Originally Posted by
SD Crossfire
Thanks! Yeah, I read up on the filter element discussions while researching the best parts for this car, and was rather concerned that this car had the paper element for about a year with 8,000 miles with a broken airbox for who knows how long.
But based on my personal inspection of that element, including a tear down and the oil analysis results, I have to say I'm rather impressed with the Wix paper element. Which is rated for up to 10,000 miles and is actually owned by Mann to begin with. I think if you avoid the very cheap paper elements and stick with a quality part, you should be fine even with a paper filter.
That being said, I replaced it with a Mann Fleece filter because they are essentially the same price anyways. Also, I bought both Wix and Mann branded engine air filters, and I found that the Wix branded one seemed to be better built. With a even better outside seal and no flashing on top of the filter which can get loose and enter the engine. The Mann air filter actually had some excessive flashing on the top which makes me worried it could break apart over time and get into the engine. Again, on the Wix air filter box, it also shows Mann labeling.
The Polyester filters called fleece filters were called for when the 7,000 mile oil change was introduced, before that paper filters were OK.
I would guess that the polyester filters were more efficient at catching particles at the higher mileages and probably were less likely to fall apart. The Chinese filters are probably made from old newspapers. ☹️
When I purchased my new 2004 Limited the dealer gave me two paper filters., I tossed them and have used ‘fleece’ filters ever since even though my yearly mileage has only been 2,300 miles on average. I change the oil and filter yearly without fail except last year when I only did < 400 miles.
Anyone remember the ads for oil filters made from toilet rolls, probably found in Practical Mechanics magazines in the sixties? A friend of mine had a Chevy Bel Air with no oil filter, it was an optional extra, the rocker shaft was filled solid with a dry deposit and the rocker bearings were worn through. The holes where the pushrods went were filled with only enough room for the pushrods to move in.
They do not build them like they did. Thankfully.