therealrayman

I just read some posts saying that the fram oil filters are not too hot for my car, so i was wondering what a good oil filter would be for my 91 accord....what brand is the best for its price? I do an oil change every 3k to keep my engine fresh, so help me out w/o making me a poor poor man, thanks.

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2002 Ninja 250R = Franken-Bike after someone hit it parking and left it there .


1990 Nissan 240sx XE
-Newly machined head just put on.
-Will be back on the street soon...


"My car won't start, what should I do?"
"Did you check your headlight fluid?" <<LOL, I love it.

MarcDavidoff

Hi- I would stick with the stock Honda filters. I believe that is your best bet. They may cost $1-2 more, but they are superior to most others..

jeffcoslacker

The problem with Fram filters, and it's not really a problem if changed ofter, is that in some applications they use an impregnated cardboard material where other brands use more durable material. In extreme cases of extended sitting without being run, or very hard use, there is some reports that the cardboard material has disintegrated and found it's way into engine passages, or kept the filter from flowing properly.

It is not seen as an issue for the average consumer.

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You made three mistakes. First, you took the job. Second, you came light. A four man crew for me? F**king insulting. But the worst mistake you made...

...empty gun rack.

AccordCodger

On what do you base that statement?

MarcDavidoff

Well, Maybe it is a bit bold to say "superior to most", but they are very well made. Check out this: http://www.twocreeks.net/toby/oil_filters/honda.shtml. Granted, this is in regards to motorcycle filters- but essentially the same. Not to say a Puralator One is not a good filter as well, but I would stick with what the manufacturer makes for their engines. Most Honda maintenance parts (coolant, tranny fluid, dist caps, wires, brake linings, etc) are engineered and designed for their products and are well made. I just think it wise to spend a little extra on some of these items for long term reliability..

AccordCodger

I don't have an issue with leaning towards manufacturer-branded items in general, but a blanket assumption that they are better than after-market ones is sometimes plain wrong.

Notice I say "manufacturer-BRANDED," not manufacturer-MADE." It wouldn't surprise me in the least to learn that the oil filter in a US-manufactured Honda comes from one of the (other) names we know and love.

I am not an expert on oil filters, but it would seem quite possible that someone has engineered a better oil filter than "Honda's own." After all, Honda is in the business of selling cars at a price that the market will bear, not building perfectly-engineered ones. Who's to say that their stock item isn't a little on the cheaply-made side?

MarcDavidoff

We can argue that one forever. I'm not an expert on filters or any particular auto item for that matter. I never said that all aftermarket stuff was no good, did I. I can appreciate parts that are made well, and Honda parts usually are from experience. I have never had an issue with any replacement Honda OEM parts in the past. I have owned quite a few Hondas/Acuras in the past/present. I have also bought very well made aftermarket parts as well..and some not so well made. And as you say, many of the Honda parts are probably made by another vendor. But it is to Honda standards...which from what I can tell by most Honda made equipment is very high. Which by the way you say "not building perfectly-engineered ones". I would have to beg to differ on that. They are not perfect cars- I don't think you can find a "perfect" car..at least not in the $20-30k range. Sure every car has it's planned obsolence, but Honda makes some pretty well engineered products...and replacement parts.
This just started as an oil filter question and I just provided my opinion on the Honda filters. For all I know, Fram could make them, but they are better than a Fram filter from what I have read and seen.

Skyline316

fram oil filters are nuttin but cardboard...iv cut one open before and they are junk only thing good about em is that they have that suregrip bull shit on em...fram is shit

AccordCodger

I'm not sure in what way your are DISagreeing with me --???

AccordCodger

And what did you find inside the OTHER makes of filters you presumably cut apart?

kazper

Alot of the cheap versions of fram filters don't have a check valve to keep the oil in on a side mounted filter. (orange box). I think the only one that has the check valve is the $10 filter thats soposed to be able to filter for 7k miles.

if the oil drips out while the car sits the first few seconds is little or no lube... Over time you got problems.

Thats a common problem with the Toyota 22R series of motors.

jeffcoslacker

Good point. Most good filters have a check valve if it was spec on the OE filter. I've never understood why you'd make an engine with a 90 degree mounted filter.

I always pre-fill my filter before installing to avoid the "dry-start" after an oil change. But with those, you can only put a little in, and roll it around to get it primed. You can usually get 1/2 a pint in, if you're patient.

I'm likin' some of the filters designed to be used with synthetic oil for extended intervals. Their construction is more durable, and has a superior filter media and more of it.

Anyway, if you have doubts, unbox it and look inside for a check valve before you buy it. I always do this anyway, cuz I hate being in the middle of an oil change and finding out I bought a filter with damage, missing or distorted seal ring, I've even pulled them outta boxes to find them full of rust inside, like they got wet at some time. Shake them too. I've found a few that the filter media had broke loose and was just rattling around inside. If you installed one like that, you'd get no filtering whatsoever outta it. Always check them.

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You made three mistakes. First, you took the job. Second, you came light. A four man crew for me? F**king insulting. But the worst mistake you made...

...empty gun rack.

Igovert500

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilter-fram1.txt

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters.html

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96 3000gt vr4
-K&N FIPK
-Proboost mbc
-Cusco front + rear strut bars
-Greddy type-s
-ATR downpipe
-no cats
-3sx aluminum pulley, FMIC, walboro pump, EVO 560ccs...sitting in garage

Your 1996 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 is the 92nd out of the 315 that were made that year. Only 21 of which are exactly identical.

MarcDavidoff

I actually have to correct my earlier statement about Honda oil filters. I had bought a case about 5yrs ago and was still using them until the other day when I picked up a few new ones at the dealer. The new ones are smaller, and after inspecting them closer, they seem much less robust than the originals I had been using. The old ones were made by in the US by Filtech, the new ones in Canada by Honeywell who owns Fram. How about that- well I hope these are better than orange Frams! I think I'll switch to Puralator 1

jeffcoslacker

Like I said before, if you change it regularly, it probably doesn't matter what filter you use particularly, but I do understand that you want to get the best you can for your money.

The old VW bugs didn't even have a filter. Just a screen and a centrifigul spinner to filter out the big crud, and they ran forever.

If you ever have a chance to look in the back of an oil filter interchange reference book, they also have information about percentage of flow for all of them too, which opens up a whole 'nother can of worms

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You made three mistakes. First, you took the job. Second, you came light. A four man crew for me? F**king insulting. But the worst mistake you made...

...empty gun rack.