I just did an oil change. I've got the Fomoto valve so plenty easy. My question is I got a one piece oil filter kit from Napa. The cap and filter are attached and are a through away unit. One thing that bugs me is the cap is taller than my factory cap, (which I kept) and doesn't push down on the plunger in the filter housing the way the factory filters do. Is this all in one filter and cap combo unit junk? I don't trust it...

 

I had the same question / issue a few weeks ago with a Carquest unit, same as NAPA, which is actually a WIX unit. Tried to get an answer out of WIX with no luck. They would not answer my questions. They people on here pretty much told me to go back to Motorcraft, which I did on mine.

 

There are many sources that specifically state warnings against using these types of filters. Damage can result from using them.

 

Return the filter ASAP and get a Motorcraft, Racor or Fram which sells the patented racors. You are playing with fire using the will fit filters!!

 

I just picked up a Fram filter from Wally mart. I'm going to put it in with my factory cap right away. I was thinking I could trust Napa not to sell me crap. Can I change the filter without draining the oil.

 

Yea you're fine.

 

Filter changed....Success....I should've known, the Napa filter was 15 bucks and the Fram was nearly 30. There's gotta be a reason. I guess it's a lesson learned.

 

The major difference is that the NAPA filter allows the oil to drain out of the filter housing so that when you start up it takes a lot longer for your oil pressure to come up.

I know this to be true because I ran a NAPA filter for a day while I waited for the correct MC filter.

As to if it does any damage, who knows. I know that NAPA sells alot of these filters.

 

Ford (and more than one 6.0L mechanic) state that damage can be done using the wrong filter. The damage can be done by poor sealing at the end caps and by filter bypassing. Poor filtration will cause accelerated wear. Also, pieces can break off and get into the oil and cause damage. Whether one chooses to believe that damage can be done or not is immaterial. It is unwise to use them and it is poor advice to recommend them (or even imply they are worth using even for a short time).

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Bismic,

I think you may want to take an extra 10 seconds and re-read my post before you get all excited. I am not advocating / suggesting / supporting or other wise condoning the use of any filter other than the Ford specified filter.

What I did state is that NAPA sells aLOT (meaning thousands) of these filters. You can draw whatever conclusions from that as you see fit.

 

When the words "Who Knows" are used, it implies that it is not well established. Many may take this as a weak enough response that they might not worry about trying the cheaper filters. I was simply responding to that. My apologies if I came across too strongly, but many years of reading these forums, I see lots of self inflicted problems. There are enough challenges w/ these 6.0L's without taking risks.

I also occasionally talk to the local dealership on the things that they see. They have informed me that more and more repairs will be challenged by Ford (such as demanding to see receipts for oil and filters on some warranty repairs). I just want to leave no doubt on the wise choice when it comes to fluids and filters. My advocacy is based on feedback from the experts, not simply an opinion I developed by reading a few posts.

 

Fair enough, and I do agree with you. But as I said, there are literally thousands of trucks running right now that have a NAPA oil filter installed.
Now if Ford see's fit to deny warranty because of the type of filter installed then thats one issue, but the other issue is that unless the filter physically fails (breaks, falls apart etc) then I think they would have a very hard time proving that the oil filter was the root cause of the problem.

I believe in instances such as this Ford should take a much greater pro active stand and categorically state that if a non OEM filter is installed then warranty is voided. Removes any doubt about the situation.

 

Does anyone know who makes these filters and whether or not they would bare any responsibility if they cause engine damage? The problem is that the symtoms of poor filtration is wouldn't show up immediately, but over time and only after damage has been done. The Wix filter shown in "bismic's" links shows a shorter cap on the filter. (BTW thanks for those. Very enlightening) The one I got from Napa was actually about an inch taller and doesn't press down on the spring in the filter housing when installed. The cap is already attached to the filter, implying that the OEM cap can be disgarded. Glad I kept mine. That for me was one red flag that made me question the quality of this filter. One of my son's works for Napa and I going to show him those links.

 

not necessarily true! like the first video that bismic posted it clearly shows that the cheaper non-oem filters clearly do not have the same dimensions that the motorcraft does. they could easily deny warranty if the cause of engine failure on a customers vehicle is excessive and premature wear. i would think that it would be easy to deny warranty for using the wrong oil filter!

 

Well, to play devils advocate for a minute, (and I haven't checked this yet) but does it state definitively in the owners manual to only use OEM filters? If it does not, then Ford has no option (IMO) but to honor the warranty. The only "out" they may have is if a non OEM filter actually came apart and caused damage to the engine, but even then, I think they would have a very difficult challenge. Just the fact that you can buy a non OEM filter(s) for the 6.0 raises a whole other set of issues.

Don't get me wrong, I only use the OEM filters, but it does make for an interesting discussion.

The other question is even if the filter has horrible filtration ability, just what kind of shortened life span does that mean? Sure we can all hypothesize as to the damage caused, but it's probably no more harmful than the owner that forgets to change his oil for 12,000 or more miles.