Any "good" oil filters available for the 2.2L?

[mangler66]

On my former car, I swore by the Purolator Pure 1 filters (synthetic media filters, which has much greater capacity than pleated paper). There are some really good filters from other brtand, but the Pure 1 was both good and inexpensive at 9$ can.

Anyway my 2.2L Saturn is getting close to 4k miles on original fill oil, which is making me nervous. So far all filters I have found were the crappy pleated paper filters. Does anyone make a high capacity filter for the ecotec? Anything readily available in Canada? I use synthetic oil, and my usual oil change interval is around 7500k miles, so I need the extra capacity.

[mellissam]

On my former car, I swore by the Purolator Pure 1 filters (synthetic media filters, which has much greater capacity than pleated paper). There are some really good filters from other brtand, but the Pure 1 was both good and inexpensive at 9$ can.

Anyway my 2.2L Saturn is getting close to 4k miles on original fill oil, which is making me nervous. So far all filters I have found were the crappy pleated paper filters. Does anyone make a high capacity filter for the ecotec? Anything readily available in Canada? I use synthetic oil, and my usual oil change interval is around 7500k miles, so I need the extra capacity.

No, I have only used FRAM...all I could find. If you find something better, please share...:)

[M7Mayberry]

At 1200 miles, I changed the oil and filter on my 2.2L Used Mobil 1 oil and Purolator Pure One filter, # PL15436. I am now at 1700 miles and nothing has blown up yet......:)

[M7Mayberry]

According to www.pureoil.com, you can purchase the filters in Canada here:

Canadian Locations:

UniSelect Auto Parts
Bestbuy Auto Parts
Auto Extra
McQuik Lube Outlets

[mangler66]

Thanks Mayberry. I usually can do these searches:redface:

Melissa, check out the website. This is my favorite oil filter. Best performance, best value.

[mellissam]

Thanks Mayberry. I usually can do these searches:redface:

Melissa, check out the website. This is my favorite oil filter. Best performance, best value.

I wish they had links...boo hoo...thanks. I don't recognize a single outlet.....:no:

[mangler66]

I have a place in Montreal that sells alot of Purolator...last time I went there, I bought 10 filters for my 98 Contour ...lol

Cheapest place by far, but its 7 hours away now, and they are not open on Saturdays... Next time I go, I will pick-up a bunch.

There is a Best Buy auto parts in Montreal also, but I bet they do not have it in stock. They are open on Saturday, so I will check sooner.

[DeliriousGA]

I only use Mobil1 poly filters with Mobil1 oil. I don't know if they are available for the 2.2, but you can find out by going to their website or the Autozone website.

The poly filter's core is much better than the paper cores used by most other filter companies. It traps smaller particals for a much longer time than the paper cores.

[M7Mayberry]

I could not find a Mobil 1 filter for the 2.2L Vue. What you buy is an insert. The Pure One is not paper and is supposedly as good as, or close to, the Mobil 1.

[BobbyP]

http://www.amazon.com/Purolator-PL15436-PureONE-Filter-Pack/dp/B000H7XJOK/ref=sr_1_1/002-9290524-8044864?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1181680286&sr=1-1

Amazon has the Purolator Pure One filter, the picture is wrong. The number is correct.

[mangler66]

Those wankers will not ship to Canada...

[DeliriousGA]

I could not find a Mobil 1 filter for the 2.2L Vue. What you buy is an insert. The Pure One is not paper and is supposedly as good as, or close to, the Mobil 1.I wonder why they decided to use an insert for the 2.2 and not for the 3.5.

If the Pure One is a poly insert I'd go with that. The cheap-o paper filters, especially the ones at the local oil change shops, are only designed to last 3K miles. Not good since most cars today don't require an oil change for at least 5K miles.

[kodak_jack]

According to an article read by a friend, the best synthetic oil and filters are at good old WalMart. No sense paying the big buck for something that isn't as good. According to the article, WalMart filters are made by Wix and Fram's quality has gone away.

[mangler66]

Wix is one of the best in pleated paper, but the standard Wally filter is Penzoil, and its crap (horrible rubber flap instead of real check valve).

The best value oil at Wal-Mart is Esso XD-3. I just wish it came in pints, and in 0W30.

Fram never had quality in my book. Their new media filters are ok (no teflon!), but their standard line is low end.

[mangler66]

For those who may think I'm full of it:

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters.html

[GearGuy]

...but the standard Wally filter is Penzoil, and its crap (horrible rubber flap instead of real check valve).
Are they in your area?
The Walmart oil filters that I'm familiar with were (probably still are) produced by Champion Labs and are considered respectable filters. Good for the price.

I've been happy with the PureOnes for performance and price but I've also used Napa Golds (Wix) picked up on sale.

[mangler66]

Yes, Wally Canada carries Penzoil everything as standard. You are lucky if you get ANYTHING else.

[Bill Murray]

If your engine is running properly, and I'll assume it is, when you cut that filter apart and examine the pleats (very easy to do on this cartridge style element) you will find that it looks just like a new filter that you soaked in oil.
No dirt at all :)

FWIW I bought OEM (Hengst-Germany) filters off eBay for about 4 bucks each. Again unless something is going wrong, at 6000 miles your filter will be nowhere close to being plugged.

[BobbyP]

I wonder why they decided to use an insert for the 2.2 and not for the 3.5.

The Japanese no doubt consider the cartridge system inferior. That is why they use a spin on filter cartridge.

[mangler66]

I found another really good option :

Bosch 72215. Some say it is the same filter as the new K&N (Pontiac Solstice), but cheaper. Now to find it locally...

[M7Mayberry]

The accessories on the 2.2L are mounted directly to the block to reduce vibration. The oil filter housing is cast into the block, with a cover and replaceable cartridge.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Family_II_engine

[mellissam]

The Japanese no doubt consider the cartridge system inferior. That is why they use a spin on filter cartridge.

Can't say I agree with the Japanese on that one....I think the top mounted oil filter housing on the Ecotec is far superior to spin on filters (they seem to be a mixed bag). Less room for error when all your buying is the element, not the can, valve and the element. I wonder how old the respective engines are, design-wise.

[BobbyP]

Can't say I agree with the Japanese on that one....I think the top mounted oil filter housing on the Ecotec is far superior to spin on filters (they seem to be a mixed bag). Less room for error when all your buying is the element, not the can, valve and the element. I wonder how old the respective engines are, design-wise.

More manufacturers would be using this unusual oil filter layout if it was better. Personally I like anything as long as it works and is reliable. Multiple owners with ECOTEC's had major difficulties with this filter layout. Many were probably caused by people replacing the cap too tight.

FYI... I can change my oil without any tools. The oil filter can be removed by hand, and I have the Fumoto valve with the nipple so I can cleanly drain the oil into a bottle... Everything works very well. The Fram synthetic filter with the anti slip coating works great.

[M7Mayberry]

Be nice to Mellissa or she might take her pictures away! ;)

[mellissam]

Be nice to Mellissa or she might take her pictures away! ;)

Bobby would argue the sky isn't blue, if I took the position it was, and it was the topic of the day....:yes:

The Ecotec filter is way less messy, integrated into the block (less prone to problems), and as already mentioned just plain better than a spin on filter...Bobby has no empirical evidence to back up his claim....:p
I, on the other hand, have read many folks talk about their spin-on filters causing them problems...A lube place forgetting to put the oil filter back on doesn't count...:p

[M7Mayberry]

I think the sky is blue.......at least in the daytime. Of course, in L.A. it is often light brown.