[glhs#116]

Seen a thread on FB recently about new production Wix 51258 missing drainback valves and having thin cases that can blow. Now, I know a lot of people talk a lot of --um, hooey, especially on FB. I guess I've got a few questions in my head.

Anyone here *actually* run into this recently on a filter they had in their hands or on their engine?

Do we care so much about drainback valve on our engines where the filter sits almost upright? I guess the weak casings would be my bigger worry (if true) since my oil pressure can be high especially when cold..

Anyone have a part number on a "luxury" oil filter still made of quality materials?

I'm tempted to maybe just buy more Wix filters and just take one apart from each batch I get to see if any of this is BS or true..

Sam

[steve25]

The elimination of a drain back valve is not a concern with the way Pontiac filters hang, but if that part of a manufacturing cost savings program then maybe there crimping of the can to the base has gone south also leading to blow outs.
I would want to see a picture of how these filters have failed.

[PontiacHO]

Wix filters are not the same filters as 10 years ago. Wix sold out to Mann who now outsources most all their filters offshore. The Gastonia NC plant makes only a few different filters now. I’ve seen Wix filters produced in China, Indian, Mexico, etc. Flame suit on but I’m back to using Fram Tough Guard Filters. They even feel heavier…

[Formulajones]

I would have to see it with my own eye's to believe it. I have about a dozen different vehicles here with Wix filters on them. I routinely cut them open as part of regular service just to put eye's on things and make sure the engine is happy. I have not seen anything change inside a Wix filter for the last 20 years and have yet to see any issue at all with them.

[78w72]

Originally Posted by glhs#116

Seen a thread on FB recently about new production Wix 51258 missing drainback valves and having thin cases that can blow. Now, I know a lot of people talk a lot of --um, hooey, especially on FB. I guess I've got a few questions in my head.

Anyone here *actually* run into this recently on a filter they had in their hands or on their engine?

Do we care so much about drainback valve on our engines where the filter sits almost upright? I guess the weak casings would be my bigger worry (if true) since my oil pressure can be high especially when cold..

Anyone have a part number on a "luxury" oil filter still made of quality materials?

I'm tempted to maybe just buy more Wix filters and just take one apart from each batch I get to see if any of this is BS or true..

Sam

No experience on the wix issues... but for a quality filter, I have used & really liked the mobil1 filters, synthetic media with good flow/filter specs and they are rated at 10 or 20k miles so should be more than enough for the lower miles or lower mile oil changes most these classic cars see, but they are pricey, one of the most expensive pontiac V8 filters Ive see, about $8-10/ filter, I bought a bunch on clearance at rock auto for $3.xx ea.

[tom s]

Baldwin.Tom

[burd]

Facebook is for little kids, I don’t go there. I drive my car prob 4-5 times a year, so the next oil change will correct any problems. I use delcos. I don’t like aftermarket crap.

[rwfisher]

Originally Posted by burd

Facebook is for little kids, I don’t go there. I drive my car prob 4-5 times a year, so the next oil change will correct any problems. I use delcos. I don’t like aftermarket crap.

As the Delco PF24 is no longer manufactured many have switched to the Wix brand for replacement….. I purchased a case of the U.S. made Wix and have “lent” out a bunch since the Delco PF24 was discontinued.

[mgarblik]

The 2 WIX 51258 filters I have for my SD-455 now on the engine dyno are made in China. I will be cutting the first one open after an hour break-in to check the engine condition. I will report anything unusual if I find anything. My other car, also uses that same filter. I had a made in China one on all this summer without any leaks or issues. I run an 80 lb. pump on all my performance builds. M54F Melling. Gauge says 110-115 PSI on cold starts every time but quickly drops off after about 1 minute of running. I think the filter cans have a 300 PSI burst spec.
Since Mann bought out WIX, I have noticed a few small differences in the filters. 1. Many of the canister sizes have changed just slightly, generally smaller, than the same part number filter used to be. I notice this because I have about 30-35 filter remover sheet metal cap sockets. Some of the new filters are just enough smaller that the removal tool slips. 2. The paint has changed slightly on some. Some have a heavier texture and are actually easier to remove by hand, some glossy, some more flat. 3. The sealing ring shape and color has changed on some. The Chinese made ones are red instead of black. Some have a raised round bead in the seal rather than being flat. All seem to seal fine. 4. The prices in general have gone up dramatically. In general, my cost for a NAPA Gold or Wix branded filter is almost double of three years ago now averaging around $10.00 each. No failures of any kind to report.

