I'm getting ready to change the oil on my 09 Alpha. The manual calls for a PF48 filter. Easy-peasy.

Now, as I understand it, the PF48 was discontinued some time ago and replaced by the PF48E which has an "optimized" design, using fabric end caps "ultrasonically welded" to the filter media, a plastic center core inside the filter, a lighter duty base plate and a thinner can. The PF48 used metal end caps on the filter media, a metal core screen, a heavier base plate and a thicker can.

In the late 2000's GM also introduced the UPF48R, which is closer to the original PF48 design, but was designed for higher burst pressures to support the later generation LS engines. The UPF can be used anywhere a PF48 is specified, but is required for Corvettes and Camaros. It is recommended for heavy duty truck applications and off-road use. Apparently, it can also fix low oil pressure issues in earlier Silverado's. It is part of the Ultraguard Gold line, with a gold/white label on a black can.

So, that brings me to the conundrum.

I ordered a UPF48R from Amazon and they shipped me a filter marked PF48 in a box marked UPF48R. Its not a matter of someone accidentally mixed up the parts in the shipping warehouse and put the wrong filter in the box - other Amazon customers said they got the same thing, and earlier this year over in a Camaro forum a couple of folks got the same thing from Rock Auto and from a dealer in Norway. The PF48 I got is also painted black, vs. blue as used for all other retail versions of PF48 I can find. It also has a blue label marked "gm GENUINE OE", not "GM GENUINE OE" or "Duraguard" or "Professional" typical of the blue label, and definitely not "Ultraguard Gold" found on the UPF. This black PF48 also has a 14 flute can same as the UPF, and not the 15 flute can used on the newer PF48E. Finally, the center core and filter end caps are all metal like the UPF. I thought maybe it was NOS, but the manufacturing date code is 9/28/2023, which is long after the date when the PF48E superseded the PF48,

So I'm looking for the collective wisdom of the group here for some additional insight. Did Amazon charge me $10 for a $5 filter, or is the filter I received some sort of OE version of the UPF, or is it a masterful counterfeit? Or maybe I should just go with the Mobil 1 M1-113A? Oh my!



What I got from Amazon



48E filter media is completely different. Both in blue cans



UPF48R uses silicone anti backflow drain valve and different spring design. Black can vs. blue.

 

Very interesting. I use the Mobil 1 or K&N Filter.

 

My head hurts. It's a filter. It gets changed every 3-5k miles. I get what ever works at the current best price.

 

Personally, I think you're overthinking it, but hey...you do you.

 

Ok, too much detail, I get it. Not everyone is an engineer.

Bottom line - the filter I got is not what its label says it is. It's a different color and has a different base plate than a PF48 - there are plenty of cut aparts on the forums and YouTube that back that up.

I'm wondering if it's ok to use anyway. It looks like the "premium" UPF48R that the box it came in is marked with. But, even if they look similar and fit, GM filters aren't interchangeable as they can have different pressure relief specs and burst pressures, and putting the wrong one on the wrong engine can cause problems. GM published a service letter about that.

I was hoping maybe someone here had run into this before and knew the back story on this mystery heavy duty black "not a PF48" with the PF48 label. I'll just send it back and buy a Mobil 1.

 

My '07 requires the PF61E. I get them cheap with free shipping to me from> walmart
My last order for 1, I received a 6 pack that I only paid $4 for.
The GM genuine filters are blue and the boxes are blue/white with a red strip along with GM LLC on the box.
The main thing is to monitor the color of the oil!

 

I get you, man

If I got a different product than what I ordered and what the packaging says it should be, I'd return it and not consider using it.

 

Thanks brother!

My conundrum is that the box is marked correctly for what I ordered, and the part color, construction and size all seem consistent with what I ordered, but there's a label on the part that is clearly not the right label, creating the "WTF?" moment. Combine that with others saying they've seen the same mixup in the part ordered from different sources and I figured someone, somewhere knows what the story is.

Anyway, I've ordered a UPF48R from Rock Auto for comparison. I'll post comparison pics when it gets here.

 

some one some where was able to unload counterfit parts at a high distrobution level maybe? kinda what happened with the counterfit helicoptor parts being supplied to the military.

 

Actually, I AM an engineer; but I still think you're overthinking it. I'd like to see the GM service letter you refer to. I doubt that "different pressure relief specs and burst pressures" would ever cause engine problems unless we are talking A: Extremely high performance engines (which our H3's are not), B: Very low quality knock-off filters (even the lowly Fram is good for 250-300psi), and/or C: Clogged oil filter or too thick of oil. That said, I never buy things like oil filters online; not enough of a price difference vs buying at an auto parts store where I can see exactly what I'm getting before I pay for it. Just my 2 cents.