Oil filter: oem vs counterfeit

Good afternoon, folks! I need some help. I got two oem oil filters from Amazon (a Toyota dealership) . The picture on Amazon shows the filter color is somewhat off-white. But the filter I received is orange/brownish red color. Other than that, it looks fair quality. But I don’t want to put a counterfeit oil filter on my truck. This issue likely was raised before, I appreciate your input nevertheless.

 

That’s a first for me. I just checked my stash and all 7 are the light eggshell color. Maybe they changed manufacturers? I’m sure someone here will know everything about it. Almost looks like a fram filter. ???

 

Somebody probably ran some Thai iced tea through it at a ladyboy bar.

I’m not 100% sure that filter is counterfeit. I’ve done my oil changes in Thailand with those exact filters and they are orange.

 

My OEM filters (I buy 3-4 at a time) from the dealer this last time were orange like that. My previous were the lighter color. I found it odd, at first I thought maybe I ordered the wrong part number.

They must have changed the part, and since mine came from the dealer I think that confirms your Amazon ones are no issue.

I’ll post a pic of one on the shelf when I get home.

 

I wonder if there might be a difference in the number of veins between a real and a counterfeit filter. I am quite certain I have received counterfeit products from Amazon.

 

I just went through my filters at the retail parts counter and all the new filters are coming in orange and the older filters are the lighter color. I rotated my stock and put the lighter colored filters up front to get rid of them first before we sell the newer filters.

 

I use the TRD version of the filter. Worth the nominal addition cost for me.

https://parts.toyota.com/p/Toyota__Tacoma/TRD-Oil-Filter/69529273/PTR4300082.html

 

Is there really any money to be made by counterfeiting an oil filter? Rolex watches; now there's your money maker!

 

I believe so, if they were made from unsold newspapers and of course with no quality control. How many there will buy a Rolex without heightened vigilance?

 

Good to know. Thanks

 

Thanks for the info

 

Same with the one I bought. Those boxes like like they are the real deal.

 

They could put shit media for the actual filter that could cost one tenth of what an OEM filter costs and your naked eye could never tell the difference.

 

Why not? Toyota makes money having these made and selling them for a profit. I could step right into a good business venture making knockoffs of a filter used by many and nobody would suspect it just as you suggested. No need to spend money marketing my own brand. Easy peasy.

 

It’s either making $1 off 1 million filters or $1,000,000 off one Rolex. I suspect it’s easier making the million from making the filters.

 

I don't trust Amazon chit

 

I know, right? Last year I bought the cheapest filter on Rock Auto just to scavenge the O-rings. To my surprise, it was "Producto de Estados Unidos" Visually the $2.50 Champ filter was manufactured well enough, but there's no way for me to determine the filter media effectiveness.

 

The Denso aftermarket filter is only $5.14: https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=6391383&cc=3354143&pt=5340&jsn=16

 

You can squish many of the fake filters with your fingers, literally collapse the inner core cylinder. You cannot do that with OEM filters. That is one way to tell.



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