[Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup
disclaimer: info provided for "entertainment purposes only", don't try this at home, kids!
Well, curiosity got the best of me, so I opened up the factory installed oil filter which was in use for 5,000 miles on my '02 9-5 Aero. I was always curious about this so-called "Long Life" filter, which is much smaller in diameter compared to the old Mann filters used by SAAB in the pre-GM era. Those chubbier Mann filters won't fit the 9-5.
SAAB uses a 3/4-16 size thread, and Purolator makes it easy, because the baseplate of their oil filters are labeled with the size. So I went to my local PepBoys, and examined the Purolators there. I found a Purolator oil filter which is the same in diameter, but slightly taller, (about 1 1/8 inches, or 3cm) looks like it'll fit!
These are taller replacement filters which look like they'll fit: the Purolator L20195, PL20195 for the "PureOne" version, And the Mobil 1 M1-209.
Additionally, Purolator makes the Motorcraft FL-400S for Ford, which has the exact same dimensions as the Purolator L20195, but with these improvements: a) a silicone anti-drainback valve (like the PureOne), and b) a bypass valve located at the baseplate end (The PureOne's bypass valve is at the "wrong" dome end (dome), just like the L20195).
I've read that it's better to have the bypass valve at the baseplate end of the filter. When it's located at the opposite end (dome end), and it opens, crud from the dirty side of the filter can to be washed away from the media, and then fed into your engine. Not good.
See:
http://www.shoclub.com/lubrication-oil/lubrication-oilpart2.htm
for more info on bypass valve location.
Curiously, the small OE SAAB oil filter has the bypass valve at the "wrong" end, as does its twin, the old, UK-made ACDelco PF53. The newer ACDelco PF53 is manufactured by Champion labs, and has the bypass valve at the "preferred" baseplate end. The OE-size Mobil 1 equivalent, the M1-102, is also made by Champion labs, and also has the bypass valve at the "preferred" baseplate end.
Anyhow, here's the first picture, showing the Vice-Grips I used to hold the filter, the Dremel tool to cut the filter open, and the 3cm taller, Purolator oil filter. More pictures to follow...
posted by 24.46.48...
, Fri, 11 Apr 2003 12:40:05
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
