Which Oil Filter for 2004 Forester?

[Jim Knoll]

I am very confused regarding which oil filter to use on my 2004 Forester
with NO turbo and WITH automatic transmission. The OEM filter installed is
the 15208AA080, but I am told that that filter is for the turbo version.

Do I have a turbo and don't know it : - ) Or, is the 080 filter okay for
the 2004 auto tranny w/o turbo? Or, should I be using the 38325AA032
filter (supposed to be designated for auto tranny vehicles). This is an
American (Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA) vehicle with 2.5L four cylinder
engine. Don't know if it is dual or single cam. It does have the stack
of washers and the cooling mechanism where the filter is installed.

Thanks for the help and clarification.

 

[y_p_w]

I am very confused regarding which oil filter to use on my 2004 Forester
with NO turbo and WITH automatic transmission. The OEM filter installed is
the 15208AA080, but I am told that that filter is for the turbo version.

Correct. It's also more expensive. The standard OEM filter sold at US
dealers is made by Purolator. The smaller one is made in Japan by
Toyo Roki. I don't like the construction of Frams (i.e. cardboard
endcaps), but you might be able to use a Fram PH3593A. A better
alternative might be a Purolator L14612 or PureOne PL14612. I'd
even prefer the Wal-Mart version (made by Champion Labs).

Do I have a turbo and don't know it : - ) Or, is the 080 filter okay for
the 2004 auto tranny w/o turbo? Or, should I be using the 38325AA032
filter (supposed to be designated for auto tranny vehicles). This is an
American (Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA) vehicle with 2.5L four cylinder
engine. Don't know if it is dual or single cam. It does have the stack
of washers and the cooling mechanism where the filter is installed.

It's just a smaller filter designed for the turbo models. Something
about it being desirable to keep the filter further aways from the
turbo because of heat or something like that. It's supposed to have
the same threading, base size, and bypass pressure. BTW - Subaru says
its OK to use the standard size one in turbos, but the smaller one is
preferred.

 

[TomTom]

Use a Mobil 1 oil filter.

Most importantly it has a 98% single pass efficiency rating for
contaminants/particles in the 10 to 20 micron size range. Compare this to
85% efficiency for conventional filters.

In multiple pass testing the Mobil 1 has a rating of 96% vs. 82% for
conventional filters.

-Tom

 

[Edward Hayes]

I have used the dealer supplied or the Purolator "PURE ONE" that I buy at
the local discount auto store. I forgot but their book gives the proper
filter model number for your non-turbo car. Ed Hayes

 

[LT]

Can you provide the url for this testing?
Thanks
LT

 

[TT]

It's on the Mobil1 site. http://www.mobil1.com

-T

Can you provide the url for this testing?
Thanks
LT

It's on the Mobil1 site. http://www.mobil1.com

-T

 

[LT]

Thanks, the specs look impressive. Any other users?

 

[Rick Courtright]

Use a Mobil 1 oil filter.

Hi,

Before anyone gets all excited and goes ga-ga over the numbers:

The Wally World Super Tech filter claims a single pass efficiency of 98%
(SAE HS806) and a multi-pass efficiency of 99% (SAE J1858.) It's made by
Champion Labs, maker of both Bosch and Mobil 1 filters among others, and
since they conducted the tests, I don't know why they'd fudge the
numbers vs their own products.

And... it only costs $1.97 at my local Wally World, vs close to $10 for
a Mobil 1. I've used both, and can't say one's better than the other. I
personally prefer the Purolator-made Subaru OEM filters--less valve
noise, better oil pressure than any others I've used. But that's in MY
car. YMMV.

Just something to think about when tossing numbers about. They don't
always tell the WHOLE story. Especially the ones with the dollar signs
in front of them that some people automatically equate with quality.

