WH Fuel Filter - A closer Look

[oemtech]

The Workhorse fuel filter cost any where from $30 to $60 unless you own an 03 or earlier. The GF481 is the standard fuel filter for 03 and earlier and costs any where from $6 to $20 depending brand . So, if you have a 04 coach or later and plan to change the fuel filter the only source is a Workhorse Service Center. Availability will vary depending on the Workhorse Service Center. Most of the time they will have to order it from Workhorse.

After seeing the modification that "Husky Jack" made to allow the use of the 03 style filter on an 04 or later. I decided to make the modification. The parts and labor (certified welder) to make the adapter cost about $20 and $10 for a new filter. The GF481 filter is available from just about any auto parts store, any GM dealer or even Wal Mart.

I decided to see what the difference was between the Workhorse fuel filter and the GF481 style. To that end I cut the stock Workhorse fuel filter a part along with a Fram G3727 (GF481) to see what the difference was. I posted those results in another post on this forum. But, I felt that just 2 filters wasn't a fair comparison so I bought 2 more to give a better comparison. Is 4 different enough, I don't know. But, the purpose of this exercise is to show what are the differences between fuel filters. I don't think more filters would yield anything different unless I had a way to test them.

NOTES:

It seems that GM has changed the a part number and up the price. The GF481 has been replaced with the GF652. The AC Delco GF481 sells for about $10 and the GF652 sells for about $20.

This same thing happen to the AC Delco 41-932 spark plug. It replacement is the 41-993. Same plug just cost more. It should be noted that the 41-92's I installed were marked made in the USA. The 41-993's are marked parts from Japan and assembled in the USA.

There seems to be 2 methods of construction.
1) Welding the can to the assembled filter.
2) Crimping the can to the assembled filter.

Currently there are 2 unknown's in this comparison.
1) Specs on the filter paper contained in the fuel filter.
2) A way to test the fuel filters ability to filter out contaminates.

The total filter area in square inches is calculated as follows:
( Number of pleats x 2) * (Pleat size* Pleat height)
I figure this will be within +/- 3% of the actual.

Workhorse

Sold By - Workhorse Custom Chassis
Cost - $30 to $60
Availability - Workhorse Service Centers Only
Country of Manufacture - ?
Total Filter Area - 70 square inches


Fram

Sold By - Honeywell
Cost - $10
Availability - Auto Parts stores & Wal Mart
Country of Manufacture - China
Total Filter Area - 120.3 square inches


Micro Guard

Sold By - Ozark Automotive
Cost - $6
Availability - O'Reilly's Auto Parts stores
Country of Manufacture - Taiwan
Total Filter Area - 70.3 square inches



Luber finer

Sold By - Champion Laboratories
Cost - $6
Availability - AutoZone Auto Parts stores
Country of Manufacture - China
Total Filter Area - 115.9 square inches



WIX

Sold By - Affnia Group
Cost - $7 to $15
Availability - Auto Parts stores
Country of Manufacture - USA
Total Filter Area - 85 square inches



One Edit:
Added info from Tenn.Vol
Group Photo

[Mutha]

Dale, YOU DA MAN!

[Joe Gilbert]

Nice work; very good information.

A do not think it is correct to say the only source of the OEM filter is from a Workhorse Service Center. I purchased the replacement filter for my 2005 direct from a Chev. dealer. It appears that this same filter is used in light duty Chev. trucks with the 8.1 engine. The RV dealer I had gone to for the filter sent me to the Chev. dealer and said they purchase all of their replacement filters there.

[Jestme13]

I find it interesting that the Wix and WHCC filters cost the same, shame you didn't disect the Wix to see it's inerds. It just might be the same as the WHCC. IMHO

[oemtech]

Joe,

I ask the WSC/Chevy dealer about the filter being used on a Chevy truck with a 8.1 and he could not find anything. So, if you can get the GM part # or the vehicle year/model maybe we can get something going.

Steve,

The Wix in the photo is my spare. I tried your duct tape idea on one the other filters and it leaked. I really hate to cut up a $14 filter.

[Tenn.Vol.]

I dont know where Dale got the cost of his Wix gf 33481. The last ones I ordered
from FILTER1.COM on 1/03/07 the cost was $9.41. With a $50. order shipping is free!
The cost on a previous order 12/08/05, was $8.74ea. for 3 filters, #33481. TENN.

[Tom N]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by oemtech:
I really hate to cut up a $14 filter. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

We should all PayPal you a buck to offset the filter costs.

-Tom

[oemtech]

Tenn.Vol,

It's called local markup and state sales tax.

[DriVer]

Nice job Dale. I certainly do appreciate the time you put into this project.

Perhaps an old WIX filter would do simply to observe the construction and you can install your spare.

[oemtech]

I have been doing some more research on various fuel filters, getting the specs from various OEM. I have found out that Clarcor Inc. owns Baldwin, Hastings and Purolator among others.

I will be posting any update info as I get it.

[Easyrider]

Do more pleats equal better filtration? I would think it does but I wonder if maybe the material the filter is made of is as important as the number of pleats. What do the experts say?

[max49]

Well, not long ago, the 'experts' were saying that STP oil filters were inferior because they had less pleats than a napa or wix oil filter.
At the price of the WH fuel filter, you'd think they could put lots of pleats in , if pleats are good. More pleats = more filter material provided the pleats are equal depth.
Unless you do the Husky Jack mod, It does'nt matter tho, you have no choice but to buy the WH filter. It costs so much to make that filter, that they can't even put it in a box. And they look like they are made from 'used' steel. Why do they all look rusty?

[oemtech]

Does more pleats equal better filtration? I depends on the quality of the filter material. Assuming that the material is of the same quality, the yes more media will give better filtration.

But, if you have 120 sq inches of filter material in 2 different filters and one 5 micron and the other is 10 micron which one do you think will do the better job.

[oemtech]

Of the 4 filters I cut a part they were either steel or aluminum. If the steel ones are not powder coated, painted or sealed in some way they will rust.

Why does WH not coat the filter or put it in a box, to save money.