Oil Filter Thread

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Bigskyroadglide

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@Wild one , made the conversion today as I was changing oil. Fits like a glove, easy switch. Picked up 3 psi according to dash gauge from 53 to 56 at speed , 48 to 51 at idle. $3 bucks cheaper than 20-820.

Thanks for the tip. I owe you a beer sometime
 

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schwartzy18510

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I'm the new owner of a 2008 Ram 1500 SLT Quad Cab 4x4 that has 208K miles and 6,790 engine hours on the 5.7L HEMI under the hood. I waded through all 171 pages of this thread over the weekend in addition to the linked Redline and synthetic oil threads. Found them all incredibly helpful — thank you to all who helped build this body of knowledge.

I've been a long-time user of FRAM's XG filter line for the Toyota engines in my garage — a 1ZZ-FE (Pontiac Vibe) and 2GR-FE (Toyota Sienna) — ever since I ran across a comparison back in 2014 which revealed the stellar build quality of the XG line compared to FRAM's PH and TG lines. The grip molding on the bottom was simply an added bonus which came in really handy when working in tight spaces without room for a typical filter wrench.

I'm really disappointed to hear about the recent design changes to the FRAM XG2 involving the removal of the metal mesh backing and the change to the media construction. I'll be checking my local Wal-Mart later today to see if their stock on hand still has the metal mesh backing or not. If not, I'll likely go to the Royal Purple 20-820 after my initial few shorter interval OCI's are out of the way.

In regard to whether the redesigned FRAM XG2 has a true dual-layer synthetic media or a cellulose/synthetic blend, a couple of interesting data points:

1) FRAM states that their Titanium FS2 filter contains a filter media of "Cellulose/Synthetic Blend". From what I've gathered, the Titanium FS2 is identical to the FRAM XG2 in all ways other than extending the textured grip surface to the entirety of the filter's exterior and carrying a different name as the dedicated line for Advance Auto Parts.

2) FRAM's website lists this same "Cellulose/Synthetic Blend" filter media for their cheaper PH2 and TG2 filters, but still claims a media type of "Synthetic" for the XG2 despite also referencing a "dual-layer synthetic blend media" in their listing description.

3) Rock Auto's catalog listing now indicates a media of "Cellulose/Synthetic Blend" for the XG2. That said, their listing also still references the metal screen backing, FWIW.

Just wanted to provide a few updated data points to the FRAM XG2 media construction mystery. I'll update this thread with what I find at my local Wal-Mart later today after I crack a few boxes open and look down the center tube.
 
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schwartzy18510

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Well fellas, I have some encouraging news. My local Wal-Mart had a total of (8) FRAM XG2 filters on the shelf, all with the newer box style referencing the "Perfect Seal Gasket" in place of the old "Durable Metal Screen". I opened each of the boxes to take a look down the center and check the date codes. All eight filters had the typical wire mesh backing that I've become accustomed to, with the typical light pink/purple synthetic microglass media visible (see photos).

I also compared the FRAM XG2 to the cheaper PH2 and TG2 filters. The PH2 and TG2 filter media looked similar to one another, but the XG2 media was distinctly different in appearance. The TG2 was only slightly heavier than the PH2, but the XG2 was significantly heavier than the TG2 — I'd guess by a factor of 2–2.5x.

The build date codes on the FRAM XG2's are where things get interesting. There were a total of four distinct build codes in the batch of eight filters. I was able to find build code decoder instructions for FRAM oil filters over at BITOG, so I've translated each of the four codes below:

(1) A21801 — 06/29/2022
(1) A22491 — 09/06/2022
(1) A23391 — 12/05/2022
(5) A30321 — 02/03/2023

This appears to indicate that even FRAM XG2 filters manufactured as recently as February, 2023 still contain the wire mesh and pink/purple microglass media.

Once I got home, I weighed each of the filters on my surprisingly-handy baby scale (I'm Dad to three urchins 5 and under!) and found that regardless of build code, the filters all checked in at exactly .98 lb. (15.68 oz.).

I believe the weight to be significant because in the 7/30/2021 Whip City Wrencher YouTube video comparing a FRAM XG2 filter to the Amsoil EAO11, he found that a FRAM XG2 w/Build Code A11231 (05/03/2021) weighed 15.7 oz. (.98125 lb.), virtually identical to the filters I just purchased which were manufactured February, 2023.

Conversely, in the 08/20/21 Whip City Wrencher YouTube video comparing the redesigned FRAM XG10575 to the original, he found that the redesigned version of that filter which was lacking the wire backing (Build Code A11733, or 06/22/2021) weighed 12.6% less than the original (Build Code A03153, or 11/10/2020).

So what's the story here? Has FRAM's much-maligned revamping of the media in the XG filter line simply not yet reached the XG2's? Seems somewhat unlikely given that the change was first reported/identified as of 06/22/2021, and XG2's are still being made in February 2023 with what appears to be the original design.

Did FRAM simply never intend to roll out this change to ALL XG-line filters, one of the exceptions being the XG2? Or did early negative feedback from users such as those here play a role in halting the change before it was fully released? Interested to hear everyone's thoughts on this.
 

