Don't Use Nissan OEM Oil Filters (Long Post - Lotsa Pics)
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 373
Likes: 3
From: Houston, Tejas
So some guy cuts open some oil filters and claims that there are less expensive aftermarket filters are superior to the OEM Nissan filter. Great. Thanks for the scientific (I hope you sense my sarcasm) analysis.
This entire thread is pathetic and quite typical when a bunch of guys get "together" on the Internet and debate about stuff that they really don't know much about.
This entire thread is pathetic and quite typical when a bunch of guys get "together" on the Internet and debate about stuff that they really don't know much about.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Richmond Hill, Ontario
I have about 750 miles on my G37 now and I was thinking of changing the oil for the first time. I've always wondered what an OEM filter looked like inside. I had some free time today and decided to find out.
I visited my local dealer today and bought myself a 15208-65F0C, the stock-sized filter specified for a 2008 G37. The guy at the counter said it's the same filter used for the G35. It costs about $7/ea.
I had an extra Purolator oil filter at home. It costs about $3 (sometimes $0.01 after rebate) and is readily available at PepBoys.
NOTE: The Purolator oil filter I used is L14610. It's the longer version of the L14612 which is listed on the Purolator website as the oil filter for G37s.
Here's some pics:
Now it's time to cut these open! Prepare to be shocked and disappointed.
NOTE: For those of you who've read about oil filters, you probably know that Fram has the worst reputation amongst widely available oil filters. They tend to have flimsy cans and, most disturbingly, their filter elements are made with weak cardboard end caps that can collapse or fragment in hot oil. Good filters, like Mobil 1, Purolator PureONE, and K&N are made with heavy metal "skeletons" that will neither collapse nor break down in hot oil.
Also note that the Purolator filter that I used was the PremiumPLUS filter. Purolator also makes their top oil filters called PureONE, which costs more ($5-$6). The PureONE filters are even better than the PremiumPLUS Purolators. I'll try and open one of those too when I get a chance.
So what's the best oil filter to use in our cars? You can't go wrong with any of these:
Purolator PureONE
Mobil 1
AMSOil
Bosch
K&N
Napa Gold
If you wanna save some money and do regular oil change intervals, any of these oil filters will suffice. Hell, anything's better than a Fram/OEM Nissan oil filter.
Purolator PremiumPLUS
SuperTech
STP
AC Delco
Valucraft (Autozone brand)
I've heard good things about the $2 SuperTech oil filters at Wal-Mart. That may be another viable option. I gotta read up some more and maybe cut one open. I plan on doing my first oil change in a couple of days.
Anyway, hope this post was informative for you guys.
Happy motoring!
I visited my local dealer today and bought myself a 15208-65F0C, the stock-sized filter specified for a 2008 G37. The guy at the counter said it's the same filter used for the G35. It costs about $7/ea.
I had an extra Purolator oil filter at home. It costs about $3 (sometimes $0.01 after rebate) and is readily available at PepBoys.
NOTE: The Purolator oil filter I used is L14610. It's the longer version of the L14612 which is listed on the Purolator website as the oil filter for G37s.
Here's some pics:
Now it's time to cut these open! Prepare to be shocked and disappointed.
NOTE: For those of you who've read about oil filters, you probably know that Fram has the worst reputation amongst widely available oil filters. They tend to have flimsy cans and, most disturbingly, their filter elements are made with weak cardboard end caps that can collapse or fragment in hot oil. Good filters, like Mobil 1, Purolator PureONE, and K&N are made with heavy metal "skeletons" that will neither collapse nor break down in hot oil.
Also note that the Purolator filter that I used was the PremiumPLUS filter. Purolator also makes their top oil filters called PureONE, which costs more ($5-$6). The PureONE filters are even better than the PremiumPLUS Purolators. I'll try and open one of those too when I get a chance.
So what's the best oil filter to use in our cars? You can't go wrong with any of these:
Purolator PureONE
Mobil 1
AMSOil
Bosch
K&N
Napa Gold
If you wanna save some money and do regular oil change intervals, any of these oil filters will suffice. Hell, anything's better than a Fram/OEM Nissan oil filter.
Purolator PremiumPLUS
SuperTech
STP
AC Delco
Valucraft (Autozone brand)
I've heard good things about the $2 SuperTech oil filters at Wal-Mart. That may be another viable option. I gotta read up some more and maybe cut one open. I plan on doing my first oil change in a couple of days.
Anyway, hope this post was informative for you guys.
