LN Spin-On Oil Filter Adapter
 

I need to do an oil change, and was thinking about installing the LN Spin-On Oil Filter Adapter;

Anyone have this, and care to share the pros & cons?

I was thinking with the "stock" design it would be easier to check the filter for possible IMS related debris; do you basically have to tear down a spin on filter to do the same?

(this is my first change on the car, I've only had it about 4K miles, and it was changed right when I bought it)

Thanks,
Steve

I've got one and like it fine. They seem to be very well designed and constructed, but you're right: it is tougher to see what's in the filter. I actually used an old wood chisel, hammer, pliers and some tin snips to open up my filter at my last oil change---a messy (and potentially dangerous!) process.

Do a search. There's apparently a device available that's a kind of "can opener" for spin on oil filters. I've considered getting one...forget what they cost.

I'm staying stock, the Porsche inserts (used to keep warranty in place) are excellent quality. They are very much the same as the inside of the disposables so IMO all you're really doing is creating more waste and making the oil change easier for yourself. Oh and in case anyone is interested 9A1 with 4K on it filter showed zero particles of any sort, looked like a brand new unit only wetted.

While a convienent item for adding COTS based oil filters, the Porsche filter does an excellent job and allows you the ability to verify engine conditions. Save you money and buy more stock filters.

First, the OEM filter is anything but "excellent quality", and the internal components’ are not the same as aftermarket filters. Over the years, I do not know how many OEM cartridges we have taken out of engines where the cheap treated paper end cap had either torn around the center opening, or delaminated entirely at the glue line that attaches the end cap to the media, creating a pathway for the oil to circumvent the media without being filtered. The OEM media has a relatively lager pore diameter compared to other manufacturer’s, again allowing more debris to get by. The OEM canister is not setup for "full flow filtration", where all the oil is filtered at all times, and is plastic and damage prone from cracking or road debris impact.

The LN adaptor can use the Wix/NAPA Gold filter that has a full 30% finer pore diameter media that is held in place by crimped metal rather than glue. The filter is both "full flow" and oil volume flow rated way beyond what the M96/97 could ever generate. And these spin on filters cost about 1/3 what the OEM filters do, plus you can buy them just about anywhere.

If you don't want to switch to the spin on setup, look at the Wix/NAPA Gold replacement cartridge for the OEM filter; same media as the Wix spin on in a filter with molded on end caps and a support cage that totally eliminates the issues that the OEM unit have with the exception that oil can still totally by pass the filter because of the design of the OEM plastic housing.

Not all oil filters are created equal...................

Every system of quality filtering at Kodak and customer sites used cartridges. Sorry but this issue is played out Tomato / Tomatto, Porsche has millions of cars on the road using the system, screw the screw on. Cant use the napa units till warranty is off, will scope them out I know they will be cheaper. I don't know what downed my 986, never got the report, I'll bet a house that it wasn't oil filter failure and my bank account it wasn't the K&N either. Not to mention us nutcases changin each fall before storage, filters never get dirty.

(1) What Kodak (a failing company) is using is irrelevant to what is going on in your car, but I would be willing to wager that what ever brand of cartridge filters they are using are not as poorly made as the OEM Mahle filters in your car…...

(2) Porsche is also the architects of the IMS, RMS, D-chunking, slipped sleeves, etc., etc.; not all their choices are good ones..........

(3) Your warranty only requires that you change the filter, not the brand.

(4) Suggest you obtain a copy of the Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act (P.L. 93-637), a United States federal law, which states that before an OEM can deny warranty coverage, they have to conclusively prove that the aftermarket component caused your engine failure.

So kick Kodak in the balls, bad day at work JFP? The customers and systems I worked on were cutting edge world class and deployed best practices. I wont bore you with what you don't know about Kodak but I know for fact there are people who passed through there smarter than you on your best day and me too for that matter. What's left of my division still produces world class digital imaging systems so blow it out your tailpipe.

