Using Non-OEM Oil Filters

[ronbo1]

I've changed the oil filter on my Westerbeke 82B some 12 times during it's 1200 hr life using only Westerbeke OEM filters.
Recently I coudn't find the Westerbeke brand so used a Sierra equivalent.

After being in service for 12 hours the Sierra's o-ring blew out dumping 7 qts in the engine pan.

I replaced with a new Sierra, this time hand tightening less than the 1/2-3/4 turn normally used, thinking perhaps it was overtightened - I only use a wrench when removing.

This time the engine ran only 20 seconds before I heard a pop and saw the oil pressure drop to zero. Oil pressure generally runs 40lbs and drops to 25 at idle. Another mess to clean.

I found a Westerbeke filter and installed it. It's been running fine, so far.

Comparing the two filters side by side the gasket is slightly different in dimensions, not to mention a possible hardness difference.

Anyone have similar problems using this or other replacement filters? No indication on the Sierra package what, if any, specific torque to install.

Ronbo

[S/V Illusion]

The thread size may be different, the I.D. may be slightly off or any number of other reasons exist which most of us shake our heads at when someone tries to use a cheap filter to protect a $10,000 engine.

[Sailmonkey]

I typically use wix or fram......haven't touched a Kubota filter in several years. Was this a direct part number cross reference, or a dimension match at the store?

[ksanders]

I've used non OEM filters forever both on the job (generator tech) and on my boats. Never had a problem.

In America NAPA filters work great.

"Marine" filters are really no better than off the shelf industrial filters. They are probably OEM's by one of the large filter houses anyway.

[ronbo1]

The Sierra 23-7826 is a direct P/N cross reference for the Westerbeke 40154.
Both numbers printed on the package.

[onestepcsy37]

the best oil filters are supposedly made by wix. if you go to the wix website you can probably cross reference the westerbeke number to theirs. napa stores sell the wix filters under the napa brand name. you might just try going to a napa store to get the right number. i probably pay twice as much for a napa filter as an ordinary filter but i sleep better at night....

[s/vPainkiller]

I got the Wix cross references for my oil filter, racor primary fuel filter and Yanmar secondary fuel filter. I bought a case of each and stowed them aboard. Now I don't need to worry whether I have enough. I bought them from O'Reilly Auto Parts, who is a Wix distributor, and got a good discount for buying them all at the same time (plus a few belts too). Wix makes a good product, and since they also make filters for the OEMs, you might already be using a Wix filter and just paying more because it has the OEM's name on it...

Scott

[Blue Stocking]

Don't depend on catalog cross-references to be correct. Compare the physical items.
The Fram # for my W/beke W46 has a different mounting plate shape, and will not seal against the mounting fitting.

[ronbo1]

It sounds like Wix is the one to use. I hear that Westerbeke filters are rebranded Wix filters.

Ronbo