[78w72]

Rock auto has the wix 51258 filters for $4.82 ea, yes you have to add shipping but can go up to 8 filters for $7-8 shipping, with the 5% discount code thats about $5.80ea. Hastings/Baldwin filters are even cheaper at $4.59ea.

Arent delco filters made in mexico &/or china? Wasnt there a recent lawsuit where they were selling china made filters marked as made in USA... lots of better "aftermarket" filters out there.

[65 Lamnas]

I disagree that it's scary. Baldwin still makes a nice filter. B39.

[Sirrotica]

One thing not mentioned is when you watch the You tube cutaways the same Wix filers are vastly different inside. There are counterfeit filters out there, and when one firm is selling a Wix filter for $4.50, and other retailers are getting around $10 for the same number Wix filter, where is the discrepancy?

MOPAR, Toyota, Honda, A/C Delco, and Motorcraft have had problems for years with counterfeit filters, no reason to expect counterfeiters wouldn't resort to one of the best selling brands for decades to target with counterfeit filters. Retailers may, or may not know the product they're offering is not the real deal, but if they're paying less that $2 a unit, and retailing them for $4.50 chances are pretty good it's not genuine Wix stock.

China has been making counterfeit everything for decades, no reason to think that car parts isn't on their agenda too.

Something to mull over.............

I always examine the media on my filters BEFORE it goes into the cannister, always looks the same, it looks just like T/P.................

[Steve C.]

A product can be falsely labeled as "Made in USA" if the product or its components are not entirely made in the United States.

Can the packaging say made in the USA but the filter inside be made elsewhere ?



Edit... Can the packaging be made here in the USA and labeled "Made In the USA" but with the actual filter be made elsewhere ?

[PontiacHO]

Originally Posted by burd

Facebook is for little kids, I don’t go there. I drive my car prob 4-5 times a year, so the next oil change will correct any problems. I use delcos. I don’t like aftermarket crap.

Delco filters are made by the Champion Laboratories Inc. There is an identical filter to any Delco made by Champ Labs produced on the same production run and sold by Walmart….Supertech filters.

[jerry455]

My Wix filters are a couple years old, my buddy is a dealer, and I ordered a dozen of them. Just removed one from my new engine yesterday. I will cut it open next week. I put on a new one also.

[grivera]

Like Sirrotica said - I bet they are counterfeit

[Formulajones]

Originally Posted by Steve C.

A product can be falsely labeled as "Made in USA" if the product or its components are not entirely made in the United States.

Can the packaging say made in the USA but the filter inside be made elsewhere ?



Edit... Can the packaging be made here in the USA and labeled "Made In the USA" but with the actual filter be made elsewhere ?

Yep I've mentioned that I don't know how many times in different threads yet it falls on deaf ears. USA made does not mean what it used to mean. While there may be a very small percentage of US companies, the majority of the parts they use in their product comes from over seas. All they have to do is have their company in a state that allows this loop hole and they can claim "made in USA" all they want, legally, as long as they perform some small process on it, but that doesn't mean it's a USA part.
That's been going on for years and years.

[Formulajones]

Originally Posted by grivera

Like Sirrotica said - I bet they are counterfeit

For sure their are counterfeit parts. All over eBay. And people are always going to buy the cheapest deal they can. I see it often.

It's why I paid a lot of money for hylift rollers straight from the source, not some discounted part for half price from a second or third party. That way I'm guaranteed the genuine article.

The problem is a very tiny percentage of people do that because of budget. I totally get that, but that's also why you have to take a lot of this internet chatter with a grain of salt.

[Formulajones]

Originally Posted by jerry455

My Wix filters are a couple years old, my buddy is a dealer, and I ordered a dozen of them. Just removed one from my new engine yesterday. I will cut it open next week. I put on a new one also.

That's really the best way to know. Ive been cutting them open for years. I haven't seen a change with them yet, but I'm not buying $3 flea bay versions either.
If I ever see a change then I'll have to reinvestigate my options but until that day happens I'll carry on as usual.

[78w72]

I highly doubt rock auto is selling counterfeit filters or any other parts, there may be some out there on ebay, but rock auto usually buys up close out or discontinued parts or just larger orders that allows them to sell for less than the big box parts stores. Just because they are almost half the price of most local auto parts stores doesnt mean they arent legit parts. Most those stores are just jacking up the prices of parts they sell to cover their overhead & advertising costs.

Same for oils... why is the exact same 5qt jug of valvoline or most any other name brands up to 50% more at auto zone or oreillys than it is at walmart? Not sale prices just normal everyday prices. Why is the same tube of permatex ultra black almost $12 at auto zone but is $7 at walmart? It is definitely NOT because they are counterfeit or different products in any way...