Installed bypass oil filter on 1994 Fleetwood Southwind Diesel Pusher

[kutch2001]

Figured I should share my experiences and tribulations on this install. I don't have many experiences yet, and haven't had the oil tested yet, but everything seems to be humming along just peachy fine now.

I wrote two articles on my personal blog:
Post 1

Post 2

Quick synopsis:
Installed two Frantz Refiners, in parallel, to filter my diesel pusher engine oil. It's installed in a 1994 Fleetwood Southwind Diesel Pusher 35' RV. Install is fairly simple, even on this, and overall took me about 12 hours, most of it due to being unfamiliar with the process, and assembling all the fittings.

I did this due to liking what have read on all the forums and places I've visited. It seems to have a lot of potential benefits with only a few potential pitfalls. When I purchased my RV, talked with brother of the guy I bought it from, and he's a long haul trucker. He has a bypass filter (forget what brand) on his long haul rig. After nearly 1 million miles on the original engine, it's still going as strong as day 1 and all the oil tests are well within normal range.

Only issue I've had was when initially took off after initial install. Something wasn't quite right and leaked a total of 4 gallons of oil (2 gallons first, then two more gallons). This was due to a fitting that wasn't tight and a hose clamp that seems like it was a little off.

The engine seems to have more power now. I can't attribute this directly to the bypass filter as also changed fuel filter, fuel / water separator, and am adding Marvel Mystery Oil to fuel tank.

Total cost of the project is about $500.00 USD and 12 hours of time.

Anyone have experiences to share, or things to look out for?

[NMRVer]

I've installed these on my a of my diesels, great protection, but never gained in power. I was just curious as to what lab your planning on using? I've used blackstone labs for about several years and have been happy. Asking solely for my own peace of mind.

[CJ7365]

Originally Posted by kutch2001

Figured I should share my experiences and tribulations on this install. I don't have many experiences yet, and haven't had the oil tested yet, but everything seems to be humming along just peachy fine now.

I wrote two articles on my personal blog:
Post 1

Post 2

Quick synopsis:
Installed two Frantz Refiners, in parallel, to filter my diesel pusher engine oil. It's installed in a 1994 Fleetwood Southwind Diesel Pusher 35' RV. Install is fairly simple, even on this, and overall took me about 12 hours, most of it due to being unfamiliar with the process, and assembling all the fittings.

I did this due to liking what have read on all the forums and places I've visited. It seems to have a lot of potential benefits with only a few potential pitfalls. When I purchased my RV, talked with brother of the guy I bought it from, and he's a long haul trucker. He has a bypass filter (forget what brand) on his long haul rig. After nearly 1 million miles on the original engine, it's still going as strong as day 1 and all the oil tests are well within normal range.

Only issue I've had was when initially took off after initial install. Something wasn't quite right and leaked a total of 4 gallons of oil (2 gallons first, then two more gallons). This was due to a fitting that wasn't tight and a hose clamp that seems like it was a little off.

The engine seems to have more power now. I can't attribute this directly to the bypass filter as also changed fuel filter, fuel / water separator, and am adding Marvel Mystery Oil to fuel tank.

Total cost of the project is about $500.00 USD and 12 hours of time.

Anyone have experiences to share, or things to look out for?

I have no experiences or knowledge of diesel oil filters etc....

But I just have to wonder if this is all worth it, the expense and the time, I mean your MH is 20 years old and its done fine without this extra filter.

Wouldn't the manufacture installed something like this, if it was needed or drastically improve the longevity of the engine?

I read you article and boy seems like a lot of work, I just don't think its worth the effort.

$500 will buy a couple of oil changes anyways.

Not buying the pictures on the Frantz advertisement either, if you change you oil regularly it will not turn to sludge


I know everyone has their opinion, and this is just mine.


Dodge Dakota 240,000 miles with just regular oil changes and WM bran oil and filter

[kutch2001]

Originally Posted by NMRVer

I was just curious as to what lab your planning on using? I've used blackstone labs for about several years and have been happy. Asking solely for my own peace of mind.

I haven't really thought about which lab to use. I've seen the prepaid testing bottles available from several places, and by far cheapest I've seen is from FrantzFilters (Oil Analysis - Frantz Filters Official Website) and looks like they use Predictive Maintenance Services. Not sure how important the difference between labs is. Thoughts?

Originally Posted by CJ7365

But I just have to wonder if this is all worth it, the expense and the time, I mean your MH is 20 years old and its done fine without this extra filter.

Dodge Dakota 240,000 miles with just regular oil changes and WM bran oil and filter

One thing the manufacturer touts is that the oil will be much cleaner than with a normal full flow filter. Cleaner oil also means less wear. Less wear, no matter age of engine, is worth it's weight in gold (IMHO). From what have read, one of the primary reasons we need to change oil is to remove all the icky stuff that builds up over time. If I could remove most of this icky stuff as it was introduced in the engine, instead of being there until changed the oil, I think it's beneficial.

