Warning: Wal Mart Oil Filter ST9688 Failure VQ35DE

[Kev90]

So if you have been following my 2001 Pathfinder resto thread, my motor has had a bunch of sludge. After pulling the oil pan, cleaning up the area behind timing chain, and pulling the valve covers I knew there was a lot of loose sludge. So I have been changing the oil and filter after running it for an hour or so and then cleaning up the pickup tube. Currently have done it twice so far...

Anyways, I purchased 3 wal-mart oil filters, Supertech ST9688 since I am doing very short oil changes. 2 of the 3 filters have incorrect threads on them which kept trying to crossthread onto the oil filter mount. Visibly I couldn't tell a difference. I installed a Purolator One and then checked a Fram and had zero issues. The Fram and Prolator filters both have 1-2 additional threads over the walmart filter and the threads are closer to the rubber o ring (.200" from o ring to start of threads, vs .400" on walmart). So the Purolator/Fram both threads are tightening in the middle of the threaded pipe and the walmart is only grabbing onto the last couple threads of the pipe you thread the oil filter onto.

So end of story, I don't plan on purchasing any more walmart oil filters for this truck (never have in the past on any of my cars), going to pony up the extra $1 for the fancier filter. So here is your warning if you plan on using these filters, to be careful when you are spinning them on.

[barnaclebob]

the bobistheoilguy forums might be interested in this.

[QX4ME]

I check its Walmart price, very inexpensive. However, it is not worth saving a few dollars on unknown oil filter if oil change is once or twice a year. I use Fram filter if when do oil change, or have shop change it assuming their filter is good enough.

[Kev90]

I love the bobistheoilguy forums!! tons of awesome info. It helped me quite a bit with determining what to do with the sludge so I didn't cause more damage. I only cleaned up what I could take off. I also added a Wix branded version of the Magnefine auxiliary transmission filter + magnet in the transmission cooler line.

I would have normally never purchased a wal mart filter, but lots of guys on the BobistheOilGuy forum have stated it is an ok filter for doing a 5000mile or less oil change interval. So I thought I wouldn't have an issue doing a few 0 mile oil change intervals to flush the crap out.