Caution: Two Different Oil Filters on Buick Encore -- Not Interchangeable

[Faith9]

So looking at the parts manual at GMPartsDirect there was only one oil filter listed for my 2018 Encore Premium Trim. Since I have always done my own oil changes, I ordered six of the AC PF2257G oil filters. Unfortunately when I went to change the oil, in spite of what the parts manual said for the "premium" trim, the engine had the AC PF2263G oil filter. That meant an unexpected trip to the dealer paying full retail price for the other oil filter. And, if anyone wants some of the PF2257G filters for the Hengst housing I have six brand-new ones that I can't use -- lets talk.

Here is a comparison of the two oil filter designs that are used from 2013 to 2019 on the Encore, and it occurs to me that someone in a hurry could easily put the wrong oil filter in -- as the two are very close, but the one on the right (UFI) has a built-in bypass valve! Installing the PF2257G into the UFI housing can cause serious engine damage! It might be advisable to at least show or print a tech note (link) about this and take it with you. There have been many reports of the wrong filter being installed in Chevrolet Trax, Sonics and Cruzes with the UFI housing.
View attachment 12447

Thank you.!! I am going for my second oil change since December 2019. I am definitely going to print the tech. note to take with me.

 

[Dejaview]

I have the 2017 Encore (Preferred Trim_ non AWD) - inherited from parents. Took it to Jiffy Lube - because I was on the other side of the country, for my cross-country trek (2K miles). They called me out to the bay to say the filter cap must be broken - because the new (non-spring) filter would not snap into place. Not knowing any better, I had them replace the filter with the same one that was in there... which turns out it is the wrong filter altogether?? I looked at my cap, and it has the UFI markings - so I need the one with the built-in spring? You'd think a major chain like Jiffy Lube would have the right info on his. HELP!

 

[TheLawnRanger]

Autozone now has the STP S12246 for the UFI housing. It is $9.99 vs the AC Delco pf2263g for $13.99. Have any of you tried the STP version? If so, is it s good as AC Delco?

 

[mumdb1]

I have the 2017 Encore (Preferred Trim_ non AWD) - inherited from parents. Took it to Jiffy Lube - because I was on the other side of the country, for my cross-country trek (2K miles). They called me out to the bay to say the filter cap must be broken - because the new (non-spring) filter would not snap into place. Not knowing any better, I had them replace the filter with the same one that was in there... which turns out it is the wrong filter altogether?? I looked at my cap, and it has the UFI markings - so I need the one with the built-in spring? You'd think a major chain like Jiffy Lube would have the right info on his. HELP!

Mine had the wrong filter in it as well from previous owner that took it to Jiffy Lube and the cap had broken pieces too. Go to NAPA and get the right one, it's a really easy oil change to do yourself. Not my video but it's what I used.

 

[G-507537]

Oil filters for 2018 Buck Encore....

Engine 1.4 (LUV) - GM part # 55594651 - ACDelco part # PF2257G Letter B in the middle of VIN #

Engine 1.4 (LE2) - GM part # 12640445 - ACDelco part # PF64 Letter M in the middle of VIN #

All depends on Oil Housing. I have a B in the middle of VIN#, however I have a UFI Oil Cooler & Filter Assembly

 

[smithjr5493]

Thank you.!! I am going for my second oil change since December 2019. I am definitely going to print the tech. note to take with me.

I just did my second oil change and realized the dealer had the wrong filter in. I need the check valve filter. So i’ve been running without one since the last oil change.
I’m going to raise hell will the dealer Monday, what did they do for you? This could have taken 30,000 miles off the engine life... I think I will demand an extended warranty

 

[Again]

They will probably deny, deny, deny.

 

[G-275853]

Yep, Ken is completely correct on this one.

For additional reference, I'm "pretty sure" the GM Part # for the UFI Filter is: 25195785
And it is listed as a "special order" item at the online GM Parts websites.
Just buy the acdelco PF2263G, it's easier and most likely cheaper.

My brother went thru the same confusion with his 2017 Encore.
His VIN has engine code B (LUV), but it has the UFI filter housing and cap.
And the 2017 owners manual is "inaccurate", the same as the 2018.

I quickly found the online NAPA PDF explaining the difference for him.
https://napafilters.com/wp-content/uploads/GM-1.4L-Oil-Filter-Product-Alert-English.pdf

One thing to note...
The NAPA link indicates a Brown color for the UFI filter cap.
My brothers is more black than brown.
It's probably better to note the raised ridges/ribs on the UFI cap v/s the smooth Hengst cap.

An oil filtration design change from one engine model year to the next, ok ... maybe...
Two different oil filter assemblies within the same model year? Only if really needed!!
But to continue on with 2 different oil filter assemblies over multiple years is ridiculous!
To not have this correctly documented in the owners manual or service manuals!! INEXCUSABLE!!

