Not all oil filter have drainback valves or commonly called check valves. Some of the OEM vehicle manufactureres do not require it. In additon, there is a different PSI rating on check valves. Next time you are in your local parts store you can look the specs on the oil filter (including check valve pressure, gasket diameter, thread pitch, oil filter lengths, etc).

Since the WIX number crosses directly over to the Polaris number...that would be the filter of choice. STP filters are ok...just something I would not put on a $7000 ATV. Cut one open and compare it to a WIX or FRAM. It is easy to tell that WIX by far is the premium filter.

My $.02........

 

It may be true that not all filters have anti-drainback valves, I haven't seen any. I think you are confusing the by-pass valve with the anti-drainback valve. The anti-drainback valve is just a rubber or silicon flap that prevents oil from draining back into the crankcase from the oil galleries when the engine is shut off (a check valve that you were talking about). The by-pass valve is the one that you are talking about with the different pressure ratings. The by-pass valve keeps the filter from restricting oil flow at startup or in the case that the filter is plugged. It is essentially a differential pressure release valve that opens if the pressure difference is greater than the speced by-pass valve pressure. The valve opens and lets some or all of the oil bypass the filter to keep the engine from being starved of oil.

Most filters have an anti drainback valve, but not all have bypass valves because many engines have by-pass valves built into the engine. Many GM engines have the bypass valve built into the engine instead of the filter. You are right that different filters and manufacturers spec different by-pass valve pressures based on engine design.

 

Hey guys!! I just got through going down the same road ya'll are. This comes straight from the polaris forum using the key word oil.
1. Make sure you use 2 quarts of oil , the full 2 quarts, at oil change.
2. Mobil 1 or Amsoil 0W-40 Synthetic will work just fine
3. These filters cross over with the Polaris oil filter: Motorcraft FL822, AC Delco PF 2057, Wix 51356, Purolator PL 14610 or PL 14620
4. Make sure you follow the manuals instructions on checking the oil level. If you check the engine cold it will always read way above full. You have to run the engine for 20-30 seconds, shut down then check the oil. This is right in the manual. I found out the hard way and then I was told to read the manual. It works guys!!!!! I hope this will be of help to ya'll

 

Oil Filter Study

Compare the Wix 51357 to the Polaris filter, I did at my last change, they look identical. I followed the instructions for the "Oil Checking Procedure" this morning and it read exactly the same as when I don't start it first. The dipstick is obsolete if we are just going to throw 2 quarts in. There should just be an "ADD" mark on the stick because the "Safe Zone" is totally useless with 2 quarts in the system, the oil level is way up in the twisted part of the stick and can't be read, that's ridiculous! Starting the machine and then checking the oil is also ridiculous, c'mon Polaris, give us a break! Someone needs to contact Polaris and get to the bottom of this. Which is it, 2 quarts or the 1.75 the dipstick dictates? If it's 2 then I want a new dipstick that indicates that amount. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img]

 

Where is the oil level on the stick when you use this method with 2 quarts in the system?

 

When the engine is cold and I did not crank it before checking, it is about 1/4 to 3/8 " above the swirl on the dipstick. After cranking and letting run for 20-30 seconds it is just above the top hole of the safe zone. Like I previouly posted, I went down to my neighbors and checked is 04 700 which was sitting cold and it showed on his dipstick exactly as mine did, about a 1/4 to 3/8" above the swirl. I did not check his after the 20-30 seconds.

 

Mine still reads the same after the start up procedure, at the top of the safe zone with 1.75 quarts in system. Wierd. Wonder where that 6-8 ounces is hiding?

 

The 500 has a drain for the engine crankcase along with the oil tank, so if you don't drain the crankcase it will take less oil on a change.

 

The oil filter??????

 

hmmmm?