[elegant]

Usually reading and following a label's advice is a good thing. Maybe not this time!

The oil filter sticker is wrong on some 2014 Corvette StingRay factory-installed oil filters, i.e., the wrong label has been installed on the correct oil filter. No word yet has many oil filters are out there with the wrong sticker. This is a picture of the wrong sticker on the correct filter.

A PF63 oil filter is longer than the PF 64, and while its' use will not cause the motor direct harm, because it is longer, it could, under full suspension compression, hit the suspension and cause the oil filter to be at least be compressed, possibly be so damaged as to start leaking oil. Secondary consequences of this would not be pretty.

So imagine a person, and we know there are Corvette owners out there (like me), who decide to do a supplemental, say at 1,000 miles, "extra" oil and filter change, to remove some of the tiny metal filings from break in, and that person reads the label, buys a PF63 filter and installs it. OR, how about a dealership tech, who has never seen a StingRay before, at customer direction changes the oil and filter and, again reading/following the label, installs at PF63 filter. Here is the correct filter with the correct label.

Article/picture source: GM TechLink, "The PF63 filter will fit the engine. However, it is significantly longer and it is possible it could be damaged if the suspension goes to full compression." Needless to say GM is warning its dealer technicians through this link: Oil Filter with Incorrect Label

 

[glen e]

M-113 mobil 1 filter off amazon works perfectly..

 

[jsvette]

Thanks for posting. I just went out to check RedHots but could not see the label. I was able to see that with 2130 miles on her there were no leaks whatsoever.

 

[mjw930]

Question, how many here wait until they remove the filter to look at the part number then go to the parts store for a replacement? The manual says PF64 so hopefully people would have the proper part in hand before they dig into the change. Of course, if they look at the part number while they are in the middle of the change then they could get confused, I know I would be all over the net looking for answers if there appeared to be the wrong part installed on my car. Rather than looking at the part number I usually hold the filters side by side and compare them. If I had bought the PF63 it would look different, then I would have two parts, both with the same number but a different case and I would get really concerned.

How the heck does this get past the checks and balances both the suppliers and GM have in place?

 

[Mobius]

Usually reading and following a label's advice is a good thing. Maybe not this time!

A PF63 oil filter is longer than the PF 64, and while its' use will not cause the motor direct harm, because it is longer, it could, under full suspension compression, hit the suspension and cause the oil filter to be at least be compressed, possibly be so damaged as to start leaking oil.

Article/picture source: GM TechLink, "The PF63 filter will fit the engine. However, it is significantly longer and it is possible it could be damaged if the suspension goes to full compression." Needless to say GM is warning its dealer technicians through this link: Oil Filter with Incorrect Label

A little further digging shows that the PF64 is about 3.8" in height, while the PF63 is about 4.9" in height. Both are 3" in diameter with 22x1.5 threads (of course!).

So, it seems that if you hit an object at speed (like a speed bump) and fully compress the suspension, the PF63 filter has a greater liklihood to potentially contact the object and receive damage.


Other common C7 compatible filters:

Mobil1 M1-113 is 3.4" in height
Fram XG10575 (once my favorite) is 4.1" in height - because of this height, the filter will extend below the C7 oil pan by close to 1/2" making it susceptible to damage due to road debris. I no longer recommend this filter for this reason.

FYI - Here's a tip to use during your oil next Vette oil change. You can fill the oil filter with oil before installing it. That way, when you start the car after the oil change, the engine will immediately develop oil pressure (versus waiting for the filter to fill before normal pressure is achieved).

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

Just something to think about: if you happen to have one of the cars with an "incorrect labeled" correct filter, might be smart to save it for later... some day people will be looking all over for them to do proper NCRS restorations!

 

[Mobius]

Just something to think about: if you happen to have one of the cars with an "incorrect labeled" correct filter, might be smart to save it for later... some day people will be looking all over for them to do proper NCRS restorations!

You're right!

The NCRS restorations are so detailed that having the correct "incorrect" filter would be appreciated by the judges!

 

[dpmdc]

Have had a few people mention metal particles in oil recently. Any idea if this has resurfaced again? May be the reason plant was not taking orders this week.

 

[mjw930]

Have had a few people mention metal particles in oil recently. Any idea if this has resurfaced again? May be the reason plant was not taking orders this week.

There is no "issue" with metal particles in the oil aside from what's normal as a motor breaks in. The difference in filters would have nothing to do with this as the longer filter actually has more filter capacity than the PF64.

This has nothing to do with orders this week. BTW, it's not the plant who isn't taking orders, it's the GM logistics system and they didn't take orders this week because they took enough the week before to cover 2 weeks production. For the last few months GM has been working a bi-weekly intake process.

 

[Mobius]

Everyone should be aware that the PF64 is about 3.8" in height, and any filters longer than this will extend below the oil pan.

There is then a risk that the filter (now one of the lowest parts of the car) could impact road debris, a speed bump, you name it, and become damaged.

The consequences of this are obvious and unpleasant.

 

[glen e]

FYI - Here's a tip to use during your oil next Vette oil change. You can fill the oil filter with oil before installing it. That way, when you start the car after the oil change, the engine will immediately develop oil pressure (versus waiting for the filter to fill before normal pressure is achieved).

Yup, mine gets filled the night before with fresh mobil 1 and then installed the next morn. Love the proper k&n filter with the nut on the bottom for tightening/loosening with a socket wrench.....

 

[Kipknuth]

What is the height of the K&N Filter?

Thanks

 

[Mobius]

...the proper k&n filter with the nut on the bottom for tightening/loosening with a socket wrench.....

Yes, the nut is convenient. I like the Frams for a similar reason - their "sure grip" surface coating which allows removal of the filter without tools.

 

[Skip]

Has anyone who changed their own oil the first time noticed that it had a greenish cast to it. Two local Chevy dealers had no idea so one of the service managers went back to GM and found that on the new 2014 (got my car in Sept last year) they put a dye in the oil to check for leaks. Standard procedure on many new cars. When I first crawled out from under the car and saw that I about screamed until I found out it was a dye put in their by the factory.

 

[jsvette]

Has anyone who changed their own oil the first time noticed that it had a greenish cast to it. Two local Chevy dealers had no idea so one of the service managers went back to GM and found that on the new 2014 (got my car in Sept last year) they put a dye in the oil to check for leaks. Standard procedure on many new cars. When I first crawled out from under the car and saw that I about screamed until I found out it was a dye put in their by the factory.

Interesting, I knew they put dye in the AC charge to spot leaks, did not know they did that in the oil as well.

 

[dpmdc]

Interesting, I knew they put dye in the AC charge to spot leaks, did not know they did that in the oil as well.

For sure. Dye is set up to catch uv light. We found it helpful in our purpose built track cars. If there is a leak you can follow the trail back to the source. Saves you a lot of time when trying to pinpoint the source.

 

[jsvette]

For sure. Dye is set up to catch uv light. We found it helpful in our purpose built track cars. If there is a leak you can follow the trail back to the source. Saves you a lot of time when trying to pinpoint the source.

Thanks. I knew why they did it, just did not know they were doing it in the oil of our Stingrays.

 

[dpmdc]

I didn't say it was in the factory oil but they should. It would make their lives a lot easier for troubleshooting.

 

[jsvette]

I didn't say it was in the factory oil but they should. It would make their lives a lot easier for troubleshooting.

Skip said it.

 

[seadater1]

has anybody experienced on the C7 (non Z51) that the dip stick shows 1/2 quart low on one side and full when you look at the other side of the stick? I tried many times with different entry positions and it shows the same 1/2 quart low on one side and full on the other ???? Which is correct??