WARNING - Cheap of copies of Bosch of oil filters

[Will Barber]

I hope this post helps other owners out there of cheap imitation copies of Bosch oil filters (and maybe others too).

Literally on the day I carried out a service on my 2102 W216 CL500, a rather worringly rattle appeared on start-up. After 3 or 4 seconds the rattle disappered. This went on continuously on every start-up afterwards.
At the time of carrying out the full service, I fitted a "genuine" Bosch F026407199 oil filter and 9 litres of Mobil 1 0W/40 I thought well it can't be the filter can it, so I plugged in my code reader and there was the fault code for the inlet cam phaser on cylinder bank one. Damn!!!
Cam phasers are over £1k a pop and together with a new cam chain tensioner (well you'd replace everything in there with the front cover off wouldn't you) the cost would be around £2½k just in parts alone!
I thought about this oil pressure loss and for some reason my thoughts turned to the oil filter element. This time I ordered a Mahle OX814D and a Blue Print ADU172103.
I removed the Bosch oil filter element presently fitted and compared it to the Mahle and Blue Print elements and noticed a subtle but crucial difference!
The Mahle and Blue Print elements have a raised top face, whereas the Bosch element I removed was as flat as a pancake. All this type of oil filter MUST have a raised top face as per the attached picture. I fitted the Blue Print oil filter element and surprise surprise no more rattle, and after removing the fault code it's now perfect!

Now this is alarming and damn right annoying alright.... I don't know everything, but being a Bentley engineer all my life I've always serviced and looked after my own cars. However there are a lot of owners out there (and dealers) that don't have the same thought process and this can easily lead to monstrous engine rebuild costs and unnecessary repairs.

Please pass on this information to where you see fit, and remember to inspect the new replacement parts with those that have been removed.
I for one have learned a lesson and only buy parts from a BIG motor factors or main dealer.

Regards, Will.

​

 

[alexanderfoti]

Yes this is a reall issue and common with anything Bosch. The genuine stuff has a QR code that you use to check its authenticity on their website.

Everything from plugs to filters!

 

[rorywquin]

Yep good advise. Was it cheaper than usual?

 

[rorywquin]

Good advise. Was it cheaper than usual?

 

[Will Barber]

No cheaper than usual and from a large web based motor factors!

 

[Gazwould]

Spill .

 

[mattkh]

.......... so I plugged in my code reader and there was the fault code for the inlet cam phaser on cylinder bank one. Damn!!!
I thought about this oil pressure loss and for some reason my thoughts turned to the oil filter element.
Regards, Will.

Thank you so much.
How did you connect the cam phaser fault code to engine oil pressure .?

 

[alexanderfoti]

Cam adjusters are driven by oil pressure. You often get codes for adaptions when oil pressure takes a loooong time to come up on start. See it all the time on neglected 156s!

 

[Will Barber]

Alex is spot on.
I would imagine bank 1 gets oil before bank 2 like the Bentkeys so that bank will be susceptible to oil pressure faults.

 

[DSK]

Great heads up!

I may as well also mention that there's been lot of fake SKF and NTN bearings flooded into the market and coming through reputable retailers.

 

[mioba]

Erm sorry but how do you know what you purchased are counterfeit goods.

Quiet simple is that non merc parts are just not up to it as they dont have the tech to meet the requirements

 

[Will Barber]

Erm sorry but how do you know what you purchased are counterfeit goods.

Quiet simple is that non merc parts are just not up to it as they dont have the tech to meet the requirements

Because it's not the same as previous Bosch filters I've had, simple!

 

[Wighty]

And it said Bocsh on the side

 

[DSK]

Erm sorry but how do you know what you purchased are counterfeit goods.

Quiet simple is that non merc parts are just not up to it as they dont have the tech to meet the requirements

Usually the Manufacturers will have a page showing the differences between original and counter fit items both, from packaging and the part as appropriate.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

I went through all this with Bosch 2 years back . I had a set of Bosch ht leads i found were not up to quality.. And the push on fit just was not there as you pushed the plug cover on to the plug .Along with a few of the springs that fell off the metal caps that fits on to the circumference of the plug holders. The sellers were a well known auto parts dealer in B/H .I had to send pictures of the ht leads to Bosch with all information on the sale to them . I was told what to look for on all Bosch purchases in the future . Look for the hologram .

 

[Kev555]

Good info posted here on fake items, Techs may be in the know to look for counterfeits but most DIY,ers may not be aware of the issues with counterfeits. Interesting one on the Bearings DSK. Maybe a good idea if its not already started for Mods to pin a thread on known fake parts floating around?

 

[Jimbo1959]

Maybe a good idea if its not already started for Mods to pin a thread on known fake parts floating around?

Good idea, I know it's probably extra work Mods but, it would be very helpful to all us D.i.y.ers.

 

[Mr Greedy]

To avoid this with SKF items, I always purchase direct from SKF. 48 hrs delivery and usually cheaper than anyone else you will the same SKF parts from it they're someone you've heard of.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

SKF makes lots of mechanical parts for cars . But i have not seen any electrical items .

 

[Kev555]

SKF makes lots of mechanical parts for cars . But i have not seen any electrical items .

same here only bearings