Have an 07 HHR LT2, 2.4L.
We use Mobil 1 synth oil, and I have changed the oil/filter myself every 5000 miles.

For my second oil filter (5K miles ago) I used a Purlator, as the GM shops were all closed on Saturdays.

Took out the Purlator to replace it this weekend and it was near death.

The center area of the filter looked as if it had been sucked inward a bit.
So, instead of a filter which looks like a perfect cylinder, it looked more like a cylinder which was tapered in the center. Also, the pleats in the center were all crimped.
My first thought was that the filter had been crushed going into its little hole, but after measuring the filter, the center of the filter was clearly getting pulled in by something.

It looked to me like there was a mismatch between the flow rate through the filter and the actual oil pressure. It appeared that the filter did not flow too well and over time the center of the filter material got 'sucked into' the center of the cartridge trying to get oil through.

Had I left the filter the 9000 miles our D.I.C. recommends, I fear that the pleats would have pulled out from the top/bottom of the filter cartridge and the oil would have just run over the filter and not through it.

Should note that when I took out the first filter, it was an A/C Delco filter and it looked perfect.

So, I will be using the A/C parts from the dealer from now on.

I would strongly recommend you avoid the Purlator filters for now.

I have run Purolator Pure One filters for many years and will continue to do so.

>>>I have run Purolator Pure One filters for many years and will continue to do so.<<<

As have I. Had them on my current big truck and our previous Chevy.

I once saw a video on some car program where they cut away at a number of cartridge filters. The Purlator and Wix were clearly better made than the others, which included Fram.

But if you saw my Purlator filter after only 5000 miles, you may have second thoughts in this case.

I am secretly hoping someone will chime in who has used the same filter on their HHR and did not have a problem. Perhaps my experience was a limited one.

May try to contact Purlator to let them know what happened.

You should contact Purolator and let them know what happened.

They do like to see these kinds of anomolies to better understand what happened in what should be an isolated incident.

I am trying to track down Wix or Carquest Blue (made by Wix) filters for my HHR (we don't get Purolator filters up here).

Mine has a Pure One in it now.. But not due for a change yet.

I changed my HHR's oil this weekend and saw the same thing but with a fram filter. Although I think it was because I cranked on the filter cap too hard. This time once the filter cap met the block, I just turned it about a 1/4 of turn more. Also, I was at 13% according to the D.I.C. So I'm pretty sure I went well beyond the 5,000 miles. I'm at 18,000+ miles right now on my HHR.

Didn't see this before on my previous oil changes. I'll monitor the filter cap to make sure it isn't leaking and will check the oil filter again on the next change (used fram again).

Ng

Take a look at the FRam Filter and the Walmart Super Tech filter for the HHR next time side by side...same exact filter made in Bulgaria...save some $$ next time and get the SuperTech...


Goose


PS I'm usually a Purolator guy but as far as the HHR filter goes the Fram and the Supertech look like they are made better in this instance

You should contact Purolator and let them know what happened.

They do like to see these kinds of anomolies to better understand what happened in what should be an isolated incident.

I am trying to track down Wix or Carquest Blue (made by Wix) filters for my HHR (we don't get Purolator filters up here).You might try this site...after I compared their prices to some other online sellers,they beat them all.:smile: http://www.fleetfilter.com/index.html

I am waiting for fleetfilter to add the option to use USPS for shipping (coming soon).

Fleetfilter is a site sponsor over at BITOG.

Take a look at the FRam Filter and the Walmart Super Tech filter for the HHR next time side by side...same exact filter made in Bulgaria...save some $$ next time and get the SuperTech...


Goose


PS I'm usually a Purolator guy but as far as the HHR filter goes the Fram and the Supertech look like they are made better in this instance
Egads!!!!! What would the BITOG folks think of those positive Fram comments :lol:

Egads!!!!! What would the BITOG folks think of those positive Fram comments :lol:OK...what the heck is BITOG?;)

Bob is the oil guy. A place where folks geek out on motor oil to the same degree (or worse) that we do about the HHR.