Not surprising if some dealerships and oil lube shops are using the wrong filter.

You have to remember knobs! This IS NOT a GM car! It is a Korean manufactured car like the KIA (crap!) and others. What would ANYONE expect when these manuals and bulletins are translated from Korean to English?! Confused intent? When working in the ER in Korea town LA. Koreans referred to the GREEN light as BLUE! OK? Enough said!

 

[Again]

You have to remember knobs! This IS NOT a GM car! It is a Korean manufactured car like the KIA (crap!) and others. What would ANYONE expect when these manuals and bulletins are translated from Korean to English?! Confused intent? When working in the ER in Korea town LA. Koreans referred to the GREEN light as BLUE! OK? Enough said!

You are lost if you think only American made is the best. You need help. The Encore is a great vehicle made in Korea in the old Daewoo plant. Proof of how good this vehicle is a post on this site every other day. Almost no complaints. Check a Dodge forum. It looks like a Texas slot machine.

 

[DocBrown]

You have to remember knobs! This IS NOT a GM car! It is a Korean manufactured car like the KIA (crap!) and others. What would ANYONE expect when these manuals and bulletins are translated from Korean to English?! Confused intent? When working in the ER in Korea town LA. Koreans referred to the GREEN light as BLUE! OK? Enough said!

So much hatred. And BTW, Hundai and Kia are making some of the most reliable cars on the market today.

 

[ThatsNotABuick!]

So much hatred. And BTW, Hundai and Kia are making some of the most reliable cars on the market today.

Short term reliability may be good, but long term, not so good. I still see a lot of 20-30 year Camrys and Accords on the road. When is the last time you saw a 20+ year old Hyundai on the road? They had the top selling import back in 1987, so you can't say they did not make as many at Toyota and Honda.

Hyundai and Kia have a major class action lawsuit for the engines they made from 2011-2018 with major engine failures. They had a defective engine and did not want fix that problem, hence the lawsuit.

Hyundai and Kia are the biggest cheaters also. Several years ago, they claimed to have 5 or so vehicles that got 40 MPG, in reality none of them did. In fact one vehicle was 6 MPG off their estimates. That is not a minor miscalculation, that is just a flat out lie.

 

[DocBrown]

Short term reliability may be good, but long term, not so good. I still see a lot of 20-30 year Camrys and Accords on the road. When is the last time you saw a 20+ year old Hyundai on the road? They had the top selling import back in 1987, so you can't say they did not make as many at Toyota and Honda.

Hyundai and Kia have a major class action lawsuit for the engines they made from 2011-2018 with major engine failures. They had a defective engine and did not want fix that problem, hence the lawsuit.

Hyundai and Kia are the biggest cheaters also. Several years ago, they claimed to have 5 or so vehicles that got 40 MPG, in reality none of them did. In fact one vehicle was 6 MPG off their estimates. That is not a minor miscalculation, that is just a flat out lie.

Find me a manufacturer that has not had a class action lawsuit. Most, including Toyota and Honda, have had many.

Kia and Hundai have come a long way since 1987. I know several people that have had them an put 150k plus on their cars without issue. But how could Hundai have had one of the top selling imports in 1987? They only started making cars in 1986. No one even knew who they were back then.

As far as cheating, or hiding things. Every single manufacturer has done this. Every one.

The bottom line is no one makes a perfect car. And there are very few truly bad cars these days. I don't know how old you are, but when I got my first car, 75k miles was the age people got rid of their cars. Anything with 100k on it was considered exceptional. Most people didn't keep a car more than 3 or 4 years. The repairs would have killed them.

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

LOL yes Hyundai and KIA, from the same country who brought you ISUZU and Daewoo but you know them as GM products now.

 

[ThatsNotABuick!]

Find me a manufacturer that has not had a class action lawsuit. Most, including Toyota and Honda, have had many.

Kia and Hundai have come a long way since 1987. I know several people that have had them an put 150k plus on their cars without issue. But how could Hundai have had one of the top selling imports in 1987? They only started making cars in 1986. No one even knew who they were back then.

As far as cheating, or hiding things. Every single manufacturer has done this. Every one.

The bottom line is no one makes a perfect car. And there are very few truly bad cars these days. I don't know how old you are, but when I got my first car, 75k miles was the age people got rid of their cars. Anything with 100k on it was considered exceptional. Most people didn't keep a car more than 3 or 4 years. The repairs would have killed them.

Well of course a super high volume manufacturer may have lawsuit for a model year or two. Most of those are voluntary recalls and not forced lawsuits. Hyundai's latest lawsuit is for 7 model years! They are not even that high of volume compared to Honda and Toyota. There are several low volume manufacturers that have not had a class action lawsuit.