PS I specifically asked about the warranty so again you don't know everything.

Before I left the "corporate world" (global VP of Sales and Marketing), Kodak was a customer of mine; so I do know them well. And all of the "cutting edge", "world class", and "best practices" didn't help them much when the market's commercial and technology focus turned elsewhere, and they did not move to keep pace...........

And if you dealer is requiring you to use a specific brand of oil filter, I'd suggest you talk to your attorney about filing an illegal “tying” suit; you would have an excellent case (at least against the dealer, as I am sure PCNA would quickly distance themselves) as that is also a violation of federal commercial law ......

Oh, and I never have a bad day at work because I own the company, but have a nice day anyway.........................:)

Both types of filters have their advantages and disadvantages. Word is Porsche used the paper cartridge, which is of less filtration than the conventional metal, so it would be easier to see if metal particles were present. Could you imagine trying to see if the filter collected metal with the metal filter? Many people would hate the inconvenience of trying to cut the filter out.

You know so much about Kodak did you know they made infrared film that not only tracked enemy subs in WW2 but identified each ship? When Bush one launched desert storm and Raygun bombed Libya who do you think made that stuff hit the mark? That's why everyone laughed in Rochester when Raygun said he accidentally hit the French embassy after they denied him airspace, yeah whoopsie. Anyway sleep tight tonight, still brought to you in part by E.K. As for myself, I just halved the radiation at a children's hospital with their "lousy" technology.

As for the lawsuit... Two dealers said the same thing, if a problem occurred that could even remotely be tied to filter problems and the factory filter was not in place, the company would likely not cover it. Since Porsche themselves states they don't cover "acts of god" I think the advise is sound.

PS Stuff your arrogance, I retired from a company I owned, enjoy the hump you hump. Not to mention my dad's 46 in his business that came my way, run along and sell screw adapters.

So you are thinking that Porsche knew this new engine that they just designed was going to need a easy way to inspect for metal in the oil filter every 15,000 miles??

Look at both filters & guess which style is cheaper to make.

I like the metal oil filters because I can use a FilterMag on it.

As informative as this is it pales in comparison to the contribution of relevent FACTS that JFP makes on a daily basis to this forum & this thread in particular! :(

You can place a belt of magnets around the plastic with a dollar store dog collar. The canister means less than the core. To think the technology in each filter is discreet makes little sense, manufacturing likes single solutions they make wider margins.

Who cares when he tries to go Beverly hills he can kiss my butt, two people in my life right now of great wealth neither of which can be helped with said wealth, there is more to life than his perceived larger stack, I own my own business tough guy, global VP, B.S. otherwise I'm usually down with his posts too but at the end of the day they are opinions. I used to have to golf clap for guys like he's being today, not anymore. You guys have all the faith in the world in some Porsche engineering so it's a pick and choose deal everyday.

Additionally, his interface with EK doesn't qualify him to know didly about the technical powehouse they once were, that was my point. Half the radiation to children is a big deal to me always will be.

I'll try to get us back on topic by saying that I like to inspect the used filter media so going to a spin on filter has never crossed my mind.

As to brand, I usually buy stock (Mahle) but sometimes get the Wix filter if I can find it.

I installed the LN Spin on Oil filter adapter and the oil drain plug with the magnet on my '03. That way I don't need to rip open the filter, I just check the drain plug for any metal. Fast and easy!

But a large magnet doesn't show any non ferrous bits in your filter like aluminium, gasket goo and plastic from various parts in the engine.
After saying that I'm sure that the spin on filter is a good idea (as per all other mods designed by Charles Navarro) and I have one of his magnetic drain plugs fitted to my car too, but cutting open the OEM filter (easily) is - to me - another piece of the early warning jigsaw....

