My Official OM617 Toyota Pickup Repower Thread - Page 36 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

OM617YOTA · #**526** 10-01-2014, 01:00 PM

Thank you JB!

Finally got tracking info, new tank is supposed to be delivered this Friday. I think the vendor had it available instead of in stock.

I've burned through four prefilters since I ordered the replacement tank - when it gets rattly I know it's sucking air past the hose clamps and that it's time to change filters again. I rolled the dice and ordered a Racor 500FG "equivalent" knockoff from China. Pics look good, company looks good, supposed to be a pretty serious aftermarket filter supplier for China. Half the cost of a genuine 500FG from Ebay and 1/4 the cost of a genuine 500FG from an authorized Racor distributor. I'm curious to see how it turns out in reality.

The Chinese are really great at counterfeiting, and while obviously something is sacrificed, a lot of it is surprisingly good quality. A "genuine" 500FG from Ebay may well be exactly the same thing I purchased, just with a fancy counterfeit Racor sticker as well.

interzonearts · #**527** 10-01-2014, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OM617YOTA

Thank you JB!

Finally got tracking info, new tank is supposed to be delivered this Friday. I think the vendor had it available instead of in stock.

I've burned through four prefilters since I ordered the replacement tank - when it gets rattly I know it's sucking air past the hose clamps and that it's time to change filters again. I rolled the dice and ordered a Racor 500FG "equivalent" knockoff from China. Pics look good, company looks good, supposed to be a pretty serious aftermarket filter supplier for China. Half the cost of a genuine 500FG from Ebay and 1/4 the cost of a genuine 500FG from an authorized Racor distributor. I'm curious to see how it turns out in reality.

The Chinese are really great at counterfeiting, and while obviously something is sacrificed, a lot of it is surprisingly good quality. A "genuine" 500FG from Ebay may well be exactly the same thing I purchased, just with a fancy counterfeit Racor sticker as well.

They're good because they make the 'brand' or 'genuine' stuff as well.
Would you be able to use the genuine inserts in case the 'aftermarket' inserts turn not so great?

funola · #**528** 10-01-2014, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OM617YOTA

.....
I've burned through four prefilters since I ordered the replacement tank - when it gets rattly I know it's sucking air past the hose clamps and that it's time to change filters again. ........

The pre-filter is a very coarse filter. You can see the openings with the naked eye. I wash them in cleaners such as LA Awesome, Simple green, Purple Power etc then rinse with water, let dry and re-use them. I have not bought a pre-filter in many many years.

OM617YOTA · #**529** 10-01-2014, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by interzonearts

They're good because they make the 'brand' or 'genuine' stuff as well.
Would you be able to use the genuine inserts in case the 'aftermarket' inserts turn not so great?

Yep, takes the original elements, original heater if I so wish, water sensor, etc. They also make replacement elements for ~60% the cost of Racor, that will fit both this filter housing and genuine Racor housings.

Edit: My local NAPA has their Napa Gold/Wix brand replacement for these filters as well. 10 micron is stocked all the time and they can order anything.

Quote:

Originally Posted by funola

The pre-filter is a very coarse filter. You can see the openings with the naked eye. I wash them in cleaners such as LA Awesome, Simple green, Purple Power etc then rinse with water, let dry and re-use them. I have not bought a pre-filter in many many years.

I use a paper filter in front of the stock primary filter. Stuff STILL gets past that paper filter and gets stuck in the stock primary filter.

funola · #**530** 10-01-2014, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OM617YOTA

.........
I use a paper filter in front of the stock primary filter. Stuff STILL gets past that paper filter and gets stuck in the stock primary filter.

Why are you using a paper filter before the primary filter? The clear primary filter is a coarse plastic screen. Paper element is finer than the primary coarse screen. Filters should go from coarse to medium to fine, filtration wise.

OM617YOTA · #**531** 10-01-2014, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funola

Why are you using a paper filter before the primary filter? The clear primary filter is a coarse plastic screen. Paper element is finer than the primary coarse screen. Filters should go from coarse to medium to fine, filtration wise.

Under normal circumstances, I agree with you 100%. Right now I'm just trying to limp the truck along until the new fuel tank comes in at the end of the week. Until then I'll be burning through filters, and the paper filters are by far the least expensive.

Edit: Once I burned through my stock of Fram paper filters, I started using Purolator paper filters. With Fram, I got junk in the primary filter AFTER the Fram filter. With the Purolator, nothing. Moral of the story: I won't be buying Fram again.

