I'm getting ready to change my own oil tonight on an 04 super cab 4X4 with a 5.4 3 valve engine. The dealer has done them previously. Anyway, I looked under the truck this morning and the filter the dealer put on last time is about half the length of the MC FL820S. I also noticed the reminder sticker they put on my door says Valvoline. Would a dealer use after market supplies? Would those supplies have shortened the life of the truck?
I will be doing my own changes from now on and sticking with MC oil and filters. Can someone confirm that the FL820S is the right filter? It looks like it will be a fairly tight fit. Also, my engine uses a full 7 quarts of 5W20 oil with filter change, correct? Is there anything else I need? Going to wally world to get the stuff on my way home from work.
Thanks

 

A Ford dealer should/would use the FL820S filter and Motorcraft 5w20 oil. Never heard of one that doesn't. I'd give them a call and find out what's up with that.

 

Changed the oil this weekend with the motorcraft stuff from walmart. A couple observations- the oil pan plug was loose, tight enough to not leak but loose enough that my 8 year old daughter could have easily removed it with a open end wrench. The filter was also loose enough to easily twist off with one hand while lying on my back. The old filter was smaller than the Motorcraft filter and looked like there was nothing in it. You could see clear to the bottom of the center hole and see the cardboard filter material through the small holes around the sides. No drain back valve, bypass or anything! The oil was extremely dirty looking for only having 3000 miles on it. God knows what kind of oil was in it. Worse part is the dealer did the last oil change with this crap!
Anyway, now that its changed I have noticed the truck starts faster which I'm guessing is because the oil pressure comes up quicker since the filter doesn't drain. I also noticed that the valve train noise is significantly quieter.
Needless to say I won't go back to that dealer. Apparently the cost of excellent customer service I have gotten from them in the past is offset by using junk aftermarket parts.

 

You Don't Want To Over Tightin Things. I Never Have To Use A Filter Wrench. The Drain Plug Shouln't Be Hard To Remove Either

 

The 5.4 requires a good filter with a good anti drain back valve. The MC 820S has a good anti drain back valve setup.

 

what brand and part number was the old filter?

 

I got one of these for the oil pan and have a oil filter relocator coming. I hope to mount it behind the bumper but I will have to check the size first.

http://lubricationspecialist.com//LS...F106fvalve.jpg

 

?? No idea. It was painted white, no markings whatsoever and was shorter than the MC820S that I put back on. From the looks of it, it was like not having a filter. I couldn't believe my engine had such a crappy filter on it!

 

It's probably some OEM filter through a distributor the dealer does business with. Dealer is just probably trying to save a buck.

If you get your oil changed from them next time, I would specify MC 820S oil filter.

You are correct 7qts for the 5.4 3valve.

 

The plain white filter they used is the OEM filter its made by champion labs and the reason it was short is because its an e-core filter. Those are the same filters that come on the engines from factory. Lots of dealers use them they work fine and are cheap. The valvoline won't hurt either it meets the Ford 930A spec so it meets all Ford tests.

 

Just did my first oil change last night. What a pain to get the filter off. Who decided to put it there instead of in a spot that can be accessed easily?

 

If you are now using the MC820, get the flutted oil wrench from AutoZone that fit the 820s, use an extension and ratchet to remove.

 

I live in a small town with only one Ford dealership. I have found that the parts department have ran out of stock of Ford brand service items and have bought oil and fuel filters from a local parts store when they can get by with it.

You should confront the dealer if you suspect they are using non factory recommended products.

We have had the same problem here.