Wasnt there someone on the MB club of america forum who stated that his 616's engine failure was caused by the internals of a purolator filter. Im trying to find the link to thread but i remember reading about a purolator filter that broke apart in the oil filter housing and seized up the engine.

__________________
Current:
05 E320 CDI
07 GL320 CDI
08 Sprinter
05 Dodge Cummins
01 Dodge Cummins

Previous
2004 E55 AMG
2002 C32 AMG (#2)
1995 E300
1978 300D
1987 300D
2002 C32 AMG(blown motor :[
1981 300SD
1983 300SD
1987 300SDL
2002 Jetta TDI
1996 S420
1995 S500
1993 190E 2.6
1992 190E 2.3
1985 190E 2.3 5-Speed

You're talking about "VLayton".
http://mbca.cartama.net/showpost.php?p=81517&postcount=11
http://mbca.cartama.net/showthread.php?t=13253&highlight=purolator

__________________
'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

Knecht Mahle filter for 606:

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
1998 W210 diesel (wiped out by a texter)
Baum spring compressor "for rent"

dealer-supplied (MANN) filter for M112 engine:

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
1998 W210 diesel (wiped out by a texter)
Baum spring compressor "for rent"

Were talking about totaly different filters, the newer engines don't have the bypass section.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Thanks for clarifying. These pictures I posted don't appear to be of concern.

FWIW, there's a factory near Nashville that makes filters labeled Wix, but they also brand some as Napa and a couple other names I've forgotten. A friend who was there on business was impressed by their attention to such details as the drainback valve material, amount and quantity of filter material (he was surprised that they used the "fluff" but they explained that it does the job, along with the pleated paper), etc. I switched to Wix because of his "testimony" . I like to support AMERICAN manufacturers as much as I can; I swear it's scary how many factories are closing in the name of cost saving - I sell industrial supplies to these type places and folks, if we do not begin to pay attention to the origin of our goods I really cannot imagine what'll happen to the USA. Anyone who replies regarding my (apparently hypocritical) purchase of foreign cars needs to research how much of a Ford, for instance, is actually made in the USA; also I bet by the time one considers the techs, salesmen and other MBUSA employees we keep employed keeping our imported cars running we contribute more to the domestic revenue than an "American car" owner!

__________________
RIP "Betsy" (Oo=*=oO)
'96 E 3 2 0 (W 2 1 0) M 1 0 4 (Totalled)
Spaces in sig so as not to screw up the SEARCH; every time someone searches for that MB they don't want my sig!

2004 Audi A8L
'98 VW Passat 1.8T 5M
'87 Alfa Romeo Milano 2.5L 5M
'67 Impala convertible, 327cid

Wix makes the filters for Napa, or so I've always heard. I'm pretty surprised at the number of Fram backers I've seen here so far. Every Fram filter I've seen cut apart shows how flimsy the inside material really is - I have no idea why they have the reputation that they do. Wix is a much better product. I'm also surprised at the number of people who think Mann is crap. I know little about them, but always heard good things.

__________________
Gil

2004 ML350
1984 300CD; Ivory (sold)

I remember years ago, when I was in a car rally, there was a Ferrari owner who modified his lubrication system. It had a large oil tank (I assume therefore dry sump?), with the oil pushed through a series of filters and his oil system ran on electric pumps.

First thing he did was kick on the oil pumps, then start the car.

__________________
1980 300TD-T (82 Turbo and Trans) 159,000 Miles "Jackie-O"
1983 300SD 272,000 Miles "Aristotle"
1987 Jeep Wagoneer Limited - keeps the MB's off the ice and out of the snow
1994 BMW 530it

The good Wix is the full filter version without a bypass section. I see what your saying about Fram filters. My experience is that some Frams for other makes and models are crap. But this Turkey Fram is the exception and not flimsy at all. It is a well built sturdy filter. In fact when I compared it to a Mann filter where is what I found:

Fram had a larger filtering area (Mann filter eliment is 2 3/8 inches tall vs Fram's element is 2 5/8 inches tall)

Fram had 70 pleats in the element vs 65 pleats for the Mann.

Fram did not have waste cotton gin like the Mann.

__________________
1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

I would bet double shots of espresso that Fram is not an approved filter by MB. Remember, the manufacturing specification has come from MB and therefore what is viewed as cotton waste, is what MB wants in the filter. That is the reason that all the high end German OEM manufactures are making the filter that way. I would double my bet to say that the filtering ability of what is in fact new raw cotton, is greater than what has been described as string in the Fram. The section of the filter we are talking about is the section that cycles a fraction of the oil back to the pan at a much higher cleaning ability than the smaller section.

I'll place my bet with an OEM approved manufacture following the specifications MB has developed while admitting I have no factual understanding on the benefit for one method over another....yet.

I will continue my dialog with Wolfgand and Hengst until I do understand and that the decision I make is based on facts.

__________________
1980 300TD-T (82 Turbo and Trans) 159,000 Miles "Jackie-O"
1983 300SD 272,000 Miles "Aristotle"
1987 Jeep Wagoneer Limited - keeps the MB's off the ice and out of the snow
1994 BMW 530it

Vehicle manufacturers do not generally approve or endorse the use of aftermarket products, including OEM products. They generally recommend OE parts. Why would they recommend or approve anything else?
(I realize that they do approve some aftermarket fluids, etc., probably due to the realization that OE fluids may not be readily available.)

What is the meaning of the term "OEM approved manufacture?"

At the risk of being repetitive, the issue is not so much with the specification as it is with failure to adhere to that specification. By Hengst's own admission, the specification does not permit rocks, dirt, insects, trash, etc., to be present in the filter media. The findings of forum members would tend to discount Hengst's "single event" theory.

It's a pretty safe bet that the CH2930 is a "reboxed" item not actually manufactured by Fram.