Rick

 

[Edward Hayes]

I agree with Rick on this and after reading much material on filter testing
I decided on the OEM( which is made by Purolator) or the Purolator
"pure-one, I do have an interesting comment about the Mobil 1 filter in that
they say they use a "special" material for the media. Quotes like 99 % first
pass is almost meaningless as the real world needs the average pass over the
intended life of the filter. I would hasten to add that since most engine
wear occurs with particle size larger than 5 microns and the 98 % first pass
at 10-20 doesn't sound great to me. Ed Hayes

 

[Verbs Under My Gel]

I have used the dealer supplied or the Purolator "PURE ONE" that I buy at
the local discount auto store. I forgot but their book gives the proper
filter model number for your non-turbo car. Ed Hayes

I think 14460 is the part number for the Pure One that's made for the
EJ253 (that's right...it's made expressly for these engines. It
doesn't have an anti-drainback valve. It doesn't need one, since it's
installed vertically with the open end pointing upward.).

 

[Edward Hayes]

You are correct Verb except the Purolator 14460 does have a drain-back
valve. Ed Hayes

 

[R]

You are correct Verb except the Purolator 14460 does have a drain-back
valve. Ed Hayes

14460 Threads: M20x1.5 Relief Valve P.S.I.: 20-25 O.D.: 3.15 Height:
2.95 Anti-Drain Back Valve: No

14459 Threads: M20x1.5 Relief Valve P.S.I.: 12-15 O.D.: 3.15 Height:
2.95 Anti-Drain Back Valve: Yes

 

[Verbs Under My Gel]

You are correct Verb except the Purolator 14460 does have a drain-back
valve. Ed Hayes

Nope. No ADBV. I've one sitting here in front of me. It's the same
as the OEM, save for the gasket with a rectangular cross section verus
round cross section on the OEM.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

maybe the PL (pureone) does?

Nope. No ADBV. I've one sitting here in front of me. It's the same
as the OEM, save for the gasket with a rectangular cross section verus
round cross section on the OEM.

 

[Edward Hayes]

I checked my Purolator Pure-one PL 14460 does have a metal drain-back valve.
Ed Hayes

 

[y_p_w]

Nope. No ADBV. I've one sitting here in front of me. It's the same
as the OEM, save for the gasket with a rectangular cross section verus
round cross section on the OEM.

Perhaps it isn't needed if the filter is mounted with the base up.

Anyone know where the oil pump is. One purported reason for an
anti-drainback valve (regardless of filter mounting arrangement)
is to prevent backflow from sending crud trapped in the filter
back to the oil pump.

 

[Edward Hayes]

To y_p_w: I'm looking at a Pure One and it appears to have an anti drain
back valve at the bottom of the filter tube and the OMC does not. Ed Hayes

 

[Verbs Under My Gel]

maybe the PL (pureone) does?

Neither the PL14460 nor the L14460 has an anti-drainback valve. The
valve is unnecessary since in all of the applications of these filters
(late-model Subarus only), the filter is mounted vertically with the
open end pointing upward.

 

[Verbs Under My Gel]

I checked my Purolator Pure-one PL 14460 does have a metal drain-back valve.
Ed Hayes

That's the bypass valve (if the oil's too viscous or the filter's
plugged, it'll allow the flow of oil to bypass the filter element).
Anti-drainback valves are usually neoprene (or perhaps silicone
rubber?) flaps that deflect to allow oil to flow into the filter under
pressure, and cover the inlet holes when there's no oil pressure to
prevent the filter from draining.

 

[Rick Courtright]

To y_p_w: I'm looking at a Pure One and it appears to have an anti drain
back valve at the bottom of the filter tube and the OMC does not. Ed Hayes

Hi,

Are you sure you're not thinking of the bypass valve--that would be
metal at the bottom of the can (closed end), where the anti-drainback
valve will be a sheet of neoprene-silicone-other rubbery stuff that
covers the intake holes of the filter at the base (open end.) AFAIK, all
current filters have some kind of a bypass valve, not all the
anti-drainback valve.

Rick