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_nolan_m

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I have spent a long while reading this afternoon trying to learn what’s best for my truck concerning oil and filters, and have paid extra attention to what @Burla has had to share. I’m going to go the RP 20-820 route, but one thing I’m unsure of is the change rate for filters, especially with companies saying they can last a long time but the pickiness of the Hemi. How often is everyone changing them? Every 5000 mile oil change? Or every other? I would think the more often the better but I want to hear from those of you who know. Thanks in advance.
 

ramffml

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I have spent a long while reading this afternoon trying to learn what’s best for my truck concerning oil and filters, and have paid extra attention to what @Burla has had to share. I’m going to go the RP 20-820 route, but one thing I’m unsure of is the change rate for filters, especially with companies saying they can last a long time but the pickiness of the Hemi. How often is everyone changing them? Every 5000 mile oil change? Or every other? I would think the more often the better but I want to hear from those of you who know. Thanks in advance.

I think most recommend 5000 miles. I do about 7500 mainly because the oil I use supports longer OCI and because that means I only need to change it based on my mileage every spring and fall like clockwork. I do get UOA reports done every time to keep an eye on things, they keep telling me to try much longer intervals but I'm already pushing it IMHO.
 
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Burla

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I have spent a long while reading this afternoon trying to learn what’s best for my truck concerning oil and filters, and have paid extra attention to what @Burla has had to share. I’m going to go the RP 20-820 route, but one thing I’m unsure of is the change rate for filters, especially with companies saying they can last a long time but the pickiness of the Hemi. How often is everyone changing them? Every 5000 mile oil change? Or every other? I would think the more often the better but I want to hear from those of you who know. Thanks in advance.
It really depends on how you drive and how the oil is wearing in your engine. The best way to set an interval is use the lab, science instead of someone on the internet is a solid way to do it? You just have to add tbn to the report to set an interval. In general 5k miles is gonna be a safe interval as stated above all the way around with synthetic. If this was something I commuted in I would be doing it at 10k miles with those choices, of course I would verify with a lab, I dig blackstone.

Your filter choice will outlast the oil, it really is no consideration. It never hurts to cut open a filter, I have done my fair share of that, as long as I have been doing it, I never have seen a filter impacted with contamination, not paper or spun glass. Now rp filters are not an easy cut, lol.

also cold weather, iff Ill is snow state the best time to change oil is when winter is a month old right before coldest temps. 0w30 is great for trucks that get cold piston slap at start up.

welcome to ram forum
 

_nolan_m

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It really depends on how you drive and how the oil is wearing in your engine. The best way to set an interval is use the lab, science instead of someone on the internet is a solid way to do it? You just have to add tbn to the report to set an interval. In general 5k miles is gonna be a safe interval as stated above all the way around with synthetic. If this was something I commuted in I would be doing it at 10k miles with those choices, of course I would verify with a lab, I dig blackstone.

Your filter choice will outlast the oil, it really is no consideration. It never hurts to cut open a filter, I have done my fair share of that, as long as I have been doing it, I never have seen a filter impacted with contamination, not paper or spun glass. Now rp filters are not an easy cut, lol.

also cold weather, iff Ill is snow state the best time to change oil is when winter is a month old right before coldest temps. 0w30 is great for trucks that get cold piston slap at start up.

welcome to ram forum
Thank you. I’m new to the whole science and details of filters and everything lol. I don’t want make the thread stray too far, but what is the process of sending oil to a lab like Blackstone? I’ve heard of people doing it but have never looked into the details and cost and what all information they provide.
 
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Burla

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Thank you. I’m new to the whole science and details of filters and everything lol. I don’t want make the thread stray too far, but what is the process of sending oil to a lab like Blackstone? I’ve heard of people doing it but have never looked into the details and cost and what all information they provide.
Ask for a kit, they send you one free, you pay with a check when you send it back. You fill the tube to the top when you change the oil, best when warm, not hot or cold. I usually let the oil flow for a bit and then just put the tube right there and wipe it down, cool for at least 10 minutes after a trip before draining. Ask for tbn and pay ten bucks extra, it is on the form you fill out. The tube has to be full for one of their tests.
 

_nolan_m

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Ask for a kit, they send you one free, you pay with a check when you send it back. You fill the tube to the top when you change the oil, best when warm, not hot or cold. I usually let the oil flow for a bit and then just put the tube right there and wipe it down, cool for at least 10 minutes after a trip before draining. Ask for tbn and pay ten bucks extra, it is on the form you fill out. The tube has to be full for one of their tests.
Okay, I’ll make sure to look into it. I assume that most people who do this do it every oil change to keep things monitored?
 
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Burla

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I don't do it hardly at all anymore, just depends on the person, some guys do it everytime.
 
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Burla

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read page 1 and 93 on this thread, then pick and chose. still has proven as a good combo rp/redline.
 

Spsully

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Wait Fram out filters and out flows everyone? Since when?
 
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Wasn't that the winner in page one as well? Just when you thought you were out, we dragged you back in.
 

Burn2k12Ram

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Speaking of Fram filters. So I just did an oil and filter change. As many of you know I stocked up quite a bit of the RP 20-820. So I am tightening it just like I always have(have used 3 of the rp 20-820 filters previously) and noticed that a bunch of paint came off the filter. I was just hand tightening like I always do and this has never happened before with the same previous ones. Did they cheap out on these newer batches? Or did they decide to use a new formula of paint from a local mexican tree? lol. Has me kind of concerned I ended up switching it out to my other stock of XG2 filter. oil PSI has always been mirrored between the two filters I have noticed.
 
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