Fram’s oil filter quality has dropped

[Arizona_928]

Not to say Fram was ever a good brand, but they seemed to hold their own for engines that one didn’t really care about. However, this direct replacement for the ph3614 is completely different. The paint is poorly applied, smaller diameter can, redesigned filter element, base material and grip coating. I still lubed up the o ring and ran it.

[speeder]

The answer is never Fram, at least for me. This changed if there is no alternative, which is the case for my ‘67 MGB with canister mod.

[masraum]

Back in the 80s Fram had a reputation as one of the best. But I think the reputation for the last 15-25 years has been in the gutter. I thought that was a well known thing that quality had been bad for years and years now.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I’ve never known Fram for being anything other than cheap, crappy oil filters.

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by speeder

The answer is never Fram,.

This^
Local auto parts store used to have a few different brands of oil filters on display cut open to see their guts.
The Fram filter looked like a kindergartener put it together. The fuzzy cardboardish filter material looked like it would put more gunk into the oil than filter out.
Had about half the pleats, therefore half the surface area of all other filters.

[Arizona_928]

I should have prefaced the roast fest; this is for an air cooled engine driven welder that i change the oil and filter every 50 hrs (spec is 100 hrs on the oil and double for the filter).

[cabmandone]

I honestly believe they're trying to upsell to the Tough Guard and synthetic versions.

[herr_oberst]

I would have put that right back in the box and taken it back. (No, wait, I would have never selected that box from the shelf, no matter what)

[gregpark]

The last time I used a Fram filter the seal blew out the side and soaked the engine bay in oil. Did I say that was the last time I used Fram?

[fastfredracing]

The only oil filter that I have ever seen rust through . It was only a few years old

[Baz]

Never had a problem with Fram.

My '02 Silverado with >240K miles and the 4.8 Vortec hums like a sewing machine. You can hardly even hear it running it's so quiet and smooth.

Bought her in 2005 w/90K miles.

I do change the oil more often than the factory manual specifies.

[KNS]

It's not just filters. The quality of all kinds of parts has taken a nose dive in the last few years. Genuine parts from the parts counter at the dealer is also not what it used to be. I think OE and OEM manufacturers are cutting costs where ever they can.

[Por_sha911]

I'm wondering if the new filter is a Chinese knockoff?

[unclebilly]

Has this post been sitting in your outbox since 1997?

[A930Rocket]

I don’t think I’ve ever used Fram oil filters.

Do I remember correctly, that years ago, Ferrari used a pair of Fram oil filter filters on their engine. I thought that was weird.

[TimT]

Ferrari used a pair of Fram oil filter filters on their engine

My good friend owns three Ferraris, 308GTB-512BB,and a 355..

The 512 and 308 use Fram filters, the 355 has been under a cover for awhile so not sure about that one.

I find that interesting

[masraum]

I'm finding it weird that so many of you don't remember when Fram was a well regarded name.

Per Google AI

Fram oil filters had a good reputation during their early history and have improved their quality significantly since being sold by Honeywell in the mid-2000s
. Today, some of their higher-end products, like the Ultra Synthetic line, are considered among the best filters on the market.
History of Fram's reputation

Early days (1930s–1970s): Fram was a leading brand in automotive filtration, known for innovation and quality. The brand entered the racing business in the late 1960s. The "You can pay me now, or pay me later" ad campaign debuted in 1971, capitalizing on its trusted brand name.
Decline in the 1990s and 2000s: The brand's reputation suffered after being acquired by multiple owners, including Honeywell. Fram was criticized for using cheaper materials in budget filters, such as cardboard end caps and flimsy anti-drainback valves, which led to quality control issues. The "Orange Can of Death" nickname emerged from these concerns.
Acquisition and modern improvement (mid-2000s–present): Following its acquisition by a private equity group around 2006, and later by Trico, Fram invested in improving quality. The company secured new OEM contracts and developed high-quality filters like the Ultra Synthetic line.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by masraum

I'm finding it weird that so many of you don't remember when Fram was a well regarded name.

I think many of us remember when fram was a top brand. This is a board full of old gearheads.

Like is being mentioned, those twin Frams on top of a Ferrari motor is the stuff that kids that think about stuff like that think about in study hall.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

The only oil filter that I have ever seen rust through . It was only a few years old

Good one, Fred.

Fram made some filters in Europe that were better. They have had a bad rep for so long that they could never overcome it. They should just diversify like the tobacco companies did and let the thing die.

I bought a filter from an independent Jaguar parts seller. When I opened the box and saw Fram I called the guy an yelled at him for selling me a Fram for $15. That's when I found out Fram did make a $15 quality filter. They are not built to Walmart and other's spec. You can't get a filter for a Jag at WM.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

I don’t think I’ve ever used Fram oil filters.

Do I remember correctly, that years ago, Ferrari used a pair of Fram oil filter filters on their engine. I thought that was weird.

The old V-12 Columbo engines from the '60s and '70s had a pair of Frams on the top. I always assumed that those part #s were some better Frams.