K&N oil filter failure...beware
Last edited by Paul Bell; Jan 14, 2016 at 08:00 AM.
I'm certain this was one of a very few isolated cases of these spot welds failing on a K&N oil filter.
I would not hesitate to use a K&N filter if that was the "best" available when I went to buy a filter.
Mobil One Extended, WIX, K&N, Hastings, all good filters. Because of consistently poor components and build quality, Fram is still the brand to avoid. And since ACDelco is now a low bid contractor, there have been instances where they've been shown to be made identically as the cheapo Frams. Do your engine a favor and spend just a few more bucks on a better quality filter.
There are some "high end" filters that are waayy better, including one version from Fram.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...-examined.html
I would not hesitate to use a K&N filter if that was the "best" available when I went to buy a filter.
Mobil One Extended, WIX, K&N, Hastings, all good filters. Because of consistently poor components and build quality, Fram is still the brand to avoid. And since ACDelco is now a low bid contractor, there have been instances where they've been shown to be made identically as the cheapo Frams. Do your engine a favor and spend just a few more bucks on a better quality filter.
There are some "high end" filters that are waayy better, including one version from Fram.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...-examined.html
Hmmm technical...Reply to a thread about an isolated issue that doesn't warrant an alert of any kind & is also posted in the wrong section of the forum.
Reply: Have never had a single issue w/ a K&N oil filter. Like most people of whom are capable of replacing an oil filter, it's probably because we actually look @ it & then install it properly.
Raised by a single woman were we? lol
Hmmm technical...Reply to a thread about an isolated issue that doesn't warrant an alert of any kind & is also posted in the wrong section of the forum.
Reply: Have never had a single issue w/ a K&N oil filter. Like most people of whom are capable of replacing an oil filter, it's probably because we actually look @ it & then install it properly.
Raised by a single woman were we? lol
Reply: Have never had a single issue w/ a K&N oil filter. Like most people of whom are capable of replacing an oil filter, it's probably because we actually look @ it & then install it properly.
Raised by a single woman were we? lol
It was indeed "installed properly"
. 
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Working on an 03 Tahoe with a 5.3.
Customer says they had their oil changed recently at another shop.
It was leaving large puddles of oil in their driveway.
So they bring it into my work, I get on a lift, and the filter is covered in oil.
Its a KN obviously, by that pic.
^Quality control at the K&N factory in China is going down the tubes faster than the Chinese economy apparently.
I guess you get what you pay for, half the reliability of a normal filter at just thrice the cost!
I guess you get what you pay for, half the reliability of a normal filter at just thrice the cost!
It was on very tight when I checked....I had it towed to a shop thinking it was the RMS (170K); there was oil everywhere underneath the car. The mechanic says the filter failed internally; there's a tiny "safety wire attachment" hole drilled into that 1" nut at the bottom of the filter....that is where oil was pissing out like no tomorrow.
Here's yet another thread from some subuaru guy about this known issue with their shoddy spot welds inside the filters causing huge leaks from the 1" nut .
http://www.iwsti.com/forums/2-5-lite...il-filter.html
Here's yet another thread from some subuaru guy about this known issue with their shoddy spot welds inside the filters causing huge leaks from the 1" nut .
http://www.iwsti.com/forums/2-5-lite...il-filter.html
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I'm wondering if it wasn't tightened by using that nut, and pulled the spot welds loose then,
I would imagine the "nut" on the bottom is used for removing only.
I have worked at Chevrolet dealerships before and they used hourly kids to change oil, barely
knowing the difference between a screwdriver and a wrench.
I would imagine the "nut" on the bottom is used for removing only.
I have worked at Chevrolet dealerships before and they used hourly kids to change oil, barely
knowing the difference between a screwdriver and a wrench.
^THAT
I once watched a dealer oil change guy perform an oil change then check the oil level on the dipstick-with the engine running.
Most Purolators are junk. Reach to a higher shelf.
Most Purolators are junk. Reach to a higher shelf.
Because depending on the motor a vacuum is pulled which keeps the oil filter tight against the block and wont just loosen by hand. On my wifes SUV, I would bet anyone $50 they cannot remove the filter by hand.
Purolators are junk? There were a couple independent tests done a while back and one of the top designs was a Purolator along with wix. I would like to know your info.
Purolator is like Fram. They have some decent filters but the vast majority they make and sell are pretty poor.
It's certainly easier to find a better filter for just a few bucks more. I believe all retailers carry Mobil1, which will do very well.
It's certainly easier to find a better filter for just a few bucks more. I believe all retailers carry Mobil1, which will do very well.
Last edited by Paul Bell; Jan 15, 2016 at 08:50 AM.
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From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
Add MP to the end of you wix filter number then internet search it. This is a non retail mechanics pack of 12 filters at a significant discount of retail. I keep a case on the shelf in the shop.
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+1 for Wix filters here as well. I won't run any other filter on any of my engines. It never fails to amaze me how people can spend thousands, if not tens of thousands, building a top-tier engine, and then finish it off with the cheapest off the shelf oil filter (and usually oil to boot), just because it saves them 5 bucks. Oil and filters are the best and cheapest insurance you can buy for a long lasting engine, and the absolute last place I would want to cheap out on.