A week ago I had an incident that I want to share with you guys to see if someone had already similar problems in the past.

Friday I changed the oil and filter in my 88' Maxima SE. I always use the standard "PF" FRAM filter, but at this time I figured I will try the "Tough Guard" version of it (also made by FRAM), that supposed to have a "valve" in it, that prevents the oil to flow back in the oil pan once the engine is stopped, so that next time you start the engine, your oil pressure will be up at the operating pressure a lot sooner, therefore reducing the time of idleing without oil pressure.

After I finished the oil service I took it to a test drive, and everything seemed OK to me, the oil pressure was dandy.

Next day me and my friends went to hike to Mt. Wilson. I was driving the car for about 30 minutes when I noticed, that the coolant temperature was rising and at the same time the oil pressure was dropping. I pulled off the road right away and I was suspecting the oil filter right away.

First I checked the oil level, it was fine. Second, I turned back the car and cruised down to the first repair shop that we found open Sunday morning "Just Tires". I told the cust. rep that I want to have my oil filter replaced, nothing else.

They did it without any problem, cost me $10.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention, that right after I restarted the car to find a repair shop, the oil pressure was fine again (60psi at 2800rpm)

So, we left the repair shop and voila, the oil pressure was good, and since then I put 400 miles in my Maxima without any problem.

Question: Do you guys know of any incompatibility issue with the FRAM or any other brand of Oil Filters with such "valve" in it?

Based on the FRAM catalog, all three type of oil filter they manufacture are compatible with my 88' Maxima.

I am convinced that if I have driven my car for an additional 5-10 miles (if I didn't notice the water and oil pressure gauges), I would've fried my engines.

I am curious to hear any tipps or stories regarding this matter.

Geza

 

It's probably because Fram is notorious for making totally inferior and poor quality oil filters. You probably got one that was made worse than normal. I suggest Purulator or oem Nissan.

 

Jeff,

But how about the "valve" type filter versus the ones without?

Do the oem Nissan or Purolator filters contain such a valve, or just in general you're suggesting using Nissan or Purolator ones?
Geza

 

uh oh, i just bought a fram tough guard oil filter tonight...I didn't have the right equipment so i could only change the oil. I'm changing the filter with my friend from the 3geez board tmrw. I'll let you know if anything goes wrong. Hopefully it's all good :-/

 

Yes Nissan All Nissan Oem Oil Filters have the valve. Thats the main reason why they are so good plus its Nissan. They do Have the Valve in their's Im sure it may be better constructed than Frams but they do have the valve. I also bought and Have the Tough guard in my car and everything is fine. Im surprised your car hads problems with it. My car has been working fine nothing wrong. I dont know if Purolator has the valve though. I always use Fram but I hear alot about how fram is not so good as they say. I think you just had a bad defective one.

 

I get mine direct from nissan and it costs $4.25 and they even deliver it to my shop where i work.

 

It's called an anti-drainback valve. Most filters have them. It's how well the valve is built and the quality of the filter. Use the search feature on this site. Extensive research has been done on this subject.

 

What about the K&N oil filters? Are they worth the extra money?

Oh, and as a reference to the post about the anti-drain-back valve, not all filters have them. Only the more expensive of the cheaper brands, and all of the higher quality filters have them. The Deutch brand at Autozone doesn't have them, and the standard Fram filter doesn't. Neither do any store brand, AC-Delco, or Motorcraft - in the lower priced filters.

 

I've put 500 miles on my car since last Wednesday when I changed my oil and oil filter with the FRAM Tough Guard and all is well.