I switched to Mobil 1 about 3 oil changes ago and EVERY time I buy a new Mobil 1 filter I find crud inside! The first one had metal shavings and steel wool, this latest one has grime in the threading and inside. Is this common? Should I use another filter? Maybe I'm just more **** retentive on the new filters and just never noticed the old ones had the same problem? HELP!

 

I have been using the mobil 1 oil filters on mine too, since 15k, now have near 23k. I really haven't noticed any "crud" but if this is the case, the first thing I would do is return it to the place of purchase and demand a new one. As far as being **** retentive about filters---its the last place the oil sees before its sent into the engine internals. I will be far more observant in the future with the filters I install from mobil 1!!! It also might be a good thing if you can record this "crud" with a camera and send it to the manufacturer. They buy these from a filter manufacturer, and their quality control is apparently slipping.

I just returned from running errands, picked up a spare mobil 1 for my truck and checked it before I purchased it. The visual internals were clean. It is possible, if you buy your parts from the same retailer that they got a few that were missed on a friday after lunch. Either way, I guarantee that I will always look from now on. Regardless of who makes the filter.

 

I've never seen anything like you descrbed, even on a FRAM!! Take some pics and send some nasty grams to Mobil 1 as that is not acceptable! Also, post some pics if/when you take them as I'm curious as to what you saw.

 

Well, the plot thickens...

Besides finding grime in the threads and interior, the Autozone stockboy gave me the wrong size filter. I knew it looked a lil funny, but it was "extended performance" so I figured, "hey maybe they changed the design a little bit". I asked the stockboy to make sure this was the correct filter, and he doublechecked and confirmed it. I put it on the truck and notice, hmmm, my oil filter wrench does not fit and look, its a WAY different shape than my old one. Checked the numbers, then promptly started into a cursing fit. Called Autozone, had another guy run my numbers and he comes back with my old filter's number. I have no car, obviously, and I ask them to drop off a new filter, I'm just around the corner. But they're "shorthanded". [:@]
I call my buddy, he gives me a lift. I walk into the store, back to the shelf, get the correct filter MYSELF and head back to the counter. The guy has the ***** to ask me if I have my reciept. The only thing he got was the "death glare". He takes a quick glance at the computer screen and "Well, look at that, same price, here ya go, have a nice day, sir."
Now, while I was at the shelf, I checked all sorts of brands and models and all the filters seemed to have this metal grime in the threads of the filter. I felt around inside the filters and couldn't find any grime. I wiped out the threads a bunch and installed. I'm not sure if the quality of filters is going down or what.

 

I don't remember seeing this crud you are describing in an oil filter, but I will check more carefully next time. I've noticed new filters which were dented.