Motorcraft Oil Filters

[Jmitchelltfo]

Which Microgard Select model fits a 23 PowerBoost? I have a hard time looking it up online!

both of these……top one if you want the FL500s version and bottom if you want an extra half quart of capacity and more filter media.

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[Shane150]

I will pick them up next time I am in the US. There doesn't seem to be any delivery from O'Reilly to Canada.

 

[FirstFord]

I am at an age where I have accepted that on occasion my memory betrays me. So, based on that, anytime I spend a fair amount of time looking into something, I make notes about it to save myself the effort of having to repeat the research. This thread prompted me to go back and review some of those notes that I made on this subject, and posted an excerpt of them immediately below. I post this with some reservations, because I made these notes 2 years ago, and I'm sure some things have changed and may no longer be valid. Further, it reflects what I was able to find out at that time. Still, perhaps some may find some value to some of it:

In February 2023, I did a pretty deep dive trying to determine which oil filter brand really was the best. I researched internet articles and YouTube videos, and spent a fair amount of time on this subject. In my opinion, a lot of the YouTube videos were biased (mostly against Fram), and only a few were truly objective. The internet articles appeared to be more objective, but many were merely summaries of what they found with customer reviews. (And I don't consider a summary of customer reviews to be "research". I am more interested in reviews that are an engineering analysis). My findings? Absolutely nothing conclusive. The ratings were all over the place!!! In one review, Brand X would be among the best, and in another review, among the worst. This scenario happened repeatedly across the many reports, making it impossible to come to any kind of conclusion – even forming a grossly generalized “take-away” was difficult.

The ratings were inconclusive, but there is a difference between brands in construction methodology, materials (type of material &/or quality of material), and quality of assembly. It should also be noted that manufacturers change construction methodology (presumably to lower costs) without notice. Oil filter companies are bought and sold. Only during this research in February of 2023, did I learn that at some point Wix had been purchased by MANN+HUMMEL. However, there are two differences in particular that may provide some guidance: type of filter media, and its filtering capacity in microns (keeping in mind that these factors can change at the whim of the manufacturer without notice, or if a company gets a new owner).

Filtering Media

From what I was able to ascertain, the two dominant types of media are cellulose and synthetic. Cellulose is less expensive, more common (maybe even the dominant material), but has a shorter “lifespan”. (I don’t know if “lifespan” means how long it can go before being used up, i.e., clogged up, or when the material begins to break down and fail.) Typical lifespan of a cellulose filter is 5000 miles. Synthetic media material has a much longer lifespan – up to 20,000 miles. Obviously, with today’s modern vehicles using synthetic oil and extended oil change intervals, it is probably not a good idea to use cellulose filters on these vehicles. (There are also filters with “cellulose blend” media, presumably a mix of cellulose and synthetic materials.)

Micron Filtration

A chart below gives micron filter capacity and efficiency for some filters, but the list is incomplete. It also lacks data for two brands that it included on its list: Wix and K&N. I was able to find micron data for the Wix on their website (21 microns), but no efficiency ratings. K&N does not post their micron ratings.

I have also learned that more than one filter brand P/N will fit a specific application. The difference typically is length, but sometimes construction material or construction method. I used to get pretty hung up on getting specific filter P/Ns to be sure that it was the correct filter for that application, but now I realize that multiple P/Ns are “correct”. Great example: Wix 51060 and 51061 (BB Chevy). I went to the Wix tech sheet, and saw that the two filters were exactly the same on every point, except one – burst pressure. The 51060 was rated at 270 PSI, and the 51061 was rated at 285 PSI. So, with the realization that multiple P/Ns are “correct”, I am adjusting my attitude and backing away from such a firm position on that subject. Something else I came to learn is that virtually all modern oil filters have an internal bypass valve. Vintage filters like the OEM AC-Delco PF25 used on virtually all small block Chevys, did not have an internal bypass valve (I believe because the bypass valve was in the engine in the oil filter boss area).

All that being said, I will really stretch my observations and try to make generalizations on the best filters to consider (but note that this “list” is flawed). Listed in order of micron filtering rating and efficiency:

20 Microns, 99% Efficiency
Fram Tough Guard
Bosch Premium
Amzoil

20 Microns, 95% Efficiency
Fram Extra Guard

20 Microns, 93% Efficiency
Motocraft
Edit: The information provided immediately above was from internet research 2 years ago. However, now Ford is listing on its website as 20 microns; 80% efficiency.

