Stupid. Question. Oil filter

I have not used Fram in decades, just because there were other choices. Back in the late 1960's I was first warned to not use them, have even forgotten the reasons why. And that was decades before the internet.
It's easy to see how internet wives' tales become so misleading.
Always safe to go OEM.
But here are some facts from Fram and Cummins
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Here is the Cummins Engine TSB, followed by a letter from Fram.


"May 18, 2001

Models: 1989 -1993 (AD), 1994 - 2001 (BR/BE) Ram Truck

NOTE: THIS BULLETIN INVOLVES 1989 - 201 MY 2500 AND 3500 RAM TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A 5.9L CUMMINS DIESEL ENGINE.

Discussion:

Customer may complain of high oil consumption, grey oil smoke coming out of the exhaust or breather tube, or mechanical knocking. Neoprene compounds used internally in the manufacture of oil filters not recommended by DaimlerChrysler may separate from the filter, lodge in the piston cooling nozzle, and can fail the engine.

NOTE: THIS IS NOT AN ENGINE DEFECT.

(See the table below for a list of filters recommended by DaimlerChrysler for use with the 5.9L Cummins diesel engine.)

NOTE: SECTION 2.7 OF THE TRUCK WARRANTY MANUAL STATES DAIMLERCHRYSLER MOTORS CORPORATION IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR FAILURES RESULTING FROM IMPROPER REPAIR OR THE USE OF PARTS WHICH ARE NOT GENUINE DAIMLERCHRYSLER MOTORS CORPORATION / MOPAR OR DAIMLERCHRYSLER MOTORS CORPORATION / MOPAR APPROVED PARTS. DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE USE OF OIL FILTER NOT APPROVED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER MAY NOT BE COVERED BY THE NEW VEHICLE WARRANTY. DAIMLERCHRYSLER RECOMMENDS THE FOLLOWING OIL FILTERS. DO NOT USE ANY OIL FILTER CONTAINING NEOPRENE. PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS.

RECOMMENDED OIL FILTERS FOR USE WITH CUMMINS 5.9L DIESEL ENGINE:


Part Number Manufacturer
05016547AC Mopar
LF3894 Fleetguard Stratopore
LF3552 Fleetguard Microglass
LF3949 Fleetguard Cellulose
3937695 Cummins Cellulose
FL896 MotorCraft Cellulose
L45335 Purolator Cellulose
PF1070 AC Delco Cellulose
Policy: Information Only"



FRAM'S TSB:

"TECHNICAL INFORMATION

It has been brought to our attention that a few DaimlerChrysler service technicians are recommending that the FRAM PH3976 filter not be used on DaimlerChrysler vehicles with the Cummins 5.9L Turbo Diesel engine and that use of these filters can cause damage to the engine. DaimlerChrysler has informed us that they released a Technical Service Bulletin to their dealerships communicating a potential contamination issue and recommending the use of Fleetguard manufactured filters.

FRAM has been selling PH3976 filter for this engine application since the engine platform launch and it has maintained an extremely reliable service record.
Late in 2000, Cummins and DaimlerChrysler brought to our attention a low incidence failure mode in their Cummins 5.9L Turbo Diesel engine of the piston cooling nozzle plugging, resulting in engine failure. The plugging was caused by contaminates lodging in the nozzle. The contaminants included metal chips, calcium carbonate, polyethylene, and styrene butadiene that are not associated with filter manufacture, and a neoprene compound, which is used as a sealant on the tapping plate of the filter. There were also several other engine warranty issues determined unrelated to the piston cooling nozzle plugging that were part of the engine failure sample. A small amount of neoprene rubber was used in the FRAM filter as a sealant. Throughout our investigation with Cummins & DaimlerChrysler on various engine failures, no conclusive evidence was found to assign cause to filters or other contamination sources. However, driven to satisfy our customers, the FRAM engineering team made modifications to the design eliminating the neoprene and expedited development and manufacturing to release a revised filter model number to PH3976A.
With the design change on the PH3976A completely removing the use of neoprene, there is absolutely no validity in comments that the Fram filter should not be used for this application or that it may cause engine failures associated with plugged nozzles. The Honeywell Consumer Products Group warranty policy also protects the consumer if it is determined that a FRAM filter is responsible for damage to an engine due to defects in design or workmanship. This information should be openly conveyed to our customers if they have any concerns or apprehension about using a FRAM filter for this application."

 

Thank you for the very complete and factual background from Chrysler and Fram. I was working from memory when I wrote the post and I got the date wrong.

When the D/C TSB came out, my neighbor was changing the oil on his son's 1997 CTD, and about to install a Fram. I gave him one of my Fleetguard filters after we discussed the subject of the TSB. He eventually gave me a MoPar filter in return, which was perfectly satisfactory. I have to agree about urban legends and old spouse's tales. Fram filters undoubtedly clock billions of miles collectively. But I find other choices. When I had PT Cruisers (yes, those), I used Purolator filters.

 

True... Back in the 60's/70's, if you wanted the best of the best, you bought Fram. And as you say, during the 90's they turned into steaming piles of dog shit. Are they OK now? Maybe yes, maybe no. But I'm not about to find out either.

 

Those are all good choices. If for some reason I couldn't get an OEM Toyota oil filter, my next choices would be: WIX, Napa (does Wix still make them for NAPA?) Bosch, Denso and Motorcraft in that order.

I think Carquest's premium line ("Gold"?) oil filters are/were also made by WIX.

 

yea, i've migrated back to using the oem filters. they're just as cheap as most aftermarket filters, and it's less of my problem if they fail. most media agencies would salivate at the thought to run the headline CUSTOMER CHANGES MANUFACTURERS FILTER, THEY DENY ENGINE FAILURE.