I shared your similar thoughts as heard about Frantz over 10 years ago. It can be used in any vehicle (gas / diesel), even transmissions and hydraulic applications. It wasn't until I talked with the sellers brother that it sunk in, and even then it took two years for me to pull the trigger as shared much the same thoghts.

As I have an older Cummins, they recommend changing oil every 6,000 miles. And that's 4 gallons each time. Just from monetary standpoint, will break even after 36,000 miles or so. In the two years have had this averaged about 10,000 miles per year, so about 4 years.

I like the thought, I like the feel good warm and fuzzy, just not sure long term if it's worth it. Just spent $2600.00 to replace the rear main seal and not sure if this would've helped extend life of that seal.

[moisheh]

I find it hard to believe that the Franz system is still on the market. Why would anyone want to entrust their engine to a roll of TP. Filter media is highly technical. TP is made for another purpose. It ranks next to magnets on your fuel line. Or on your wrist. It was quackery back in the 50's but even more so today. There are some very good bypass systems in the marketplace. Many small fleets use the OPS system. None of them would ever use a roll of TP.

[Sweetbriar]

The additional filtering certainly won't hurt but hard to say if it will really bring a large benefit to a road vehicle. If you trying to gain extended periods between changes a lab analysis might be a better choice. What you have to watch out for is dilution of the oil by fuel which a filter cannot remove. Even a new engine has some blow by and go long enough before changing the oil and fuel will start showing up.

If you really want to add something to increase the engine life and reduce wear add a prestart lube pump and maybe an oil heater. Getting lubrication back into the bearings and other surfaces before they start moving will go much further extending the life of an engine.

[kutch2001]

Originally Posted by moisheh

Why would anyone want to entrust their engine to a roll of TP. Filter media is highly technical.

Know I can't change anyone's mind, other than my own. I would entrust that all the other owners of Frantz filters, or other TP (or even paper towel) filters come forward and file a lawsuit, or some other such action. During my limited searching didn't find anything other than glowing reviews from people who used them, and comments like yours by people who haven't.

Considering full flow filters generally use paper (cellulose) filtration, how can TP not work? At a basic level it's all the same, paper = cellulose. If the TP is confined only to the filter housing then there's no way it can get into oil circulation. If there are chemicals in the TP not suited for the engine, then maybe we shouldn't wipe it on our derriere either?

If can provide me with some concrete, and reputable, examples, I will be more than happy to possibly change my opinion.

Sweetbriar - Thanks! Have never heard of a prestart lube pump. Will poke around a little, just not sure if cost + installation would be worth it as sounds somewhat invasive to engine. Already have engine block heater, am assuming that would be ok?

[moisheh]

Paper is my business of 45 years. All paper is different. The size and orientation of the fibres is different, The starches used to keep it all together are different. I am not a filter engineer but anyone with that expertise would be shocked that a thinking person would use a roll as a filter. If it worked then Fram et al would fire all their engineers and just use Charmin. If you think all paper is the same would you use Corrugated cardboard in your bathroom? Cut open a real filter and look at the media. I am out of this one!

[TQ60]

To filters were good back in the day...50s. ..

Oil filters and engine design much different as well as tp.

Modern engines are race car engines with far better fuel systems with far better oil and filter sysyems.

Tp also no longer John Wayne type either so it more likely to not work as well.

Have one new in box picked up in box lot at yard sale that we were going to put on bobcat or other yard equipment but too lazy now and cannot find suitable tp.

[sjholt]

I've been using a Frantz TP filter for 110,000 miles and still have the same engine.
Yup- it wipes the oil cleaner and extended the oil changes in my 5.9B from 6000 mile to 15-18,000 miles with very good engine wear as by Blackstone labs tests.
http://www.irv2.com/forums/images/smilies/dance.gif

Believe what you want- but my engine has 173,000 miles on it and still runs great.
she gets a new roll of TP every 3000-5000 miles and it keeps her clean.
Oh ya, one more thing. When I drop the oil- it goes right into the Fuel tank because it is so clean.

Skip H.
96 32' Monaco Windsor

[CJ7365]

Originally Posted by sjholt

I've been using a Frantz TP filter for 110,000 miles and still have the same engine.
Yup- it wipes the oil cleaner and extended the oil changes in my 5.9B from 6000 mile to 15-18,000 miles with very good engine wear as by Blackstone labs tests.
http://www.irv2.com/forums/images/smilies/dance.gif

Believe what you want- but my engine has 173,000 miles on it and still runs great.
she gets a new roll of TP every 3000-5000 miles and it keeps her clean.
Oh ya, one more thing. When I drop the oil- it goes right into the Fuel tank because it is so clean.

Skip H.
96 32' Monaco Windsor

There are plenty of GAS engines out there that have run over 200,000 miles with a conventional oil filter.

but please 173,000 on a diesel motor is nothing, I am not knocking the TP filter, but in my opinion its just not worth it.

96 Dakota with 240,000 miles still running, on WM oil and filter