Happy motoring!
very interesting, thank you for taking the time ti investigate this!
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
NOT EVERY SINGLE WARRANTY CLAIM requires service records!
I am just stating that there is a possiblity...
I have done a few motor claims (and its usually on higher mileage vehicles) where service records are required... Not alot, but there are some where it is required... Most defilnately for 3rd party warranty company's... they do everything possible to get out of doing a claim and paying the minimum...
If you always bring your car to an INFINTII Dealer, its easy to get since any time your car has a Repair Order written on it at an INFINITI Dealer, the record can be brought up at ANY infiniti dealer...
This is not the same with NISSAN since their computer systems are all indepedant...
Once again... I am just saying that there is a chance of them asking for the RECORDS and I am just stating that purchase of an oil filter and some oil is not a LEGAL BINDING DOCUMENT that the service was performed at a SPECIFIC mileage...
Call INFINITI Consumer Affairs and talk to someone about terms of warranty...
Infiniti Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 685003
Franklin TN 37068-5003
800.662.6200
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Eastern / Central Time / Pacific Time
Monday through Friday
Hopefully you will not have a problem that will require a through investigation by INFINITI / NISSAN... I am just stating that there is a chance they will ask for it and it does happen...
I am just stating that there is a possiblity...
I have done a few motor claims (and its usually on higher mileage vehicles) where service records are required... Not alot, but there are some where it is required... Most defilnately for 3rd party warranty company's... they do everything possible to get out of doing a claim and paying the minimum...
If you always bring your car to an INFINTII Dealer, its easy to get since any time your car has a Repair Order written on it at an INFINITI Dealer, the record can be brought up at ANY infiniti dealer...
This is not the same with NISSAN since their computer systems are all indepedant...
Once again... I am just saying that there is a chance of them asking for the RECORDS and I am just stating that purchase of an oil filter and some oil is not a LEGAL BINDING DOCUMENT that the service was performed at a SPECIFIC mileage...
Call INFINITI Consumer Affairs and talk to someone about terms of warranty...
Infiniti Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 685003
Franklin TN 37068-5003
800.662.6200
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Eastern / Central Time / Pacific Time
Monday through Friday
Hopefully you will not have a problem that will require a through investigation by INFINITI / NISSAN... I am just stating that there is a chance they will ask for it and it does happen...
I think everyone should just follow everything the manufacturer recommends and always use OEM parts. I mean, the manufacturer always knows best, right? And if people choose not to follow the manufacturer's recommendations nor use OEM parts, then they are unscientific nincompoops. Typically, these nincompoops love to debate on the interwebz. I venture into their natural habitat and make fun of them.
Keep receipts as well. I coworker of mine had the crank bearings wear out in his 2009 Sentra at around 25,000 miles. He did all the oil changes himself. He was missing ONE receipt for an oil filter for around the 10,000mile mark, but had all the receipts for before and after. He ended up paying almost $7,000 for a new engine...Keep the reciepts and very good records.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Motor25:
A very enjoyable round of discussion. Well done and I knew as I started reading this that you were going to get hammered eventually. Personally I use Wix filters almost exclusively, I have cut them apart, I use their racing filter on racing motors and if a stare and compare doesn't convince someone - then not much else is either. I have forgotten who actually manufacturers the Fram filters now, think Champion or something like that, but you see their "build" in a lot of different filters that have different paint and names on them. I have seen Fram units collapse inside and also burst their seam between the can and mounting plate. The last one I cut open was a pain as the metal can is now even thinner than before. I cut open a Wix at the same time and it cut open without any problems. I really like the post about cutting a used filter, yes it makes a mess but we do them on the race motors at every change. I also cut one open on every vehicle I have at least once a year - just to check out the condition of the engine. I laugh when someone says they have never seen anything, I have saved more than one engine via this early warning system.
So a good question really is: will a Nissan filter do the job and the answer is yes of course it will - it just will not perform to the level that a better, higher grade filter will. If you have no interest and plan on letting the vehicle go, then who cares? Let the next person worry about it. But if your ride is important - then pay attention - bad products, even *OEM* ones can cause damage. Using a larger filter is also a good thing - there was some useless babble about the larger one not being engineered for that vehicle - total bunk. When Nissan or any other manufacturer designs an engine, they make some choices: room for the filter, flow requirements, filter capacity at some X number times their recommended change number to allow for idiots that change oil/filter when they happen to think about it. After all of that, they go to the catalog and pick a filter that meets their needs. If there were *engineered* filters for every automotive application out there, your normal parts outlet or even dealership couldn't stock them all. The Nissan filter application fits all kinds of vehicles, even Kubuta tractors so you really think that filter is *engineered* for your specific engine? Dream on.
