Warning DIY oil changers

If you use oil filter brands other than AC/Delco this doesn't affect you, although I suspect similar shenanigans goes on with other brands as well.

Lately I've found that all the AC/Delco filters sold at Walmart have the letter "E" affixed to the normal part numbers (PF 47E, PF 52E, etc)...one look and I can tell you these are substandard filters, nowhere near the quality or design you expect in a Delco filter...lightweight cans, flat thin endcaps, no visible anti-drainback valves, etc....

Don't buy these things, is my advice. I have no empirical data to suggest they are not gonna perform to standards, but somebody's gotta be first, and it ain't gonna be me http://www.intruderalert.com/cafe/images/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I suspect the "E" stands for "economy", and is possibly one of those concessions manufacturers have to make in order to continue hitting Walmart's unrealistic price points. Don't be part of the experiment.

Thank you. I won't set foot in a Walmart; but it may be that similar pseudo-goods are sold at Target, K-Mapart, etc. Always pays to be aware of the latest scams...

this is for easier better recycle of the oil filters.

BULLETIN ACD09-154
DATE: September 2009
TO: All ACDelco Distributors
SUBJECT: FILTER DESIGN CHANGE – PF46, PF47, PF52 AND PF61
Description
ACDelco is implementing a design change on the PF46, PF47, PF52 and PF61 ACDelco Oil Filters due to capacity constraints on the current product design. GM engineers have approved the new design which will begin to be incorporated in upcoming vehicle designs. This OE approved and manufactured filter provides the same Duraguard filtration performance as the previous design and specifically utilizes the original ACDelco media that traps particles down to 25 microns. Additional features include a slightly smaller can, fully covered baseplate, non-metallic end caps and high strength nylon core. This newly designed oil filter has the benefits of not only bringing excellent filtration performance, it is also environmentally friendly with components that can now be easily separated into steel, oil and parts to incinerate, resulting in less waste.
The Durapack versions of the newer design filter have begun shipping. The boxed or individually packaged versions will utilize the available production capacity on the original design, where possible, and will then begin to rollover to the newer design.
Effective Date
Immediately
Order Input
The current ACDelco short number will be used for the new design (interchangeable supersession). The system will automatically supersede to the new design.

If the new design fails AC DELCO WILL REPLACE YOUR ENGINE ?

I'm sure you'll loose.

I've already read one account of an e-core catastrophic failure that burnt the bottom end out of a pricey GM crate motor (572 big block)...Delco denied responsibility saying that it exceeded 70 psi (e-core failure pressure) due to lack of bypass, which is fine.

But reading between the lines, the guy had been using the original design for years, first time out with the e-core and it blew the media outta place and stuffed it over the exits so oil pressure ceased instantly. The old style had no problem coping with his high oil pressures.

I'll probably never see those conditions in my car, but I always like to have the best part I can get...this seems like a case of "we're overbuilding these things...we can do it cheaper..."

I've already read one account of an e-core catastrophic failure that burnt the bottom end out of a pricey GM crate motor (572 big block)...Delco denied responsibility saying that it exceeded 70 psi (e-core failure pressure) due to lack of bypass, which is fine.

But reading between the lines, the guy had been using the original design for years, first time out with the e-core and it blew the media outta place and stuffed it over the exits so oil pressure ceased instantly. The old style had no problem coping with his high oil pressures.

I'll probably never see those conditions in my car, but I always like to have the best part I can get...this seems like a case of "we're overbuilding these things...we can do it cheaper..."

question I have is how did ac delco know that this engine was running at oil pressures above 70psi ?

the written explaination above states direct replacement to the old style.

with the use of non synthetic oils with cold temperatures like below 20deg f the oil pressure will go to 80psi for a time until this type oil warms. if 70 psi is the max pressure it should be stated on the oil filter and not be stated as a direct replacement with a lower operating pressure.

this vehicle owner you mentioned , should have gone to a local court and sued. [small claims here ] this is a low cost way to get some cash back on defective work/products.

There's more to this story than just the one bulletin.

Delco re-introduced the old-design filter a month later (Bulletin ADC09-174)...and then almost immediately suspended production of it again (Bulletin ADC09-187).

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-general/2646467-ac-delco-pf46-e-what-is-the-e-about.html

I guess this is why I'm buying Wix filters.

question I have is how did ac delco know that this engine was running at oil pressures above 70psi ?



Because that is what they claimed it takes to produce that kind of failure in the e-core filter during certification tests. BTW, I misspoke, we're talking about Champion Labs, the company that makes them for AC/Delco.

The guy had already told them he was running 20w50 with no bypass, which is common in race engines. As I said, it's an extreme case.

The upshot for me was that he'd had no problem before e-core came along....

Because that is what they claimed it takes to produce that kind of failure in the e-core filter during certification tests. BTW, I misspoke, we're talking about Champion Labs, the company that makes them for AC/Delco.

The guy had already told them he was running 20w50 with no bypass, which is common in race engines. As I said, it's an extreme case.

The upshot for me was that he'd had no problem before e-core came along....

20-50wt with a high volume oil pump in the race engine I am surprised he used ac delco filters. several years ago champion took over and some complained about quality. then I switched to purolator pure one and wix. found both to be very strong and excellant filtermedia . good check valve bypass control. cuting open does reveal alot about the filters ability to remove particles. 25 microns is also a bit on the high side. 15 microns is good.

fram has had filter media breaking up due to a thin brittle filter media.