Oil Filters - consumer vs pro

[torrmundi]

I tried to buy Wix filters for my Beta 38 recently and Oreilly auto parts was out of the part, but offered me a masterpack (12 filters) of a Wix manufactured pro grade model.
Wix 51334 is the brand-conscious filter ($9 each).
Wix Pro-Tec PTL51334/12 is the pro filter ($33 for 12).


The sales guy showed me a side-by-side on the specs. Every one was identical including microns, flowrate, bypass pressure, drainback valve, etc, except the height (pro is shorter) and I think, the filter material might be different.


Same sort of thing for my Genset - he offered me an in-house brand (Microguard MGL51365 instead of Wix 51365)


If I observe the proper interval for replacement, is there any practical difference?

[rbk]

I can’t speak for the brands you’ve mentioned but there are many reviews and breakdowns for various oil filters online, YouTube etc. It really comes down to the pleating and end caps of the filters. Some use lower quality filter material with less pleats to get the same flow rate (vs better filter material and larger surface area) and the internal end caps of the filters (some use metal, some use cardboard) from what I’ve seen as long as the numbers are within spec my only concern would be the filter material becoming dislodged creating a blockage as some are poorly assembled. But both and cut one open to see how they’re assembled.

[Woodland Hills]

Interesting: NAPA also charges less for their pro-pack oil filters than the regular ones. Same filters, but the Pro-pack has less packaging for a $6 to $7 discount per filter.

[marshmat]

Distribution + retail + marketing add a huge amount of markup to stuff like this. Probably $2 of that $9 is manufacturing, the rest is layer after layer of overhead & markup.

If you're buying in bulk from recognized, established aftermarket brands, you'll get "mechanic's pack" stuff that is essentially identical but with much less markup. It usually works just as well, because it's the same thing, made in the same factory.

Avoid off-brand aftermarket, particularly from eBay / Amazon / AliExpress, where you can't find an actual established presence (eg. a website, a same-continent mailing address, & a multi-year reputation) for the brand. That's where you find the generic junk that falls apart and triggers cascading failures. There being no physical office for the brand in the continent where you're buying it is a huge red flag.

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by marshmat

.

Avoid off-brand aftermarket, particularly from eBay / Amazon / AliExpress, where you can't find an actual established presence (eg. a website, a same-continent mailing address, & a multi-year reputation) for the brand. That's where you find the generic junk that falls apart and triggers cascading failures. There being no physical office for the brand in the continent where you're buying it is a huge red flag.

Examples of that happening?

Personally I am yet to hear of an engine coming to grief using after market filters and oil as long as they meet spec and are changed as required.

And by off brand does that mean a brand "you" haven't heard of or is more a brand that looks identical but say a spelling mistake in name, like freetguard?

[Lepke]

Most spin on oil filters are made in 2 or 3 lengths. The same seal diameter and center thread, but the can and filter media is longer. Oil goes slower thru the longer can, allowing the media to catch more debris.You can put the longer can on any short can engine.

There are several Youtube videos showing the insides of several brands of spin on filters.

[vpbarkley]

Don't know if this helps but I buy Wix/NAPA Gold filters in bulk from Fleetfilter.com. Their prices are good and Wix filters are good quality.

[bcboomer]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

Examples of that happening?

Personally I am yet to hear of an engine coming to grief using after market filters and oil as long as they meet spec and are changed as required.

And by off brand does that mean a brand "you" haven't heard of or is more a brand that looks identical but say a spelling mistake in name, like freetguard?

I don't know how many engines you've been exposed to over their service lives but after 35 years in automotive service I can assure you that it does happen.
I've seen at least 2 engines ruined by disintegrating major house brand filters and many showing excessive wear from oil that was rebranded non-detergent, low quality oil.

[Scubaseas]

I'd be fine with the Wix pro pack versus regular Wix.

I would pass on the micro guard filters. Not the same beast at all. Cut one of each open and see. Check valve, pleating/paper will be substantially different.

Retired master mechanic that owned a busy auto repair shop 40+ years.

[thunderhoof]

I suggest you visit the Baldwin Filter web site and cross-reference the original P/N. I have found them to be high quality, cost effective and available from a number of distributors.

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by bcboomer

I don't know how many engines you've been exposed to over their service lives but after 35 years in automotive service I can assure you that it does happen.
I've seen at least 2 engines ruined by disintegrating major house brand filters and many showing excessive wear from oil that was rebranded non-detergent, low quality oil.

2 out of 35 years in the game seems liked bugger all
Doesn't sound like the oil met spec either

[David B]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

2 out of 35 years in the game seems liked bugger all
Doesn't sound like the oil met spec either

Unless it's your engine, and your repair bill ........

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by David B

Unless it's your engine, and your repair bill ........

Yeah but they were the more expensive major house brand filters that disintegrated he says.
Not exactly evidence of cheap filters bad is it.

[David B]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

Yeah but they were the more expensive major house brand filters that disintegrated he says.
Not exactly evidence of cheap filters bad is it.

By "major house brand" I take it these are cheap aftermarket filters rather than genuine filters. For me, it is not work the risk - for a filter change per year, I go with the genuine filters.

[Fore and Aft]

I have been using some no name eBay oil filters on my diesel Kia for at least 5 years with no problems yet. I change them every 12 weeks so I am not to worried about quality. Our yachts Yanmar diesel filter only gets changed every year or 100 hours so I use a quality filter for it.
Cheers