Not sure where to put this, so I'll throw it here (and maybe it's been posted before, but here goes again...).

I recently discovered the Napa Gold (Wix) filters are a tad bit smaller than an OEM filter. This means, you can install a new Napa Gold filter with the OEM wrench, but when it comes time to remove it...*slip*. It's not going to work. If nothing else, this was a nuisance I would rather not have discovered after draining the oil from the car. Bah!

 

Ever see a Napa "Gold" filter cross sectioned?

I have.

Cut one in half, take a look at how poorly it's made and you're problem will be solved. That's because you'll never again want to use one.

Use the OEM Honda filter. The Mobil 1 filters, Amsoil filters and K&N filters are also pretty decent. The list begins to grow real short after that.

 

EDIT:

I MAY have seen a NAPA "silver" filter cross sectioned and not a gold. I can't recall, since it was 7 or 8 years ago. It was built horribly (no check valve, cheesy leaf spring holding the element, minimal amount of element, thin housing, etc.)

 

I usually try to get OEM's but I was in a pinch for time...Napa was next door, and dealer was 15 miles away. I knew I was going to regret it...just a matter of time.

 

A better question....why are you using a wrench to tighten an oil filter??

 

Just order half a dozen of them or so from H and A on the net:

http://www.handa-accessories.com/

Then order more of them when you only have one left.

The Honda OEM filters are your best bet, IMO.

 

Well you should torque an oil filter to 12 NM or 8.7 lbf ft recommended. I always just tighten it with my hand! Also aftermarket filters are not always going to be the same size as oem since they are universal to different vehicles also.

 

For RKA, the OP.

You may want to look at two very recent threads on Oil Filters for the TL. Seems Honda has "re-sourced" those OEM filters and they are not as well built as the original OEM part.

The suggetions seem to be that the Honda filter for the S2000 or the Mobile 1 Filter are better than the current TL OEM part.

There are cross-sections in one of the recent threads so you can draw your own conclusions.

 

Bearcat...thanks for that tidbit...I'll take a look. Presumably they also list the change in oil capacity with the S2000 filter over there as well.

BG74...Honda has indexed the barrels of their filters since the beginning of time. Their recommendation has always been 7/8th of a turn after the gasket makes contact. It's a little difficult to tighten it down to spec by hand. Regardless...don't worry, I don't crank down on it. On my Audi I've always tightened it by hand, but the barrel is much larger and easier to grasp.

harddrivin1le...thanks for the link. I've stopped stockpiling parts (even filters and oil). Lately it seems every car that I sell seems to leave a shelf full of maintenance parts. Right now I've got $200-300 in parts for an Audi I don't have. I put an end to it...just buy what I need when I need it (well, I'll keep 1 spare filter on the shelf, that's it). This time I thought I had one on the shelf...no dice. Funny...I found a spare filter from an old Honda down in the basement the other week......in another box of parts I had stockpiled. :-P

Thanks Guys!

 

I always use the K&N's. I especially like the nut that's welded on the end of the filter can which allows the use of a standard wrench or socket to remove the filter.

 

Another reason I love my K&N is that 1 inch nut welded to the end
Slide the socket onto the long extension and off it comes every time no prob