Is Mobil 1 trying to pull a fast one??

[DougAMiller]

Changed the oil today, and noticed something funny about the oil filter. I have used the longer Mobil 1 M1-206 filters since it was new, but today the filter looked a little short. So, I pulled it back off and compared it to the one I had just removed.

New one on the left, old one on the right. Label says it's the same, but clearly it's half an inch shorter. This looks to me like an M1-107, the standard filter, certainly not the same as the long one. I don't have a standard filter to compare against to see if this is just a mis-labelled M1-107. Manufacturing mistake, or is Mobil 1 going cheaper on us? Has anyone else seen this?

 

[OR VietVet]

Likely mis-labeled but maybe a fast one instead. I use the long WIX filter on mine and always used WIX for gobs of years. #51522XP is the long one.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Changed the oil today, and noticed something funny about the oil filter. I have used the longer Mobil 1 M1-206 filters since it was new, but today the filter looked a little short. So, I pulled it back off and compared it to the one I had just removed.

View attachment 257358

New one on the left, old one on the right. Label says it's the same, but clearly it's half an inch shorter. This looks to me like an M1-107, the standard filter, certainly not the same as the long one. I don't have a standard filter to compare against to see if this is just a mis-labelled M1-107. Manufacturing mistake, or is Mobil 1 going cheaper on us? Has anyone else seen this?

Looks longer than the 107 to me. Weird.

 

[DougAMiller]

Did a little research, the M1-206 is 4.37" tall and the M1-107 is 3.62" tall (data from OilFilterData.com). That's 0.75" difference. I actually measured these two and it was almost exactly 0.5" difference. Not sure what's going on, doesn't appear to be a 107, but the threads and diameter are correct, and it seems to function as it should. Maybe Mobil 1 decided to shorten the 206 by half an inch. If so, I find that annoying, the reason that I have always used these is that I wanted the extra volume. I know, it's only a couple ounces less, but it's the principle of the thing.

 

[GreyStone]

Did a little research, the M1-206 is 4.37" tall and the M1-107 is 3.62" tall (data from OilFilterData.com). That's 0.75" difference. I actually measured these two and it was almost exactly 0.5" difference. Not sure what's going on, doesn't appear to be a 107, but the threads and diameter are correct, and it seems to function as it should. Maybe Mobil 1 decided to shorten the 206 by half an inch. If so, I find that annoying, the reason that I have always used these is that I wanted the extra volume. I know, it's only a couple ounces less, but it's the principle of the thing.

They may have switched to a different filtration media.

 

[DougAMiller]

There's some pretty knowledgeable people on this forum on the topic of oil and filters, I thought maybe someone would know about this.

Well, I guess I'll just see what I get the next time I change oil.

 

[GreyStone]

There's some pretty knowledgeable people on this forum on the topic of oil and filters, I thought maybe someone would know about this.

Well, I guess I'll just see what I get the next time I change oil.

apparently the filters are being manufactured by a different maker.
https://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?threads/mobil-1-oil-filter-design-change.28493/

 

[PG01]

I switched to long k&n’s with the nut welded on..... never going back to anything else

 

[HiHoeSilver]

I switched to long k&n’s with the nut welded on..... never going back to anything else

Thats @swathdiver's favorite, too. I think i will try one next time when I try the new Rotella. If I'm straying from M1 for the oil, I may as well sideline their filter, too, eh?

 

[OR VietVet]

I will stick with WIX that I have used over 30+ years on my vehicles and my bikes.

 

[OR VietVet]

I know I have talked about this before but the oil I use is the full synthetic Amazon Basics that is made at the same refineries that Mobil 1 is made at and in side by side tests, either equals or beats Mobil 1. I would always be willing to change but I have had not one problem with that oil since I started using it. Is there something about Rotella oil that is better than Mobil 1?

 

[PG01]

Thats @swathdiver's favorite, too. I think i will try one next time when I try the new Rotella. If I'm straying from M1 for the oil, I may as well sideline their filter, too, eh?

Honestly nate.... you know how lazy I am .... that nut just makes it so much easier. No stupid filter wrench...that slips half the time.... the last 2 years now I’ve been using them... even for my onda....lol

 

[OR VietVet]

Honestly nate.... you know how lazy I am .... that nut just makes it so much easier. No stupid filter wrench...that slips half the time.... the last 2 years now I’ve been using them... even for my onda....lol

What's the matter, too many moving parts on the oil filter wrench.

I just use a cup and a ratchet. I don't like when the oil filter wrench slips either. That is why I have the cups.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Honestly nate.... you know how lazy I am .... that nut just makes it so much easier. No stupid filter wrench...that slips half the time.... the last 2 years now I’ve been using them... even for my onda....lol

What's the matter, too many moving parts on the oil filter wrench.

I just use a cup and a ratchet. I don't like when the oil filter wrench slips either. That is why I have the cups.

I just use my steel claw grip. Lol. I can honestly say that on my 2 current trucks, I have never touched a tool to either remove or install an oil filter. Electrician hands? Pianist hands? I dunno. I just grab that puppy and twist it!

 

[GreyStone]

Honestly nate.... you know how lazy I am .... that nut just makes it so much easier. No stupid filter wrench...that slips half the time.... the last 2 years now I’ve been using them... even for my onda....lol

I just use my steel claw grip. Lol. I can honestly say that on my 2 current trucks, I have never touched a tool to either remove or install an oil filter. Electrician hands? Pianist hands? I dunno. I just grab that puppy and twist it!

 

[iamdub]

I know I have talked about this before but the oil I use is the full synthetic Amazon Basics that is made at the same refineries that Mobil 1 is made at and in side by side tests, either equals or beats Mobil 1. I would always be willing to change but I have had not one problem with that oil since I started using it. Is there something about Rotella oil that is better than Mobil 1?

I don't have the specifics, but, in short, Mobil1 isn't what it used to be. Still a good oil, but not what it used to be and not quite as good as the other offerings in the same price range. I use Rotella for diesel engines in mine since all the recent engine work and losing the cats. Before, I used Pennzoil Platinum. The spells of lifter ticking at startup were shorter and not as loud with the Pennzoil than it was with Mobil1. I also use and would recommend a K&N filter. I used to use (and would still recommend) WIX or the gold and black Fram Ultra filters.

 

[PG01]

I just use my steel claw grip. Lol. I can honestly say that on my 2 current trucks, I have never touched a tool to either remove or install an oil filter. Electrician hands? Pianist hands? I dunno. I just grab that puppy and twist it!

My hands are usually greasy by the time I get to the filter....right around the time I gotta run in and take a crap.....

 

[OR VietVet]

My hands are usually greasy by the time I get to the filter....right around the time I gotta run in and take a crap.....

Well then, if you run out of TP then the crap will not stick to your hands. "No step for a stepper".

 

[Mudsport96]

I just picked up the ac delco 61e for the daughters Silverado and going to give it a run and see how it does vs the shorter delco. I havent dealt with anything on the 5.3s other than delcos.

 

[DougAMiller]

apparently the filters are being manufactured by a different maker.
https://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?threads/mobil-1-oil-filter-design-change.28493/

Thanks Derek! I guess I could have googled it before posting on here. That seems to explain it. Not sure why they would bother with the 206 anymore though, since this is only a 0.25" longer than the 107. I may have to consider changing to another brand that is the original length of the M1-206