20 Microns, Efficiency Unknown
Wix (The difference between the Wix and the Wix XP is the filtering material: regular Wix uses cellulose, while XP’s material is synthetic)

25 Microns, 99% Efficiency
Microgard (O’Reilly’s house brand)
Royal Purple Extended Life Premium

30 Microns, 99% Efficiency
Mobil 1 Extended Performance
AC-Delco Professional

30 Microns, 98% Efficiency
K&N (See K&N note immediately below)

K&N
In the ratings/research, K&N was frequently referenced as K&N “Premium” or “Performance Gold” Nowhere on the K&N website are these terms/brand names used. They only listed P/Ns with HP and PS prefix. The HP was High Performance and is the white filter casing with the nut on the end. It is a synthetic filter media. K&N showed data on the HP as filtering 98% @ 30 microns. The PS is Performance Silver: black casing, no nut, and is a cellulose blend. K&N showed no data for the PS. Walmart carries K&N with the prefix SO. Nowhere on the K&N website is there a SO prefix P/N listed. Obviously, it is a private label arrangement, but it begs the question of how it is constructed?

 

[brokenarrow]

I am at an age where I have accepted that on occasion my memory betrays me. So, based on that, anytime I spend a fair amount of time looking into something, I make notes about it to save myself the effort of having to repeat the research. This thread prompted me to go back and review some of those notes that I made on this subject, and posted an excerpt of them immediately below. I post this with some reservations, because I made these notes 2 years ago, and I'm sure some things have changed and may no longer be valid. Further, it reflects what I was able to find out at that time. Still, perhaps some may find some value to some of it:

In February 2023, I did a pretty deep dive trying to determine which oil filter brand really was the best. I researched internet articles and YouTube videos, and spent a fair amount of time on this subject. In my opinion, a lot of the YouTube videos were biased (mostly against Fram), and only a few were truly objective. The internet articles appeared to be more objective, but many were merely summaries of what they found with customer reviews. (And I don't consider a summary of customer reviews to be "research". I am more interested in reviews that are an engineering analysis). My findings? Absolutely nothing conclusive. The ratings were all over the place!!! In one review, Brand X would be among the best, and in another review, among the worst. This scenario happened repeatedly across the many reports, making it impossible to come to any kind of conclusion – even forming a grossly generalized “take-away” was difficult.

The ratings were inconclusive, but there is a difference between brands in construction methodology, materials (type of material &/or quality of material), and quality of assembly. It should also be noted that manufacturers change construction methodology (presumably to lower costs) without notice. Oil filter companies are bought and sold. Only during this research in February of 2023, did I learn that at some point Wix had been purchased by MANN+HUMMEL. However, there are two differences in particular that may provide some guidance: type of filter media, and its filtering capacity in microns (keeping in mind that these factors can change at the whim of the manufacturing without notice, or if a company gets a new owner).

Filtering Media

From what I was able to ascertain, the two dominant types of media are cellulose and synthetic. Cellulose is less expensive, more common (maybe even the dominant material), but has a shorter “lifespan”. (I don’t know if “lifespan” means how long it can go before being used up, i.e., clogged up, or when the material begins to break down and fail.) Typical lifespan of a cellulose filter is 5000 miles. Synthetic media material has a much longer lifespan – up to 20,000 miles. Obviously, with today’s modern vehicles using synthetic oil and extended oil change intervals, it is probably not a good idea to use cellulose filters on these vehicles. (There are also filters with “cellulose blend” media, presumably a mix of cellulose and synthetic materials.)

Micron Filtration

A chart below gives micron filter capacity and efficiency for some filters, but the list is incomplete. It also lacks data for two brands that it included on its list: Wix and K&N. I was able to find micron data for the Wix on their website (21 microns), but no efficiency ratings. K&N does not post their micron ratings.

I have also learned that more than one filter brand P/N will fit a specific application. The difference typically is length, but sometimes construction material or construction method. I used to get pretty hung up on getting specific filter P/Ns to be sure that it was the correct filter for that application, but now I realize that multiple P/Ns are “correct”. Great example: Wix 51060 and 51061 (BB Chevy). I went to the Wix tech sheet, and saw that the two filters were exactly the same on every point, except one – burst pressure. The 51060 was rated at 270 PSI, and the 51061 was rated at 285 PSI. So, with the realization that multiple P/Ns are “correct”, I am adjusting my attitude and backing away from such a firm position on that subject. Something else I came to learn is that virtually all modern oil filters have an internal bypass valve. Vintage filters like the OEM AC-Delco PF25 used on virtually all small block Chevys, did not have an internal bypass valve (I believe because the bypass valve was in the engine in the oil filter boss area).

