laurencerj

Considering buying a Frantz filter for my V8 03 Tundra. Interested in hearing of the experiences from someone who has done this concerning piercing the oil pan for the return line. Also looking for someone who has installed the auto trans filter. Good idea or bad?

Crest25

I have installed many of them however, I don't install them by punching the pan - unless it is simply way TOO easy an install.
I prefer to have the return line go to the valve cover. It makes good sense to have the good clean oil enter the engine at the top and work its way down to the pan oil reserve. This way it does more good with cleaner oil.
The process is easy. I generally punch the valve cover with the special punch Frantz has available and screw the special fitting in the hold. It seals perfectly with the gasket and no leaks. Hope this help in your case.

Ed

dskrentz

Just came across your post. I had a Dodge with a Frantz installed. I learned later that the Frantz has a couple of major problems, which is why the installation of one will void your warranty. First, toilet paper is a very efficient filter -- so efficient that it takes out most of the additives in the oil, leaving you with a very inefficient lubricant. Second, this process of "trapping" everything tends to quickly turn the toilet paper into a log, meaning that the bypass feature kicks in prior to the next oil change.

Crest25

Hello DSKRENTZ,
As an authorized Frantz Distributor, I can assure you the Frantz Filter will not void your car warranty any more than adding a stereo will. Please show me where Dodge says it voids your warranty with the addition of a Frantz Filter. It must read Frantz specifically.

You claim the Frantz Filter removes all the additives from the oil. Just how does it do this? The oil additives are in a solution. It's like trying to remove chlorine from swimming pool water as it passes through the pool filter. It 'aint gonna happen. Now, it WILL remove impurities which are picked up from the oil being pumped through the engine. It will even pick up and retain water that is introduced into the oil. The reason it removes the water and not the additives is oil and water don't mix. The water is condensed into the toilet paper cartridge as it tries to work its way through the roll but just can't make it to the end to be reintroduces back into the oil supply. Sorry, wrong assumption.
As for a bypass feature kicking in before the next oil change, that would indicate dirty oil and you haven't changed the filter in proper hours of operation based on driving conditions. I recommend when the Frantz is installed, change the cartridge at 500 miles unless you start with fresh oil and a fresh full-flow filter cartridge (spin on). If you do that, then change the cartridge every 2000 miles for average commuting driving. Dusty driving, reduce to perhaps 1500 miles. Lots of freeway driving, you can probably extend to 3000 miles.
The secret to a Frantz system is change the filter often. After all, it only costs about 50-cents. Since the oil doesn't break down or additives removed as you incorrectly claim, you only need to change the filters and not even the oil. I like to use non-detergent in one of my cars (4wd) to show customers the honey-color which people tend to believe is representative of clean oil. My daily driver uses detergent oil and the additives turn the oil black however that does not mean it is dirty. Place one drop on a coffee filter and see how the oil is clean. Feel it very carefully between your fingers. Look at it in the sunlight for sparkles. There won't be any. Some of my customers prefer to use brand new synthetic oil upon installing a Frantz. It works for them but I still use good ol 20/50 and I don't have any complaint from my personal cars nor my customers.
I'll be happy to discuss your problem on the phone with you if you still believe you have a problem. We strive for satisfaction.
Ed Greany
So. Calif
(909) 735-4153