Again, very enjoyable post - thank you!
A very enjoyable round of discussion. Well done and I knew as I started reading this that you were going to get hammered eventually. Personally I use Wix filters almost exclusively, I have cut them apart, I use their racing filter on racing motors and if a stare and compare doesn't convince someone - then not much else is either. I have forgotten who actually manufacturers the Fram filters now, think Champion or something like that, but you see their "build" in a lot of different filters that have different paint and names on them. I have seen Fram units collapse inside and also burst their seam between the can and mounting plate. The last one I cut open was a pain as the metal can is now even thinner than before. I cut open a Wix at the same time and it cut open without any problems. I really like the post about cutting a used filter, yes it makes a mess but we do them on the race motors at every change. I also cut one open on every vehicle I have at least once a year - just to check out the condition of the engine. I laugh when someone says they have never seen anything, I have saved more than one engine via this early warning system.
So a good question really is: will a Nissan filter do the job and the answer is yes of course it will - it just will not perform to the level that a better, higher grade filter will. If you have no interest and plan on letting the vehicle go, then who cares? Let the next person worry about it. But if your ride is important - then pay attention - bad products, even *OEM* ones can cause damage. Using a larger filter is also a good thing - there was some useless babble about the larger one not being engineered for that vehicle - total bunk. When Nissan or any other manufacturer designs an engine, they make some choices: room for the filter, flow requirements, filter capacity at some X number times their recommended change number to allow for idiots that change oil/filter when they happen to think about it. After all of that, they go to the catalog and pick a filter that meets their needs. If there were *engineered* filters for every automotive application out there, your normal parts outlet or even dealership couldn't stock them all. The Nissan filter application fits all kinds of vehicles, even Kubuta tractors so you really think that filter is *engineered* for your specific engine? Dream on.
Again, very enjoyable post - thank you!
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I have about 750 miles on my G37 now and I was thinking of changing the oil for the first time. I've always wondered what an OEM filter looked like inside. I had some free time today and decided to find out.
I visited my local dealer today and bought myself a 15208-65F0C, the stock-sized filter specified for a 2008 G37. The guy at the counter said it's the same filter used for the G35. It costs about $7/ea.
I had an extra Purolator oil filter at home. It costs about $3 (sometimes $0.01 after rebate) and is readily available at PepBoys.
NOTE: The Purolator oil filter I used is L14610. It's the longer version of the L14612 which is listed on the Purolator website as the oil filter for G37s.
Here's some pics:
Nissan OEM oil filter
Purolator oil filter
The Purolator filter is larger than the OEM filter
Now it's time to cut these open! Prepare to be shocked and disappointed.
NOTE: For those of you who've read about oil filters, you probably know that Fram has the worst reputation amongst widely available oil filters. They tend to have flimsy cans and, most disturbingly, their filter elements are made with weak cardboard end caps that can collapse or fragment in hot oil. Good filters, like Mobil 1, Purolator PureONE, and K&N are made with heavy metal "skeletons" that will neither collapse nor break down in hot oil.
OEM filter bottom
OEM filter cut open (I immediately noticed the cardboard endpiece)
Everything inside the OEM filter laid out
Close up of the OEM filter's cardboard endpiece
Time to open up the Purolator
Purolator filter bottom
Purolator filter cut open (Metal endpieces)
Everything inside the Purolator filter laid out
Close up of the Purolator's metal endpiece
Side-by-side comparo of both filters (Purolator on the left, OEM on the right). The Purolator filter element is approx 2 1/2" tall with 50 pleats vs the OEM filter element which is approx 1 7/8" tall with only 41 pleats. More pleat area = better filtering ability.
Filter top
Filter bottom
Anti-drainback valve (Purolator is made with a thicker, better quality rubber. OEM was thinner and felt flimsy)
Bypass valve
So what did I learn from all this? Pretty simple... the OEM oil filter is basically a Fram in disguise. Will I ever use one in my G37? Probably not.
Also note that the Purolator filter that I used was the PremiumPLUS filter. Purolator also makes their top oil filters called PureONE, which costs more ($5-$6). The PureONE filters are even better than the PremiumPLUS Purolators. I'll try and open one of those too when I get a chance.
