Oil filter question

Is it alright to use a filter that fits, but is larger, for a Dodge Caravan
with 3.8L engine, such as the PH8A vs the PH16. A friend has switched to the
larger filter on the basis it will clean better or longer between changes,
he uses synthetic oil and runs longer than the manufactures stated interval.
I am wondering what others opinions on this are and if someone has any
actual documentation one way or the other?
TIA

 

Certainly. I do that too. In fact it's fairly common to use a Motorcraft
FL-1A on Chryslers. It'll fit several Chryslers and it's a very good filter
for the money.

Nobody ever proved it's okay to run synthetics longer, but I do it all the
time. If I wasn't going to run it longer I wouldn't pay all that extra
money. Somebody must have done a scientific study on synthetic vs. dino oil
life. It must be out there. Hopefully somebody will post a link to such a
study.

 

Good article about manufacturers increasing their recommended intervals between
oil changes.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNe...makers_oilchanges_070322/20070322?hub=SciTech

It also noted the problems Toyota had with sludging a few years ago and that you
"should not have any problems" if you meet the manufacturers intervals. Sounds
good, but we've heard the stories of Chrysler accusing customers of abuse when
their 2.7L engines failed after they changed oil on schedule.

 

Just be aware that with certain engines, such as the 2.7L, the oil
filter hangs straight down and is recessed 1/2" or so above the frame
and oil pan which protect it. If you were to put the FL-1A on that
engine, the end of the filter projects below the protection and is
therefore vulnerable to tall, hard objects or projectiles from the road.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

Correct. The recommended 7500 mile change interval on the 2.7 will
absolutely kill it.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

See here: http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/stories/mobil1.html

 

Good article about manufacturers increasing their recommended intervals

Wow, these mileages are incredible! Most manufacturers here in Europe
specify 6000 or 12000 mile services for their cars. (My wife's Renault
Megane has 18000 mile service/oil change intervals)

Maybe I should change our oil more often! My Neon has oil change/service
intervals of 7500 miles according to the manual.

A

 

18,000 mile intervals? I suspect that is using synthetic only?

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

The article states: "Engine wear actually decreases as oil ages. This
has also been substantiated in testing conducted by Ford Motor Co. and
ConocoPhillips, and reported in SAE Technical Paper 2003-01-3119. What
this means is that compulsive oil changers are actually causing more
engine wear than the people who let their engine's oil get some age on it."

I hate unqualified, meaningless statements like that. The wear curve on
one change would obviously be a dip, with greatly increasing wear
somewhere on the far end of the curve. Not including that fact in that
statement destroys credibility and makes one suspicious of emotion or
hidden agenda involved in making it.

If I take the statement at face value, I should never change the oil in
my car.

It also ignores other considerations such as sludge build up.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

Toyota has recommended Mobil 1 in its vehicles with sluge issues. Its
dealers now stock Mobil 1. Short drives that do not allow a motor to heat up
enough to drive off the water produced by the combustion process need
frequent oil changes. Most vehicles get the oil changed too frequently at a
waste of limited oil resources. My experience with extended oil changes with
Mobil 1 since it was introduced has been very positive. I change once a
year, weather it needs it or not.

Richard.

 

I purchased a used Ford Fairlane with a straight 6 that never had the oil
changed in 98,000 miles. It did not use very much oil. When I opened the
valve cover there was not one drop of sludge. Instead all of the free space
had been filled in with a solid block of black coke type material. The
hydraulic lifters no longer had a hydraulic function but worked like a
mechanical lifter. I cleaned it all out and after that the only issue was
that a valve lifting rod would break and I would have to slip in a new one.
See; you don't have to change your oil. I sold that car back to its previous
owner after I graduated school and as far as I know that sucker is still
running.

Richard.

 

If there are "shorty" and standard versions of the same filter then its
definitely no problem and in fact a good idea to use the longer filter
where possible.

With other swaps, added size is no good if the bigger filter has the
wrong bypass relief pressure, lacks a bypass system, lacks an
anti-drainback valve, etc. You have to make sure the filters FUNCTION
identically, and function includes more than just filtering.

 

Too ridiculous to even respond to (other than to say that).

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

Your point is well taken, *BUT* (and that's a *BIG* BUTT) I challange
*ANYBODY* to identify *ONE* model of any manufacturer's automotive oil
filter that does *NOT* have an anti-drainback valve other than one
Subaru application in particular that happens to have the anti-drainback
valve built into the engine (and even some brands of filters have a
redundant anti-drainback valve in their filter for that particular
application).

If you think you've found one, post the filter manufacturer and model
number.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

Since I switched to Mobil 1 (years ago, for a variety of vehicles since)
I've been using a 5,000 mile change interval (not the least because it makes
it easy for me to tell when it's time by just looking at the odometer -- no
complicated arithmetic; it also compensates for the difference in price from
3,000 mile dino oil). My 2004 Dodge Caravan's owner's manual prescribed
3,000 mile oil changes only for "rough use" (like police cars, taxis, etc.)
and 6,000 miles for "normal" use. Regardless, every time *anyone* (even a
dealership!) changed the oil they would stick a 3,000 mile reminder on my
windshield. I just keep using Mobil 1 and keep changing it every 5K.

 

Funny you mention that. I've read of an engine warranty claim being
turned down when the longer "normal use" mileage interval was used. The
dealers policy was that there is no such thing as "normal use" in the
real world (not considering the owners claim of their usage, but that
there is no such thing as "normal use"). My answer to that is that, if
that's the case, the "normal use" maintenance schedule is a fraud being
committed on the public - if it doesn't exist, then quit publishing it
and misleading people.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

I use Mobol 1 extended service in my Toyota 2002 camry, even though
the 2002`s dont have a sludging problem as reported ?
However I do change my oil 3 times a year even with the extended
service oil (15,000 MILES)

My driving is a combination of 50% city and 50% highway driving.

 

The correct response to Richard's post is "LOL", as it has to have been a
spoof.

Ken