OK...what the heck is BITOG?;)


http://theoildrop.server101.com/forums/


Black Rose hit it dead on....anything you ever would want to need or know about oil is right there



Goose

What names do you guys use at BITOG? I'm a pretty regular visitor there under Blue Goose.....someone named BradC says he belongs here under a different name but he didn't elaborate so I didn't push :smile:


Goose

What names do you guys use at BITOG? I'm a pretty regular visitor there under Blue Goose.....someone named BradC says he belongs here under a different name but he didn't elaborate so I didn't push :smile:
I wonder who this BradC clown is? :wink: :lol:

This is a non-scientific study, but the guy is trying to do a good job, following a standardized process.

FWIW

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html

This is a non-scientific study, but the guy is trying to do a good job, following a standardized process.

FWIW

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html

Thanks for that link. It's an updated version of his research that was started on another site.

Ive been using the AC/Delco-got a deal on a case from my Chevy parts guy. Kind of related-I had a bit of a nightmare last oil change. I was using a new pan to catch the oil, and it was a bit high. So, when I loosened the oil pan drain plug, I just let it drop into the new pan. When I went to remove it, there was a huge mess. It seems that the bolt blocked the hole so all of the oil overflowed. Luck for me, I did not do the change in my driveway-but in front of the house where the driveway meets the street. So the oil all ran down past my neighbors house. I tried to hose it down, with no luck. It just made the mess go down to other neighbors homes. Now I am a little apprehensive about doing it again.

That's nasty. I've been debating whether to get a pan that has a big gaping hole, or one of those ones that has a smaller hole that also doubles as a used oil storage container.

I think you inadvertently helped me choose the former over the latter :eek:

Of course my wife is not keen on me changing the oil myself anyway, but that's another story.

I wonder who this BradC clown is? :wink: :lol:


I guess we don't wonder anymore! :lol:


Goose

I'm about to change my oil for the first time (going synthetic) but I am unable to find a socket (so far) to fit the oil filter. I believe it is an inch and one quarter socket that is needed...I've been to Walmart, Target, Sears, Advanced Auto Parts, no one has a 1.25 socket..any suggestions?

I'm about to change my oil for the first time (going synthetic) but I am unable to find a socket (so far) to fit the oil filter. I believe it is an inch and one quarter socket that is needed...I've been to Walmart, Target, Sears, Advanced Auto Parts, no one has a 1.25 socket..any suggestions?
Try this if you can't find one locally...http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220103791498&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:us :smile:

I'm about to change my oil for the first time (going synthetic) but I am unable to find a socket (so far) to fit the oil filter. I believe it is an inch and one quarter socket that is needed...I've been to Walmart, Target, Sears, Advanced Auto Parts, no one has a 1.25 socket..any suggestions?
1 1/4" or 32mm will do the trick (make sure they are 6 point), but the 1 1/4" seems to fit better.

I've seen them at Sears and Canadian Tire (both in Canada, doesn't help you though :cool: ). Someone said they saw them at Home Depot in the US, so try Home Depot and Lowes as well.

There is also an actual socket made specifically for removing the filter made by Lisle and is model 14700.

Amazon lists it, but I would think that major automotive stores would carry it (but then you would think they would carry 1 1/4" sockets too).
Here is one on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lisle-Tools-14700-Filter-Wrench-for-GM-2-2-L_W0QQitemZ260079262669QQihZ016QQcategoryZ35625QQr dZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

Thanks to you both for the info. I bought one off ebay, should be here shortly (the lisle 14700). I finally found one at Sears, but it was a 1/2 inch drive and my socket is 3/8..and it was too tall anyway, would not provide clearance..and it was about $9.00 with tax..plus I'd have to buy an extension and/or 1/2 drive socket to use it. I searched the internet for the lisle 14700 and lots of places had it, mostly for 8.95..but the shipping was outrageous, via ups to my home one place wanted an additional 11.95, most wanted another 8.95! So I bought one on ebay per your suggestion..for $6.00 with only 4.5 shipping (3/8 drive, with low profile to provide proper clearance. I'm still way ahead. My dealer wants $60.05 (what a weird price, he couldn't eat the nickel?), for synthetic change. I spent for the oil, catch pan, filter and now socket, about $45 (tax included). Now each subsequent change will be just 19 for the oil plus 8 for the filter (walmart). Most of all, I enjoy doing it.

32mm socket and 4" extension (1/2") picked up at Advance Auto Parts. Already had the 1/2" ratchet. I just stick the socket and extension in the area I keep my oil changing supplies.

