I guess after 24 years and almost 300k miles I should have realized that using Fram filters was a bad idea. I added a factory oil cooler to my GTI to deal with the additional thermal load caused by my turbocharger. I has been very effective in dropping oil temperatures and has not significantly raised my coolant temperatures (I added a cooler fan switch as well), it's a great way to go.
They're on the high end, though not the absolute best, in terms of the length of filter material/number of pleats. The construction quality is good - all metal and rubber, no cardboard. The cans are tough as hell.
I've been running K&N oil filters on my racecar for the better part of 4 years now - same engine, no rebuilds but I perform very regular maintenance. I regularly change the oil at the beginning of every season and proceed to thrash the crap out of my 1.8l 16v for about 1300 miles (most at or around the redline). I haven't had any ill effects due to low filtration, high pressure, low pressure, drain back, etc - all this on an engine that is six seasons old!!
I put one in the Passat a few months ago just for the sake of a better engineered product. It was a cold night for my turbocharged engine, so any greater power I felt I'm sure was imagined. Don't count on it. Just do it for a better quality filter that lasts longer.
I've used them for the past couple of years on my 'tique. No problems at all. I like them.
I don't think Fram filters are all that bad. I've used them before with no problems. I have been scared away from them, though. There are much better filters out there for a couple more bucks. I have not read any horror stories on the 'tex about a Fram actually causing an engine to die, but maybe I have not looked hard enough.
Years ago Fram was a quality filter manufacturer. Now their standard filter (the radioactive-orange cans) is one of the worst out there. These filters are manufactured by Allied Signal, Inc. Please do not buy these filters. By boycotting it, we may be able to cause some change. I have personally had one if these filters fail and actually cause engine damage due to bits of paper and glue floating around in the engine. For some inside dirt on Fram filters, see this email from an Allied Signal production engineer. " "Fram Extra Guard PH8A This filter cartridge has a small outside diameter with a rather low filter element surface area (193 sqin), and features cardboard end caps that are glued in place. The rubber anti-drainback valve seals against the cardboard and easily leaks, causing dirty oil to drain back into the pan. If you have a noisy valve train at startup, this filter is likely the cause. The bypass valves are plastic and are sometimes not molded correctly, which allows them to leak all the time, but they often leak anyway. The backplate has smaller and fewer oil inlet holes, which may restrict flow, and is made of thin material.
Get a dealer filter, or Mahle or something, don't get a Fram. I use a Fram on my 66 Mustang 289, but not on my 1.8T.
Oil filter Mann/Mahle NOT Fram... much better quality than fram.
the fram's are junk for the VR, the flow(filtering ability) may be different and the pressure valve in the filter is funky(if it has one I can't remember).
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