Beware of incorrect oil filters out there for 3.0t

[Nillious]

I changed the oil in my s4 a few days ago and read about oil filters being too short on a tsb. I decided to use the oem filter this time vs the filter i have bought at the local Federated auto parts the last two (and only two since i got the car) times i serviced it.

The car never had any oil lights or problems but it did have really long startup rattle. Like three to four seconds even after just getting gas or running into a store. The aftermarket filter was not putting sufficient pressure on the anti drain-back valve. Every time i shut the car down the oil would all drain down just as if i had pulled the filter for an oil change.

With the Audi filter it never makes a sound unless parked overnight. Even then its about half a second may one second at most. It was really rattling bad on every startup to the point that I was considering just trading it or dumping money into a timing job.

I can deal with this quick noise on first startup of the day. All hot starts are now silent. I drove the car like that for 10k miles! I had no idea and just figured my startup rattle was just extra bad. I wonder how many people are out there with the wrong oil filter in their car.

[Slvrbul8]

I'm sure there's plenty. This should prove helpful, thanks for posting.

[Smac770]

Appreciate the pictures, but how about some measurements so others can compare theirs against a standard to determine if they have a short straw.

[WurstS4]

Appreciate the pictures, but how about some measurements so others can compare theirs against a standard to determine if they have a short straw.

And also, which filters are truly considered OEM? I bought a filter that was labeled OEM, but is an aftermarket brand and now that I've read this thread, it's hitting me that the startup rattle getting much worse and more consistent almost exactly matches up with the time frame of my most recent oil change.

[Nillious]

Oem from dealer only. Should say audi vw germany right on it. Says 155mm length on box.

[BucDan]

That used one looks like a clone of the Mahle brand. Mann Oil filters are my go to.

[Boost112]

i only buy the mann or mahle brand filters...never had an issue...

[Boost112]

i only buy the mann or mahle brand filters...never had an issue...i had an issue with the K&N filter however...

[Smac770]

I also second Mann. The parts catalog lists a ton of "analogues" for the 06E 115 562 A, now 06E 115 562 C. I would consider Mahle and Hengst reliable too.

Both the filter housing and the filter rolled part revisions on Nov 25 '14. They have since replaced the original revisions for R&R purposes. No idea why the change occurred.

But as the OP points out, be safe first and check the measurement.

[doughboy17]

I have always used Mann filters. When it comes to the oil, oil filter, and tranny fluids, I stick with OEM or Audi branded. Too much at stake (for me) to take risks.

[ak-s4]

Top (new) filter looks like Mann. I just did an oil change this weekend and that is what was in my car from the dealer and also what I put back in. But I bought it from my favorite online place for about $10.

Bottom (used) filter looks like Hengst.

I believe Mann, Hengst and Mahle are all OEM suppliers for Audi.

[WurstS4]

This is the proper Mann filter for a 2011?

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/MANHU7029Z

[S4'ed]

Yes, Mann HU7029z, which is a hair over 155mm long.

[Nillious]

That looks identical to oem. It was cheaper at dealership though which is odd

[Thugmeet]

Mann makes the oem filters

[ThisGuy683]

I recently replaced my leaking oil filter housing, and with the new vaico one came a new filter as well as the 2 orings. I didn't think much of it when I compared the filter to a new mann I had, so I put in the vaico supplied one and finished up the job.

Since then I've also been having pretty bad timing chain rattle, to the point where it was happening exactly as you explained, on pretty much every startup no matter if it was a cold start or after getting gas.

I just went out and checked the lengths of the filters and, as expected, the vaico filter was shorter. Not quite as bad as your's, but mine came out to be a 1/16 of an inch shorter. Not sure if that's big enough of a difference to matter, but I after a test drive and turning the car off and on several times, I haven't had any rattle. I also noticed that the filter housing was bone dry when I took the filter out too.

Thanks for sharing this! I was already calling around for tensioner/timing job quotes.

[Nillious]

Just an update on the oem filter. After about a month my rattle is almost nonexistent. About half a second on cold start. Was about 3 seconds with the wrong filter every start after the car was off more than a few minutes.

[mi1rmac]

Here are my findings which in a way debunked your theory unless I got one off filters….

Purchased all 4 of the main filters; OEM from Audi dealership, hengst, Mahle, mann. Part numbers posted for reference.

All 4 were the exact same height, zero difference.

[ak-s4]

Well, the filter in the original photo DOES appear to be quite a bit shorter, maybe it was a fake or the wrong part?

Also, the rattle could be less due to new oil?

[Nillious]

The filter was a federated auto parts house brand. It was absolutely too short. Just was putting it out there so others can be aware. Audi actually has a tsb for it so it obviously was an issue.

[Nillious]

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...23891-9999.pdf

[JacquesTerre]

I thought about this a few nights ago. The Chevy dealer i purchased my S4 from changed the oil a second time as their " certified technician " decided to use a universal washer for the drain plug that resulted in about a quart of oil loss. i'm sure they used a generic oil and filter.