This has probably been discussed before, but has anyone else had trouble getting the oil filter off to change the oil and filter.
The placement of the filter makes it almost impossible to get a filter wrench in there and get it off. After trying, I gave up and brought my truck in to get the oil changed.
Any suggestions?

2004 SCAB
5.4

 

A couple people here suggested removing the air intake tube and reaching down from above. I'm thinking more along the lines of a remote filter mount. Supposedly the Expy's came from Ford with the remote filter mount. I'm going to ask at the dealer for the part numbers and prices.

 

Get one of these filter wrenches from Sears:

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00947064000

Works like a champ with a 3/8 drive extention and rachet, it goes over the end of the filter and WILL NOT SLIP OFF no matter how tight the original filter is, If necessary use a long handle rachet for more leverage, but filter end is easily accessable from under the truck, takes me like 5 seconds to remove it.

 

Cup type filter 93mm- 36 flute(if you can find one) for the Motorcraft FL-820S filter; 93mm-15 flute for Napa, etc. And a 12" extension for sure....

 

I finally got mine off with a cup type wrench. I've found that if you have one of the flexible knuckles on the end of the extensions, it helps too. If I had thought about it the last time I was at Sears, I would have bought one of the wrenches that Yob2kanobe posted. Those things are great!

 

I read on here where for the first change some take it to the dealer and ask them to loosen it and JUST hand tighten it so that they can go home and change it themselves.

 

Just buy the wrench! You can always use it later.

 

Thanks for the info. Going to Sears!!

 

Just want to welcome myself to the boards, first post. Looks like a great group of folks here.

I like the old fashioned t-shirt trick, that is how I got mine off the first time (just wrap a piece of t-shirt around the filter, twist it together till its tight, then you have plenty of grip). now I just hand tighten them. The filter is in a bad place if you ask me, I lie on my back under the truck---cant get it from above.

By the way I have an '04 XLT Reg cab 4.6L, got it back in march and have 16K on it. Have never set foot back inside the dealership since the day I got it.

 

Just got this damn filter off. This tool is great- and on sale @ 9.99. Also the tool fits all sizes of filters. Thanks again.

 

A heads up: At my local Sears store, the tool is sold only in the tool dept, but NOT in the automotive dept.; they've never heard of it and have never seen one. The other filter wrenches sold in the automotive dept. do not fit the stock motorcraft filter.
Larry in SF, CA

 

Sorry, I didn't clarify. But then again, I never buy or shop in their automotive section.