Hi all

Here in good ol' South Africa we use FRAM filters freely, as well as the
"official" black VW stuff. Another popular make is GUD (which some people
reckon are made at the opposite end of the FRAM factory).

Anyway, apparently some of the filters from yesteryear (in particular FRAM)
were made *without* the non-return valve because of the engines they were
designed for (ie. the filter was mounted upside down & theoretically always
had oil in it). However, that has now changed and I believe ALL filters are
now made with the valve.

I have been using FRAM filters on my rebuilt engine since October 2000,
along with 20W50 oil. Absolutely no oil problems, no clatter, no nothing.
Maybe FRAM shipped out their old stuff to you guys in the States!!!

Cheerio
Nigel
Cape Town, SA

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