Purolator Boss = Garbage

I buy a lot on Amazon when the price is right, I've got grandkids so I'm always ordering stuff that's not available locally. I buy the 5 pack of OEM filters for 20 bucks in Amazon and pick up my oil when I'm at Wallys World. There's some planning involved but it's not like Desert Storm.

 

I buy my oil on Amazon, 2 day shipping and its the same price as walmart. I know by me in NJ if i were to goto a local napa/autozon/advance auto a 5qt jug of synthetic is $50. walmart and amazon have the same thing for $22-25. I truly hate shopping at my local wallymart so amazon it is!

 

Napa gold = Wix, check the part #, Napa 1348 = Wix 51348, same filter. The USA Wix/NG are known to be good filters, only slightly off top tier. Fram, for all the hate, makes some real good filters, as does Champion Labs (Mobil 1), and is owned by Fram, surprise, surprise. The Fram Ultra is an awfully hard filter to beat at any price. The Tough Guard is along the lines of Napa/Wix, different, but good.
There are plenty of flow vs efficiency tests on line, bobistheoilguy.com is your friend. From what I see here, some will be quite surprised at the results.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/damn-engine-oil-pan-is-punctured.454118/#post-13365272

 

Never had a problem with Purolator, I use the classics, but are thoroughly inspected before use. It's not difficult to find one with good, punched out louvers. I wont waste my money on these expensive top tier filters, cellulose filters have worked great for years and engines have lasted hundreds of thousands of miles using them so I see no point in spending $15 on a filter just to throw it away in 5000 miles. I kinda wish Purolator kept the round holes in the center tube they had for years, but apparently the louvers are actually better for flow and filtration. I've saved a couple to cut open one of these days when I get around to it. Not sure the nitrile anti drainback valves will cut as easy since they aren't quite as soft and pliant as silicon.

 

Nothing against Amazon, but they were a "bookstore" originally. I'd feel more confident buying from Rock Auto, than a place that sells glow in the dark condoms. I'm just kiddin' Buy from whoever you want, just inspect them!!! Purolator let me down big time. At least the by-pass valve functioned correctly. I was in a jam, that's why I bought it. ALL slits were CLOSED. Did not look (which I usually do) beforehand. I haphazardly put it on because I thought it was a "Premium" filter. I despise that company for all their QC, including the torn media on the classics! Fram Ultra or OEM for me.

 

OEM only. I would never put a Fram in my truck.

 

Only real reason I use them is I get them for free through my job. But, when I move on to something else, I'll be going back to WIX. I'd love to try OEM or the Ultra, but I can't find them anywhere locally, and I won't order a filter online since I can't inspect it beforehand. WIX has never let me down, and I've racked up a ton of miles with WIX filters on my vehicles. Thinking hard about switching back next oil change as it is, but will be cutting a couple Purolators open before then to see if I have any torn media. I just gotta figure out how to open one up without completely demolishing it!