I've always used OEM oil filters, but noticed a few months ago that Walmart started selling Fram oil filters for my 3.3L V6. The Fram filters were $5.00 cheaper than the OEM filters at my dealership so I decided to give them a try. The Fram filters are made in Korea and the quality looked the same as the OEM filters.

The first oil change with the Fram filter was fine. However, I noticed that when pulling off the larger o-ring, it actually broke apart. This was strange since I've never experienced this with the OEM o-rings. The second oil change with the Fram filter started to leak at the canister portion producing a puddle and mess within the engine compartment. The leak happened about 4,000 miles after the oil change and I'd lost about 1qt of oil before I noticed it. The canister cap was tight so my guess is the o-ring was faulty on the Fram filter kit.

I've switched back to the OEM filters and I haven't had a problem so far. I'm convinced that the quality of the Fram o-rings don't match up to the OEM filter o-rings and that's what caused the oil leak. I'm just glad I caught it in time before the oil indicator light came on.

hmm - I've used the FRAM filters from day 1 - about 6 changes so far - I'll definitely keep my eyes open !!

I haven't had a problem with Fram filters in about 6 changes when I started using them. If the dealers price didn't vary so much each time I went I would get the OEM ones, I think they are $16 now.

The oil didn't start leaking out until about 4,000 miles after I changed it. I use Mobile one 5w20w synthetic oil and I change the oil every 5,000 miles. Maybe I just came across one bad o-ring. I thought it might have been another more urgent issue other than oil leaking out of the canister, but I've put about 7,000 miles from the incident so I'm fairly sure it was the o-ring. I've changed my oil from day one and I've never had this issue with OEM filters.

I'm wondering if any one else has ever had this happen to them. The cost of the Fram filters are very reasonable compare to what the dealer is asking for the OEM filters. However, this experience was scary.

Fram filters were at the bottom of the quality spectrum when examined a few years ago. They used very low quality filtering media and cheap construction. I believe the website bobistheoilguy.com was involved in the oil filter dissections. The top of the line filters were Mobil 1, Pep Boys PureONE, and the K&N oil filter. I always pick up a stash of the PureONE when they go on sale.

Fram filter ch9999 will not work on the 3.3L V6 you can get a pentus they work well and are cheap.

I had a bad experience with a Fram filter on my bike, when it exploded and peppered my leg with scalding hot oil and shrapnel.
Ever since, I've avoided them like the plauge, but it is sad to see that things don't seem to have changed with the brand.

How much does your dealer charge for a V6 Oil Filter? The MSRP is $6.85, part # is 26320-3C100, and many sell for less.

I would say get a pack of 10 from hyundaipartsonline.com, I think it will come to about $65 shipped, so $6.50 each.

This post has been edited by spex: Oct 1 2008, 03:08 PM

My dealer sells the Hyundai filter with the oil pan plug crush washer for $7. I've used the NAPA Gold filter, also made in Korea, which seems of high quality, but I'm sticking to the factory filter. The dealer is 3 minutes from my office...

I live in Southern California where everything is expensive! :crying:

The cheapest I've been able to find a OEM filter for is $9.99.

This post has been edited by scotty7: Oct 1 2008, 04:07 PM

^^ Like I said, you might want to buy a 10-pack or so. Dealer will use your filter when they do the oil change.

Wow.. my dealer sells the oil fitler for $15. Of course it's the same dealership that charges $49.99 for the cabin air filter. Highway robbery!

Fram has been known to cause cold bearing noise in yhe Alpha engine(1.6 liter).Not sure about the others ,but the Fram reputation for being near useless caused me to quit using them years ago.