Oil filters

[BufalinoLand]

Whats the word on using STP automotive filters for my scags with KAWS and Kohlers. Do these filters match up with micron readings. They are about half the price of factory filters. thanks

[TLS]

Filters are a questionable item. But, are you really saving that much with buying cheap filters? After all, how many do you use a year?

[David Gretzmier]

factory oil filters from kohler or kaw cost any where from 5 bucks in catalogs to 15 at the dealer. an stp from autozone or wal-mart is 2 bucks, maybe 3. They both filter about 10-20 microns. Dixie chopper uses the amsoil unit that goes to 1 micron, and that oil is always sparkly clean. If you change oil twice a month or weekly, and the filters fit without modification, go for it. I use an stp on my grasshopper, and it works fine, no leaks. Dave g

[Richard Martin]

Oil filters are more than just microns. Here is an independant review of the STP (Champion Labs) oil filter.

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The Champion design has metal end caps on the filter cartridge, with the bypass valve stamped right into the bottom end cap like the Purolator. I refer to this as a one-piece filter cartridge.

Though definitely not the same design as the Purolator, it does use the same type of leaf-spring-type spacer at the top of the cartridge and the nitrile anti-drainback valve, which doubles as the cartridge-to-backplate seal, at the bottom. The drawback to this one-piece cartridge is the rather fragile filter element paper media. It is a thin, brittle paper that rips fairly easily. It was difficult to disassemble these cartridges without destroying the filter element. One other issue is that I sometimes noticed some rust on the backplate of these filters. Since the rust is usually around by the inlet holes, any loose rust would be caught by the filter.

The telltale signs for a Champion filter are: 6 large holes for the oil inlet, one of which is larger than the others. Only the black anti-drainback valve can be seen through the inlet holes. There are 6 large crimps holding the gasket in place. Through the center outlet hole, you can see the bypass valve spring. Usually, the backplate metal is dull, or even rusty.

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To see how other filters stack up visit http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/oil_filter_study/

You will be very suprised to see which filters are junk and not junk.

[awm]

I had that idea wi a walmart special.It was easy to see the filter was put out by the same people.but the kohler had a little different thread and didnt work for me.

[AVRECON]

Purolator filters 4 me.

[kroll]

I had a chance to see different filters cut open and compare the inside by far wix is the best construction the are
sold thru different places like NAPA carquest Big A Ect.
all filter company's will have two different Quality lines
NAPA calls them silver line & gold line this is where your difference will be I prefer Wix which I buy NAPA gold line alot cheaper than dealer and they meet OEM spec.purelator is
a good filter also. make sure you buy first line product no matter which brand remember all brands have seconds.

[Mowman]

I've been using NAPA filters on my 20HP Kolher. Less that $4.00, and they are made by WIX. Great filters. I also get my belts from NAPA for my Walker. They are Gates belts which Walker also lists in their owners manual. I've been very happy with products from NAPA. Prices are reasonable too.
Mowman

[Fantasy Lawns]

I'm with Mowman ....we shop at Napa for filters & belts (walker)

[jrebeiro]

I just bought 4 OEM filters for my 17hp kawi. $6 a piece from my dealer.

[jdjoe_97]

I run only Baldwin filters. They are pretty good, not cheap but cheaper that OEM. Run them on my trucks, yahnmar, kubota, and kohler motors too. Most small engine shops or AG shops can get them. They make all OEM air filters also. Joe

[Keith]

I run Purolator PureOne's and Wix (on occasion). I run them because I think they filter better not because they are cheaper. The cheaper part is an added bonus :)

[Grateful11]

Just picked up a filter for my 18hp Vanguard at John Deere for $4.26. I tried to get a Puralator but Advance crossed it over to the wrong filter, now I have to take that one back.

[AVRECON]

Purolater oil filter # for B&S 16-18-20 HP L14476 and there is another one made by them that will work also but I don't have that number in my notes. One filter is a little smaller than the other, for those hard to fit places.

[eslawns]

Originally posted by AVRECON
Purolator filters 4 me.

Me too, after the warranty period.

L14476 is what I use on the Kawi 14hp too. If there's an Auto Zone near you, every once in a while you can get the Deutsch brand for less than $2. The specs are the same as the others.

[Edited by eslawns on 04-06-2001 at 02:12 AM]

[Richard Martin]

Me too, after the warranty period.


What does this have to do with anthing?

[eslawns]

My dealers Kawi rep will not honor a warranty unless there is a record of using all factory parts for repairs and service. No if's, ands, buts, or exceptions. I don't know how he can do it, but I know he do do it.

[Cleve]

Originally posted by eslawns
My dealers Kawi rep will not honor a warranty unless there is a record of using all factory parts for repairs and service. No if's, ands, buts, or exceptions. I don't know how he can do it, but I know he do do it.

I would bet that if you told him to give these terms to you in writing he would not do so.
And if he did then he has to give you the filters "free". This is a federal law.
"Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and general principles of the Federal Trade Commission Act, a manufacturer may not require the use of any brand of filter (or any other article) unless the manufacturer privides the item free of charge under the terms of the warranty."

Cleve.

[thefarmer4]

Cleve is right they cannot deny warrenty do to you using a diferent type of filter or oil or whatever. Its up to them to prove that the parts you used or that your maintenance procedure caused any malfuntion.

This is the law for any type of machinery or even your vehicles.

[eslawns]

In theory, that's how it's supposed to work. In the real world, they just say it was not a defect. How are you going to prove otherwise? I'm not going to court over it.

[TLS]

YOU PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN!!! Thats how! If he wants to play hardball, throw him your best fast ball! LAW is law. If the engine broke under warranty, then they replace it. If its determined that foul play or abuse caused it, then thats another story.

[Grateful11]

I never will forget when I was about 16 years old, about 20 some years ago, my Dad bought a new fangled device called a weedeater. It was an Echo 1000 or something I think. Anyway the thing went bad after just a few weeks and the dealer said he couldn't do anything with it. Well you didn't want to make my Dad mad. He threatened to wrap that thing around someones blankity blank head and believe me it wasn't long until he got some satisfaction. He had already had it back to them a couple of times and they just couldn't seem to do anything with it. I think they finally gave him a new one.
I don't suggest people get that drastic but sometimes you have stand your ground, after all you're giving these people your hard earned money.