I purchased 3 oil filters at my local Honda dealer this weekend and noticed some significant differences between them as soon as I got home. I could see (looking through the holes in the end of the filter) that two of the filters clearly had an orange anti-drainback valve. The last of the three filters did not have the same orange anti-drainback valve that the other two had. It seemed that this filter had no anti-drainback valve at all. I had to leave town before the dealership would be open again so I requested my wife to take the filter with her to work (she works at a Honda Dealership) and exchange it for one that was not defective.

I heard from my wife today and she said that the parts counter person told her that there was nothing wrong with the filter and that all of the oil filters they had looked that way now. He said that the other two I had with the orange anti-drainback valve were the old style. I don't buy this crap! I don't think that Honda would spec. oil filters to be manufactured without anti-drainback valves. The filters were made in the USA by Filtech. I know that there has been much discussion of oil filters, but has anyone seen Honda oil filters without anti-drainback valves?

 

I haven't seen one yet without a drainback.

Most people here know my opinion of the US and Canada-made Honda filters. For more info check out:

http://www.ntpog.org/reviews/filters/filters.shtml

If you could take a pic, I'd like to take a look at it. I'm not aware that they have changed styles, but honestly haven't bought one in almost a year.

A drainback valve is important in that it keeps the dirty stuff in the filter as well as some oil. This should help keep the engine from ticking upon startup (some) but from what I've seen, isn't necessary. I don't think it would contribute appreciably to wear but honestly don't have any data to back that up. You have a lot of options, though, and can get a better made filter that's cheaper and easier to get, with a drainback.

Are they really all made by Filtech in the US?

 

marcucci,

In the past I have been to the site that you refer to in your post and find it very informative.

(http://www.ntpog.org/reviews/filters/filters.shtml)

In fact that site is part of the reason for my post because I can see the internal parts of the filters in your pictures and therefore I know what should and should not be in them. I was trying to confirm that this particular filter was defective and that no one else has seen any filters like this so I could let the dealer know that they had a serious problem if "all of their filters look like that now."

I changed my oil today and it seems that the oil filter that was on the car was made in Canada (I purchased it from a different dealer before I was aware of your filter research). Even the filter from Canada had the anti-drainback valve. I personally do not think that Honda or Filtech has changed their filter design. I think that the dealer may have a bad batch if "all of their filters" do not have the valve now. I will also try and post pictures of my defective filter this weekend.

I can not confirm that all three of the filters I purchased were manufactured by Filtech but I will check that out when I get back home ( I only looked at one to find the location it was manufactured).

 

Can you post some part numbers?

Anti-drainback valves are not really required while by-pass valves are..............

 

Will do tomorrow afternoon.

 

Well, I don't have any pictures but I do have part numbers. After getting home and looking a little closer at the filters that were purchased I see that two of the filters were manufactured by Filtech in US PN:15400-POH-305. One of the three I bought was actually made in Canada, and it's part number is 15400-PT7-005. The "defective" filter without the anti-drainback valve is a Filtech with part number 15400-POH-305.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by gear head
[B]Well, I don't have any pictures but I do have part numbers.

 

Agreed (on the p/n's and that the filter should have the drainback). I wouldn't put it past Honda or any other manufacturer to change the filter design, though I WOULD expect a new part number. Notice on your filters, and on the others on my page (the two different Japanese filters) that they all have unique part numbers. You can order them all here, but North American parts dealers will get crossed or subbed the Canadian or US filter (not sure which, when, or why).

I've noticed that the drainback on the Honda filters are better than on the Mobil 1 - the Hondas are always logged with oil when I remove them, the M1's are not (after sitting overnight).

 

Any opinions on which oil filter I should use from now on? I probably won't be using the Honda filters anymore after what has happened. I want a high performance aftermarket oil filter that is similar to the OEM filter, yet easily obtainable.

 

Check out the link I posted above...

Mobil 1:
- 50% little less filter material than most Honda filters
- better filtering ability (according to them)
- all-steel construction similar to JDM Honda
- More expensive

STP/Bosch:
- similar to M1, probably less filtering ability
- cheaper

Napa Gold:
- 20% less media than Honda
- quality construction
- available, price comparable to OEM

Oversized:
- M1-105 (30% bigger than OEM replacement M1)
- M1-208 (50% bigger than OEM replacement M1, NO BYPASS)

For the "best" filter, I'd recommend an oversized M1 filter. I haven't tried these yet for fitment, but the inlets/outlets are the same size. My next change will be with the M1-105. More filter media (better flow), larger size (more oil, better cooling), and M1 filter media. I'd only recommend the M1-208 for racing or very frequent change intervals (no bypass valve), but it does pack in the most filter media in a high-quality filter that you can fit on the car.

For cheapo replacements, I'd go for the STP or Bosch. Cheap and well made (and available).