Wix Filters - Which One?

[Chuck]

Ok folks, have a bit of a dilemmena, time to switch to a Wix oil filter. Unfortunately I’m a bit confused on which filter to buy. Wix makes 2 for our cars 51228 - W / Oil Cooler and 57302 – W/O the Oil Cooler. Do I have an oil cooler or not? So searched here, no help – read that cars with the SST transmission have them, then I read some cars without the SST transmission have them. (I don’t have an SST tranny). I also read that it would be listed on the sticker if you had one; checked the sticker, Oil Cooler not listed. Car is in its bag for the winter so I can’t look, not sure I would know what I was looking at anyway. Anyone got a clue? Does it really matter which filter I buy? Ford makes 1 Motorcraft filter for the 3.9 --> although at 1 point they did make 2 filters, one for the '02s and 1 for the '03+es

On another note, anyone have any experience with Wix gas filters --> are there better ones out there?

As always, thanks in advance for your help and advice.

[Jim Young]

Re: Wix Filters - Which One?

I use the motorcraft 2021 (Ford) and have a 2004 with select shift... select the equivalent of the 2021
Jim

[Icebluebird]

Re: Wix Filters - Which One?

This is what Wix lists on its site for the 2004 (03 should be the same)

Air Filter 42341 V8 3.9L 242 CID A Engine
Cabin Air Filter 24884 V8 3.9L 242 CID A Cabin
Fuel Filter 33243 K V8 3.9L 242 CID A
Oil Filter 57302 V8 3.9L 242 CID A

[Lonestar]

Re: Wix Filters - Which One?

Why the WIX over the Motorcraft? For our application there is not a huge selection of oil filters but for our application I think you might want to use the MC for it is a very good filter and the price from a dealership is not that much more than WIX or the WIX sold under the NAPA name. Buying online get the MC for a couple of buck less then from a Dealership. Both are good filters but the by-pass value on the MC is per the Ford specs where as the WIX has a difference arrangement and not the spec Ford calls out for. Does it matter? Who knows but for the price difference go with the MC.

[Chuck]

Re: Wix Filters - Which One?

Not a lot of talk on this thread, so I guess most everyone is using Motorcraft?

Lonestar - it's just that the Wix filter is rated one of the better filters available - remember that publishing that you meet a manufacturers specifications costs money, often times 3rd parties let test results speak for themselves.

[Lonestar]

Re: Wix Filters - Which One?

I would be more than comfortable using either the Motorcraft or Wix on my Thunderbird. I would not use any of the other oil filters available for our cars but others may do so for good reason(s).

One thing to consider however… Wix makes the filters for NAPA and NAPA for many applications have what I will call the standard filter and the gold line. The standard filters are painted white and the gold filters are painted black. A causal look inside the two filters reviles a difference in media with the gold filter taking the prize. The NAPA filter for our cars is in a box labeled NAPA Gold but the physical filter is white, not black, and the guts look like the standard filter sold by NAPA and not the NAPA Gold filter. I like the NAPA (Wix) Gold filters and those appear to be like the ones you see if you go to the Wix website. The white painted filters at NAPA are probably OEM quality but not at the same level as the NAPA Gold filters. So, what is the filter made for our cars by WIX – an OEM quality or a Gold level? A peek of an actual WIX 57302 at another auto store reviled a white filter where as other applications were black. Could it be that WIX made a kazillion 57302s when there entire filter line was painted white and we just have not seen the black ones show up or does the 57302 not contain the same media as the black painted WIX filters?

[snowbird]

Re: Wix Filters - Which One?

Not a lot of talk on this thread, so I guess most everyone is using Motorcraft?

Lonestar - it's just that the Wix filter is rated one of the better filters available - remember that publishing that you meet a manufacturers specifications costs money, often times 3rd parties let test results speak for themselves.

So, who makes the 'Motorcraft' filter ?
MartinB.

[Lonestar]

Re: Wix Filters - Which One?

Purolator was making the domestic made Motorcraft filters but the FL-2021 is made in England and I do not know who makes it.

Now, here is one thing to keep in mind in regards to who makes filters. There are a few large filter manufactures – some only make filters for other people while others make them for others as well as for themselves. Purolator naturally make filters based on their specs and markets those. When Purolator (using them as an example) makes a filter for, say Motorcraft, the filter is made based on Ford’s specs. The result is the real possibility that if you cut open a Motorcraft filter and a Purolator filter for the same application they could be different inside.

[Bird03]

Re: Wix Filters - Which One?

Chuck,

They list the only filter for a 2002 as 51228

They list the only filter for a 2004 and 2005 as 57302

I'm not sure why they list both of those filters for the 2003 (with and without engine cooler...what the heck is that all about), buy I would go with the 57302

[Lonestar]

Re: Wix Filters - Which One?

Chuck,
They list the only filter for a 2002 as 51228
They list the only filter for a 2004 and 2005 as 57302
I'm not sure why they list both of those filters for the 2003 (with and without engine cooler...what the heck is that all about), buy I would go with the 57302

It has been stated here before but I do not remember the Motorcraft filter for the 2002 and early 2003 cars - it would be in the owners manual. However, Motorcraft now only calls out the FL-2021 for the 2002 - 2005 Thunderbird. The FL-2021 crosses to the Wix 57302 so if the Wix 57302 is the correct replacement for the FL-2021 and the FL-2021 is called out for the 2002 - 2005 Thunderbird then use the 57302 if using the Wix filter.

[snowbird]

Re: Wix Filters - Which One?

It has been stated here before but I do not remember the Motorcraft filter for the 2002 and early 2003 cars - it would be in the owners manual. However, Motorcraft now only calls out the FL-2021 for the 2002 - 2005 Thunderbird. The FL-2021 crosses to the Wix 57302 so if the Wix 57302 is the correct replacement for the FL-2021 and the FL-2021 is called out for the 2002 - 2005 Thunderbird then use the 57302 if using the Wix filter.

I have a cross reference for a "FRAM filter" , PH 5618. Has anyone used the Fram filter ?
MartinB.

O/K, Never mind the above question. Just did a search and seems that the Fram filter has already been covered.
MartinB.

[Lonestar]

Re: Wix Filters - Which One?

I have a cross reference for a "FRAM filter" , PH 5618. Has anyone used the Fram filter ?
MartinB.

At the risk of starting a flaming affair - do not use Fram, any flavor or Fram.

Years ago Fram was maybe the best auto filters made but now they are at the bottom. The card board box the Fram filters come in is probably a better filter then the filter media inside the can. The box is probably built better as well. Spend some time researching this if you want and if you do you will come to the same conclusion. For our application they are only about a buck and half less expensive than a good quality Motorcraft or Wix.