Re: Audi oil filters

[zm@mhcnet.att.com (Zafer Mehmood [209])]

> 
> How does the Fram wearguard filter compare?
> 

The quality of Fram is rather debatable. Some years back, Consumer's Report
rated them best in terms of filtering ability, i.e., they would snare very
small particles (I don't remember the sizes, few tens of microns I think).
Since then, there have been several reports from people in rec.autos.tech
who had seen cutouts of various US brand filters (Purolator, MotorCraft,
AC Delco, Fram, etc) and Fram had the cheapest, worst construction *inside*
the filter. I think the deciding factor would be - does it have an anti-drain-
back valve? That probably depends on the filter number (application).
I know that for my car - '87 5000 TQ - Audi recommends the Audi "Turbo" filter
which is the same size as their non-turbo filter. Fram catalog lists an
equivalent for the non-turbo filter but not for the turbo filter. I tried
the non-turbo Fram once but found it had no anti-drain-back valve. So
I stopped using it.

> How much do the other recommended Mahle, Knecht and Mann, and Audi filters cost?
> 
Depends on the application. The non-turbo ones are cheaper, $4 - $5 as
mentioned by others. I don't know if they have an anti-drain-back valve.
The turbo one definitely does and costs more. I bought them from PAP
for $7.99 each (price if at least 6 ordered). They cost ~ $14 at the dealer.

This is how I discovered my original Audi filter had the anti-drain-back
valve (and that the Fram didn't):

When the Audi filter was removed from the car, a lot of oil poured out
of the pipe just above the filter, wheras it didn't with the Fram. Also,
I'm in the habit of filling up a new filter with oil before installing it.
In the Fram (and other brands I've used in other cars) I've been able to pour
the oil in to the filter through the large threaded hole in the filter.
With the Audi turbo filter, the oil won't go in through the large hole,
the valve prevents that. The oil will only go in through the smaller holes
in the periphery.

Zafer

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Zafer Mehmood				   AT&T Bell Laboratories
zm@mhcnet.att.com			   Murray Hill, NJ