Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2000 16:38:26 -0700
Reply-To: Keith Adams <keith_adams@TRANSCANADA.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Keith Adams <keith_adams@TRANSCANADA.COM>
Organization: TransCanada
Subject: Re: oil filter for 2.1 l WBX?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Ok, I am on my way out the door for a long weekend, so I figured I'd lob out a
figurative hand-grenade while I run....<flame suit on? - check!>
I don't know the history of where the anit-Bosch oil filter sentiment is coming
from, or where the indication that it doesn't have proper anti-drainback or bypass
valves comes from, but this is what I found while digging around:
(I'm not trying to start a holy war, I'm just trying to educate myself, so BE
NICE!)
Have a good weekend all,
Keith
> The Bosch is to be avoided, as are Fram's but in the latter case simply
> because they lack the proper antidrainback valve (both lack it actually.)
> I've cut apart a few filters of various brands and if it has the
> anti-drainback stuff it likely has as much filter media to the naked eye as any
> other.
from http://minimopar.simplenet.com/oilfilterstudy-german.html
Bosch 72150
I believe that Champion Laboratories is the manufacturer of all american-made
Bosch filters. If the filter is stamped with "Made in U.S.A.", then it is likely
a Champion Labs filter. They seem to make some of the German OEM filters as
well. I kept seeing this unit's filter cartridge in other units, but this may
just be a design copy.
This filter has one of the higher surface areas of the group and has a stronger
case. A common theme with these filters is to have the anti-drainback valve built
into the bottom of the filter cartridge with the bypass valve built into the top.
Rather than use a diaphram-type anti-drainback valve, these filters use spring
loaded steel valve with a nitrile seal. This is probably the best anti-drainback
valve design I have seen, but it does take up quite a bit of room inside the
cartridge, which forces the element pleats to be shallow. The cartridge is held
in place by a leaf spring-type spacer. To make a positive seal to the backplate,
a rubber o-ring is used at the base of the cartridge. The backplate has four
large "D"-shaped holes for the oil inlet.
Mann W719/5
This filter also has similarities to both the Champion Labs and the Mahle units.
It has the usual Champion Labs bypass and anti-drainback valve locations and
construction, but has a filter element similar to the Mahle unit. The inside
diameter of this cartridge is smaller than the Champion Labs or Mahle, which
allows deeper
pleats and gives this filter the most surface area of the group (285sqin). The
cartridge spacer is a leaf spring-type, but of a unique design. The backplate
looks just like
the Champion Labs backplate, except that for some reason is it not welded or glued
to the can. The can has some "hooks" that attach it to the backplate through the
"D"-shaped inlet holes. After looking at it, I realized that this makes no
difference in terms of sealing. The outside seal is made to the filter can and so
any oil that gets
between the backplate and the can ends up in the same place that it would if it
went through the inlet holes. Also, this filter has the strongest can of the
group.
This filter has "Made in Germany" stamped on the can, which may account for the
differences from the American-made Bosch filter (which is mamufactured by Champion
Laboratories).
Volkswagen 034 115 561A
This filter has the same construction as the American-made Bosch filter (Champion
Labs), and also appears to have the same filter element.
