Oil Filter/What a hassle!

[cactusjack]

Schoeney - The only reason I switched from ST filters to Bosch was because they stopped producing the ST filters in the USA. I never had a problem with them. I change my filter every 3,000 miles so as you said, they probably are barely used anyway.

[mobandy78]

Originally Posted by schoeney

With all due respect; If we fell for the old "you get what you pay for" propaganda we would all be riding Harleys and BMW's, wearing Aerostich suits, and Shoie helmets, using nothing but synthetic oil , installing Daylong seats, filling up with 92 octane, and no one would have heard of the Darkside ;) Just sayin.

Proof is in the pudding....let's ask our members.........has anyone here that has been using the ST filter for some length of time (on any bike) had engine problems related to the filter? How about engine problems with "other" filters?

Not saying the ST is the "best" filter but I suspect most of us change our oil filter so often that the filter quality is never really tested.

I agree with all your statements above. I believe I'm using an ST filter now, and I'm ready for a change before long. I'll probably use an ST to replace it. Although, I'm really starting to train myself to buy USA, so that may come in to consideration. I used to not care where it was made (young and dumb), but here in the last few years (young and not as dumb), I've really been paying attention to stuff like that. ;)

[fish]

Fram PH6607 is also a usable filter, it nice to be able to grip the filter. I also use the 3717 my bike her Honda and the boat motor all use the same filter>

[ringadingh]

There are quite a few filters that fit if you try them out, we also have a few listed here in the tech section. For me I'll stick with the ST7317's, cant beat them for the price.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

I doubt that anyone would have engine failure do to an ineffective oil filter. You would probably just have dirty oil. As long as the oil pump works the engine would still get lubricated. Just buy what you feel comfortable with.

[ringadingh]

Oil filters have a bypass valve built into them, so if the filter ever gets totally clogged the oil will bypass the filter media and still circulate throughout the motor.

[ndbigfish]

I had another 1500 air cooled motor once and it had no filter! Now that Volkswagen went over 100,000 miles in 11 years with only a screen and about 3 1/2 quarts of oil, if memory is right. This was the second time around the odometer too. Clean oil is what it is all about for sure.

[ringadingh]

A lot of engines don't have any type of filter, if you do your scheduled maintenance they can last a long time.

[macmac]

A lot of engines with no filter have no oil pump, that VW is the only one I am aware of with no filter.
Probably long after you guys have new bikes i will still have my old 06 Nomad and it will still have a WIX filter on it.

[schoeney]

Hey Mac,

Your 06 is not that old compared to my 03. But of course I am on the Blown Dodge mileage plan......17k and counting!

[ndbigfish]

Shoot, an 03' is my new bike! My plan is use good oil, change it frequently and filter it with a adequate filter.

[Cajunrider]

Originally Posted by cajun2wheels

It's my understanding that the ST 7317 filter was made by Champion and was a decent filter.I believe they are now made in Mexico and not the quality as the original Champion.This is something I read on the internet so take it for what it is worth.If the filter is marked "Made in Mexico"I'm not buying any until I do more research.

I've been using the ST 7317 for nearly 3 years. The original had a black rubber bypass seal that you can see looking in the filter tube. It is on the far end. The new ones have a blue plastic bypass seal. I've used both with no problems. The concern about the plastic seal is that is may leak a little allowing some oil to bypass the filter media. As often as we change our oil, I don't think it's a major issue. I still use them.

[flavor]

I use the cheaper purolator filter.

In our area they used to sell blue (which was more expensive)and white colored oil filters. Then purolator switched to an improved gold filter. They have diagrams at Advance auto parts and show more filter materials in the more expensive ones and I've seen a fram cut in half which had little.

It seems the more expensive, the more element inside. How tight that element is I don't know. What I do know is I have a friend who works at a car dealership who says they replaced an engine for a vehicle and sent it back to their research dept and they claimed the engine was starving for oil because of a filter choice and concluded the reason for failure.

Since I change my oil inside of 3,000 with one exception, I figure with the screen in the system, it's not too much of an issue to use the cheapest ones as long as they don't fall apart and flow through the engine. (Keeping in mind oils are so much better than years past).

I don't use fram.

[cocheese72]

Try Wal-Mart SuperTech ST6607
Made by Champion.

My Walmart always has this one.

[hammer]

OEM, Emgo and Hi-flo for me. The latest bulk purchase was Hi-flo 303. Lots of Hondas and Yamahas use those. I think they came to about $8.25 a filter. They are black and match the bike? I just buy one less Starbucks coffee that day to make up the difference in cost. I should buy one less doughnut so I can lose weight and get better gas mileage too.