Today, I noted oil leaking out of my oil filter while the truck was running. I did a quick oil change. I noted the frame tg 3600 filter (4.2 V6) had damage on three sides. I installed a motor craft filter and noted it to be much shorter in length than the fram filter. I do my own oil changes, I always tighten the filter by hand. My question was how was the fram filter damaged on 3 sides? You can actually see damage all the way around the end of the filter. If a rock hit it, the damage would be the bottom side of the filter. I suspect because the filter is longer than the motor craft, the end of the oil filter got smacked between the bottom and upper suspension when the the truck bottomed out on a Michigan bump. If this is true, the fram filter should not be used in my model of truck. Any ideas. And what a mess losing so much oil.

 

No idea but you will not find many people willing to run FRAM anything on their trucks. But it has been gone over and over how bad FRAM HoneyWell has become.

 

why not cut open the Fram and see what's going on inside?

 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a Fram TG oil filter. I believe that they are as good as anything on the market and I've used them exclusively on my 2001 superduty since it was new and also used fram air filters that don't fall apart as a lot of folks on here claim.

 

Just some light reading for you guys:

Oil Filters Revealed - MiniMopar Resources

Oil Filters Revealed - MiniMopar Resources

 

Thanks for the "light reading" links!

 

Well everyone is entitled to their opinion.
However I am curious as to where you get your knowledge of Fram filters?
Do you work in the auto industry?

Let's add some more to the discussion;
http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oil.../opinions.html

 

Forty four years of driving experience with many different makes and models of automobiles and trucks all of which had nothing but Fram oil, air and fuel filters on them and never a filter related issue. You can't beat real world testing.

 

I'm not going to try to change your mind.
It's obvious that it is made up.

However here is some more people who feel differently.
Lots of real world here.
Fram filter failure - Google Search

 

Based on all the independent testing I have seen and read, the real damage on a Fram filter is on the inside.

Good move. Why not continue the trend? Walmart sells them at a very reasonable cost (less than $5).

I fixed it for you.

 

I have used fram before, but not for probably 7 or 8 years. My truck has only had motorcraft. As was said, I think my walmart sells the Motorcraft fl-820s for 3.97. The fram equivalent is 3.47 I think. Now the fram "tough-guard" is 4.97 I think. It's a no-brainer to buy the motorcraft.

 

The difference isn't in the filtering, it's in the silicone valving. The silicone inside them has a tendency to break down, sending small pieces of hardened silicone throughout the oil passages. Ever hear of anyone complaining of a "timing chain noise" in a 5.4 or 4.6? The silicone plugs the passages leading to the chain tensioners. FYI, if during a warranty repair for this noise we find those particles, warranty denied. 70-80% involves aftermarket filters.

 

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You've sold me. I won't be swayed to buy Fram products, just because the're on sale.

 

Setting aside the FRAM and oil filter manufacturer debate, I'd like to hear more about the original post that some oil filters may be too long. I just recently purchased a 2004 F150 with the 4.6l and haven't done an oil change yet. (The dealership did one in their shop.)

 

Just run the motorcraft fl-820s on it. If you have a Wal-mart close they sell it for a very good price. Recently they have shortened the filter, the box says something like "new size, same performance" so I'm sure it would not be too long.