So, Dennis -- are you saying that Fram filters do a better job than Mann
or Mahle?  Many list members believe otherwise, and some have advised
that Fram filters are not at all suitable for a waterboxer engine.  It
is a lot easier to simply go down to a local auto supply and pick up a
filter than it is to make sure to order up from an online vendor (for
me, anyway).  I believe one complaint against Fram filters was that they
will "blow out," or the media will collapse under pressure.  One list
participant said that he found a Fram filter he removed had collapsed
internally, and was simply not filtering.

I'm certainly not an expert on filters.  Fram sells two different
filters, one more expensive, and supposedly more effective, than the
other.  Is that one ok, the cheaper one not?

Thanks, David

On Wed, Jan 13, 2010 at 6:56 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:

> As for quality, (consistency, good design, heavy duty construction)
> both the
> Mann and Mahle filters are quality products. I do not wish to put them
> down.
> Where those products fall short is their ability to maintain adequate
> filtration for extended oil drain intervals. In a number of vehicles
> including mine is results were wear metals and silica would reach
> unacceptable levels in less than 7,500 mile intervals. I have also
> done some
> experiments changing just the filters to see if new filters would
> clean
> things up. Both the Mobil 1 brand and the Fram Tough Guard have shown
> consistent ability to clean up an engines oil to acceptable levels. I
> am
> sure that both of these companies now offer premium products ( better
> filter
> media) but I have yet to see them available here. Maybe someone out
> there
> can get us the good stuff.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> Behalf Of
> Alan Felder
> Sent: Wednesday, January 13, 2010 12:20 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Motor Oil (Synthetic)
>
> Dennis - I have an 82 Diesel and have purchased MANN oil filters for
> my next
> few changes.  I noticed you mentioned MANN and MAHLE filters twice,
> inferring "do not use".  I have always thought of these as being
> quality
> filter manufacturers.  What are the reasons for not recommending them,
> or am
> I reading your statements incorrectly?
>
> On Tue, Jan 12, 2010 at 11:13 PM, Dennis Haynes
> wrote:
>
>> some point we have a thermal run away. On the 2.1L engines the oil
>> cooler
>> was added to help this and dynamic oil pressure warning system
>> detects
> this.
>> No a Mann or Mahle filter does not fix it.
>
>
>
>
>> 50. My 1988 Fox can go as high as 14,000 miles with good filters,(not
>> Mann
>> or Mahle). The Vanagon oil tends to need replacing due to nitration,
>> (high
>> ring temps
>>
>> --
>> Alan Felder
>> Austin TX
>> 82 Diesel Westy
>>