All I can do is tell you what I seen, when we tore filter apart there was nothing to keep oil from draining back and the filter was for toyota 2.0
Having been involved in the design, qualification, and validation of parts for the automotive industry, perhaps I can shed some light on the way the process works.
For a part like an oil filter the car engine designer will typicaly select from the part’s manufacturer’s catalog, which contains detailed part performance specifications and physical interface configurations, a part meeting his/her needs for the specific engine. To make a long story short, that part is then put through extensive testing and analysis, which may or may not be done on the final assembly. Once approved, the engine designer takes the part manufacturer’s detailed spec sheets, assigns its own part number, and creates a “source control drawing”. If one already exists from another previously-qualified vendor he may simply add the new vendor’s name and part number. He’ll generally also require that the part be “branded” with his companies name.
Henceforth, that part will only be purchased to that “source control drawing” from that approved vendor and must continue to meet the now-“cast in concrete” specs.
Generally the part manufacuturer also sells that part to the aftermarket, using their own part number and without the “branding”. They’ll list it in theor catalog as the replacement part for that application.
Can you simplify, as stated previously the toyota specialists car shop I went to used only used Toyota filters, it was a couple of bucks more but they refused to use after market filters. I think you are saying the aftermarket is good, but is that all the after market, like when you go to the parts store and find a list of available filter options?
Yes, I mean that any brand name filter will work fine as long as it’s the correct one the filter catalog lists for your car.
I also mean that car manufacturers do not make their own filters. As a matter of fact they generally select them from an industry catalog of an existing filter manufacturer, qualify them, and have them “branded”. Engine manufacturers do not design or manufacture oil filters. Oil filter manufacturers do.
The above reply about Autozone implies that they sell some oil filter brands which can cause damage to an engine. Can you elaborate on this?
I can’t speak for the author you are referring to, but anyone with various filters can sell you the wrong filter. That is not the same as the wrong brand. You can go to the dealer and get the wrong filter. It might even look like the right one, but have a small internal difference.
I suggest that any car owner buying their own filters be sure they know what the correct filter is for their car and not relay on the the dealer or autoparts store to get it right.
the toyota specialists car shop I went to used only used Toyota filters, it was a couple of bucks more but they refused to use after market filters.
While I don’t know, I would guess they make a few cents more on Toyota branded filters than others. They also may do it to support their image as something better than other shops to help justify higher prices.
Actually, the innards of a Toyota filter are different…at least according to this site http://www.knizefamily.net/minimopar/oilfilters/opinions.html
Yup.
I should add that if anyone out there feels better knowing the used a filter from their dealer’s parts store, a branded filter, please don’t feel that you’re being criticized. The question was simply whether there truely is a difference.
You should use the brand that you feel comfortable with no matter what we prefer, even of it’s a few bucks more. I’ll fight for your right to do so. We all have our preferences.
My 1990 Camry engine needed a valve job with just under 60K miles. I proved to the dealer that I had changed the oil every 3K miles. They honored the warranty. I was using Fram filters which caused the problem. I agree with the orangevega above. See the website http://www.knizefamily.net/minimopar/oilfilters/opinions.html for more info. No more Fram filters for me. I usually by Bosch or Napa Gold.
I was using Fram filters which caused the problem.
Can you explain how engine oil or filters are responsible for burned valves?
Was there so much oil starvation that the valve guides wore out? And if that was true, why didn’t the bearings show a problem first?
If you’re saying Fram filters are inferior or defective in general and are the cause of your needing a valve job (or for engine failures in general), your not going to win that battle.
Agree; do what makes you feel good. Since the mid sixties I have changed oil in my cars and never used an OEM filter. Also never had a lubrication-related engine problem. Dealer filters cost more because they have a higher markup than the chains!