Counterfeit (fake) Car Oil Filters (and other bits)

[Ross365]

On another forum I'm on, there's a sudden break out of neurosis about the world being flooded with counterfeit oil filters.

I've no doubt at all that these things are around in significant numbers, especially on ebay and amazon. But filters are fairly cheap from most dealer's parts dept, and I would have thought that was a safe source, but some suggest not so. Toyota have issued a bulletin pointing out what to look for to distinguish real and fake - not sure how helpful it is.

Never had concerns about filters I've bought, but I did once reject some brake pads many years ago, which I was suspicious about.
Anyone had experiences in this area?

 

[Kayos]

A load of fake Vaillant flues flooded the market a while ago, these were either bought by the merchants (unlikely) or got into the chain higher up

As usual, the installers were the ones who suffered as the installs were deemed unsafe, yet they were bought with the boilers

 

[Mick Annick]

Interesting, I need a Kawasaki oil filter for my lawnmower, struggling to find anyone that lists a genuine one - in France anyway. will look in the UK, coming back for a visit in in January so can pick up then.

 

[James1979]

There was a release from Fram a while back about the same.

I will see if I can find it.

 

[Ross365]

Fram is interesting; back in the 1970's when I had my first car, Fram was considered to be the cheapest of the cheap. Now, the Fram "Ultra" is considered by some to be the dog's bits https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product...scriptionId=linkCode=as2&tag=bestrudch2367-21

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I always get my oil filters from a main Dealers [using a forum discount elsewhere ], for what they do they're cheap.

 

[Greeves246]

Ngk spark plugs had a similar problem some time ago and issued a chart showing differences from the real item. Motorcycle helmets appear occasionally from Asia with Brand names, but cheap and are not stamped or stickered with BS or E marks.

 

[Bobupndown]

Strange that I can buy genuine (Landrover) filter kits from a main dealer for the same price of aftermarket items on eBay.

 

[keithski122]

Interesting. I bought an ngk spark plug from a scooter parts seller on ebay recently, however it seems to have lost its spark somewhere.

 

[Ubique]

Strange that I can buy genuine (Landrover) filter kits from a main dealer for the same price of aftermarket items on eBay.

Ford 'Parts Plus' sell on fleabay, as do Matford Landrover, I wouldn't buy service parts from a 'factors', they're well known for bulk-buying from anywhere that'll give them the quantity & price point they need.

 

[bourbon]

Lucas CAV were doing this late 80's. They were getting complaints from their dealers that they weren't getting any pump rebuilds to do. Lucas made a cheaper one that failed earlier and clogged the pumps. BUT, and here is the crafty bit. They marketed them as a different brand. So Lucas didn't get the flack off it. Lasted a few years though. ( My dad used to work for them until 1990)

 

[Greeves246]

Original NGK article. There had been cases of centre electrodes dropping off and wrecking engines.

Counterfeit spark plugs: The ignition villains that could ruin your engine!

NGK SPARK PLUG advises on how to beat the counterfeiters. Fake spark plugs can do serious damage to cars and businesses.

www.ngkntk.com

 

[MCKDAVID]

get mine from parts factor with no issue, they're a nation wide chain, that uses Mann filters exclusively, been using the same one for about 10 years now. They've been used in everything from generators, tractors, cars, vans to bikes, not been a problem. Will continue to get them from them, as I can see them on the counter so have no issues, wouldn't get them from the internet too many unknowns. It's exactly as @slim_boy_fat said, for what they cost and what they do, better to go for known makes.

Interesting, I need a Kawasaki oil filter for my lawnmower, struggling to find anyone that lists a genuine one - in France anyway. will look in the UK, coming back for a visit in in January so can pick up then.

what model is it, can check with my suppliers if you want.

 

[Onoff]

What's likely not helping is the shortage of oil filters. It's no joke. I ordered some specialist, German made hydraulic filters. Previously and it was a 10 week wait. Now attempting to reorder and it's 20 weeks. I did a cheeky complain email on the lines of this isn't good enough/I'll have to take my business elsewhere. The reply came back basically saying good luck, there's a shortage of base filter materials and everyone's in the same boat.

One good thing came out of it is I did find www.filterfinder.co.uk who have helped on equivalents though I've yet to see how they perform. In having a chat and they told me they are investing in an SLS 3D printer, to hopefully in the new year, start making specific filters using stock filter mesh with custom end fittings. Printer is something like this:

 

[Mick Annick]

get mine from parts factor with no issue, they're a nation wide chain, that uses Mann filters exclusively, been using the same one for about 10 years now. They've been used in everything from generators, tractors, cars, vans to bikes, not been a problem. Will continue to get them from them, as I can see them on the counter so have no issues, wouldn't get them from the internet too many unknowns. It's exactly as @slim_boy_fat said, for what they cost and what they do, better to go for known makes.


what model is it, can check with my suppliers if you want.

Thanks. To be fair I’ve only been looking on the web, I need to go and visit the dealer I bought it from, they’ll probably be able to get one - it’s a Kawasaki FJ180V KAI.

 

[Danez]

I've found Opie oils to be fairly reliable

 

[MCKDAVID]

@Mick Annick
pm sent

 

[8ob]

I thought all aftermarket gear was "fake", doesn't make it bad does it No doubt OEM will put out scaremongering bulletins to warn folk of them but only because they are losing a few quid.

Bob

 

[Greeves246]

I thought all aftermarket gear was "fake", doesn't make it bad does it No doubt OEM will put out scaremongering bulletins to warn folk of them but only because they are losing a few quid.

Bob

I spent thirty years in motorcycle wholesale/supply , at one point we sold AP Lockheed oil and air filters primarily for Japanese bikes. The boxes said AP but the filters were OEM , the 750 Honda air filter even having the Honda logo and part no. The most popular Honda and Kawasaki oil filters being identical items sold very well. Did see some Honda boxed brake shoes whose friction material appeared to be grass and clay, obviously the precursor to asbestos free.

 

[sako243]

I thought all aftermarket gear was "fake", doesn't make it bad does it No doubt OEM will put out scaremongering bulletins to warn folk of them but only because they are losing a few quid.

Bob

The only thing you're really paying with genuine (rather than OEM lets say) is traceability. I've got a few friends who work for JLR and they've been having a real issue with reliability of bought in parts. E.g. they buy a batch of sensors from Bosch and they're fine, then they buy a repeat batch and they all start failing but who gets the blame - JLR.

They've been spending loads of money apparently on improving tracebaility and testing of third party parts so that when you buy from their dealer network you should be able to guarantee a quality sensor. Yes you can probably get it somewhere else cheaper but it may or may not work and that's up to the customer to take the gamble so to speak.