FRAM Ultra @20K Miles

[CarbonSteel]

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



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?

That is my point EXACTLY--you cannot tell me and if you had not known what the mileage on the filter was that I initially posted you would not have been able to tell me the mileage on that one either. You are making nothing but assumptions and while I cannot absolutely prove the bypass did not open, I can prove the media is not clogged and therefore the system would have zero reason to go into bypass. There is nothing in the pleats of the filter to warrant the media being clogged.

BTW - the oil that goes into the engine when the filter is bypassed is the same oil that flows through the filter.

Why is it so difficult to believe that a filter that is designed to be ran for 20K miles without issue is not able to do it?

As for the reasons why I would pay for the reports (which are not Blackstone BTW), what freaking difference does that make and how it is relevant? Many people piss off more than what I have spent on oil analysis on coffee, cigarettes, and other habits--which statistically speaking would include you.

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[DanW]

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

Yes, but it is still very good oil. I've done one run with it and had a good UOA and its in my 2018 now, 500 miles away from the next change. I prefer Mobil 1 EP, but with the Shell Rotella Gas Truck being on clearance and even free (after rebate), I'll run it a few times. It has also been in my daughter's Renegade for a few 7500 mile OCI's and it has done just fine.

 

[CarbonSteel]

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!

I have used almost every brand of oil out there and within the same specifications there is not a lot of difference between them--despite the hand-wringing that happens. I do believe there are "longer lasting" oils since the TBN on some other oils starts at a higher number.

To directly answer your question, I do not think it is better or worse, but I would not "chase" it--especially since it appears that Shell may be discontinuing it and when not on clearance it is as much as other oils. I scooped it up because of the cost and it works pretty well and had I not found it at that price point, I would have gone with Pennzoil/Castrol/Mobil.

Those 3 brands--particularly Castrol have a very high starting TBN and so can be ran for longer intervals (if that is your thing) otherwise, buying long drain oils and dumping them early is a waste of money because you are not using the protection you are paying for.

 

[VNT]

Yes, but it is still very good oil. I've done one run with it and had a good UOA and its in my 2018 now, 500 miles away from the next change. I prefer Mobil 1 EP, but with the Shell Rotella Gas Truck being on clearance and even free (after rebate), I'll run it a few times. It has also been in my daughter's Renegade for a few 7500 mile OCI's and it has done just fine.

I know that, meets the chrysler spec and free after rebate too, have a few jugs in my stash, free oil is a good thing

 

[DanW]

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!

It is very good oil. As good as Pennzoil Platinum. Shell Rotella is a top tier brand, right up there with Pennzoil Platinum. I personally prefer Mobil 1 EP, as it has more PAO content (true synthetic) which means it performs better at extremes which my engines won't see. PAO also doesn't break down as easily.

I run straight 0w20 in mine.

My favorite oils are, in order (somewhat) are below. I run Mobil 1 EP mostly, unless I find a really good sale price or rebate.

Mobil 1 EP
Mobil 1 AFE/Truck & SUV, or ESP (Any of their 0w20 flavors) These have less PAO than EP.
Red Line (Expensive, lots of PAO)
Pennzoil Ultra
Pennzoil Platinum
Valvoline (any full syn, same as Napa)
Eneos (high PAO)
Chevron Havoline Pro DS (Cheap in a 6 quart box from Walmart)
Royal Purple

I also like these cheap oils but don't really run them. But I think they are very good:
Quaker State Ultimate Durability
Kirkland/Supertech/Mag 1 (All the same)

I would probably love Amsoil Signature except that I HATE their marketing scheme. But is is outstanding oil with high PAO in the base oil.

But unless I find something on clearance, my most common choice is Mobil 1 EP.

 

[roaniecowpony]

The twists you see in cartridge filters is due to them being slightly torqued when the cap is put on the filter housing. Almost every filter removed from a 3.6 will look like that.

I haven't had that with the Wix XP filters I'm using. The one OEM filter that I removed was straight as well.

 

[DanW]

I haven't had that with the Wix XP filters I'm using. The one OEM filter that I removed was straight as well.

The exception. Not the norm. Be happy! Lol.

Still a non-issue, either way.

 

[roaniecowpony]

The exception. Not the norm. Be happy! Lol.

Still a non-issue, either way.

We can hope. Is there any data one way or the other?

 

[DanW]

We can hope. Is there any data one way or the other?

Yes. A friend who was on the team that designed the Pentastar said they tested and analyzed it exhaustively and that it does not affect the filter performance or engine at all. With over 10 million of them produced, I think they have plenty of data. He said not to be concerned.

 

[DanW]

We can hope. Is there any data one way or the other?

You can also do a used oil analysis and look at the data for insolubles. It should be probably at or less than .04% on a 5k or more mile run. I have see. 0.2% consistently from the Fram Ultra and .03% with the Mobil 1. You can also pay more and get a particle count.

 

[jeepdabest]

LOL - Advance Auto Parts

Not at all surprised to see the douchery flying in your direction. I appreciate the info that you and @DanW share regarding lubrication for our engines, manual transmissions, and differentials. Thanks for sharing all the data that you collect at your own expense.

 

[DanW]

Not at all surprised to see the douchery flying in your direction. I appreciate the info that you and @DanW share regarding lubrication for our engines, manual transmissions, and differentials. Thanks for sharing all the data that you collect at your own expense.

You are welcome, but @CarbonSteel has probed the frontiers much more than I and collected more valuable data. I've been much more conservative in my approach. He's picked up a good feel for where the limits might be, or at least certainly has been closer to them. I've learned a ton from him, particularly about the Dana differentials and how they perform and what they like and don't like. Search out some of his threads. He's got temp guages hooked up to both ends and has done some great UOA work on different gear lubes, too.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Not at all surprised to see the douchery flying in your direction. I appreciate the info that you and @DanW share regarding lubrication for our engines, manual transmissions, and differentials. Thanks for sharing all the data that you collect at your own expense.

Thanks @jeepdabest - I am glad there are some who appreciate it and can use/learn from it.

 

[CarbonSteel]

...

 

[ALRUI]

Huh... I'm so old I remember when Fram filters were so bad that if you used one in your new vehicle it voided the warranty. When did that change?

I don't think they've improved & even if they have after having one fail years ago I would't bother using them ever, but to each his own.

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