So what's the best oil filter to use in our cars? You can't go wrong with any of these:
Purolator PureONE
Mobil 1
AMSOil
Bosch
K&N
Napa Gold
If you wanna save some money and do regular oil change intervals, any of these oil filters will suffice. Hell, anything's better than a Fram/OEM Nissan oil filter.
Purolator PremiumPLUS
SuperTech
STP
AC Delco
Valucraft (Autozone brand)
I've heard good things about the $2 SuperTech oil filters at Wal-Mart. That may be another viable option. I gotta read up some more and maybe cut one open. I plan on doing my first oil change in a couple of days.
Anyway, hope this post was informative for you guys.
Happy motoring!
I visited my local dealer today and bought myself a 15208-65F0C, the stock-sized filter specified for a 2008 G37. The guy at the counter said it's the same filter used for the G35. It costs about $7/ea.
I had an extra Purolator oil filter at home. It costs about $3 (sometimes $0.01 after rebate) and is readily available at PepBoys.
NOTE: The Purolator oil filter I used is L14610. It's the longer version of the L14612 which is listed on the Purolator website as the oil filter for G37s.
Here's some pics:
Nissan OEM oil filter
Purolator oil filter
The Purolator filter is larger than the OEM filter
Now it's time to cut these open! Prepare to be shocked and disappointed.
NOTE: For those of you who've read about oil filters, you probably know that Fram has the worst reputation amongst widely available oil filters. They tend to have flimsy cans and, most disturbingly, their filter elements are made with weak cardboard end caps that can collapse or fragment in hot oil. Good filters, like Mobil 1, Purolator PureONE, and K&N are made with heavy metal "skeletons" that will neither collapse nor break down in hot oil.
OEM filter bottom
OEM filter cut open (I immediately noticed the cardboard endpiece)
Everything inside the OEM filter laid out
Close up of the OEM filter's cardboard endpiece
Time to open up the Purolator
Purolator filter bottom
Purolator filter cut open (Metal endpieces)
Everything inside the Purolator filter laid out
Close up of the Purolator's metal endpiece
Side-by-side comparo of both filters (Purolator on the left, OEM on the right). The Purolator filter element is approx 2 1/2" tall with 50 pleats vs the OEM filter element which is approx 1 7/8" tall with only 41 pleats. More pleat area = better filtering ability.
Filter top
Filter bottom
Anti-drainback valve (Purolator is made with a thicker, better quality rubber. OEM was thinner and felt flimsy)
Bypass valve
So what did I learn from all this? Pretty simple... the OEM oil filter is basically a Fram in disguise. Will I ever use one in my G37? Probably not.
Also note that the Purolator filter that I used was the PremiumPLUS filter. Purolator also makes their top oil filters called PureONE, which costs more ($5-$6). The PureONE filters are even better than the PremiumPLUS Purolators. I'll try and open one of those too when I get a chance.
So what's the best oil filter to use in our cars? You can't go wrong with any of these:
Purolator PureONE
Mobil 1
AMSOil
Bosch
K&N
Napa Gold
If you wanna save some money and do regular oil change intervals, any of these oil filters will suffice. Hell, anything's better than a Fram/OEM Nissan oil filter.
Purolator PremiumPLUS
SuperTech
STP
AC Delco
Valucraft (Autozone brand)
I've heard good things about the $2 SuperTech oil filters at Wal-Mart. That may be another viable option. I gotta read up some more and maybe cut one open. I plan on doing my first oil change in a couple of days.
Anyway, hope this post was informative for you guys.
Happy motoring!
I now live in Chile & I'm having a devil of a job getting the right filter for my trusty Nissan Pickup, a D21, (built in Japan, not Mexico as many are here) it is a double cab 4x4. The engine unit, and this is the stumbling block: I cannot get a direct reference to the engine type: It's a Z24..... being a 2.4liter SOHC....but not fuel injected
I invariably get offered at least 2 filters: & I elect the longer one as there is a rather long spigot on the filter mount.
I have noticed drive chain rattle in the past: Probably had a filter w/o the Anti Drain back valve ...or at least....one with a badly seating one!
The last filter fitted was a MANN.Made In Chile..... No. 713/1....& there was very little chain rattle on start-up, if I recall correctly. Obviously a better filter then than the previous one(s)(Kendall)
So, can anyone point me towards the correct....& best quality filter...for this engine?
