FYI: Larger oil filter at no additional cost

[Steel City 06]

I haven’t seen any references to it on this site, so I’ll go ahead and post it.

The Mobil 1 M1-301A oil filter is a larger filter that will fit the 4.0. It has the same diameter/thread pitch as the stock size filter, but it is longer and has more volume.

It also costs the same as a normal oil filter.

A larger oil filter has two minor advantages:
1. Increased oil flow - there is a larger surface area of available filtration media, which means less pressure drop across the filter, or better oil flow
2. Increased capacity to hold removed particles - since there is a larger surface area, the filter will hold more “crap” before becoming clogged.

A third but only marginal benefit is increased oil capacity. The larger filter holds slightly more oil, which can translate to marginally lower oil temperatures due to the increased exterior surface area of the filter housing dissipating more heat. The larger capacity also means the oil goes through the engine fewer times per hour. This might increase the useful life of the oil.

Cost?
$10 at Walmart.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mobil-1-M1-301A-Extended-Performance-Oil-Filter/140387149
Parts that should be the same:

Mobil 1 M1-301A (also M1-301)
Motorcraft FL-1A
Fram PH8A
Wix 51515
Purolator PL30001


I’m interested to see what other people think about this.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

But it doesn't filter any better and its longer life is only of benefit if you don't change the oil at the recommed intervals. Not to mention the need for an additional extra partial quart.

 

[Steel City 06]

It comes out to an additional $1-3 in oil per change (assuming you keep the leftover oil) depending on what brand you go with. The benefits are marginal, but so are the costs. Figured I’d post it anyways.

 

[Drippy]

I switched between the Wix and Purolator. More filter media and doesn't take extra oil. 6 quarts on the dot.

 

[Sundowner]

The FL-1A and the Fram PH8A both fit, as does the Wix 51515. Be sure to check your micron ratings, if you're into that kind of thing.

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

The first time I changed my TJ oil I bought the Fram PH8A because it is physically the same as any filter ever used on my CJ's 258.

Due to the fact that it was a huge challenge to even get it in place, I won't bother doing that again and hope that the slightly smaller one is somewhat easier.

What ever happened to the good old days when a basketball would fit in that area?

 

[Sundowner]

The first time I changed my TJ oil I bought the Fram PH8A because it is physically the same as any filter ever used on my CJ's 258.

Due to the fact that it was a huge challenge to even get it in place, I won't bother doing that again and hope that the slightly smaller one is somewhat easier.

What ever happened to the good old days when a basketball would fit in that area?

Not sure what's in the way on yours, but a 51515 fits into mine without any complaints or undue struggling.

 

[jjvw]

I have been using the Mobile 1 m1-301 for the last 85k miles. I can't defend using the larger filter, except that I'm in it for the long haul and maybe there will be some benefit there.

 

[dbbd1]

It's just a bit of extra insurance in my mind.
I'm running it (wix).

 

[pagrey]

Just because it was mentioned it's worth noting that some of those filters are a bit different. The Mopar MO-090, the Motorcraft FL-1A and the FL-300, which is the short can or Jeep sized FL-1A, all have springs integral to the threaded boss that screws into the block. This is much more expensive to build but probably helps if the can is bent or damaged. Don't take my word for it, look down the threads of one of them compared to your favorite brand next time you are at an autoparts store. There really is an obvious difference if you look.

The MO-090 is almost always at Walmart for about $7, the FL-300 is about $3.50 from Rockauto and the FL-1A is just over $3 and if you get a few or bundle it with an air filter or windshield wipers it helps to offset shipping.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

One more factor that is important to a filter is its filtration efficiency. Some are as high as 99%, others are only 95%. That means one is letting 5X as many dirt particulates through... 1% vs. 5%. It's surprising how some expensive filters are only 95% efficient.

 

[Sundowner]

One more factor that is important to a filter is its filtration efficiency. Some are as high as 99%, others are only 95%. That means one is letting 5X as many dirt particulates through... 1% vs. 5%. It's surprising how some expensive filters are only 95% efficient.

Efficiency also goes hand-in-hand with the micron rating; it can be hard to find the info on the size and percentage of particles that get through, but it's an interesting comparison, nonetheless.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Efficiency also goes hand-in-hand with the micron rating; it can be hard to find the info on the size and percentage of particles that get through, but it's an interesting comparison, nonetheless.

Yes it does, the efficiency rating is based on the micron size of the test media. I spent a day in Fram's research lab in Ohio watching them do various tests years ago and they had bags and bags of lab-grade media of various micron sizes for their tests. It was surprisingly easy for them to be able to test the filtration efficiencies of all the major brands of oil filters and air filters there and fascinating to see how it was done.

 

[pagrey]

None of the specs matter if you don't know what Jeep specified for the MO-090. What is better, what is worse? If you want to use one of these filters for an external transmission filter then I see the point of reading and comparing the specs with existing transmission filters but otherwise it seems allot like shooting in the dark (without one of those expensive scopes).

 

[mots]

Yes it does, the efficiency rating is based on the micron size of the test media. I spent a day in Fram's research lab in Ohio watching them do various tests years ago and they had bags and bags of lab-grade media of various micron sizes for their tests. It was surprisingly easy for them to be able to test the filtration efficiencies of all the major brands of oil filters and air filters there and fascinating to see how it was done.

Jerry, do you recall if you were at Fram in Greenville, OH by chance? Lived there for a few years when younger. Small little town. I think they also still have a Perrysburg, OH location too, which is close to me now.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Jerry, do you recall if you were at Fram in Greenville, OH by chance? Lived there for a few years when younger. Small little town. I think they also still have a Perrysburg, OH location too, which is close to me now.

Fram's R&D facility is in Dayton. Nice area, it was full of apple trees which I had never seen before as a SoCal boy.

Here's a link to my writeup on my visit to Fram.... https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...it-to-frams-r-d-facility-in-dayton-ohio.9042/

 

[mots]

Fram's R&D facility is in Dayton. Nice area, it was full of apple trees which I had never seen before as a SoCal boy.

Cool, thanks. I’ve been to Dayton many times. We do have some decent apple orchards in Ohio, but not nearly as many as our Michigan neighbors to the North! Likely since it gets a bit hotter in Ohio during the peak summer months.

 

[MountaineerTom]

The Purolator PL30001 does in fact fit. I tried their blue Pure One version of the PL30001 filter on a previous oil change with no complaints. They claim 99% dirt removal with the blue Pure One. Silicone seal and silicone anti-drain back valve.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Cool, thanks. I’ve been to Dayton many times. We do have some decent apple orchards in Ohio, but not nearly as many as our Michigan neighbors to the North! Likely since it gets a bit hotter in Ohio during the peak summer months.

I just added a link to my above post that shows my visit to Fram...

 

[Sundowner]

Yes it does, the efficiency rating is based on the micron size of the test media. I spent a day in Fram's research lab in Ohio watching them do various tests years ago and they had bags and bags of lab-grade media of various micron sizes for their tests. It was surprisingly easy for them to be able to test the filtration efficiencies of all the major brands of oil filters and air filters there and fascinating to see how it was done.

That would be a fun day trip to take.