Mopar Oil Filters - Good or Bad?

Who makes the OEM Mopar oil filter for our 2003 PT Cruiser? I have heard some of the Mopar filters are pretty poor quality. Anyone have any experience using the Purolator Pure One or the Mobil 1 synthetic fiber filter?

I found out the dealership we are using (where we bought the car) uses 10W/30 instead of the factory-recommended 5W/30.

I saw an extensive oil filter comparison by an engineer last year where various filters were cut open & materials compared. Basically the factory Mopar filter ranked pretty low, and the worst was the standard Fram filter. Wix and Purolater were the best ones. Wix also supplies many local 'store' brands also (the wal-mart 'Super-Tech' filter is actually a Wix and is very good). I usually use the Purolater Premium or Napa Gold filters and Mobil1 5w-30. I've seen may engine tear-downs that have convinced me of the long-term advantages of synthetic oil, Mobil1 particularly. As far as the 5w vs. 10w thing at your dealer....... NO service manager worth his salary would allow that. Grab him and tell him about it! If he doesn't seem to care, complain to a regional service rep about it.

Except for the K&N, I think most oil filters are about the same - the key is to change every 3k miles no matter synthetic or not.

Except for the K&N, I think most oil filters are about the same - the key is to change every 3k miles no matter synthetic or not.
I seen or read on here somwhere that K&Ns don't filter as good so they can have a higher flow rate.

Here is a filter study on Mopar filters. Seems they use several manufacturers for their filters.
http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy-mopar.html

I have a filter cutter and have opened several new filters in the past six months. I haven't opened a Mopar. I have cut a K & N HP-2004. The can is thicker than other filters, I have never seen any filter burst with a normally operating lubrication system so there is no advantage in having a thicker can. The anti-drain back and bypass valves are identical to those used in Wix filters. The filtering media is smaller than some other similar sized filters. The nut for removing is a nice feature but I don't think the K & N is worth the premium price. The Wix filters I have opened are good quality with good anti-drain back and bypass valves. They also have a bigger filter media area than most.

The WalMart Super Tech filter I opened was not a Wix, it was a Champion, marked on the box and was not very good quality. The end caps are made of fabric rather than steel as used on most filters. STP is also a Champion. I opened a Bosch and it had a very small filter media and poor bypass valve, that probably would not function. The Fram's I have opened had a small filter media and hap hazard pleat assembly, cardboard end caps and poor sealing of the anti-drain back and the bypass valves. I have experienced some drain back problems with Fram filters on Nissan's and Honda's. I don't use Fram oil filters on any car now.

The Wix filters I have opened were all well constructed and should provide adequate protection. The NAPA oil filters I have seen are made by Wix. I also like Motor-craft and Purolator.

Some photos of the filters I have opened are in my Yahoo photos, the albums are supposed to be open to the public.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/flash1929/album?.dir=a084&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/flash1929/album?.dir=29fb&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/flash1929/my_photos

Disclaimer; I don't have any financial interest in any of the filters I have mentioned other than purchasing them in the open market. They will all provide some protection and my findings are visual and observation, no scientific testing. Your results may vary.

Clifton

Well, I just use a hack saw to open filters. Fram does make good filters and for twelve dollars, they have served me well. There are so many on the market, so just stay with the name brands that have been around for years. Please note, if yor dicarded filter rattles, wrong brand.
you get what you pay for.
Best of luck, Wayne

i use Purolator Pure One and 10w30 good for south areas where you dont see cold weather. 5w30 will get you better gas milage then 10w30

__________________
~James
-1996 Cavalier LS
-2004 PT Cruiser GT