Doh! I just got back from Advance Auto parts with 5 qts of Mobil Clean 5000 and... a Purolator #15476 oil filter :wtf:

Crap. I wonder if they'll refund it. I can get a Wix @ O'Reilly Auto Parts for a dollar more.

In other news, you can get the Lisle GM 2.2L Oil Filter Socket p/n #14700 @ Advance Auto Parts for $7.18 (+ tax) they don't stock them in-store but they can get them there the next day with no shipping cost.

http://www.partsamerica.com/productdetail.aspx?MfrCode=LIS&MfrPartNumber=14700&CategoryCode=3401A

Doh! I just got back from Advance Auto parts with 5 qts of Mobil Clean 5000 and... a Purolator #15476 oil filter :wtf:

Crap. I wonder if they'll refund it. I can get a Wix @ O'Reilly Auto Parts for a dollar more.

In other news, you can get the Lisle GM 2.2L Oil Filter Socket p/n #14700 @ Advance Auto Parts for $7.18 (+ tax) they don't stock them in-store but they can get them there the next day with no shipping cost.

http://www.partsamerica.com/productdetail.aspx?MfrCode=LIS&MfrPartNumber=14700&CategoryCode=3401A


You mean 15436 right? Anyways, yeah you should be able to return it. Haven't seen the Wix but I did not like the look of the Purolaters at all..I'm sure they work just fine but I like the looks of the Fram 9018 or the Supertech better


Goose

Also do you have a Walmart near you? They have Mobil 5000 in the 5 quart jugs for 9.97 which is a nice deal



Goose

Haven't seen the Wix but I did not like the look of the Purolaters at all..I'm sure they work just fine but I like the looks of the Fram 9018 or the Supertech better
Check the oil filter section on BITOG.

There is a newish thread about Ecotec filters in there, and there is a picture of the Carquest Blue filter, which is a Wix filter.

Check the oil filter section on BITOG.

There is a newish thread about Ecotec filters in there, and there is a picture of the Carquest Blue filter, which is a Wix filter.


Will do! Thanks for the heads up! :thumb:



Goose

Check the oil filter section on BITOG.

There is a newish thread about Ecotec filters in there, and there is a picture of the Carquest Blue filter, which is a Wix filter.

I can't find it. But now that you guys have me looking at filter threads over on BITOG, I'm now geeking out on which filter is best. Looks like Supertech might be okay. Although I'm inclined to go with a Wix.

Whatever brand, seems like a good design feature is to have a barrel cage of sorts inside to keep the pleats from sucking inward.

edit: Nevermind. Found the thread: http://theoildrop.server101.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=916060&an=0&page=0&gonew=1#UNREAD

:D

I can't find it. But now that you guys have me looking at filter threads over on BITOG, I'm now geeking out on which filter is best. Looks like Supertech might be okay. Although I'm inclined to go with a Wix.

Whatever brand, seems like a good design feature is to have a barrel cage of sorts inside to keep the pleats from sucking inward.

edit: Nevermind. Found the thread: http://theoildrop.server101.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=916060&an=0&page=0&gonew=1#UNREAD

:D



http://theoildrop.server101.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=925753&page=0&vc=&PHPSESSID=kfbe831l1rf2oqetgnd7f80h6d8c6pa8#Post925 753


Welcome to Oil Geek Hell :lol:



Goose




****EDIT**** Doh! You move quick lol

Yes, BITOG can be a dangerous site to be on.

Shortly after I joined it, I was reading through god knows how many threads and happened to look at the clock...2:30 AM!!!! I had to get up at 6:30 to get ready for work. Yep, that was a productive day :lol:

For a slightly (just around the edges) obsessive-compulsive guy like me about getting the best for my money, BITOG forums are great!

Have to admit though, most of the additive pkg tech-speak in the VOA and UOA forums is waaaay over my head. I just try to watch for a general consensus amongst the posters that a particular oil looks good. :thumb:

Have to admit though, most of the additive pkg tech-speak in the VOA and UOA forums is waaaay over my head. I just try to watch for a general consensus amongst the posters that a particular oil looks good. :thumb:


Join the crowd! I hear you. I don't pretend to understand all the numbers that are said regarding UOA's but if you read enough of them you can get a general idea :thumb:


Goose