Wix Filter Issues?

Discussion in 'Street/strip 400/430/455' started by Briz, Apr 23, 2023.

  1. Briz

    Briz Founders Club Member

    This is the second time I've seen this. First was with a K&N after doing a dyno on a 462 build using the peterson R4 pump on a cold day. This Wix 51528 cant use that as an excuse. 10/40 Rotella oil on a warm day run on a engine stand and a few light pulls after it was installed in the car. Cut the ends off the filter and pulled it flat and found nothing of concern in the pleats but there was a few larger pieces in the bottom of the canester.

    Yesterday a guy posted on one of my FB pages about a problem he was having with the drain back valve in one (Wix 51528) leaving his filter empty on start up causing the low OP death rattle for a second on cold start. I recently change oil / filters on the Rivs 430 and also noticed that rattle on a cold start where it never did it before. Wondering if theres some QC issues going on with Wix.



    342357450_1399903337436451_1836481722224009069_n.jpg
     
  2. Stevem

    Stevem Well-Known Member

    There’s QC issues with everything ( not just automotive) these days as companies get back to ramping back up there production only with less employees then pre-Covid times in terms of cutting cost.
     
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  3. 69Riv

    69Riv Platinum Level Contributor

    Ever since changing from the Wix/Napa to the Baldwin B9, cold oil pressure builds much quicker. It was a worry watching the gauge just sitting there at 0 after the engine had started. I have used Wix for many years on all my vehicles and when I bought the Riv I did the same. Now with this issue with the 430 fixed by changing filters, I've sadly gone away from them on my other vehicles too.
     
    71stagegs likes this.
  4. BQUICK

    BQUICK Gold Level Contributor

    Can't wait to get my WIX off the Jag. I am going to try Fram Racing first then switch to K&P. Ever since I put the WIX on at the track after sitting it would take a while for the pressure to come up. I figured it was due to the large Poston external oil pick up line or worn bearings. Motor has 9 yrs of racing on it.....
     
  5. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

  6. Schurkey

    Schurkey Silver Level contributor

    Wix was bought-out by Mann & Hummel, now the filters are imported.

    Wix was my go-to brand. I'll be using up what I have, then switching to Baldwin.
     
  7. BadBrad

    BadBrad Got 4-speed?

    I had been using Bosch on the 455 - did so for like a decade, but they disappeared at Autozone so I went to Wix from Oh, Oh, Oh, O'reilly last year. Here's what I just learned about Bosch.

    upload_2023-4-23_16-21-56.png
     
  8. BQUICK

    BQUICK Gold Level Contributor

    Nothing stays the same with these things.....
     
  9. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    I think were all better off using a cleanable oil filter instead of these throw away ones, ESPECIALLY since QC has gone down the tubes.
     
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  10. knucklebusted

    knucklebusted Well-Known Member

    I saw the same image and I tried to get the guy to explain what was going on. Never got a response so this is the first I've seen of WIX issues. I've got one or two left and a few AC PF-24 filters.
     
  11. Dadrider

    Dadrider Silver Level contributor

    We may have to do just that……
     
    Mark Demko likes this.
  12. STREETFIGHTER50

    STREETFIGHTER50 Well-Known Member

    Lately I’ve been watching a bunch of oil filter dissecting/comparison videos and the MicroGard “Select” Oil Filter from O’Reilly Auto Parts looks to be a really good quality piece! I will be buying a few for the Buick and our other cars soon.

    O’Reilly part # MSL51258 for the Buick 455 - $10.99
    https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/.../13697/automotive-car-1971-buick-gs-455?pos=1

    Here’s the video of it opened up.
     
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2023
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  13. pbr400

    pbr400 68GS400

    The problem is, especially with store brands but getting more common with name brands, is ‘who is the actual manufacturer?’ O’Reilly’s has specifications for that filter but may switch suppliers to save 3c a unit, and may from day one have more than one initial supplier. Sometimes the bulk product comes from a different supplier than the boxed goods, sometimes it’s a regional thing, sometimes it’s just to have a backup supplier. Sometimes it’s based upon some suppliers only making the fast movers (which the PF-24 design isn’t). You also had bad cross references; a PF25 appears to interchange but doesn’t specify an anti-drainback valve; some manufacturers may combine the two with less than ideal results.
    (I don’t have the answer; but want to warn folks that, sometimes the answer isn’t what it looks, or changes).
    Patrick
     
  14. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    To add to this, be very skeptical!
     
  15. 69SkylarkGS

    69SkylarkGS Well-Known Member

    Anyone have a solution to a filter that is suitable these days? I’m gathering parts to swap my timing cover to TA timing and oil pump covers when I fix the leaking gasket I have so will be changing my oil and filter at that time too.
     
    Mark Demko likes this.
  16. DauntlessSB92

    DauntlessSB92 Addicted to Buick

    I think I am leaning towards what others have said and I will be installing a reusable filter at my next oil change.

    For now, I am using a Mobile 1 M1-107a and it seems to be fine. No valvetrain noise on cold start (car sat for a week). The filter is smaller than the wix I used before, so no contact with the lower rad hose.

    The only other change I noticed was higher cold oil pressure and a less than 5psi drop at hot idle. (From 20psi to just above 15psi with 10w-30)
     
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2023
    chrisg and 69SkylarkGS like this.
  17. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

  18. STREETFIGHTER50

    STREETFIGHTER50 Well-Known Member

    Yeah you really gotta beware nowadays. Especially ordering stuff online like Amazon or eBay. I returned a Ford Racing filter back to Amazon. What I got from themwas just a rebadged Motorcraft filter which you can buy for like $6 from Walmart. You can see the baseplates are very different and the Ford Racing came with a thick silicone gasket and weighed much heavier compared to the fake. Alota counterfeit parts out there I tell ya!
    C4EEAF49-8437-4808-BD88-420A467A3E89.png
     
    patwhac likes this.
  19. Briz

    Briz Founders Club Member

    Asked at OReally's about the PF24 and he couldnt pull it up . Not a in stock item
     
  20. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    Mark Demko likes this.

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