Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What does the number on the dome of your filter mean?
A. This is a production date code. It is a manufacturer's unique way of identifying the day, the year and, in some cases, the production facility a particular filter was made.
Q. Does your filter contain a "check" valve?
A. Depending on the vehicle application, a filter may contain a filter by-pass valve, an anti-drain back valve, neither or both. Whether the filter contains any type of valve or not is the engine manufacturers design decision. You should refer to the filter manufacturer's master catalog for detailed product specifications.
Q. What is the by-pass valve in your filter set at?
A. You should refer to the manufacturer's master catalog for detailed product specifications. This valve is a differential pressure valve. It monitors the difference between the oil pressure coming into the filter and the oil pressure leaving the filter. If this differential pressure ever reaches the valve setting, the valve opens to allow unfiltered oil to circulate preventing oil starvation in the engine. For example, a valve that is set to open at 8-11 p.s.i.d. (pounds per square inch differential) will start to open at 8 pounds of differential oil pressure and will be fully open at 11 pounds.
Q. What thread size is in your filter?
A.
You should refer to the manufacturer's master catalog for detailed product
specifications.
Reference FMC
TSB-94-3R
Q. The threads in your filter look "damaged" or improperly made.
A.
The threads in most spin-on filters are rolled threads. They are not
the cut threads you may be used to seeing on nuts and bolts for example.
Rolled threads look very different than cut threads but for spin-on
applications they provide a much stronger fit. All major filter manufacturers
used roll threads.
Reference
FMC TSB-94-3R
Q. The filter's sealing gasket is sticking out from between the filter and the filter mounting area on the engine.
A. Reference FMC TSB-99-1R2
Q. The filter fell off my engine.
A.
Make sure the correct filter for the application was used.
Reference FMC TSB-90-1
and TSB-94-3R
Q. I changed the oil and filter and now I have low or no oil pressure.
A.
It is perfectly all right to fill the filter with clean oil prior to
installation if the installation area will allow it to be installed
with no spillage.
Reference FMC
TSB-83-2R and TSB-93-1
Q. I installed your filter and now my oil light stays on a few seconds every time I start the engine.
A.
After making sure the correct filter has been installed, the function
of the filter's anti-drain back valve should be checked by pushing on
it through each inlet hole. It should flex back and forth freely and
should fully close after inward pressure is released.
Reference FMC TSB-83-2R
and TSB-90-1
Q. I used your filter on my car and my dealer states the use of your filter voids my new car warranty.
A.
This type of statement is common and definitely in violation of Federal
law. Filter manufacturers do not expect anyone else to warrant our products.
If a warranty consideration situation arises, immediately contact the
outlet where you purchased the filter or the filter manufacturer. They
will instruct you on the proper procedures for placing a warranty consideration
request.
Reference FMC TSB-85-1R
Q. I went to install your filter and there was no sealing gasket on it.
A. Please accept our most sincere apology for this situation. Please return the product to the store where you purchased it and exchange it for another filter. DO NOT use the sealing gasket from the old filter. After thousands of miles of use already, it will not perform properly on the new filter.
Q. When I took your filter out of the box, the gasket was laying in the box. Can I still use it?
A. Yes, simply put it back in the retaining groove on the filters base plate making sure it is fully seated in the groove. Lubricate it with clean motor oil and install the filter according to the installation instructions printed on the filter.
Q. Your filter leaked oil after I installed it.
A.
After making sure the correct filter was installed and the installation
instructions were followed, the engine mounting base for the filter
should be checked to make sure an old sealing gasket isn't present,
its sealing surface isn't damaged or warped and the threaded stud isn't
damaged or loose.
Reference FMC TSB-93-3
and TSB-94-4R
Q. Your filter leaked oil after I installed it. When I took it off, there was no sealing gasket on it.
A. If the filter was installed without a sealing gasket, the installation instructions printed on the filter can were can were not followed. These instructions clearly state to put clean motor oil on the sealing gasket prior to installation. If will leak oil IMMEDIATELY after starting the engine.
Reference FMC TSB-93-3
Q. Is interchanging filter part numbers the best way to determine the correct filter for my application?
A. Reference FMC TSB-97-5
Q. When I took your filter out of the box, there were no threads in its base plate.
A. Please accept our most sincere apology for this situation. Please return that filter to the outlet where you purchased it and exchange it for another one.
Q. Your filter is defective and caused my engine to fail. How do I file a damage claim?
A. Each filter manufacturer has a specific process of warranty consideration. If a warranty consideration inquiry is to be made, contact either the outlet where you purchased the filter or the filter manufacturer. They will be able to instruct you on the proper procedure.
Q. What is your product warranty?
A. Please contact the outlet where you purchased the filter or the filter manufacturer for a copy of the manufacturer's product warranty.
Q. Do your filters meet or exceed original equipment specifications?
A. Filters are designed and manufactured to meet all of the performance requirements for the applications the manufacturer assigns them to. New car and truck warranties remain fully in effect when FMC members filters are used.
Q. My engine lost oil pressure after using your oil filter. When I took it off, its center was collapsed.
A. Reference FMC TSB-88-3R
Q. How often should I change my oil and filter?
A. FMC members recommend you follow our vehicle manufactures recommendations found in your owner's manual. Usually everyone should follow their recommendation for severe service.
Reference FMC TSB-94-1
Q. How do I dispose of used oil and filters properly?
A. Reference FMC TSB-94-7R4
Q. I took your filter out of the box and found it was dented and/or damaged. Can I still use it?
A. NO! A dented or damaged filter should NEVER be installed. Please take it back to the outlet where you purchased it and exchange it for another filter.
Reference FMC TSB-97-8R
Q. Your filter is leaking from what appears to be a crack in the can. I think the metal is defective.
A. Reference FMC TSB-97-8R