Oil Filter Differences?

[HT99+63]

Welcome aboard! It's an honor to see you here.

I have a question about '97-'02 AC Delco Oil Filters. The original one that came from the factory was product number UPF44. They called it the Ultra Guard Gold. They discontinued it and replaced it with Duraguard Blue Product number PF44. I know the UPF44 is a black filter with a different filtering element on the inside for synthetics, and I heard that the blue PF44 has a paper element. Is the PF44 blue filter as good as the UPF44 previously offered black filter? Or is there one that is comparable to the UPF44 in an aftermarket?:yakyakyak

[Robert Pache]

The Mobil 1 filters are made similar to the PF 44 Gold and use synthetic media. However, the real question is do you really need the filtration standard of the more expensive filters. Normally, the standard AC PF 44 filters material to 10 microns nominal. The more expensive filters filter finer than this. Generally, 10 micon particals pose no wear concern and the finer filters tend to load up faster and go into bypass more quickly than the standard filters. The PF 44 Gold and the Mobil 1 filters are made by the same manufacturer and Mobil 1 filters are available at a number of auto outlets. I have conducted filter and oil evaluation programs for Mobil, and personally use the standard PF 44 filter in my 2000 Vette.


Bob Pache

[HT99+63]

Originally posted by Robert Pache
The Mobil 1 filters are made similar to the PF 44 Gold and use synthetic media. However, the real question is do you really need the filtration standard of the more expensive filters. Normally, the standard AC PF 44 filters material to 10 microns nominal. The more expensive filters filter finer than this. Generally, 10 micon particals pose no wear concern and the finer filters tend to load up faster and go into bypass more quickly than the standard filters. The PF 44 Gold and the Mobil 1 filters are made by the same manufacturer and Mobil 1 filters are available at a number of auto outlets. I have conducted filter and oil evaluation programs for Mobil, and personally use the standard PF 44 filter in my 2000 Vette.


Bob Pache

Thank you Mr Pache,

This eases my mind a lot. I guess I'll stick with the Mobil or GM standard. Thanks again for such a detailed explanation. Hope to meet you at one of the shows. Again welcome aboard.:usaribbon