouldn't choose the shorty 14612 over the 14610, no reason to 'imo'. The 14612 size is what many quick lubes and commercial accounts use as they consolidate to the shortest/smallest size.

All that said, if you prefer and are satisfied with the 14612 size for your Subaru it's ok by me. Just clarifying some information on PL14610.

PL14610 Dissection PICS

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: webfors
Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: webfors
The 14612 has a lot more pleats than the 14610, while the 14610 has a thicker media (probably higher efficiency).


The 14612 is just the short version of the 14610. I don't see how the 14612 could have more pleats or media area than the 14610. I've used 14610s on my V6 Altima and have cut open quite a few. The PL14610 has 59 pleats and ~105 sq-in of media. I highly doubt the PL14612 has more.

And as far as efficiency ... look at the fine print on the filter box. Both the PL14612 and the PL14610 are rated at "99.9% @ 40 microns". It's printed right on the box. These two filters are two of the only 4 spin-ons that Purolator rates at 40 microns (for some unknown reason). I highly doubt the media is different between a PL14612 and a PL14610.



See my thread where I cut them open:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1855050

The pennzoil is a 14610. Thicker media, less pleats, but could very well have the same or more sq inches of media. I counted 34 pleats on the 14610 versus 52 on the 14612. So if you have 59 on yours then the 14610 has changed since the last time I opened one.


The Pennzoil is a Pennzoil "version" of a Purolator 14610 ... it is NOT a Purolator 14610 filter, but a "re-specified clone" built for Pennzoil by Purolator.

Purolator makes the Pennzoil filter to Pennzoil's specs. Pennzoil could specify it only has 5 pleats, and Purolator would make it to Pennzoil's design specs.

You are comparing apples to oranges.

 

[webfors]

Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: webfors
Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: webfors
The 14612 has a lot more pleats than the 14610, while the 14610 has a thicker media (probably higher efficiency).


The 14612 is just the short version of the 14610. I don't see how the 14612 could have more pleats or media area than the 14610. I've used 14610s on my V6 Altima and have cut open quite a few. The PL14610 has 59 pleats and ~105 sq-in of media. I highly doubt the PL14612 has more.

And as far as efficiency ... look at the fine print on the filter box. Both the PL14612 and the PL14610 are rated at "99.9% @ 40 microns". It's printed right on the box. These two filters are two of the only 4 spin-ons that Purolator rates at 40 microns (for some unknown reason). I highly doubt the media is different between a PL14612 and a PL14610.



See my thread where I cut them open:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1855050

The pennzoil is a 14610. Thicker media, less pleats, but could very well have the same or more sq inches of media. I counted 34 pleats on the 14610 versus 52 on the 14612. So if you have 59 on yours then the 14610 has changed since the last time I opened one.


The Pennzoil is a Pennzoil "version" of a Purolator 14610 ... it is NOT a Purolator 14610 filter, but a "re-specified clone" built for Pennzoil by Purolator.

Purolator makes the Pennzoil filter to Pennzoil's specs. Pennzoil could specify it only has 5 pleats, and Purolator would make it to Pennzoil's design specs.

You are comparing apples to oranges.

The 14610's I've cut open over the years were like that pennzoil filter. That being said it's been a couple years since I cut one. I'm looking forward to opening up the ones on my shelf now.

Here's one from another member that probably has max 40:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1855050

Like I said, if you've cut open a 14610 with 50+ pleats with thin media then it has changed from the several that I've cut open over the years and I would love to see your pics.

The thinner media in the 14612 is strong as nails because of the number of pleats and size of the filter. Therefore I would only use the 14610 if it had as many, or more, pleats to have the same strength. Otherwise the thinner media in a longer filter will result in wavy/inconsistent media at the end of an OCI (which isn't the end of the world, but not my preference). I sure hope the ones in my stash are solid like I assumed...

 

[webfors]

I like the look of this one:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...rue#Post3100436

The media definitely looks thicker than the media I've seen in the 14612.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: webfors
The 14610's I've cut open over the years were like that pennzoil filter. That being said it's been a couple years since I cut one. I'm looking forward to opening up the ones on my shelf now.


My main point is that you can not compare a Pennzoil brand "14612 or 14610 clone" (ie, Purolator built to Pennzoil design specs) to a Purolator brand 14612 or 14610. They may not be (and obviously are not) identical ... because again, Pennzoil engineers have specified the design criteria for Purolator to manufacture to.


Originally Posted By: webfors
The thinner media in the 14612 is strong as nails because of the number of pleats and size of the filter. Therefore I would only use the 14610 if it had as many, or more, pleats to have the same strength. Otherwise the thinner media in a longer filter will result in wavy/inconsistent media at the end of an OCI (which isn't the end of the world, but not my preference). I sure hope the ones in my stash are solid like I assumed...

I can't imaging that the Purolator 14612 would have different media than the 14610. Maybe today compared to 2 or 3 years ago, but not if you took two brand new ones today and compared. They are both rated at 40 microns (instead of 20) like I mentioned before.

Even if they looked basically the same, one could be less efficient than the other and the only way to know would be to do ISO efficiency tests on both side-by-side.

And I'm betting if you went and bought a brand new PL14612 and a new PL14610 and cut them open to compare you would find the same looking and feeling media, and less media area in the 14612.

As sayjac said, the PL14610 has around 51 ~ 52 pleats and about 105 ~ 109 sq-in of media area. The PL14610 even has more media area than the PL14459 ... which looking at both side-by-side you would think the opposite.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: mattwithcats
How much room do you have at the end of the filter?

The Purolator 14610 is the same base and bypass pressure, but a third longer...

Fram 6607 (short) VS 7317 (long)

Oh no! Now you have probably awaken a sleeping giant by stating this! BEWARE!

 

[Eddie]

The OEM is well made excellent filter. I would definitely go with this, especially while in warranty.

 

[webfors]

I totally missed Sayjac's post. To be fair it's a P1

It must have changed. I wish I would have kept those older 14610's to compare... or I'm getting crazy in my old age

If the media and pleat count is the same then is comes down to application/clearance.

 

[T_CUDA]

For the money and ease of getting, No better filter out there. I run a repair shop and can get any filter made and the Pure-One goes on everything I own.