Question about Oil Filters
05-28-2012, 06:57 PM
#1
4th Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Temple, TX
Posts: 1,277
Question about Oil Filters
I'm about to hit 2600 miles and I'm starting to think about my first oil change. I have always changed my own oil and will continue to do so.
I was using the standard Motorcraft FL820S that I got from Walmart on my 2005 4.6L 3v, every 4000 miles (90% highway use).
For my new 2012 5.0L 4v, I see that several vendors list the filter as the Motorcraft FL500, however I see that the FRPP filter is the M-6731-FL820. Supposedly the FRPP unit is compatible with both the 4.6L and the 5.0L (among others), but the MC one is supposed to be the FL500.
In comparing the 2 filters, it appears the FL500 is smaller in overall diameter, but longer than the FL820. In reading a few threads, some have said that the gasket on the FL820 is differently sized than the one on the FL500.
This is what I am looking to do: I am going to change to a full synthetic oil (I currently have/use Royal Purple 5W30 (API Service SN) instead of the Synblend Motorcraft 5W20. I think I will be moving to a comparable Amsoil as it will be the less expensive option.
I plan on running 6000 miles between oil and filter changes, considering my highway usage.
But here is where I need your help. What filter should I go with? Can the Motorcraft filters last 6000 miles between changes? If I go with Motorcraft, is the FRPP worth the added cost? I know Royal Purple and Amsoil each make a good filters, so should I be using them instead of the Motorcraft, especially since I plan on using the full synthetic oils?
Thanks,
Don
I was using the standard Motorcraft FL820S that I got from Walmart on my 2005 4.6L 3v, every 4000 miles (90% highway use).
For my new 2012 5.0L 4v, I see that several vendors list the filter as the Motorcraft FL500, however I see that the FRPP filter is the M-6731-FL820. Supposedly the FRPP unit is compatible with both the 4.6L and the 5.0L (among others), but the MC one is supposed to be the FL500.
In comparing the 2 filters, it appears the FL500 is smaller in overall diameter, but longer than the FL820. In reading a few threads, some have said that the gasket on the FL820 is differently sized than the one on the FL500.
This is what I am looking to do: I am going to change to a full synthetic oil (I currently have/use Royal Purple 5W30 (API Service SN) instead of the Synblend Motorcraft 5W20. I think I will be moving to a comparable Amsoil as it will be the less expensive option.
I plan on running 6000 miles between oil and filter changes, considering my highway usage.
But here is where I need your help. What filter should I go with? Can the Motorcraft filters last 6000 miles between changes? If I go with Motorcraft, is the FRPP worth the added cost? I know Royal Purple and Amsoil each make a good filters, so should I be using them instead of the Motorcraft, especially since I plan on using the full synthetic oils?
Thanks,
Don
Last edited by BigDinTexas; 05-28-2012 at 07:03 PM.
05-28-2012, 07:26 PM
#2
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Missouri
Posts: 77
I'm about to hit 2600 miles and I'm starting to think about my first oil change. I have always changed my own oil and will continue to do so.
I was using the standard Motorcraft FL820S that I got from Walmart on my 2005 4.6L 3v, every 4000 miles (90% highway use).
For my new 2012 5.0L 4v, I see that several vendors list the filter as the Motorcraft FL500, however I see that the FRPP filter is the M-6731-FL820. Supposedly the FRPP unit is compatible with both the 4.6L and the 5.0L (among others), but the MC one is supposed to be the FL500.
In comparing the 2 filters, it appears the FL500 is smaller in overall diameter, but longer than the FL820. In reading a few threads, some have said that the gasket on the FL820 is differently sized than the one on the FL500.
This is what I am looking to do: I am going to change to a full synthetic oil (I currently have/use Royal Purple 5W30 (API Service SN) instead of the Synblend Motorcraft 5W20. I think I will be moving to a comparable Amsoil as it will be the less expensive option.
I plan on running 6000 miles between oil and filter changes, considering my highway usage.
But here is where I need your help. What filter should I go with? Can the Motorcraft filters last 6000 miles between changes? If I go with Motorcraft, is the FRPP worth the added cost? I know Royal Purple and Amsoil each make a good filters, so should I be using them instead of the Motorcraft, especially since I plan on using the full synthetic oils?
Thanks,
Don
I was using the standard Motorcraft FL820S that I got from Walmart on my 2005 4.6L 3v, every 4000 miles (90% highway use).
For my new 2012 5.0L 4v, I see that several vendors list the filter as the Motorcraft FL500, however I see that the FRPP filter is the M-6731-FL820. Supposedly the FRPP unit is compatible with both the 4.6L and the 5.0L (among others), but the MC one is supposed to be the FL500.