Here in Chile "Maintenance" seems to be a dirty word....& it is so easy to be fobbed off with inferior or even totally incorrect parts.....The main dealer for Nissan being the biggest culprit.
As for a G37....it's on my wish-list.....Good home here if anyone would like to donate....
Cheers! Steve.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Motor25:
A very enjoyable round of discussion. Well done and I knew as I started reading this that you were going to get hammered eventually. Personally I use Wix filters almost exclusively, I have cut them apart, I use their racing filter on racing motors and if a stare and compare doesn't convince someone - then not much else is either. I have forgotten who actually manufacturers the Fram filters now, think Champion or something like that, but you see their "build" in a lot of different filters that have different paint and names on them. I have seen Fram units collapse inside and also burst their seam between the can and mounting plate. The last one I cut open was a pain as the metal can is now even thinner than before. I cut open a Wix at the same time and it cut open without any problems. I really like the post about cutting a used filter, yes it makes a mess but we do them on the race motors at every change. I also cut one open on every vehicle I have at least once a year - just to check out the condition of the engine. I laugh when someone says they have never seen anything, I have saved more than one engine via this early warning system.
So a good question really is: will a Nissan filter do the job and the answer is yes of course it will - it just will not perform to the level that a better, higher grade filter will. If you have no interest and plan on letting the vehicle go, then who cares? Let the next person worry about it. But if your ride is important - then pay attention - bad products, even *OEM* ones can cause damage. Using a larger filter is also a good thing - there was some useless babble about the larger one not being engineered for that vehicle - total bunk. When Nissan or any other manufacturer designs an engine, they make some choices: room for the filter, flow requirements, filter capacity at some X number times their recommended change number to allow for idiots that change oil/filter when they happen to think about it. After all of that, they go to the catalog and pick a filter that meets their needs. If there were *engineered* filters for every automotive application out there, your normal parts outlet or even dealership couldn't stock them all. The Nissan filter application fits all kinds of vehicles, even Kubuta tractors so you really think that filter is *engineered* for your specific engine? Dream on.
Again, very enjoyable post - thank you!
A very enjoyable round of discussion. Well done and I knew as I started reading this that you were going to get hammered eventually. Personally I use Wix filters almost exclusively, I have cut them apart, I use their racing filter on racing motors and if a stare and compare doesn't convince someone - then not much else is either. I have forgotten who actually manufacturers the Fram filters now, think Champion or something like that, but you see their "build" in a lot of different filters that have different paint and names on them. I have seen Fram units collapse inside and also burst their seam between the can and mounting plate. The last one I cut open was a pain as the metal can is now even thinner than before. I cut open a Wix at the same time and it cut open without any problems. I really like the post about cutting a used filter, yes it makes a mess but we do them on the race motors at every change. I also cut one open on every vehicle I have at least once a year - just to check out the condition of the engine. I laugh when someone says they have never seen anything, I have saved more than one engine via this early warning system.
So a good question really is: will a Nissan filter do the job and the answer is yes of course it will - it just will not perform to the level that a better, higher grade filter will. If you have no interest and plan on letting the vehicle go, then who cares? Let the next person worry about it. But if your ride is important - then pay attention - bad products, even *OEM* ones can cause damage. Using a larger filter is also a good thing - there was some useless babble about the larger one not being engineered for that vehicle - total bunk. When Nissan or any other manufacturer designs an engine, they make some choices: room for the filter, flow requirements, filter capacity at some X number times their recommended change number to allow for idiots that change oil/filter when they happen to think about it. After all of that, they go to the catalog and pick a filter that meets their needs. If there were *engineered* filters for every automotive application out there, your normal parts outlet or even dealership couldn't stock them all. The Nissan filter application fits all kinds of vehicles, even Kubuta tractors so you really think that filter is *engineered* for your specific engine? Dream on.
Again, very enjoyable post - thank you!
Cheers: Steve
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I think everyone should just follow everything the manufacturer recommends and always use OEM parts. I mean, the manufacturer always knows best, right? And if people choose not to follow the manufacturer's recommendations nor use OEM parts, then they are unscientific nincompoops. Typically, these nincompoops love to debate on the interwebz. I venture into their natural habitat and make fun of them.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Awesome posts Motor25 (& Co). Thanks for going through the effort and expense of cutting these open, taking pictures, evaluating and posting for us. I agree with Motor25; yeah you probably will be fine with the OEM filter, but knowing how cheap the OEM's are and how important clean oil is, why not pay less to get a MUCH better quality filter?
