This topic has probably been covered before but I'm unsure how to search it so I'll ask again.....

When changing the oil on a 2012 F150 with the 5.0 V8, how does one remove the filter without making a huge mess? The filter feels like it sits above a "pan" that has a front drain molded into it. I can't really see from my vantage point on the ground, there may be a drain molded into the back of the pan also.....since a large portion of what comes out of the filter drains out behind the filter. I use my drain pan to catch what comes out the front drain and a shallower pan to try to round up what comes out the back. THEN there seems to be a shallow depression molded into the plastic oil filter catch pan that likes to hold some oil. I stuff a rag in the area (again, I'm laying on the basement floor and can't really see, I'm working by feel) and can get most of the residue. I have always changed my own oil and after being under a number of cars over the decades this Ford wins the prize for messiest oil change.

What did Ford have in mind with this arrangement? Making sure their customers brought their trucks IN for an oil change? Using up the worlds rag supply? Promoting the use of cuss words? Lubricating concrete? Promoting the 10,000 mile OCI?

What am I doing wrong?

 

Obviously some lube jockeys have an issue with the filter placement as well. When I got my truck home after purchasing it used I noticed an oil drip on the garage floor. Sure enough, they didn't tighten the filter enough. I reached up and was able to snug it up but it isn't easy.

 

You're either ...

1. Not allowing the filter and cooler to drain enough before moving the drain pan to collect the oil from the pan.
   
   -and/or-
   .
2. Not using a large enough drain pan. *surface-area-wise.
   
   -and/or-
   .
3. Not laying-down a section of cardboard to cover the drain field area.

BTW ... It is a common practice to use brake cleaner spray and a rag (or rags) to clean-up the drain area of the filter.

As for me ... Have been doing my own oil changes on Fords for 50+ years and this isn't the worst.
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-click- the pic'
Goth 150
< This space intentionally -blank- >

 

Yup, there's where 95% of my filter oil has drained out of. Here is a pic:



I usually stuff a rag in the front drain and let the rest spill out the back. Then jam a rag in there and try and dry as much as I can out of the tray. After everything is buttoned up and I remove the drain pan, I leave a piece of news paper down in the garage because some will inevitably drip down over the next couple of days.

Horrible design...

My rant from first oil change: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...il-change.html

 

If this is the best Ford could do, they should be embarrassed.

I drain the pan 1st. This time it drained 30 plus minutes while I did a few other things around the basement. I then pour out the pan and re-position it under the front of the filter.
Ford thinks everyone has a 9 square foot drain pan? My pans volume is fine, it contains the 7.7qts with no issues.
Just the fact that it is considered a "drain field" tells me that there is a Ford engineer somewhere laughing their *** off..........one rag to wipe the filter housing off should be plenty. Designing an oil filter drain pan that HOLDS oil in places unreachable is ludicrous.

 

I have a 3.7L but same problem. I bought this. http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/wcs...i_pri_larg.jpg

 

I drain the oil pan first then reinstall the plug then position the catch container under the oil filter. I always tighten my filters by hand not with a wrench makes it easier to remove. After breaking the seal on the filter I let it drain into the pan that is under it which drains into the catch container, after the filter has drained I remove it completely and install the new filter. I have never made a mess on my 11' or 14' F150s. If a few drops drip onto the concrete I use WD-40 and a paper towel. BTW I also use car ramps so the front is elevated.

 

All of the oil that drains out of your filter runs out the front drain of the trucks catch pan?

 

2010 5.4 here

When I loosen the filter, the oil that does drop hits the plastic "pan" and drains back to the hole in the skidplate where I have placed my drain pan. I do this after I drain and reinstall the plug in the oil pan.

 

I use ramps also. I have a Fumoto valve on my engine oil pan drain. I have them on all my Fords. I open the valve and let it drain into my catch pan. While that is draining, I place a gallon bucket under the rear spout area of the "diverter pan" under the filter/ skid pan (Off Road Pkg) and let it drain also. After the filter has drained and removed, I place a paper towel in the "diverter pan" to soak up any oil. I don't have any drips after from this area afterwards, using this procedure on my '13 5.0.

 

I've never changed the oil on mine dealer always does it.......after reading thru this thread I'm certain I'll let them keep doing it

 

DWJ, because the front of the truck is elevated all of the oil runs out of the back of the diverter pan. I don't know if it matters but I have the 5.0 engine.

 

Once the dealer started offering oil changes for $39 including a tire rotation I lost motivation to do it myself. Using the fast lane service I'm in and out in 30 minutes. No mess no fuss.

 

I am with Bronc1 on the ramp issue. Ramps will put the truck at an incline and gravity wins, it will drain down the back.

With the 7.7 quart capacity cost and cost of a filter, rags, cleanup and disposal, I go to the Ford Quicklane service and drink free coffee and read while they do a $35-$40 oil change.

 

I just did my first oil change on my 3.5L EB F150. It was a bit messy, but not for the reason I thought. I lifted the front of the truck, expecting a mess with the filter, and that was actually the easy part. When I loosened the filter, all the oil fell straight down through the square cut-out in the skid plate. Easy... The messy part was because of the side-mounted oil plug. I haven't had a vehicle yet with one of those, so when I pulled the plug, I underestimated how far it would shoot out from the hole. Time for the Fumoto valve...