In comparing the 2 filters, it appears the FL500 is smaller in overall diameter, but longer than the FL820. In reading a few threads, some have said that the gasket on the FL820 is differently sized than the one on the FL500.
This is what I am looking to do: I am going to change to a full synthetic oil (I currently have/use Royal Purple 5W30 (API Service SN) instead of the Synblend Motorcraft 5W20. I think I will be moving to a comparable Amsoil as it will be the less expensive option.
I plan on running 6000 miles between oil and filter changes, considering my highway usage.
But here is where I need your help. What filter should I go with? Can the Motorcraft filters last 6000 miles between changes? If I go with Motorcraft, is the FRPP worth the added cost? I know Royal Purple and Amsoil each make a good filters, so should I be using them instead of the Motorcraft, especially since I plan on using the full synthetic oils?
Thanks,
Don
it doesnt take the same filter as the previous generation.
05-28-2012, 07:41 PM
#3
6th Gear Member
Both Motorcraft filters are good for at least 7500 miles so I wouldn't worry about it with your planned, SHORT oil change frequency of 6000 miles. I have been using Amsoil 0W20 ASM oil in my 4.6L with their Ea oil filter and I tend to short-drain also at about 10,000 miles on both the Stang and on my SUV (tow vehicle). I have had multiple vehicles on 10k mile oil changes with a quality filter that have gone beyond 200k miles with no oil consumption issues nor compression loss.
05-28-2012, 10:44 PM
#5
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: BC
Posts: 244
The facts go like this: the Motorcraft FL500S and FL820 are interchangeable from a mechanical standpoint. They have different bypass valve opening pressures and the "S" has a silicone anti-drainback valve.
Ford says you can use the FL500S for 10,000 miles on the 5.0 engine. I have no doubt that you can - Ford has tested the heck out of it. If you want a 6,000 mile filter, the FL500S is more than good enough.
The FRPP FL820 has the a silicone anti-drainback valve and improved filter media and a stronger case than the original FL820. It's "better" in some sense, but frankly, in my view, it's like saying that "a big hotel room is better than a small one": once you close your eyes, they're all the same size.
I've run both on my engine and frankly there's no way to know if one is better than the other. They just work. I run the oil for the interval that the oil life monitor prescribes and then I change it. With the supercharger, I get between 4000 and 5000 miles per change, per the OLM. I've done oil analysis on the oil and it's not stressed at all after the OLM says "change".
Ford says you can use the FL500S for 10,000 miles on the 5.0 engine. I have no doubt that you can - Ford has tested the heck out of it. If you want a 6,000 mile filter, the FL500S is more than good enough.
The FRPP FL820 has the a silicone anti-drainback valve and improved filter media and a stronger case than the original FL820. It's "better" in some sense, but frankly, in my view, it's like saying that "a big hotel room is better than a small one": once you close your eyes, they're all the same size.
I've run both on my engine and frankly there's no way to know if one is better than the other. They just work. I run the oil for the interval that the oil life monitor prescribes and then I change it. With the supercharger, I get between 4000 and 5000 miles per change, per the OLM. I've done oil analysis on the oil and it's not stressed at all after the OLM says "change".
05-29-2012, 12:00 PM
#8
4th Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Temple, TX
Posts: 1,277
Don
05-29-2012, 03:57 PM
#9
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 558
I'm running Amsoil 5w-30 Signature Series and the EA011 filter. Amsoil lists the EA017 for our cars but the EA011 filter has a bigger filtering capacity and was recommended by Unleashedbeast.
EA011= FL820
EA017= FL500s
EA011= FL820
EA017= FL500s
05-29-2012, 09:37 PM
#10
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: GA
Posts: 3,015
I bought the fl500s and 5-20 Ford semi for my first oil change.
AM has a sale on 5-20 RP for $7.95 a qt right now with free shipping. (Just bought 8 for my next oil change)
I noticed the OEM filter installed by the factory was longer/skinnier than the FL500S filter.
I plan on using fl500s and RP 5-20 for mine and will change according to the indicator on the dash.
Check ebay for bulk buys on the filter.
AM has a sale on 5-20 RP for $7.95 a qt right now with free shipping. (Just bought 8 for my next oil change)
I noticed the OEM filter installed by the factory was longer/skinnier than the FL500S filter.
I plan on using fl500s and RP 5-20 for mine and will change according to the indicator on the dash.
Check ebay for bulk buys on the filter.