I bought a filter cutter for $40:

Amazon.com: Oil Filter Cutter: Automotive

and it works fairly well. I plan to change the filter every 2500 miles and inspect it, and change the oil every 5K. I actually haven't tried it on a NAPA filter yet, but it worked well on a Bosch. It's a little messy, and you have to cut the filter material out with a razor knife, but not bad. I'm going to call it the "guardian procedure."

I enjoy my LNE spin-on filter adapter.

I also changed to the spin on filter adapter last fall and I like it.

Who makes the Wix/NAPA Gold filter? as in is it just a rebranded German filter?

No, Wix filters are an American company headquartered in Gastonia, NC (with additional plants all over the world), that produce filters for a lot of other "house" name brands, as well as their own. They developed and patented the spin on design filter in 1954. Their own "premium" line is the Wix/NAPA Gold sold through the NAPA chain of stores, but also available online from vendors such as FleetFilter. Very well made unit with an excellent filter media:

http://www.wixconnect.com/images/filters/1363_1.gif

I just bought an LN engineering spin on filter, but now I'm confused. How does it fit on my Kodak camera?

LOL

Getting back on topic - just changed over to a spin on oil filter and i enjoy the fact that my filter is filtering ALL my oil...

You guys have made me think, tho. When I do go and change out my oil filter for the first time, I'll make sure to check out the filter media. Any recommendations on a cheap can opener?

FYI unit pictured is the same plastic construction as the Porsche part, don't know if that is because it's for a 9A1 but the mahle is the same too.

Yeah, I've been googling that too; Amazon has one for around $40; that's about the best I can find, price wise

The Mahle oil filter with paper end caps.......................

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpg

The last Wix filter that I bought at a local O'Reilly auto parts store was a little more expensive ($18) compared to the Mahle or Hengst brands from Pelican ($12).

But I guess its not that much of a price difference compared to dumping out 9-10 quarts of Mobil 1 every 3K miles.

I pay $7.00 for the Wix spin-on filter which is actually a corvette filter

I use the Wix/Napa Gold like JFP pictured. Get them by the bunch when they are on sale. About $7 bucks. I have 4 on the shelf now. Great filter and they have never failed.

If you cut the unit you pictured open it too has a plastic inside. I'm sure the anal retentive Germans have done due diligence on the NAPA. If Mahle was suffering a severe loss in market share because the design they used was causing engine failure, would they not update? Would Porsche use filters they knew would ultimately cause engine failure? For sure the NAPA is a great product at a great price point, the difference using either product over time is about as important as which vacuum cleaner bag you choose. Frequency of oil change and filter change is the most important factor, period! Reduce the mileage in the change interval and use whatever filter you want.

When you can post engine failure data tied directly to using the stock oil filtration set up PM, actually don't we are never going to agree, let's pretend each other died in a plane wreck. If it makes you happy you can pretend it the plane crashed due to the use of a Mahle filter.

PS Lastly, I don't know of a manufacturer that does not require the use of their parts during warranty period, frankly I was surprised the oil change did not have to happen at the dealer for said warranty to stay in effect, to suggest getting a lawyer and suing for that fact seems incredibly idiotic to me.

Well, when one of our customer's year old quarter million dollar Ferrari California suffered a catastrophic engine failure, and the dealer refused to cover it under warranty because "non-OEM products had been installed during service by a shop outside the Ferrari dealership network", a quick and relatively inexpensive filing by his attorney and suddenly it was fully covered and the owner was afforded "kid glove" treatment at the same dealership. And he is not the only on that we are aware of that has successfully pressed this issue.

You need to know your rights, and exercise them when appropriate...............

Anytime the oil is by-passing the only source of filtration, good things are not going to happen. Metal or other debris circulating freely over bearing surfaces might not kill it today or tomorrow, but it eventually will lead to problems.....

Better alternatives are available, it is your choice to use them or not......

