Oil filter comparison

garycinn

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 7, 2003
Messages
479
This was my first year of power boating. As I winterized my boat, I wondered if this Merc oil filter is any good.<br /><br />Curiosity got me to compare 10 oil filters.<br /><br /> Here is my result. <br /><br />Enjoy!
 

LubeDude

Admiral
Joined
Oct 8, 2003
Messages
6,945
Re: Oil filter comparison

VERY GOOD Job!! This deffinatly answers some questions!!<br /><br />Thanks :D <br /><br />LubeDude
 

pra51

Seaman
Joined
Apr 17, 2003
Messages
72
Re: Oil filter comparison

Thanks for the outstanding work.Answered questions I had.I have been using the Merc.filter and had been looking for a replacement.I take it you are saying if room permits on the remote filter setups that the long filters will work in place of the short merc.<br />Great job again
 

garycinn

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 7, 2003
Messages
479
Re: Oil filter comparison

That is my assumption. People do it on cars all the time -- put longer filters to get more oil capacity and more filtering capability. If you have the room, I suggest you do it. If you don't then go with the smaller WIX or look into the small Baldwin B360 that I didn't test.
 

kdmiller8251

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 7, 2002
Messages
495
Re: Oil filter comparison

Gary:<br /><br />I think you have a little too much free time. :cool: <br />But thanks for the info you did a great job!<br /><br />T
 

dhammann

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 25, 2002
Messages
299
Re: Oil filter comparison

Good job! Why did'nt you include Wal-Mart?
 

garycinn

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 7, 2003
Messages
479
Re: Oil filter comparison

I will go get a Walmart Super Tech for $1.99. I have heard that it is a Champion and same as the AC and STP -- but I will check it out.
 

dhammann

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 25, 2002
Messages
299
Re: Oil filter comparison

Thanks, can't wait for your excellent research and data collection....a true engineer! I have used Wal-mart oil & filters in every thing I own for years. Years ago consumer reports ( another group of engineers) came to the conclusion that there was no significant difference in one oil brand over another. Their results were from scientific studies, nor someone's unfounded opinion. They recommended that the consumer chose by price & SAE specs and that is what I have done for over 20 years. Marketeerers are sneaky. thanks for your undercover work...I like your style!
 

garycinn

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 7, 2003
Messages
479
Re: Oil filter comparison

Tallman,<br /><br />I tend to get carried away with things ;) <br /><br />Glad you liked it.
 

GodsBeast

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 12, 2003
Messages
502
Re: Oil filter comparison

GaryCinn, I would also like to applaud your dedication to finding out an answer to your/or a question, asked by many. <br /><br />I recently posted a question about this and asked one of the Mercruiser Techs about this as well. His answer was the difference, was in making sure that the filter not only matched, but allowed Oil Flow, "Bypass" in case the filter plugged. <br /><br />While I was there, I just purchased (2) Mercruiser Oil filters, and (2) Mercruiser fuel filters. The first thing I noticed was the new filters were white, and the ones that came on the motor, new, were black. He said they change colors and the letter on the end, about every time he makes an order for them. <br /><br />Kind of makes you wonder, but I do run longer filters on my vehicles and like the extra filtering capacity.
 

hotmerc

Seaman
Joined
Aug 13, 2003
Messages
71
Re: Oil filter comparison

i have a mercruiser 5.0 litre and have gone from the standard mercruiser filter to using a napa gold #1069. i saw no difference, except for the price.
 

garycinn

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 7, 2003
Messages
479
Re: Oil filter comparison

Hotmerc,<br /><br />The Napa Gold is the same as the WIX filter. The WIX filter is usually less expensive than the NAPA and certainly less than the Merc. You also may want to try the larger 1060 version.<br /><br />I don't know that one would notice a difference in performance after one oil change. This is a long term benefit.
 

garycinn

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 7, 2003
Messages
479
Re: Oil filter comparison

GB,<br /><br />Interesting about the by-pass comment by the tech because there aren't any by-pass valves on these filters. You CAN buy these filters with a by-pass, but the standard GM and Merc's do not have them. I don't know if it is too redundant since the engine has a by-pass in it.
 

garycinn

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 7, 2003
Messages
479
Re: Oil filter comparison

GB,<br /><br />I'm thinking about taking apart a Baldwin, WIX, and Merc F/S. Stay tuned.<br /><br />Are your white filters marked Quicksilver instead of Mercruiser? If so, they will have a Q on the end instead of the T and should be the same filters.<br /><br />One benefit of noting the endplate characteristics is that you can quickly determine if a filter a year or two from now is the same filter.
 