ROLLGUY · #**532** 10-01-2014, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OM617YOTA

Edit: Once I burned through my stock of Fram paper filters, I started using Purolator paper filters. With Fram, I got junk in the primary filter AFTER the Fram filter. With the Purolator, nothing. Moral of the story: I won't be buying Fram again.

Go on youtube and type in Fram, and you will be surprised what you see. I learned a long time ago to stay away from Fram filters, especially their oil filters....Rich

Cadin · #**533** 10-01-2014, 10:42 PM

I've always avoided Fram because I had heard bad stuff; but solid evidence is priceless! I usually default with Wix or Napa (Wix in disguise).

Thanks for the info on the Facor filters, the rainy season is upon us and I'd like to put a water/fuel separator in; a little extra filtration can't hurt while I'm at it!

funola · #**534** 10-01-2014, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OM617YOTA

Under normal circumstances, I agree with you 100%. Right now I'm just trying to limp the truck along until the new fuel tank comes in at the end of the week. Until then I'll be burning through filters, and the paper filters are by far the least expensive.

Edit: Once I burned through my stock of Fram paper filters, I started using Purolator paper filters. With Fram, I got junk in the primary filter AFTER the Fram filter. With the Purolator, nothing. Moral of the story: I won't be buying Fram again.

Is this the Fram filters you used? I cut a brand new one open a year ago and to my surprise, found the element was just a slip fit onto the inlet tube. The clearance on the slip fit is much greater than the 20 micron rating of the element. The correct way to assemble it is to use Plastisol (hot plastic weld) to seal it. So Fram saved money by skipping an important step and sell you a lousy filter.

I meant to contact them to ask WTF were they thinking but haven't got around to it. I'll just never buy their filters again.

OM617YOTA · #**535** 10-02-2014, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funola

Is this the Fram filters you used? I cut a brand new one open a year ago and to my surprise, found the element was just a slip fit onto the inlet tube. The clearance on the slip fit is much greater than the 20 micron rating of the element. The correct way to assemble it is to use Plastisol (hot plastic weld) to seal it. So Fram saved money by skipping an important step and sell you a lousy filter.

I meant to contact them to ask WTF were they thinking but haven't got around to it. I'll just never buy their filters again.

Thanks for the info. Not that exact PN, but yes the same idea. I had avoided Fram oil and air filters for a long time due to quality concerns. With this I figured it's just a paper filter, how hard would they have to try to screw that up?

Lesson learned.

Cadin · #**536** 10-02-2014, 04:49 PM

(As an Aside: I've had trouble with the prefilter plastic inlet/outlets, that don't have a metal collar, crushing and sucking air as well.)
(Photo only for example.)

OM617YOTA · #**537** 10-03-2014, 12:56 PM

Cadin-

Thanks for the tip on the metal-collared filters, I'll have to look for those!

First pic is of the dirtied filter, been having this happen about every 1/4 tank.

Second pic is an experiment, I taped a powerful neodymium magnet to the outside of the new filter. I'm curious to see what it will catch, if anything.

funola · #**538** 10-03-2014, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cadin

(As an Aside: I've had trouble with the prefilter plastic inlet/outlets, that don't have a metal collar, crushing and sucking air as well.)
(Photo only for example.)

Yep, without the brass collar supporting the plastic, the plastic will slowly compress and shrink in diameter and never provide a perfect seal.

funola · #**539** 10-03-2014, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OM617YOTA

Cadin-

Thanks for the tip on the metal-collared filters, I'll have to look for those!

First pic is of the dirtied filter, been having this happen about every 1/4 tank.

Second pic is an experiment, I taped a powerful neodymium magnet to the outside of the new filter. I'm curious to see what it will catch, if anything.

Cut the filter open (at seam where the clear joints the opaque) with sharp wire cutters and you'll see what I mean.

OM617YOTA · #**540** 10-03-2014, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funola

Cut the filter open (at seam where the clear joints the opaque) with sharp wire cutters and you'll see what I mean.

This one is a Napa/Wix, and I've seen nothing in the stock prefilter since then.

As an aside, after ordering that Facor(nice term, Cadin) I haven't received any responses at all from the vendor. This is China's National "Day" holiday, which actually lasts a week, and during which non-essentials in the whole country essentially shut down. I won't be surprised if it's next week before I get a tracking number. If anyone else decides to order one, just beware.