For those of you using the large oil filter

[BeetleMyHeart]

I'm looking at ordering some oil filteres for future oil changes from ECS Tuning. The place seems to have a good reputation. Looking at the pick of the larger Mahle oil filter it seems to have some sort of stamped thing on top of it, possibly for removal or something. It doesn't look like my oil filter wrench will fit over that so I'm wandering what in the world that is for. Does anyone that uses these filters know why that is there?

[pfeifervw]

I just started using this filter on my newest NB (Silver 2001 GLX - 5 speed)...and I bought 5 from ecstuning.com. The thing on the top is to aid in removal, you can stick a screwdriver or anything flat in there and twist it off (but its tapered so you can't over tighten/tighten using tools). I don't know how much I like these filters yet, they rub against some hoses and are slightly harder to install, but I think its worth the extra filtering/cooling capacity...adds about .5 quarts of capacity to the oil system as well which is theoretically a good thing.


In short, its to remove the filter using something flattish/screwdriver. Everything I've ordered from ECS (armrest latch x2, timing belt kit x2, various fluid, wheel bolts, etc.) has been of good quality and shipped fast, I don't mind buying from them.


Good luck!
Matt

[BeetleMyHeart]

How bad does it rub on the hoses? How can VW recommend this filter when it doesn't even fit as a filter should?

[pfeifervw]

I'll rephrase what I said earlier, I think I was a bit misleading...


Their larger size is a bit harder to get to the oil cooler/filter mount but is still perfectly acceptable, much easier to get at than some other filters I've seen. In my car, the filter does rub a little on a couple hoses, I'll take some pictures of that for you, but I don't think its going to cause any issues for me. I think that these tradeoffs (and they are nit picky and minor) are completely worth the advantages of a larger filter.

And if I recall correctly the reason VW is recommending these filters is to help prevent sludge issues. The filter was originally used on 1.8t's that were longitudinally mounted (passats and larger audis?) because their oil pan was smaller to fit a crossmember on the frame, and the filter made up for that lost capacity.

I'll be back this afternoon with pictures and dimensions for those who are interested.

Matt

[robpad]

DON"T DO IT. installed this filter on my car, rubbing against the plastic fan a little, didn't think it would hurt. turns out it wore a hole in the filter. oil all over the front of the engine. went back to regular size filter.

[pfeifervw]

If your oil filter rubs against the cooling fan, I think you have other problems...

[wawalker]

Originally Posted by BeetleMyHeart

...How can VW recommend this filter when it doesn't even fit as a filter should?

They don't recommend it for transverse mounted 1.8Ts is how.

[BeetleMyHeart]

Hmm, I recall seeing a copy of the TSB and thought I saw that it's recommended to use the filter on all 1.8t engines. If that's not the case I'll just stick with the stock filter. The engine just seems to run overly hot compared to most vehicles to me.

[wawalker]

My local dealer service dept. said that the larger filter was only recommended for longitudinally mounted 1.8Ts (previous gen Passat and Audi A4) when I asked after reading a little about it on vwvortex.com. Those engines have a sludge problem, the oil capacity in them is smaller than in our tranverse 1.8Ts even with the added capacity of the larger filter. Apparently the oil pan has to clear a crossmember. It wouldn't hurt to have the extra capacity, but is it needed? I don't think so. Save your money.

[zappa26]

I've got the Mobil1 M1-301 oversize filter and it's been working just fine for me, no problems.