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Experience with Super Tech filter from Wal Mart

6.1K views 33 replies 23 participants last post by  Chicago-Spike  
#1 ·
One of my autotech students did an oil change on a Jeep Cherokee using a Super Tech filter from Wal Mart. After starting the engine he noticed there was no oil pressure on the instrument panel gauge. After doing the normal checks, we attached a mechanical gauge, removed the distributor and spun the oil pump using a drive rod attached to an electric drill. We still had no oil pressure and at my suggestion he replaced the oil filter. He installed a Fram (not my favorite) and we were able to get oil pressure immediately.
This happened a second time on a high mileage Toyota Pickup. The oil pressure light came on with the Super Tech Filter and went out after we installed a Toyota filter.
I realize this is anecdotal evidence but I feel you get what you pay for. I use Wix, Purolator or Mobil 1 filters on all my jobs.
 
#2 ·
Yea, I agree. I have no experience with the Walmart filters BUT I dont understand guys who will buy a $6000 - $15,000 bike and then want to save $3 to $5 on an oil filter once or twice a year. :dontknow:
 
#4 ·
Yea, I agree. I have no experience with the Walmart filters BUT I dont understand guys who will buy a $6000 - $15,000 bike and then want to save $3 to $5 on an oil filter once or twice a year. :dontknow:
:agree::banghead: :banghead: :banghead:
 
#5 ·
What amazes me even more is that some people actually believe that just because a filter is made by a big name (in this case Champion) that it is of the same quality and that the only difference is the price. :roll:

http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/showthread.php?t=249055
 
#6 ·
#7 ·
I have run the supertech in my 97 jeep and this will be my second year with them on my X.
Zero problems and they are sure better than Fram.

Sounds weird about the example with no pressure. I use them because I read about 10 different links where they take apart the oil filters from all different companies and supertech really are the same as two or three top filters.
 
#8 ·
But, is it still made by Champion Labs??? There are made offshore the last time I checked ;)
The Supertech I have on my shelf says Made in the USA

Some of the reviews I found say that there are some lower end filters in the
supertech line but they say "Made in Mexico"

It would have been interesting to have your students cut open the filter to see why it failed.
 
#10 ·
have an 2008 1300 retro with 15000 miles now....5 oil changes and all of them with rotella syntech and super tech filter. dont have any problem at all. and for 20.00 for a galon+ and a 2.75 filter can not go wrong at all. I change the oil at 3000 miles no more no less (well last change took 200miles more but I was in a trip at charleston SC) this is my mode of transportation in summer fall winter or you know what i mean and i ride like i stole it.....ask the guys at charlestone and i pull a trailer too.....
but is your choice so do it or not still your choice....
hector
got the bike in december 2008 not a year old at this time....
 
#12 ·
Super Tech

have an 2008 1300 retro with 15000 miles now....5 oil changes and all of them with rotella syntech and super tech filter. dont have any problem at all. and for 20.00 for a galon+ and a 2.75 filter can not go wrong at all. I change the oil at 3000 miles no more no less (well last change took 200miles more but I was in a trip at charleston SC) this is my mode of transportation in summer fall winter or you know what i mean and i ride like i stole it.....ask the guys at charlestone and i pull a trailer too.....
but is your choice so do it or not still your choice....
hector
got the bike in december 2008 not a year old at this time....
Oil filter and no oil pressure? Sounds bogus to me.. it is possible for an oil pump to lose its prime. caused by an oil filter? Highly unlikely but remotely possible..
 
#14 ·
An oil filter can cause a zero oil pressure situation. If the anti-drainback valve does not open in the normal flowing direction because it's faulty, or the valve material is inappropriate and has degraded over time, it will completely block oil flow through the filter and you will have no oil pressure.
 
#16 ·
Most oil filters are made in the same 2-3 asian factories. I go with Bosche which I believe has a whole different supply line (european).
China. By the way Bosche and Purolator are the same company these days.
 
#17 ·
Well crap then. :(

I was assuming the supply line of Bosche was different, as I never saw them mentioned in other articles about asian oil filters.

Please don't tell me they are made in the same factory as the dreaded Fram oil filters!!!

China. By the way Bosche and Purolator are the same company these days.
 
#19 ·
Yea, I agree. I have no experience with the Walmart filters BUT I dont understand guys who will buy a $6000 - $15,000 bike and then want to save $3 to $5 on an oil filter once or twice a year. :dontknow:
Yes... I know what you mean... I think it is crazy that there are so many people that think they are getting quality merchandise simply because they paid four times as much for it:banghead:

Price rarely has ANYTHING to do with marketing a good product...
(as posted elsewhere) :click: http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/FilterStudy.html

8)
 
#20 ·
Yes... I know what you mean... I think it is crazy that there are so many people that think they are getting quality merchandise simply because they paid four times as much for it:banghead:

Price rarely has ANYTHING to do with marketing a good product...
(as posted elsewhere) :click: http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/FilterStudy.html

8)
Touche! Was just giving my opinion. :thumbup: I change alot of oil in alot of m/c's here and I never care what the people bring in for filters or oil (within reason). If they ask my opinion, I tell them with some other options also.

I would just add the EVERYONE thinks what they use is the best. Oil, filters, tires etc. After 2 decades of racing late models with $10000-$20000 engines with professional motor builders, each and every builder had an oil and filter which I HAD to use because it was far superior to the other brands. Point is, not even the experts can agree. :thumbup:
 
#21 ·
Yes... I know what you mean... I think it is crazy that there are so many people that think they are getting quality merchandise simply because they paid four times as much for it:banghead:

Price rarely has ANYTHING to do with marketing a good product...
(as posted elsewhere) :click: http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/FilterStudy.html

8)
Agreed, but only to a point. Yes there are overpriced products out there that are no better than cheap ones, but I would say that in a lot of cases, a higher cost item will be of better quality. You have to do your research on anything you buy. Buying on price alone is never a good idea.
 
#22 ·
FWIW in today's market there are only a couple of places that actually make filters. My buddy worked for Fleetguard in Iowa and said they make 90% of the oil filters sold in the US (not sure if that was just ag stuff or everything). But they do change the specs to the customers request...
 
#23 ·
Over the last few years I've published this link about 10 times
THE DEFINITIVE ANSWER

http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/FilterStudy.html

LARRY
After the PureOne statement on not recommending it's use on motorcycles I checked with Mike on the calsci website. He has an update (couple months old now) on the use of the PureOne filter. We emailed back and forth a couple times and the short story is use the SuperTech. I was surprised and had the same thoughts as most folks....use a $2.50 filter:yikes:. Well if you always get what you pay for then explain Harley Davidson to me.
 
#24 ·
Yea, I agree. I have no experience with the Walmart filters BUT I dont understand guys who will buy a $6000 - $15,000 bike and then want to save $3 to $5 on an oil filter once or twice a year. :dontknow:
:agree::banghead: :banghead: :banghead:
:agree:


Call me stupid but we do oil changes ever 2000 - 2500 miles, use Honda filters and Honda oil. If I have a problem while the bikes are under warranty, I'd love to have Honda tell me the failure was due to an improper filter or oil selection.

Out of warranty may be a different story.

Some people don't mind spending $10,000 for a bike and then scrimping on what they maintain it with.

Yeah we do 5 - 7 oil changes per year, but considering that the oil not only lubricates the engine, but the clutch/trans as well it makes sense in the long run.