You lost all you legitimacy for this conversation as you have no idea about automotive history. Hyundai set records in 1986 as a first year import. In 1987 it was the 5th best selling vehicle in the US beating out Honda and Toyota. Obviously people knew who they were if they sold that many. Seeing how old you are, I am sure you knew nothing about import cars back then.

No other automotive company has cheated as much as Hyundai for gas mileage. They had several models and were way off what they were supposed to be. The Japanese companies have not had any lawsuits for their IC vehicles that I know about. You are wrong about every single manufacturer has lied, I have not heard any lies from Koenigsegg.

The bottom line is some manufacturers make superior cars to others. The Lexus LS400 was so over engineered that it can go easily go 500K miles with just doing the basic maintenance. (In fact one went over 1 million miles on the original engine with a ton of different owners) A lot of cars made today will not go that long without a major repair. Sorry, but 100K is pretty weak today. I like to get 300K out my cars or 20 years. Well engineered cars can go longer with just basic maintenance. Today the average age of a vehicle is 11.9 years. It is not the 1940s anymore.

 

[DocBrown]

In 1987 Hundai sold 263,610 units. But to say they sold more cars than Toyota isn't even close to accurate. In 1987 Toyota sold 1,958,650.

Hyundai History.

TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION GLOBAL WEBSITE | 75 Years of TOYOTA | Sales Volume | Sales Volume Overseas

And you completely misquoted me. 100k back in the '70s and '80s was the general end of life for a car is what I said. I got my first car in 1978. Most cars easily go 200k today, and many a lot longer if they are cared for. Personally I get tired of them after a while and want something newer. So if you want to drive a car for 20 years, have at it.

Koenigsegg? Seriously? They sell like 20 cars a year. Doesn't matter to the masses if they lie about things or not.

The bottom line is some manufacturers make superior cars to others.

No argument there. That's always been the case, and always will be.

But I am now done with this as you want to turn it into a pissing match and I'm not getting drawn into that. It's just pointless.

 

[Again]

But I am now done with this as you want to turn it into a pissing match and I'm not getting drawn into that. It's just pointless.

Especially since this thread is about 2 different oil filters.

 

[ThatsNotABuick!]

In 1987 Hundai sold 263,610 units. But to say they sold more cars than Toyota isn't even close to accurate. In 1987 Toyota sold 1,958,650.

Hyundai History.

TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION GLOBAL WEBSITE | 75 Years of TOYOTA | Sales Volume | Sales Volume Overseas

And you completely misquoted me. 100k back in the '70s and '80s was the general end of life for a car is what I said. I got my first car in 1978. Most cars easily go 200k today, and many a lot longer if they are cared for. Personally I get tired of them after a while and want something newer. So if you want to drive a car for 20 years, have at it.

Koenigsegg? Seriously? They sell like 20 cars a year. Doesn't matter to the masses if they lie about things or not.



No argument there. That's always been the case, and always will be.

But I am now done with this as you want to turn it into a pissing match and I'm not getting drawn into that. It's just pointless.

I wasn't talking about global production, I was talking about US production, since we live here. It is ridiculous to use global production as I am talking about the cars I see on the road here, not in other countries. That one Hyundai model outsold the models from Toyota in the US. So yes there were more Excels than Camrys and there were more Excels than Corollas sold in the US for 1987. I still see Gen2 (1987-1991) Camrys every day here and there. Fantastic car, they got about 40 MPG (manual) and parts for them are dirt cheap as well as easy to work on.

I don't necessarily want to drive a car for 20 years, but I like the idea of knowing it can last that long. That way I can buy a greatly depreciated car that is 10 years old and get another 10 years of useable life out of it. Or a car that is 15 years old and know I still have at least 5 years left. An expensive luxury car that is 10 years old still has most of the luxuries of new cars at a fraction of the cost.

Well you said NO manufacturers, so there is at least one. There are other higher volume manufacturers such as Mitsubishi that to my knowledge has not any specific brand class action lawsuits for their US vehicles.

Not a pissing match, just facts vs. opinion.

 

[Again]

But these facts are posted in a wrong thread. Unless you want to talk about the quality manufacturing of the two filters. Do you even own an Encore?

 

[ThatsNotABuick!]

But these facts are posted in a wrong thread. Unless you want to talk about the quality manufacturing of the two filters. Do you even own an Encore?

My wife has a 2018 Encore that I do all the maintenance on it myself. We had previously leased one before that one too. I realize this thread is going off on a tangent, but not necessarily a bad thing. Hopefully it brings attention that a lot of Chevy dealerships are installing the wrong filter. Some of them don't even stock both filters. Some folks have their Buick vehicle serviced at Chevy dealerships if they are closer than the Buick dealer.

 

[DocBrown]

If a Chevy dealer doesn't know about the 2 filters, how many dedicated oil change shops know? Then again I never trusted those places. My sister lost an engine because one didn't tighten a filter.

I said it earlier, I'm glad my wife's Encore has the LE2.