<<<snip>>> Changed to a Mobil filter and evil appears to be punished.  The
morals here are:
Don't skimp on the filter
Fram is a product of satan <<<snip>>>

I'm no expert - I don't even play one on TV - but I've had enough VW's under my
belt to have picked up a thing or two.  While there has never been an oil, or
oil filter, related failure in any on my VW's, I'd like to think that's a result
of regular oil and filter changes.  Having used Fram filters on my Rabbits,
Jetta, Fox, and Passat, I find them to be a good filter for those cars.  They
are certainly readily available, inexpensive, and with due diligence, reliable.
That said, however, I would NEVER - well, okay, only if I was stranded, and
couldn't get a Mahle aired in from somewhere - put one on my Vanagon.
Everything I have read suggests - emphasis on suggests! - the Frams are too
restrictive, and do not have the proper by-pass characteristics necessary for
the optimal function of the wasserboxer engine.  So I wonder if the Fram that
gave you problems was just the result of being a little used.  If that's the
case, then the Mobil filter you substituted will, in due course, allow the same
problem to surface.  If you don't want to skimp, then buy the right filter in
the first place - Mahle, or, if you have deeper pockets, genuine VW.

My $0.02, YMMV, and assorted other disclaimers...

Alan Bosch
Phred ('88 Wolfsburg)