GodsBeast

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 12, 2003
Messages
502
Re: Oil filter comparison

GaryCinn, you are right again. The original Filter is a Black Mercury Oil Filter 35-802885T.<br /><br />The (2) I bought from the Mercruiser Warranty Tech's is a Quicksilver Oil Filter 35-802885Q and it is White. It only cost $7.05 each. Not too bad in my book. Will be interested in hearing your opinion on a longer replacement filter, if you think it would be better.
 

garycinn

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 7, 2003
Messages
479
Re: Oil filter comparison

GB, I would use the Q's next year (maybe change one of them half way through the season) and then consider some Baldwin's from then on. You don't have to go with the larger size. You could get a Baldwin B360, which is the same size as the Merc.
 

merc 140 pontoon

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 23, 2003
Messages
129
Re: Oil filter comparison

Gary -<br /><br />Nice job. Could you comment on these statements made in another forum?<br /><br />"The best three oil filters are Mobil 1, Purolator Pure One, and Amsoil SDF. All of these three are top rated by SAE tests and have multiple layers of filter media."<br /><br />"The filtering media in these filters is synthetic material and filters better than the regular paper element filters."<br /><br />"Different filter media filter down to different size particles."<br /><br />Also, how does this effort compare to your work? http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/oil_filter_study/ <br /><br />Thanks.<br /><br />Steve
 

garycinn

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 7, 2003
Messages
479
Re: Oil filter comparison

Merc,<br /><br />I hear and read very good things about these filters. I can't comment on their construction, just because I had to draw the line somewhere. I also felt like I wasn't gaining much continuing since I had met my initial curiosity -- especially after seeing what the Baldwin, WIX, and K&N had to offer.<br /><br />I really need some way to test and examine the filter material. I can't really determine by visual inspection what is the composition and if there are multiple layers. <br /><br />I have emailed the manufacturers asking them about specs. I have received some back alredy and will post them as I get them.<br /><br />The other study you refer to is good -- just a different application and a slightly different approach. What I would do is pick your top two filters from reports like these and do the research yourself (calling tech support, etc.) for your application. Then you can feel like you are making a decent decision.<br /><br />Another site that gave me a lot of the inspiration for this work is BITOG . Click on the forums and there is a specific oil filter section.<br /><br />If you are interested to learn more, or have some questions, those guys are into oil and filters as much as we are into boats.<br /><br />An idea from that site would be to compare the same brand/weight of used oil from two oil changes of equal hours with different oil filters.
 

mojokim

Seaman
Joined
Oct 4, 2003
Messages
63
Re: Oil filter comparison

Here's a bit more info on K&N oil filters. I used to own a Ford Contour SVT which required a constant high volume of oil flow to live a healthy life (7800rpm redline). The contour.org folks were always debating oil and filters. One of the members did some extensive oil and filter testing and had this to say:<br />The Mobil 1 has a denser filter core (more pleats) and in doing such gives up a significant amount of flow to generate only slightly better efficiency ratings. It's rated at 99% efficiency but flows under 5GPM.<br /><br />The K&N filter is designed for high flow and since it uses the same superior synthetic media has a very has efficiency rate for such a great flowing filter.<br /><br />It's "rated" in the low 90's for efficiency and at 14GPM for flow. Nothing else even flows half that. (stock oil pump can flow over 10-11GPM) <br /><br />Also the K&N did better on my oil analysis testing then did the Pure One/FL-820S filter and it's rated at 98/99% efficiency.
 

garycinn

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 7, 2003
Messages
479
Re: Oil filter comparison

Mojo,<br /><br />I may have dismissed the K&N too much in my summary comments because it costs twice as much as the Baldwin. But when you consider it is only $3 more than the tiny Merc, it is a relative bargain. Yes, K&N's are indeed known to flow well. I wish I could have tested flow and effectiveness. I am getting this data from the manufacturers and posting as I receive it.<br /><br />Thanks for your insight and experience on the K&N, it truly is a robust filter.<br /><br />When using the K&N, don't forget to get the 3002 model vs. the 2002. The 2002 doesn't have an anti-drain back valve which I think is critical in the Mercruiser upside-down oil filter remote mount.
 
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