2013 chevy 1 ton dually

I always thought the Fram filter issues where just stories 'till I saw one situation first hand.

The story: about 10 or 15 years ago, Dad changed his oil in his Jeep Cherokee and used a Fram filter. He ran it and checked for leaks afterward - no problems. Parked it until Monday morning when he got in to drive to work. He made it about 15 miles before it started rattling like there was no oil in the engine and he pulled over / shut it down. He checked the level and it was good. He grabbed the oil filter and unscrewed it 1/4 turn and it blew oil out under pressure. It seemed as though it failed internally, completely blocking the flow of oil. Towed it home and tried a new filter only to find the engine barely running and making death noises. When we asked around a few places about this, everyone said "You used a Fram filter, didn't you?" Too bad...can't prove anything for any sort of warranty, so I got to put a new engine in the Jeep in a cold barn workshop in the middle of February....no more Fram products in our family.

jfkmk wrote:

Campfire Time wrote:

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
Anything but Fram.

X2!

I've read this on more than one forum, but could someone explain why? I've used Fram filters for almost 40 years now (has it really been that long???), and have never had a problem with them. Between my daily driver, my wife's car and my tv, I put about 40k per year on them combined. I get about 200k on my vehicles before I get bored and trade them in or give them to one of my kids. I recently switched to Mobil 1 filters because of the "don't use fram" scare talk and the Mobil 1 isn't that much more expensive. So, is there really a reason you say don't use fram or did you all just jump on the band wagon? Have you ever had an oil filter fail or have engine failure due to a faulty fram filter?

Because I have cut them apart and have seen how they are constructed. I personally don't think cardboard is an appropriate material for end caps. I'm also not to keen on having way less pleated material for filter media. Back in the day, there were quite a few Cummins put to sleep because of Fram filters. Again, this was years ago and Fram fix the problem filters that were killing Cummins engines. Cummins TSB about Fram filters

In all fairness they will and do work. But also in fairness, I can get a Baldwin or Wix for the same price as a Fram so why not get better quality for the same price?

Would I buy Fram if they were way less in cost? Probably. Why? Because in all the years I have been dealing with engines I have yet to see one that I can point to and say that's an oil related failure. I don't own a Cummins so I should be good to go. :W

jfkmk wrote:

Campfire Time wrote:

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
Anything but Fram.

X2!

I've read this on more than one forum, but could someone explain why?

Certainly. And you can take what I say with a grain of salt, because of course you don't know me and I could be blowing smoke, so take it for what it's worth to you.

On more than one occasion I've had Fram filters disintegrate on me. The last Fram filter I used (early 2008) broke apart and small pieces got into the internal oil cooler of that particular engine, dried up the valve train and nearly destroyed it. If not for doing my own repair work, that could have cost me thousands.

I pretty much use Delco or Purolator filters now (what ever is on sale!). But I'm open to trying any brand other than Fram.

I'm glad they have worked well for you, but I won't touch them anymore.

Devocamper wrote:
I use all AC Delco filters for oil,air and fuel. You may want to get a fumoto valve(for your oil pan), makes it easy to drain the oil. there is also a wrech to remove the water separator from the fuel filter that helps,doesnt chew it up like channel locks. Changing the fuel filter is not hard but you will need to remove the wheelwell liner to get at it easier. Dont forget the external trans filter (has a magnet inside on the top of the filter that you clean and reuse) you must have the allison trans if you have the duramax. do not buy the trans filter from a dealer they will charge three or four times what you can find it for on line, I pay around $10 for the oem trans filters.JUst take your time the first changing the fuel filter it is a good thing to know how to do in case you ever get bad fuel or have a problem on the road. Check out dieselplace.com good fourm for the chevy's. I carry a spare fuel filter and water separator with me in the truck just in case. my older truck also has 11 grease fittings not sure about the newer truck
Good Luck

Same Here. Be aware that their are Chinese transmission filters being sold for the transmission. Looks identical down to the paint color. Goggle for the filters and buy on line. Lot's of sellers but you can use them to obtain best prices. I also keep spare fuel filter in my truck at all times.

Poor filtration won't kill any ICE out right...AKA roll over and die

It will wear out sooner...a slow death with ever lower power

Also depends on how you drive, where you drive, what you tow, etc

Grocery getters normally won't know The difference...

Not enough filter element. Search for "Bob is the oil guy" and you can read all about oil until you choke. I switched from mobile 1 to Pennzoil platinum because of this site.

Campfire Time wrote:

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
Anything but Fram.

X2!

I've read this on more than one forum, but could someone explain why? I've used Fram filters for almost 40 years now (has it really been that long???), and have never had a problem with them. Between my daily driver, my wife's car and my tv, I put about 40k per year on them combined. I get about 200k on my vehicles before I get bored and trade them in or give them to one of my kids. I recently switched to Mobil 1 filters because of the "don't use fram" scare talk and the Mobil 1 isn't that much more expensive. So, is there really a reason you say don't use fram or did you all just jump on the band wagon? Have you ever had an oil filter fail or have engine failure due to a faulty fram filter?

I use all AC Delco filters for oil,air and fuel. You may want to get a fumoto valve(for your oil pan), makes it easy to drain the oil. there is also a wrech to remove the water separator from the fuel filter that helps,doesnt chew it up like channel locks. Changing the fuel filter is not hard but you will need to remove the wheelwell liner to get at it easier. Dont forget the external trans filter (has a magnet inside on the top of the filter that you clean and reuse) you must have the allison trans if you have the duramax. do not buy the trans filter from a dealer they will charge three or four times what you can find it for on line, I pay around $10 for the oem trans filters.JUst take your time the first changing the fuel filter it is a good thing to know how to do in case you ever get bad fuel or have a problem on the road. Check out dieselplace.com good fourm for the chevy's. I carry a spare fuel filter and water separator with me in the truck just in case. my older truck also has 11 grease fittings not sure about the newer truck
Good Luck

In regards to fuel filter replacement I found it to be a PITA mostly because GM mounts the filter so close to the engine leaving little to any room to get a band wrench in there.

Madjack performance sells a spacer you can install that moves the filter housing out about 1/2" which is all that is needed. That combined with a small plastic filter door you cutout of the fender liner makes fuel filter changes a breeze now.

I use nothing but AC Delco fuel filters and oil filters also Allison transmission filters.