From what I have heard in the past, the FL-2016W is a "white box" filter. Supposedly OEM, but supplied to the aftermarket. Maybe (speculation) to sell filters that do not pass the Ford QA/QC, but functionally have no (known) issues.

Check out the last post in this thread:
Diesel Filters Online question - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

And one from AutoZone ...........
Motorcraft Cartridge Engine Oil Filter FL-2016

And a post from 2006 about FL2016W:
https://www.thedieselgarage.com/for.../forums/19-2003-2007-6-0l-power-stroke/24936-walmart-fl2016-not-same-fords.html

 

From what I have heard in the past, the FL-2016W is a "white box" filter. Supposedly OEM, but supplied to the aftermarket. Maybe to sell filters that do not pass the Ford QA/QC, but functionally have no (known) issues.

Check out the last post in this thread:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1031935-diesel-filters-online-question.html

And one from AutoZone ...........
https://www.autozone.com/external-engine/oil-filter/motorcraft-oil-filter/540653_0

And a post from 2006 about FL2016W:
https://www.thedieselgarage.com/for.../forums/19-2003-2007-6-0l-power-stroke/24936-walmart-fl2016-not-same-fords.html

I'm no expert on this and just reading along with rest. So just putting this out there for the sake of the conversation. Without an explanation and if their specs say the "W" is for the 6.0, why would they want to package and brand the filters as Motorcraft if they have been found to be sub standard? Why wouldn't they just reject them and let Racor handle the culls? From a business standpoint it doesn't make sense to have quality control for your brand and then allow sub standard product to packaged and sold under your brand name. Just saying.

k

 

ok. so I swung by the dealer yesterday. I had the FL-2016W and the FL-2016 side by side.

The FL-2016W does not have the "motorcraft FL-2016" stamped on the top of the filter housing.

Needless to say I'm returning the FL-2016W back to orielly and sticking with the oil filter that has the "motorcraft FL-2016" stamped on it.

 

Here is an example. When Ford/International, and Racor shared some of their design information (way back in the early 6.0L days), they documented that their oil filters remove "at least 95% of all particles 20 microns and larger".

Here is what the O'Reilly's web site states:
"Large filter media area provides optimum filtering efficiency throughout the oil change cycle; 80 percent efficiency on particles 20 microns or larger"

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...ilters-16470/oil-filter-12090/80c2d8dbb188/motorcraft-oil-filter/fl2016/4485277

Autozone posts the same thing:
https://www.autozone.com/external-e...ernal-engine/oil-filter/motorcraft-oil-filter/540653_0_5153?&searchText=FL2016W

That leads me to suspect a difference. Maybe there is, maybe there isn't. I know that filter discussions can be as bad as oil threads, LOL!

 

I'm good with them as long as there is good information like you posted and I'm learning. It's good to bring these things to light and see how things REALLY work in the big business world. OTOH, maybe I should spend my time on something that's relevant to my truck. Having a BPD relocation, I haven't had to buy a Ford oil filter in a little over 3 years! LOL!!

 

Adding to what Mark as stated, from my experience OE assembly line parts usually are within a tighter spec range. From my world tires, rotors, and pads. I've often said the best tires you'll ever have are the ones that came on your vehicle.

When I was tasked to perform certified FMVSS stopping distance tests I had to contact the tire, rotor, and caliper manufacturers and get a pallet of assembly line spec'd parts. All of the people I ever ordered from took the orders like I was getting a hamburger from McD. With our relationship with Kelsey-Hayes, we knew rotors within Ford's spec but out of the tighter assembly line range went into the Ford service parts boxes. For a period of time, the Midas automotive organization was part of our overall company. They would get rotors and drums directly from K-H, and when we had some of those parts in house for a training seminar you could see where the K-H and Ford insignias were removed or hidden. The next time I talked with a K-H engineer I asked him about it and was told the way out of spec parts hit the aftermarket.

I'd be a little suspect that parts in a Ford box no matter the suffix would be out of spec, but then I've got this Motorcraft motor sitting in my garage ........

 

Thanks for adding that Jack.

I am going to have to go look at the actual box that the FL2016W comes in. I wonder about it referencing Ford anywhere on the box, assuming that the filter itself doesn't even have the Motorcraft label on it (from earlier post) like the real thing does.

 

Thanks for adding that Jack.

I am going to have to go look at the actual box that the FL2016W comes in. I am skeptical about it referencing Ford anywhere on the box. The filter itself doesn't even have the Motorcraft label on it (from earlier post) like the real thing does.

I didn't pick up on that Mark. I thought it had the same packaging but just came to the store in a larger amount in a case.

 

The filter not having the motorcraft name on it throws a big flag in the air for me.

I don't trust salesmen and I will stick with the OEM ford oil filter for the last part of my 6.0's life. Why risk it for the same price.

 

bismic -

you and others may have already discovered this, but it does say Ford on the box.

 

Here a pic of the one I got today.

 

The filter itself does not have a motocraft part number on it though.

Buy a filter from the dealership and it’s stamped right on top.

 

Same filter, it’s just designated with “w” for bulk packaging sold to retailers other than ford. When I worked for Chrysler for example, 5281090 was the filter part number for most of their v8 engines. 5281090BA was the PN sold to dealers in 12 pack cases. Same as the original, but didn’t come individually boxed. 5281090AB was the same filter, same specs, just sold to non dealer retailers. It’s primarily for internal tracking and accounting. Since chain retailers bought higher quantities, the AB had a lower price point to retailers than the BA or the original without a suffix. It may not have the motorcraft part number stamped, but check the patent number stamped on the filter. It still belongs to Ford.

 

Interesting, you may have solved the illusive w marking which all of thought stood for walmart

 

Interesting, you may have solved the illusive w marking which all of thought stood for walmart

Well, not everyone, lol ........... that is not what I posted earlier ...

 

I actually just came across it myself when getting a filter for my truck last week. I saw both, and inspected each one. The difference I saw was one had motorcraft, and the other one didn’t. The batch numbers were of course different, as well one had an additional patent number. Measurements were the same on a cheap oreilley’s caliper.

 

I got the Shell Rotella “equivalent” filter - mistake. It had a small chunk of the media missing and the seam where the media joined together was coming apart. Took it back for the W. Surprised Shell lets junk like that have their name on it.