Re: Oil Filter Fiasco...

[Don Hoefer <hoefer@cary.eng.pko.dec.com>]

Peter Schulz asked:
>My question is...Have users of oem filters ever experienced this?  Is 
checking the gasket normal oil change procedure, or is it taken for 
granted? <

I have never experienced this, and I never checked.  I do wipe off the
area where the filter seats, so I would probobly notice.

I did use a Fram filter once.  I let the oil get a little low (more than 
a quart low!) once and I had only 1 bar of pressure.  That never happened 
with an OEM type filter (even when I was careless).  When I topped of the oil, 
the pressure never got above 3 bar until I changed the oil and filter.  I 
never used Fram again.  Some people I know swear by them, others swear at them.
I saw a FAQ in rec.autos.tech that described many oil filters and their 
construction.  Fram oil filters are cheaply built.

My $0.02.

   Don Hoefer
   '82 Coupe