FRAM Ultra @20K Miles

[DanW]

I run the factory Mopar filter.

Ok. I've had two, both installed at the factory and they did the twist like Chubby Checker. Lol!

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[CarbonSteel]

What exactly is the purpose of this thread? To convince people to leave a Fram filter on for 20 thousand miles? Or is the OP having nagging thoughts and just trying to make himself feel better for doing so? Leaving an oil filter on for 20k is just laziness in my opinion. Especially with a filter brand that has such a mixed reputation. It’s reckless. It’s so easy and inexpensive to change an oil filter, why take the chance.

The purpose was to share data and information and NOT to get into a tree marking, "I know better than you" thread NOR was it to say "Hey, everyone, you should be running FRAM filters because everything else is crap". Like the information, don't like the information, I could not care less, but the plain truth of the matter is that these ARE NOT 1990's filters despite all of the armchair, shade tree opinions that are being leveled against the filter with no supporting data whatsoever.

It did not fail, the pleats are not collapsed, the engine did not fail, and I am sure the UOA for this last run will be right inline with the previous three OC's. I did not just yell "Yee Haw" and make a decision to run a filter to 20K, it was a methodical decision based upon facts and 3 prior UOAs. I will be tearing it apart in the coming days and will post a video and again, like it, don't like it...it does not matter to me.

As far as FRAM's reputation, well, that has clearly moved on, but most still remember the FRAM of yesteryear which had its issues. FRAM is no longer a POS filter, but clearly all of the data in world will not change some minds here as is the need to run 3K oil and filter changes. Hilariously, these are probably the same people who circa 2005 if they were told they would be driving a Jeep designed and owned by Fiat in 10 years would have scoffed and argued that point into the ground, yet here we are...

 

[OllieChristopher]

Hmm? Not when I do mine, I've never had a filter look like that...go easier on the torque kids.

I have changed out hundreds of cartridge filters over the years and have never seen one (of unit I previously serviced) twisted or as filthy as the OP's.

 

[lowmpg]

Ok. I've had two, both installed at the factory and they did the twist like Chubby Checker. Lol!

Not sure what they did differently, sounds like they over-tightened it

and as fate would have it, I actually changed mine today...7500 miles, here is the mopar filter....

 

[CarbonSteel]

I have changed out hundreds of cartridge filters over the years and have never seen one (of unit I previously serviced) twisted or as filthy as the OP's.

How are you defining "filthy"? Color is a very subjective way to determine anything related to oil or its health.

For example - how many miles are on this one?

Or this one?

 

[Newbalewb]

OP, lots of discussion here but I'm just curious on why you chose to go with Rotella Truck oil? Have you done oil analysis and had good results?

 

[VNT]

He has done a bunch of oil analysis and he is a cheapwad and got it at Autozone for 10$ a jug, then got 10$ rebate, used savings to buy more Sam Adams

 

[CarbonSteel]

OP, lots of discussion here but I'm just curious on why you chose to go with Rotella Truck oil? Have you done oil analysis and had good results?

I had used it once and then Advance Auto Parts put it on clearance so I picked up about 170 QTs for between $1 and $2 per quart. I have had 5 OCs with it at 5K per OC and the TBN (Total Base Number which indicates how much acid neutralization ability remains) is between a 2.81 and 1.95. There are four UOAs shown here as I am waiting on the results of the 5th run. The first 3 in the list was a 60/40 mix of 0W-20 and 5W-30 whereas the 4th was only 5W-30 (and so was the 5th).

It loses about 10% of its viscosity due to shearing (since MPI engines like the 3.6L do not typically suffer from fuel dilution) and though TBN reduction is not linear, it loses about 60% of its TBN in 5K miles. I have self-imposed a TBN limit of 2.0 and thus 5K is a good OCI.

Hope this helps--let me know if you have any questions.

 

[CarbonSteel]

He has done a bunch of oil analysis and he is a cheapwad and got it at Autozone for 10$ a jug, then got 10$ rebate, used savings to buy more Sam Adams

LOL - Advance Auto Parts

 

[VNT]

170 qts, well done!

 

[OllieChristopher]

What exactly is the purpose of this thread? To convince people to leave a Fram filter on for 20 thousand miles?

I would say yes. Why otherwise would someone spend all that money and effort tearing apart filters and paying for Blackstone reports?

For example - how many miles are on this one?

You tell me. I will say it's a lot less miles than the filthy dirty black one you posted. For all i know it might be a new filter. I can only conclude, this is to prove you can abuse your oil pump and get your filter to the point of clogging and relying on the bypass.

Can you please post up your "data" from the Blackstone report that shows if the filter bypass opened? Or the wear to cams, bearings, wrist pins and other components if the bypass opened up and allowed dirty oil to enter engine?

 

[Newbalewb]

He has done a bunch of oil analysis and he is a cheapwad and got it at Autozone for 10$ a jug, then got 10$ rebate, used savings to buy more Sam Adams

Haha well the reason I asked is because I did the same thing for my JK. Bought like 60 quarts at advance auto parts when it was on sale. Hoping the analysis is really good since the price was so good for it.

 

[Newbalewb]

I had used it once and then Advance Auto Parts put it on clearance so I picked up about 170 QTs for between $1 and $2 per quart. I have had 5 OCs with it at 5K per OC and the TBN (Total Base Number which indicates how much acid neutralization ability remains) is between a 2.81 and 1.95. There are four UOAs shown here as I am waiting on the results of the 5th run. The first 3 in the list was a 60/40 mix of 0W-20 and 5W-30 whereas the 4th was only 5W-30 (and so was the 5th).

It loses about 10% of its viscosity due to shearing (since MPI engines like the 3.6L do not typically suffer from fuel dilution) and though TBN reduction is not linear, it loses about 60% of its TBN in 5K miles. I have self-imposed a TBN limit of 2.0 and thus 5K is a good OCI.

Hope this helps--let me know if you have any questions.

So could you dumb it down for me and give me your opinion on this oil vs other synthetics that you've had the analysis done? Is it comparable/better/worse? I did the same thing at advance auto and bought like 60 quarts for $1.50 each and have been using it on my JK!

 

[VNT]

There are a lot of people who dissect used filters. buy a tool to cut them apart an inspect

 

[DanW]

Not sure what you did differently

and as fate would have it, I actually changed mine today...7500 miles, here is the mopar filter....

I'm sure tolerances have some variation, especially with the combination of polymers and filter material. That's one of the best exampes I've ever seen with straight pleats.

Both of my Pentastar factory filters came out twisted, the 2018 with 2k miles on it and the 2021 with 4.6k. It does its job either way, though, so no worries.

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