has anyone had trouble with fram oil filters

i was told my oil filter was to blame for my cold start problem

I have heard bad things about Fram oil filters.. so I stay away from em.

I'd recommend you use Wix, heard nothing but great stuff from them.

Yeah I would stay away from them too. I will try to find it but I read a report consumer reports did and they didnt filter worth a shit.

I stay away from ALL their stuff... Nuttin' but bad..

i was told my oil filter was to blame for my cold start problem
Gotta ask, what is your cold start problem?

Gotta ask, what is your cold start problem?

It was in his other thread.. he had piston slap so we told him to go back to using regular oil (He was using synthetic, a common problem, obviously) and also he thinks that the filter was causing the piston slap as well so now he knows a bit better. :lol2:

The anti-drainback valve could've started leaking. That's a common Fram problem..

Piston slap is a common problem on the 3400 and it is not the Fram oil filter causing the problem. At least 75% of the 3400s I've worked on had it but it would go away after about 30 - 60 seconds of engine warmup. It is definitely annoying. According to GM it is not a problem. <---yeah right.

GM Piston Slap Info
Click here (http://www.pistonslap.com)

Anyone that tells you that a Fram filter is bad (and is the root of your problem) is trying to sell you THEIR brand of filter. I've used them for years and have never had a problem with them. They still have to meet or exceed new car specs.

As long as you are using the correct grade of oil and change it regularly along with the filter every time, you should never have a problem with any name brand oil filter.

But do be aware some chain stores, also some big auto supply houses, carry "bargain" versions of otherwise reputable filter products. Sometimes the part number is slightly different or it is packaged differently. How else can they sell you a filter for $2 that normally goes for $6?

Bob

my monte nocks weither it is cold or warm but only after it sits for a little bit or over nite .when i changed the oil from synthetic back to regular it made the exact noise i've been hearing sounds like dry start .but only for a few seconds it sounds like it is coming from the valve train . i'm still waiting to see it if does it again .but i have noticed my car idels a little smoother. and runs cooler now that im not useing synthetic

Anyone that tells you that a Fram filter is bad (and is the root of your problem) is trying to sell you THEIR brand of filter. I've used them for years and have never had a problem with them. They still have to meet or exceed new car specs.



I say they suck and I am not trying to sell a filter. I have used a couple in the past and both had leaking problems.

This link explains a little more

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html#fram-tg8a

I finally got a decent filter for my dad's truck. Every time I service it, it had valve train noise. I switched him from Fram to AC delco, and haven't heard any noise since. His anti-drainback diaphram was bad on nearly all of them. AC may not be the best either, but sure was a step above.

First of all I am not selling or endorsing any filter whatsoever. Fram is one of the poorest filters currently produced. I have had many examples where these filters were a result of some engine problems. I have seen many people complain about engine noise during start-up, 95% of the time the fram was used, once replaced, problem solved. I have seen engines with lower oil pressure as a result of a restricting filter. I have even taken the time to open a few frams up(tear them apart) and could easily see the cheap design, manufacturing (e.g paper filter ends inside the filter). In my opinion the WIX is very good, Purolator ( in Canada, they valvoline max life sold at Canadian Tire ) is good, the AC is also something I would use. Many (including myself up until recently) assumed that as long as the standards were met, that the filter must be good. I used fram for many years myself. There is a good write up on the net about oil filters, very good, but I can't find the link.

Just buy the AC Delco filter.

First of all I am not selling or endorsing any filter whatsoever. Fram is one of the poorest filters currently produced. I have had many examples where these filters were a result of some engine problems. I have seen many people complain about engine noise during start-up, 95% of the time the fram was used, once replaced, problem solved. I have seen engines with lower oil pressure as a result of a restricting filter. I have even taken the time to open a few frams up(tear them apart) and could easily see the cheap design, manufacturing (e.g paper filter ends inside the filter). In my opinion the WIX is very good, Purolator ( in Canada, they valvoline max life sold at Canadian Tire ) is good, the AC is also something I would use. Many (including myself up until recently) assumed that as long as the standards were met, that the filter must be good. I used fram for many years myself. There is a good write up on the net about oil filters, very good, but I can't find the link.

You know something, you are absolutely right on the Fram filter. I stand corrected regarding my previous posts.

I had changed my oil and used one recently and it does have a valve tap for more than a few seconds after it starts. I do fill the filter with oil when I installit, so its not like it had an initial dry start. Looks like I'll be stocking up on another brand!

Bob

But do be aware some chain stores, also some big auto supply houses, carry "bargain" versions of otherwise reputable filter products. Sometimes the part number is slightly different or it is packaged differently. How else can they sell you a filter for $2 that normally goes for $6?

Bob
Not to sound like a broken record, but those of you who are familiar with me on these forums know how big a fan I am of AC Delco products. Having owned almost 20 GM vehicles, and selling auto parts for many years, I've had a chance to see the differences. I've posted a link to a study done on various makes of oil filters by an independant lab, and it showed AC Delcos ranked #1. ( At this time I cannot locate the link, if I should find it,I'll repost it in this thread.) On the subject of buying oil filters, see if there is a AC Delco parts warehouse in your area that you can buy from. I buy my genuine AC Delco oil filters for $3.79 (PF47, and PF52.) The salesman told me on my last visit that they carry a dozen pack of the same filter at a much lower price than individual filters. They are wrapped together in a box. They are primarily sold to dealers and garages in bulk, to cut down on extra packaging costs. I'm thinking of going that route and purchasing my filters that way. (Just keep them covered so no foreign matter comes in contact with the filters as they do not have sepaprate boxes.)
Remember the old advertising slogan: "Keep your GM vehicle all GM!"

I agree, AC Delco filters are in a league of their own. The only thing I like about the Fram filters is the grip surface, that doesn't mean anything when it comes to the longevity of your engine, which is usually an investment of a bit of money just by itself.

I use AC Delco with everything now. Don't waste your money on the "cheap stuff". remember the saying: "Fits, cheap, is good: pick any two".

I've read Fram filters are junk, but years back, used them anyway. I now KNOW that they're junk. One of them collapsed on me and ruined the cylinder head on my engine for the car I had at the time. What a piece of S**t. Needless to say, I use AC now.