All that being said, I will really stretch my observations and try to make generalizations on the best filters to consider (but note that this “list” is flawed). Listed in order of micron filtering rating and efficiency:

20 Microns, 99% Efficiency
Fram Tough Guard
Bosch Premium
Amzoil

20 Microns, 95% Efficiency
Fram Extra Guard

20 Microns, 93% Efficiency
Motocraft

20 Microns, Efficiency Unknown
Wix (The difference between the Wix and the Wix XP is the filtering material: regular Wix uses cellulose, while XP’s material is synthetic)

25 Microns, 99% Efficiency
Microgard (O’Reilly’s house brand)
Royal Purple Extended Life Premium

30 Microns, 99% Efficiency
Mobil 1 Extended Performance
AC-Delco Professional

30 Microns, 98% Efficiency
K&N (See K&N note immediately below)

K&N
In the ratings/research, K&N was frequently referenced as K&N “Premium” or “Performance Gold” Nowhere on the K&N website are these terms/brand names used. They only listed P/Ns with HP and PS prefix. The HP was High Performance and is the white filter casing with the nut on the end. It is a synthetic filter media. K&N showed data on the HP as filtering 98% @ 30 microns. The PS is Performance Silver: black casing, no nut, and is a cellulose blend. K&N showed no data for the PS. Walmart carries K&N with the prefix SO. Nowhere on the K&N website is there a SO prefix P/N listed. Obviously, it is a private label arrangement, but it begs the question of how it is constructed?

One of the best if not the best summary of an exhaustive amount of available information. Thank you for sharing this.

 

[FirstFord]

One of the best if not the best summary of an exhaustive amount of available information. Thank you for sharing this.

WOW! Thank you for your kind words (I'm not used to getting compliments ).

 

[MTMan]

Being over the years I’ve seen so much marketing on filtration efficiency of different filters that didn’t even make sense, I wonder how accurate some of these company publishing are these days.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

Being over the years I’ve seen so much marketing on filtration efficiency of different filters that didn’t even make sense, I wonder how accurate some of these company publishing are these days.

well, I would think most of these numbers are pretty accurate. The filter manufacturers aren’t the ones testing the filters for themselves. It’s an independent laboratory that accomplishes the tests for the entire filter industry.

 

[MTMan]

One part of the conversation I’d like to get you Ford guys thoughts on is dry starts. Some cars you can really hear this on. The Ecoboost I’m only noticing it around -20 so the hearing test is not so effective here. Is this something to be concerned about in cold climates with the most efficient filters?

 

[MTMan]

I thought Wix were made in the USA.

 

[tidefan1967]

I thought Wix were made in the USA.

Some are also made in China as well. Not a fan of Chinese oil filters regardless of how well they’re made.

 

[MTMan]

Sad....

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

One part of the conversation I’d like to get you Ford guys thoughts on is dry starts. Some cars you can really hear this on. The Ecoboost I’m only noticing it around -20 so the hearing test is not so effective here. Is this something to be concerned about in cold climates with the most efficient filters?

Haven’t gotten any dry start. However I’m not in -20 weather either. Coldest this year was -9
I heated the shop up for a few hours before I started that day.

if that’s regular winter temps, I would drop oil weight down to 0w30. Would seriously consider a block heater as well

 

[JohnMcClane]

I consider BITOG the second oldest forum on the internet behind 4chan.

I think the sad thing is the way companies/corporations/brands change. There was a point in time you bought a specific brand and could reliably get the same product for years or even decades. Now it seems like you’re lucky to get from year to year without something like a manufacturer/ing change that significantly alters the underlying product without much information provided to the consumer.

Disappointed the stash of FRAM Endurances I got may have a bad leak at the bypass valve, hopefully the 5k intervals and the Frankenmag pick up the slack. Microgard looks interesting, anyone know if the chubby microgard will fit a 5.0? Things are snug with the standard FL500S currently, so I’m curious about the other microgard.

 

[FirstFord]

I thought Wix were made in the USA.

Yes, used to be. But that all changed when they sold out to MANN+HUMMEL.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

I consider BITOG the second oldest forum on the internet behind 4chan.

I think the sad thing is the way companies/corporations/brands change. There was a point in time you bought a specific brand and could reliably get the same product for years or even decades. Now it seems like you’re lucky to get from year to year without something like a manufacturer/ing change that significantly alters the underlying product without much information provided to the consumer.

Disappointed the stash of FRAM Endurances I got may have a bad leak at the bypass valve, hopefully the 5k intervals and the Frankenmag pick up the slack. Microgard looks interesting, anyone know if the chubby microgard will fit a 5.0? Things are snug with the standard FL500S currently, so I’m curious about the other microgard.

I can say this, the MicroGard is the best option I could find right now. Cut one open, looks good. Made in Vietnam, better than China? I think so

I’ve heard of people hitting an FL820 on a 5.0. Would think the larger 51372 would fit the 5.0

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