Answer from Mahle corporate


thanks for the link. This Original Equipment design with the fleece endplates is made for and approved by Porsche, and it has to go through rigorous testing inside MAHLE and at the Porsche test facilities in different climatic regions and dust environments, before it is released for production. One example is the pulsation test. Here the filter is pulsed 500 000 times to see if it still holds its shape and performance. The endplates are actually made of flexible fleece (polymeric) temperature resistant material that will assure a tight seal to the tube that the filters is being pushed onto all the way to the next oil filter change. The material is superior to a plastic and even an elastomer (rubber) seal, due to the fact that it can compensate the thermal expansion and contraction of the filter module components during different operating phases such as cold start, warm-up, cool down etc.....

As far as the filtration efficiency, I can assure you that anybody who only claims a percentage and maybe a particle size that is being filtered out is ignoring a whole lot of detail filter media knowledge that is necessary to select the correct filter media for a high performance engine like the Porsche. What about the dirt holding capacity over the oil change interval, meaning can it hold all the dirt and filter all the particles out after a few thousand miles or does it get plugged up and the oil bypasses the filtered without any filtration? What about the structural integrity of the filter over the lifetime? Does the paper stay connected to the endplates, does it disintegrate due to pulsation, temperature fluctuation, oil containing detergents and condensation? There are many more questions that need to be answered before making statements like about the performance filter you had mentioned. MAHLE has a selection of different filter media, (cellulose resin impregnated, plymerfic fleece, different proe sizes, different dust hoilding etc. etc....) with different performance criteria, that are specifically tailored towards to the automotive manufacturers requirements, and we use exactly the same filter media in our Aftermarket filters, not a generic lower grade filter media for all oil filters.

Does the 991/981 use a "fool proof -no oil can get past" type filter?

I'm pretty sure all production engines bypass the filter on high pressure (when the oil is cold).

Obviously, you are now just spoiling for an argument here because you perceive that I insulted your beloved employer. Fine. I could also totally waste my time and address every single technical point quoted in your post, item by item, in lugubrious detail, with references, and you would still argue on, ad nauseam. No thanks, I have better (and more profitable) things to do with my time.

All of the technical information for both filter manufacturers is available if you do a thorough search; as are the noted issues with the Mahle filters (we are not the only ones to have observed them). Based upon years of experience with Porsche’s, we cannot recommend Mahle filters to our customers and instead recommend a replacement that has never demonstrated any of these issues.

Have a nice life………………………

Most vehicle manufacturers strive to "idiot proof" their vehicles, thus the use of lower filtration oil filters & bypass valves for owners that often extend oil & filter change intervals.

Some do, some do not. While the concept of an oil filtration by-pass seems like a good idea, a lot depends upon how it is done and how, when, and how dependably the by-pass operates. Approaches have been all over the map, some OEM’s put the by-pass in the filter mount (Porsche), other use a by-pass valve in the disposable filter itself. Others use none at all. Each has its own merits and drawbacks.

In a modern engine running a multi-weight full synthetic oil, there is really no need for a cold engine start by-pass, the oil viscosity change provides that function itself. Some would suggest that even then the by-pass would be a good thing if the filter clogged with debris from failing engine components as it would still allow some oil to circulate; but unfortunately by the time that would happen in a Porsche, the engine would already be toast and need to come apart anyway due to the damage done to the bearing surfaces by the circulating abrasive debris. And if there were a by-pass in this situation, the circulation of the contaminated oil would only worsen the situation; so at least if the oil pressure drops off due to a clogged filter, you would get a warning light and could shut the engine down before things got even worse.

Most by-pass valves are simple spring-loaded devices, which sometimes get stuck in the open position either temporarily or permanently (and why some use the “in the filter” style so it is regularly replaced with a new one). Unfortunately, you get no warning when this the by-pass fails, and dirty oil goes back to the bearings, and things get ugly.

We have had a lot of customers running without the by-pass for a lot of miles and over a wide variety of temperature conditions; to date none has suffered problems that could be tied to the lack of the by-pass, and during those miles every drop of oil was filtered at all times.