TheSamba.com :: View topic - I will no longer recommend Mann or Mahle oil filters.

Fri Mar 30, 2012 8:47 am

Ok after years of trying to figure out why my oil pressure was reading low and blaming it on the oil gauge (and yes the gauge was not completely accurate but close enough) or possibly a failing oil pump, I finally came across discussions on various oil filters I think in a Porsche forum site that mentioned Wix filters being a lot better and then came across someone mentioning it over in the bay forum. I changed my oil filter to a WIx with the last oil change and voila, my oil pressure is great. I am throwing out the other mahle and mann filters since I would not wish the trouble on a fellow air-cooled owner. I have run across junk oem parts with the volvo so just because something is OEM, you still need to be vigilant on whether it is really quality or not. Things change rapidly in production nowadays. I just hope the Wix doesn't suddenly become junk too. This goes for the German fuel lines too, I would not recommend them to anyone either, get the Goodyear or Gates 30R9 fuel line then you won't keep having fuel line failures.

Fri Mar 30, 2012 8:57 am

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=500093&highlight=mobil1

Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:20 am

:bay_blue: Well INSYNCRO, I'll stick to mann- mahle filters. Sounds like to me if you have to rase your oil pressure with the filter, you have other problems. The TDR test is not the only one out there, but they did it real well, people check there web site. Then you can make up your own mind! :D

Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:29 am

I have not had any issues with Mann, Meyle or Mobil1 filters.
My oil pressures have been checked with each.
I have also cut each open to inspect and see what was filtered out.
Since running out of my dealer purchased case of filters I have been using the Mobil1 filter and like it.
To me, my experience carries far more weight than any internet bashing or marketing nonsence.

Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:41 am

:bay_blue: I never had a problem with my mobil 1 when I used it , and I'm no expert , so with that said I have to go with what the experts say. And how the tests come out. I have a problem with what my neighbor says is gospel! I would like to see facts and test data. :D any filter is better then no filter, they all work to some degree, it's just what degree do you want!

Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:50 am

I've used both Bosch and Fram filters with no problems.

Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:12 pm

In my experience talking to some of the best high performance engine builders in this country, they all recommend WIX filters. If you can't find WIX, Napa Gold is the next best thing.

I have not talked to one engine builder who thinks that FRAM filters are worth the paper they put inside them. FRAM filters are renowned for being garbage.

Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:22 pm

FRAM is garbage and lacks the pressure relief valving needed for the waterboxer.
Not recommended :!:

Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:17 pm

Reluctant,

Which Wix filter? Got a model number for either it, or the corresponsing NAPA Gold (made for them by WIX? Thanks.

DougM

Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:44 pm

NWB wrote: In my experience talking to some of the best high performance engine builders in this country, they all recommend WIX filters. If you can't find WIX, Napa Gold is the next best thing.

I have not talked to one engine builder who thinks that FRAM filters are worth the paper they put inside them. FRAM filters are renowned for being garbage.

NApa Gold should be the next best thing...Wix makes it IIRC. Purolator is good too.

Fri Mar 30, 2012 3:19 pm

Franklinstower wrote: NWB wrote: In my experience talking to some of the best high performance engine builders in this country, they all recommend WIX filters. If you can't find WIX, Napa Gold is the next best thing.

I have not talked to one engine builder who thinks that FRAM filters are worth the paper they put inside them. FRAM filters are renowned for being garbage.

NApa Gold should be the next best thing...Wix makes it IIRC. Purolator is good too.

That is correct. Napa Gold filters are made by WIX and Napa oil is Valvoline.

Fri Mar 30, 2012 3:20 pm

DougM

The filter I got is 51521. I have an aircooled engine. It made a world of difference. I would beg to differ with other users of mann/mahle filters if they claim no problems and they do not have an oil pressure gauge. You will get enough pressure to put out the idiot light but running pressures are different when I use the Wix.

Fri Mar 30, 2012 5:32 pm

What pressure difference are we talking?

reluctantartist wrote: DougM

The filter I got is 51521. I have an aircooled engine. It made a world of difference. I would beg to surer with other users of mann/mahle filters if they claim no problems and they do not have an oil pressure gauge. You will get enough pressure to put out the idiot light but running pressures are different when I use the Wix.

Fri Mar 30, 2012 5:35 pm

it's possible this is a defective filter. ALL manufacturers have defects. If this problem repeated it'd be more meaningful.

"One Time" stuff happens.

Fri Mar 30, 2012 5:36 pm

I grew up using Fram filters and Castrol 30 weight (per Dad). I now use Mobil 1 full synthetic. I have been spending the exta money on the Fram Tough guard or Extended guard filters .

Last week I changed the oil in the Landcruiser and Tundra and I bought Fram filters. I paused for a minute when taking them off the shelf. I have been hearing lately that Fram filters are junk.

Are Fram filters inferior and why?

Our Westy is just about due for its first oil change with the 1.8T and I definitely want to use a superior filter.

Fri Mar 30, 2012 6:33 pm

Quote: it's possible this is a defective filter. ALL manufacturers have defects. If this problem repeated it'd be more meaningful.

If you are calling the normal oil pressure a problem then I am in trouble, but others have had the same issue with Mann/mahle filters. Now the low oil pressure has been constant with the Mann and Mahle filters and that is all I have used because everyone else here always states they are the only ones to use. Before the Wix, I narrowed everything down to an oil pump that is on its last legs. I replaced the VDO pressure senders (it is accurate enough), checked oil pressures with a mechanical gauge, resurfaced the oil pressure valve etc. Now everything is where it is supposed to be. You can't trust anything these days.

Fri Mar 30, 2012 6:49 pm

Quote: What pressure difference are we talking?

Subter if you do not have a gauge you may be having the same issues and not know it. The mann and mahle filters would keep the idle pressure high enough to keep the factory oil pressure off but not the VDO dual dummy pressure from going off. When the vdo light going off first happened I put in a T and kept the factory dummy switch since I figured the VDO had issues. I have since switched it back since the Wix keeps my idle pressure ~5lbs higher so the vdo does not go off like before. Also on startup, it would take a few seconds to build up significant oil pressure on the gauge, but the factory oil pressure light would go out quickly. Then when I would be at operating temperature it would sit at 20-25 psi pressure in the 3000- 4000 rpm range ( I have a tach ) and would be ~10 at idle. Now with the Wix and the oil is hot, my oil pressure is 34 - 40+ in the same range and 13-18 psi at idle. The vdo gauge has a tendency to be off (on the low side luckily) when the rpms go up but it is still close enough to give an idea of what is going on. If I did not have an oil pressure gauge I would have never known this was going on.

Fri Mar 30, 2012 6:55 pm

insyncro wrote: FRAM is garbage and lacks the pressure relief valving needed for the waterboxer.
Not recommended :!:
Yeah, I thought they only drivers that still used Fram were hillbillys with broken down muscle cars.
They are relics of an uninformed public.

Fri Mar 30, 2012 7:39 pm

NWB wrote: In my experience talking to some of the best high performance engine builders in this country, they all recommend WIX filters. If you can't find WIX, Napa Gold is the next best thing.

I have not talked to one engine builder who thinks that FRAM filters are worth the paper they put inside them. FRAM filters are renowned for being garbage.

NAPA Gold IS a Wix filter, it just costs a bit more cause its got pretty gold paint on it but other than that its the exact same thing.Gotta love the marketing thing.

Fri Mar 30, 2012 7:47 pm

also FWIW, the stock idiot light switch on the aircooled engines goes off at 2.5psi, the VDO gauge senders (2 pole) at 7.5psi. In other words, the VDO can trigger the light when there is nothing wrong.