First oil change
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 334
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From: Arlington, TX
First oil change
Just curious if anyone else here had problems removing the factory installed filter. I just changed my oil but the filter didn't fit properly into the wrench that I bought and fits the motorcraft replacement 820S just perfectly. Anyone? I've only got 2100 miles and replaced the factory oil with castol syntec blend 5w20 so I guess I'll just wait for the 5k service and have the dealership remove it. Anyone know if there is a different filter/wrench size. My owner's manual reads the same 820 S replacement for the 4.6 and 5.4 so what gives?
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: south dakota
just curious if your dealers offer a free oil change on a new vehicle purchase. my first oil change is paid for by my dealer, so i figure im goin to let them do the first oil change on my truck. for as many problems as i have read about getting the filter off, i think its the wiser than me hassling with it.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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I borrowed a cap-type filter wrench from a neighbor. All the wrenches I had were too small. It fit the replacement filter I got (M1) but didn't fit the stock filter. Borrowed a 'normal' metal band filter and after much wailing and gnashing of teeth was able to get it off. Let me reccommend wearing gloves. If I hadn't, there's no telling how sliced up my hands would have been. I read somewhere else on the forum that Ford doesn't put any oil on the gasket before installation. That sure is what it felt like. There's no way it felt like it was installed only hand tightened. There isn't much room to work where they placed the filter, but it IS doable. Just be patient and persistent.
Best of luck!
Jeff
PS Mine engine is the 5.4. Don't know about the placement of the 4.6 filter.
Best of luck!
Jeff
PS Mine engine is the 5.4. Don't know about the placement of the 4.6 filter.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Arlington, TX
Phordfan,
What is the "M1" filter you speak off. Is it the same at the FL 820S that's referenced in the owner's manual.
Unfortunately the auto hobby shop here didn't have any filter wrenches that would fit and the one I own would just slip almost like the dimples on the bottom of the filter were being stripped. I think I'm just going to swing by the dealership for my 5K service and have them replace it. You're probably right too, definately over-tightened the filter on this one.
What is the "M1" filter you speak off. Is it the same at the FL 820S that's referenced in the owner's manual.
Unfortunately the auto hobby shop here didn't have any filter wrenches that would fit and the one I own would just slip almost like the dimples on the bottom of the filter were being stripped. I think I'm just going to swing by the dealership for my 5K service and have them replace it. You're probably right too, definately over-tightened the filter on this one.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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The "M1" is a Mobil 1 filter. I think the number is M-210 or M1-210. But don't hold me to that. The book in the local AutoZone didn't list the 2004, but it's the same as on previous years 5.4s.
Sorry for the confusion.
Jeff
Sorry for the confusion.
Jeff
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Arlington, TX
no problem PhordPhan,
That was a thought that crossed my mine when I changing the oil....."The wrench doesn't seem to fit, what are the odds that I do get this damn thing off and the replacement filter doesn't fit?" But I according to everyone else and the owners manual I have the correct oil filter. Oh well, I'll just save it until the oil change after the next one....
That was a thought that crossed my mine when I changing the oil....."The wrench doesn't seem to fit, what are the odds that I do get this damn thing off and the replacement filter doesn't fit?" But I according to everyone else and the owners manual I have the correct oil filter. Oh well, I'll just save it until the oil change after the next one....
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Austin, Texas
FYI, the flutes (or whatever they're called) on the outside of the filter vary from brand to brand. I bought a end-cap style wrench specifically made to fit an FL-820 filter (according to the sticker on the wrench). If you stick with the same filter, the wrench won't be an issue but if you try, for example, a Fram filter, the wrench won't fit. Same filter, slightly different exterior design.
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Austin, Texas
For my first change, before I bought an end-cap wrench, I used a plier-style tool made for oil filters which is the equivalent of a big pair of channelocks. It's a pretty tight fit though and I wouldn't want to use this method more than once if I could help it.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Arlington, TX
tx,
I was using the end-type wrech too and apparently the "flutes" on the factory installed ones are a little bigger/spread out then the 820 made by motorcraft which I thought was the same one.
I was using the end-type wrech too and apparently the "flutes" on the factory installed ones are a little bigger/spread out then the 820 made by motorcraft which I thought was the same one.
New User
Joined: Nov 2003
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I did, or more correctly, Express Lub did my first change at 1000 miles too. It took them 15 minutes of twisting, swearing, and sorting through every filter wrench they had to get that filter off....the second wasn't bad at all since they DID lub the replacment filter's gasket before putting it on and only hand-tightened it. Is this something Ford makes a habit of on new vehicles?
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: CT
I had a 99F150 and nearly cut the filter in half getting it off. Used channel locks, screw driver, and a strap. On my 03F250 I had a filter wrench, still required a lot of muscle to remove. I am just about to 3000 mi on the 04 and I am dreading removing the filter. It wouldn't be that hard to lube the gasket at the factory???