Well documented oil filter testing data (including FL910S)

[inline_five]

I decided to pull this out from a thread because it might get buried, and has some fascinating information in it.

So I did some digging, turns out there is a fantastic fairly new Youtube channel testing oil filters using some pretty good criteria, Brand Ranks. This compared numerous higher and low end filters along with our beloved Motorcraft FL910S filter.

What I noticed, is that when oil is cold, the bypass valve is going to open at much lower flow rates. These are charts of flow rates vs PSI, keep in mind the top Frams and Purolator have synthetic media which apparently gives them a much better filtering efficiency flow rate vs the cheaper cellulose media of the lower end Frams (and I believe Motorcraft FL910S):

Now for filtration ability (this is striking, the lower end Frams are off the chart):

So, combining filtration ability and efficiency at higher PSI settings, it looks like some winners are:

• Fram Ultra Synthetic XG3614 (bypass valve 12 psi)
• Fram Endurance FE3614 (bypass valve 11-17 psi)
• Purolator Boss PBL10241 (bypass valve 12-15 psi)

Here is a good overall summary, and you can pick which qualities are important to you:

Incidentally, the recommended air filter was the Wix.

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[Master Blaster]

Huh? I strongly disagree with these conclusions. Almost all engine wear occurs when the oil is cold and not getting where lubrication is required. Wear due to filtration rates and bypass pressures are almost irrelevant in comparison. In the case of the Hybrid engine, it spends a huge amount more time pumping cold oil in comparison to the EcoBoost. Also the amount of damage caused by the bypass opening up is extremely small in real life. So using just the cold-oil filter throughput as the proper metric for real vehicles, the FL910S, Fram and Amsoil filters easily come out as the best for your vehicle. Since the Ford filter is a re-badged Mann filter and some Mavs came with a Mann filter from the factory, their equivalent (that interestingly was not tested) should also probably be on the recommended list.

 

[2lbgill]

I see no data worth anything.In order to have good data you have to separate the variables which are bypass flows, viscosity, oil temps, type of filter etc. and then see how they change results.Then break down for actual data.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

 

[inline_five]

I see no data worth anything.In order to have good data you have to separate the variables which are bypass flows, viscosity, oil temps, type of filter etc. and then see how they change results.Then break down for actual data.

Can you explain further? The Purolator Boss has better flow rates compared to FL910S (cold) while filtering considerably better. It seems like it would be a better choice. It also has also identical flow rates when up to operating temps.

 

[inline_five]

Huh? I strongly disagree with these conclusions. Almost all engine wear occurs when the oil is cold and not getting where lubrication is required. Wear due to filtration rates and bypass pressures are almost irrelevant in comparison. In the case of the Hybrid engine, it spends a huge amount more time pumping cold oil in comparison to the EcoBoost. Also the amount of damage caused by the bypass opening up is extremely small in real life. So using just the cold-oil filter throughput as the proper metric for real vehicles, the FL910S, Fram and Amsoil filters easily come out as the best for your vehicle. Since the Ford filter is a re-badged Mann filter and some Mavs came with a Mann filter from the factory, their equivalent (that interestingly was not tested) should also probably be on the recommended list.

How did you come to this conclusion? The Boss flow rate at cold temps are significantly better than the FL910S.

This while the filtration on the Boss is also significantly better than the FL910S.

What am I missing? Both Amsoil and and Fram Ultra have horrible flow rates when cold (in comparison to Boss).

The Mann filter tested flows worse than the Purolator Boss, while also filtering quite a bit less (although still better than the FL910S):

 

[2lbgill]

Can you explain further? The Purolator Boss has better flow rates compared to FL910S (cold) while filtering considerably better. It seems like it would be a better choice. It also has also identical flow rates when up to operating temps.

I just did .................standard engineering procedures,

 

[inline_five]

I just did .................standard engineering procedures,

It seems they did that. They tested pressure differential at normal operating temps and cold temps. They tested cellulose as well as synthetic media. And they discussed the data found.

I'm still not understanding why the Purolator would not be a better choice over the Motorcraft. Better flow rates at low temps and much higher filtering capability.

 

[MatthewPK]

It seems they did that. They tested pressure differential at normal operating temps and cold temps. They tested cellulose as well as synthetic media. And they discussed the data found.

I'm still not understanding why the Purolator would not be a better choice over the Motorcraft. Better flow rates at low temps and much higher filtering capability.

The only reason, on my opinion, is that the Motorcraft filter has its bypass on the base of the filter whereas the Boss (and every other filter I've seen) have it in the dome end.

Thus if it *did* end up in a bypass condition the Motorcraft might be less likely to flow old sediment sitting down in the dome of the can.

However i think this problem is quite unlikely to occur or matter. I use an FE8A myself.

 

[inline_five]

The only reason, on my opinion, is that the Motorcraft filter has its bypass on the base of the filter whereas the Boss (and every other filter I've seen) have it in the dome end.

Thus if it *did* end up in a bypass condition the Motorcraft might be less likely to flow old sediment sitting down in the dome of the can.

However i think this problem is quite unlikely to occur or matter. I use an FE8A myself.

Interesting on the bypass valve.

That FE8A tested really well. Better cold flow than the FL910S and much better filtering ability.

 

[AlpineKid74]

Huh? I strongly disagree with these conclusions. Almost all engine wear occurs when the oil is cold and not getting where lubrication is required. Wear due to filtration rates and bypass pressures are almost irrelevant in comparison. In the case of the Hybrid engine, it spends a huge amount more time pumping cold oil in comparison to the EcoBoost. Also the amount of damage caused by the bypass opening up is extremely small in real life. So using just the cold-oil filter throughput as the proper metric for real vehicles, the FL910S, Fram and Amsoil filters easily come out as the best for your vehicle. Since the Ford filter is a re-badged Mann filter and some Mavs came with a Mann filter from the factory, their equivalent (that interestingly was not tested) should also probably be on the recommended list.

Which AMSOIL filter? Amsoil does not show anything for the 2025 yet.

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