Differentiating counterfeit Caterpillar Fuel Filters from original ones had never been that easier.
Let me put in plain words the case of 1R1740 Fuel Filter which is a supersession of 1P2299 Fuel Filter in Standard Efficiency grouping. Caterpillar also offers higher end suppression to 1P2299 fuel filters in the shape of 1R0750 Advanced Efficiency fuel filters which claim to fight fuel contamination more effectively than standard efficiency filters by filtering more than 98 percent of particles 2 microns and larger. Whereas, standard filters can only capture particles 15 microns and larger. This superior ability of the Advanced Efficiency Fuel Filters is accredited to the super fine filtration media used. Anyhow, as far as I know no one in Pakistan can gauge or even evaluate the mesh size of the filtration media used in these filters to distinguish fake ones from real ones. I was recently confronted with a situation where I had to assess the legitimacy of a lot of 500 such filters. UNFORTUNATELY I reached on the right conclusion that these are fake ones. You might be wondering why I called it an unfortunate affair but I have certain reasons to regret upon the outcome. A series of events, twists and departmental complexities lead me to recommend these rather cheap and unarguably fake filters for use in very expensive Caterpillar machinery. Please note that inspection report pertaining to this lot was presented to me with positive nodes of a classic USTAD who judged its authenticity entirely upon the plastic smell of its glued filtration media. A double check from a relatively honest USTAD escorted me to this perplexity.
Following is just a lame portrayal of what I learnt about Genuine Caterpillar Fluid Filters while going through the evaluation procedure.
To my knowledge and investigation, one can only rely on the visual indicators or physical properties which are a trademark of Caterpillar Brand Fluid filters for the last so many years which are described as below;
TRADEMARKS OF GENUINE CATERPILLAR FLUID FILTERS
Acrylic Beads
Only Cat Filters have acrylic beads to help prevent pleat bunching, a common problem experienced by virtually all other filters.
Fiberglass Spiral Roving
Cat Filters feature a unique fiberglass spiral roving to ensure that pleats don't flex, putting an end to pleat movement.
Nonmetallic Center Tubes
Only Cat Filters are made with nonmetallic center tubes to better protect the engine.
Molded Polyurethane End Caps
Cat Filters' structural integrity is better because filter pleats are actually inserted into the liquid urethane as the end caps are being formed. As the polyurethane hardens an impenetrable bond is formed between the pleats and end caps. The possibility of gaps is eliminated, keeping contaminants in the filter and out of the engine.
One-Piece, Aluminum Base Plate
Cat Filters also feature a one-piece, aluminum base plate to further protect the engine from leaks and metal contamination.
FAKE / NON GENUINE FLUID FILTERS DO NOT HAVE
DO NOT HAVE Acrylic Beads at all
When pleats of a Non genuine or fake Caterpillar fluid filter bunch, the available filter area drops significantly. As a result, such a filter can go into bypass and allow contaminants into the engine. Thus less expensive filters that do not have acrylic beads to prevent bunching may need to be replaced before reaching recommended change intervals.
Because of acrylic beads, Cat Filter pleat spacing is rigidly maintained to maximize the surface area throughout the life of the filter. Maximum surface area means maximum filter dirt-holding capacity.
DO NOT HAVE Fiberglass Spiral Roving at all
With less expensive filters, pleats are able to move or "flex." This can release contaminants into the oil or fuel and cause premature engine wear.
The spiral roving on Cat Filters means more effective filtration. With no "pleat movement," contaminants stay locked in the filter and out of the engine.
HAVE Metallic Center Tubes instead of Non Metallic Fiberglass-Reinforced Nylon Center Tubes
Inexpensive filters have metal center tubes which can leave metal contaminants from the manufacturing process inside the filter. These metal fragments can lead to scored bearings and cause damage to other critical engine components. Whereas, Cat nonmetallic center tubes are 30% stronger than typical metal tubes to help prevent collapse during pressure spikes and cold oil start-ups.
HAVE Metallic End Caps instead of Molded Polyurethane End Caps
On less expensive filters, end caps are metallic and are glued directly to filter pleats. This can cause gaps between the metal and pleats that can allow contaminants to leak between the filter media and end cap.
Cat Filters' structural integrity is better because filter pleats are actually inserted into the liquid urethane as the end caps are being formed. As the polyurethane hardens an impenetrable bond is formed between the pleats and end caps. The possibility of gaps is eliminated, keeping contaminants in the filter and out of the engine.
HAVE these Base Plates instead of One-Piece, Aluminum Base Plate
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