TGP Japan Oil Filters

[jaypines]

Just bought 1 yesterday from the local dealer as I am going to do an oil change. Just noticed when i took out the filter out of the box that it's not Made in Japan anymore but rather Made in CHINA Had a look at the insides and the filter media looks like a paper filter now just like what is found on ryco/fram filters. The Japan filter i took out of the car had a red seal and a cellulose like filter media.
Here is a comparison between the two: http://www.pakwheels.com/forums/oil-fuel-fluids-filters/229081-genuine-toyota-oil-filter-japanese-vs-thailand-made the thailand made are the same as the chinese one.
Are Japanese filters already gone? Where to get? For the same price Id rather have the japan one than the chinese.

[Bling]

I would have thought if Toyota put their name to it, and supply it as their own product, that it would meet the same requirements. If the filter from Japan looked like the China one, would you question it? Just wondering. I know China gets a pretty bad rep when it comes to things, but being made in China does not mean it's automatically rubbish. My work drill is made in China and it's lasted years of abuse. So long as the part / tool is supplied by a reputable company, I don't mind where it's made.

Mark (our TGP sponsor) may know the answer to your question though.

[jaypines]

If it looked the same from the outside I would not have questioned it, but its not... out of the box you can see the differences straight away. Its marked with the same part number (90915-10004) but have different seals and construction.
I know that TGP Japan oil filters have the same construction as the TRD japan oil filters as i have opened both. So instead of buying the trd ones, i just settled for the TGP ones as they are half the price.
Now with the china made filters.. i feel like i'm being ripped off knowing they are just like any other aftermarket filters (ryco fram etc.) although on the other hand I have no data to prove they dont perform similar to the japanese made ones... maybe no need to worry?

[Makaveli]

I think it depends on the engine. TRD filter for 2JZ is Made in Japan. I think all the TGP oil flters I have bought in the past were also Made in Japan if I recall correctly. Engines being 1JZ Chaser & 1UZ Celsior.

Some new Toyota's are made in Thailand. So I wouldn't be suprised if their parts were made in China.

[1I1]

We've seen a change in where the oil filters 90915-20003 (for 1JZ/2JZ 1KD 1MZ etc) were made. And there was a few that were leaking. But no other issues with quality that I've seen. Wasn't aware the other filters were made else where now.

[Makaveli]

That really sucks. I guess I will keep buying TRD oil filters. Just out of curiosity, now that Toyota manufactures it's oil filters in China & I assume at a lower cost. Has the retail price dropped?

I really doubt Chinese made oil filters are anywhere as good as Japanese made ones.

[Mr Revhead]

The TRD are definitely not just the same as the TGP ones.
Some years ago the ones they were getting in Aus were made in Thailand

[Makaveli]

TRD oil filters have finer filtration, so they filter better than TGP ones (they pick up smaller particles). So they clog up sooner & need replacing: TRD every 6,000km & TGP every 10,000km.

[jaypines]

when I last opened a TRD filter (90915-SP010), the inside looks like TGP japan filter (90915-10004):

thats why i settled for this. notice the filter media, seals and how the area on the threaded portion of the filter is different from the china ones.

the china made (same part number 90915-10004) ones looks like this:


i can understand if its a different part number. but its the same part number with different construction.

[jaypines]

We've seen a change in where the oil filters 90915-20003 (for 1JZ/2JZ 1KD 1MZ etc) were made. And there was a few that were leaking. But no other issues with quality that I've seen. Wasn't aware the other filters were made else where now.

Mark do you still have those japan made ones in stock like in the pic? P/N: 90915-10004. might pay to get a few.

[Makaveli]

Cost cutting. More profit for Toyota Motor Co. Shareholders.

[Mr Ree]

Mark, are the big 1UZ filters made in Japan or Thailand/China, please?

[sergei]

So in this case there is no point paying $20+ for TGP if the $10 Ryco looks exactly same inside.

[1I1]

Mark, are the big 1UZ filters made in Japan or Thailand/China, please?

They are made in Thailand, but again haven't seen any QC issues with these

[1I1]

We've seen a change in where the oil filters 90915-20003 (for 1JZ/2JZ 1KD 1MZ etc) were made. And there was a few that were leaking. But no other issues with quality that I've seen. Wasn't aware the other filters were made else where now.

Mark do you still have those japan made ones in stock like in the pic? P/N: 90915-10004. might pay to get a few.

Negative, only have the Thailand ones available sorry.

[sergei]

The Japanese filter is depth type.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depth_filter

The Thailand filter is surface type.

The depth filter is superior filter in almost all aspects, the only drawback is the cost.
The depth filter can contain substantially more particles before it loses filtering efficiency.

The surface filter will clog up a lot faster, and once it does the oil will simply flow through bypass valve unfiltered.


Basically there is no advantage of using genuine if the genuine is using same filtering method as cheaper brands, providing the quality of construction is similar.
Most likely the Thailand made filter are done at same factory that makes generic branded filters anyway.

[Lloyd]

Why do people get hung up on this sort of stuff? Vehicles can happy do 500,000kms on cheap aftermarket filters and never have an issue with the oil system, even running 10,000km intervals or more. Soooo much automotive stuff (even genuine) comes out of China.

[Mr Revhead]

Lloyd Soooo much EVERYTHING comes out of China.

People forget that a Toyota part made in China still has to pass the same quality checks as one made in Japan.
Yes you can get shit Chinese stuff. Just they same as you can get shit stuff from anywhere in the world.

Just don't buy a JAC truck

[Bling]

If you're clogging a filter in 5-10,000km, i'd be more concerned about the engine... I've run most filter brands depending on what deals are going. Currently still have a TGP filter "in stock", and it's the cool one, might put it on display I've long since realised that being made in China VS anywhere else means absolutely nothing.

Yes you can still buy rubbish (from anywhere), but just don't and you won't have a problem. I bet 90%+ of the electric / air tools i've purchased in the last 10 years are made in China. Along with my press, engine crane etc. I imagine they have to meet NZ standards to be sold here to start with. Do I expect cheap tools to last as long as tools that literally cost 10 times the price? Nope. But tools I want to last, I lube up for and pay the coin needed.

/side track

[jaypines]

well as i said earlier, i dont have any data to prove that the china ones dont perform similarly to japan made filters. But the fact is something has changed to the same part number filter i was used to made me question.... they just could have at least changed the part number then told me that its a substitute.
Could this be cost cutting measures? I dont know. Anyway no matter what , i will still use TGP... I just hope these cost cutting measure would trickle down to consumers.