03 Oil Filter
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 644
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On my first oil change on the 03, I ended up having to refill it and take it to a local shop without getting the filter off. The shop used something resembling a strap wrench except it looked like a seatbelt for the strap and the handle was about 18" long. It still took two guys to get it off. The filter actually twisted and crushed before it came loose. Since then, it's been my hands only with no problems. The one complaint is that it seems to drip a lot when you take it off. I could do my '02 with no drip shields.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,535
Likes: 1
From: I'm lost somewhere in NJ -- can someone please find me?!?!?!?
How do you guys feel about changing the filter without draining the oil? Reason I ask is I convinced dad to switch to Mobil1 on his Expedition, and told him he could run it for at least 6,000-8,000 miles as long as the filter was changed in the middle of the run. So, as you can probably assume, I have now encumbered the undaunting task of changing his filter. Can this be done without spilling every last drop of oil out of the filter mechanism? Or should I hook-up the wet/dry vac to the hole where you normally add oil, hoping the suction will keep the oil from draining out the filter hole. Any toughts would be appreciated. I'd rather do this in the driveway myself (I have a nice set of drive-up ramps that would help with the task) than take the truck to the oil change place for something this simple. But if it's going to make a big mess.... I'd rather let them get dirty
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Wixom
I do mine from below. Use rubber gloves and two hands. As one posted said, after the first change if they are only put on hand tight it should come off no problemo.
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
So, what is the deal with putting the oil filter on with 200 ft-lbs of torque? I didn't have a strap wrench, so I improvised with a pickle fork, a nylon strap and a pipe wrench. And the oil deflecter thingy didn't work so hot either.
