Stock or NAPA gas filter?

[Hookmaster]

I picked up the NGK spark plugs for the F100 Yamaha from NAPA. While there I asked him if they had the gas filter for it as well. They had one that looked like the stock one that is on it. I didn't have it with. Would you get the one from NAPA or get the Yammie part from a dealer? The applications on the back of the package said Mercury and Johnson. He said they don't always list all of the applications.

[Whoaru99]

That's a tough call.

I work for a large OEM and have on many occasions checked into aftermarket filter compatibility for our products.

Let me be brief and just say that everything that fits does not have the same filtering quality as OEM. By the same token, some will-fit filters are as good as the OEM filters. I'm not implying anything brand-specific, it's merely a general statement.

So, it's sorta case-by-case and there is no clear answer without really digging in deep. Sometimes it's hard for the average consumer to get that detailed of specification from OEMs and from aftermarket suppliers.

[Macgyver55]

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Let me be brief and just say that everything that fits does not have the same filtering quality as OEM. By the same token, some will-fit filters are as good as the OEM filters.

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And, some are actually better than OEM. Most quality filters will often specify that they will "meet or exceed the OEM filter specifications"

In my line of work we use literally thousands of filters a year, so we have vendors trying to "sell" their product to us all the time. We always have them cut open a filter and show the quality of filter paper and the amount of folds (surface area) before taking bids. There is definitely a difference, but OEM isn't necessarily the best, it's basically just the minimum standard that needs to be met. Most "name brand" filters will usually meet that standard.

[iffy]

I'm pretty sure that NAPA sells Sierra parts in their marine line. In my opinion they are 'will fit and work' quality, but are of a lower grade than OEM. Why take a chance on it?

[Whoaru99]

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Let me be brief and just say that everything that fits does not have the same filtering quality as OEM. By the same token, some will-fit filters are as good as the OEM filters.

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And, some are actually better than OEM. Most quality filters will often specify that they will "meet or exceed the OEM filter specifications"

In my line of work we use literally thousands of filters a year, so we have vendors trying to "sell" their product to us all the time. We always have them cut open a filter and show the quality of filter paper and the amount of folds (surface area) before taking bids. There is definitely a difference, but OEM isn't necessarily the best, it's basically just the minimum standard that needs to be met. Most "name brand" filters will usually meet that standard.

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I won't dispute that in all cases there are not better than OEM filters.

However, the OEM filters for our applications are some of the very best filters available this side of NASA. The filtration ratings are EXCEEDING stringent since they are protecting high pressure (6,000-7,000 PSI) hydrostatic drive systems and PWM/servo controlled hydraulic systems. In addtion, the fuel systems can run as high as 15,000 PSI.

And yes, you can get NAPA-branded filters that "will fit" and you can get NAPA-branded filters that are the same as our OEM, but with a different paint job on the can. The ones that "will-fit" and the ones that are the same are two completely different filters. They look virtually the same on the outside except the part numbers.

While my example is extreme, and may be the exception, it is a fact as far as I know. There are no commonly-available filters that are better than what we are using in our OEM application.

The problem we run into is that people buy the NAPA (and other) "will-fits" because they are much cheaper than the correct NAPA version. And, believe it or not, the correct NAPA version is actually a bit more expensive than the OEM we sell. We have priced accordingly because it is in our best interest to have our machine with reduced warranty cost. A contamination-related warranty claim that comes back to us on one of these hydrostatic drive systems can wipe out the profitability on several other machines. Thankfully, these are very rare due in part to the excellent filtration of the systems.

Again, I'm not tying to single out NAPA because it's the same situation with Wix, Baldwin, Fleetgard, etc.

[Hookmaster]

I picked up the Yamaha filter today. I asked the guy if the Mercury or Johnson fuel filter would work if the barbed fittings fit, he said yeah. I may still buy the NAPA part and cut it and my old one open to compare. Curious minds want to know. If I do, I'll post results.

[Eric Wettschreck]

In the whole grand scheme of things, why risk it? At work I'm heavily involved in different types of filtration and membrane seperation.

If you're talking about your boat motor, car engine, lawn mower, etc, what really is the price difference between OEM and aftermarket? Not much, maybe a couple of bucks???? When you buy OEM, at least you know for certain it meets OEM specifications.

[hondavxr]

I work in the parts industry and a lot of aftermerkat parts are just OEMs with differrent paint or no OEM part numbers. If you are buying Sierra parts from Napa, I will give you a little tip a lot of Sierra parts are just repackaged OEM parts.

[iffy]

Homda: Thats not true at all. Where I worked as a marine mechanic we sold OEM merc and yamaha as well as sierra. Very few seirra parts were of the same quality as the OEM's. Impellers and seals were an exception and seemed close to the same quality, but those were priced close anyway, so why take the chance?