Tried to do an oil change today on the 03 Escape V6. Usually changing oil in any vehicle is no more than a 15 minute job.

The oil filter will NOT come off, period, at least with all the filter wrenches I have on hand. Just wondering how Ford gets the FL-820S filter off the Escape V6.

There is not even enough room for the old "drive a phillips screwdriver through the filter and turn" trick.

I am doing a search now for a filter wrench that will work on the FL-820S filter in the Escape..

Thanks for letting me vent...

 

Well, I can see the original oil filter being tight. These are put on with an impact..... But if you or somebody else put this oil filter on that tight, that should not be Ford's fault. Getting to the filter really can be a PITA, however. One of the best tools that I have purchased is an oil filter pliers. You are usually able to get into the tightest spots with these, and I've yet to use it where I couldn't get the oil filter off. (Knock on wood)
I guess the only other advice that I know of is to put oil on the filter gasket. Good luck.

 

Hell, I am not complaining about the tightness, I am complaining on the freakin location of the stupid thing! The guy who designed this engine and the location of the oil filter with absolutely no room to manuever must of been drunk. How does this stuff get through quality control?? You give me room to work and I will untighten anything...
You got to be super careful you don't bust the oxygen sensor going into the exhaust it is right underneath the oil filter.
Evidently you need a special tool to get this thing off..
I've got 5 quarts of new fresh oil in the vehicle mixing with old oil that was left in the filter that I couldn't get off.
I have to check out the filter pliers. Actually I am looking for a cap wrench that will fit the FL-820S. All the ones at the auto supply houses around here are too small 93 mm maximum. Not even Wal-Mart has the plastic ones that will fit that filter, all are two small.

 

Okay the end cap filter wrench size for the FL-820S is 93mm-36 flutes.

There are other 93mm end cap filter cap wrenches out there, but the are not 36 flute, and they will NOT fit the FL-820S.

Or, one of these, pictures say a thousand words:
http://www.mpvclub.com/forum/viewtop...+filter+wrench

 

Try an AmPro (T70411) cup type. It's a 93mm with 36 flutes. That's what I used on my V6 Escape. Now the I4 filter is underneath and can be removed by hand.

The wife has a non-Ford that requires turning the wheels to the right so I can lift a cover in the fender well. They like to hide them.

 

Problem solved. Sears Hardware had one of those 3 prong tightening type ones. The filter on my Escape must of been put on with a hydraulic wrench set at 400 foot lbs per square inch. Who the heck knows, this may be the original filter on the Escape, I bought the vehicle used with 31,000 miles on. One owner before me, that I know, but who knows if that person ever changed the oil. The oil was fresh and clean when I looked at it at the dealer, but he may of just changed the oil, not the filter. This filter is on there super tight, like factory tight.
I am glad this 3 prong filter wrench does not tighten, this will keep me from tightening the filter with a mechanical device. You are only suppose to tighten an oil filter by hand anyway, 1/4 quarter turn after the gasket meets the flange. I tighten by hand as much as I can and never had leaks. Actually over tightening an oil filter will sometime cause leaks because of crushing the rubber gasket. Hand tighten prevents this from happening.
Thanks for the help..

 

I stand corrected. The Sears Universal Oil Filter Wrench WILL tighten also if you need to do so. The prongs will tighten around the filter from either direction, did not notice that at first. View here:
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...pecialty+Tools

Out of stock on line, but available in stores..

 

I think the original equipment oil filters are gray in color. The filters you get at the parts counter (motorcraft filters) are always white. At least that has always been my experience.

You should see the setup for the oil filters on the Hybrid Escapes. It uses a replaceable filter element inside a reusable can that has a rubber o-ring at the base of the threads. The o-ring really grips the inside of the housing and it took all the force I could put on it to finally twist it off.

The good part is that it is right in front of the engine, pointing straight down an has a plug that can be removed to drain the filter before removal. Other than fighting the filter holder, one of the easiest and cleanest oil changes I have ever done.

 

I have a filter "cap" style wrench for the FL-820s. I have only had t use it once and that was on a filter that I had put on a little too tight. I agree that the filter location is terrible. I mean so many vehicles these days have filters that are in great locations that are easy to get to.

Love the Duratec engine though... and I am glad that they changed the capacity to 6 quarts for the 2005 version.

 

Finally got what I wanted done today. That Sears 3 prong job wrench is like a miracle sent from heaven. After struggling yesterday with all kinds of contraptions, this 3 prong thing had the filter off in less the 15 seconds. Amazing what you can do with the right tools and gizmos. Had to drain the new oil out, I bought a new oil drain pan for a few bucks at Sears so when I put the new oil back in it would be as clean as possible, I wasn't going to throw out 5 quarts of new MC 5-20W oil. Added about 1/2 quart more of the MC oil and I was done. Next change will be a breeze, bet I have it done in 15 minutes or less..

Now the gas filter is another story. That takes a bit of doing. A small screwdriver, pliers, those miniature needle nose pliers, and lots of patience. The clip that holds the hose on that comes from the tank (the one towards the front of the engine) is pretty easy to get off, they give you new clips with the new filter, so you can break off the tabs on the old clip on THIS SIDE ONLY and it comes off easily. The other side is different and the clip does NOT come off completely to remove the hose from the filter. You need determination and the tools mentioned above, the tabs of this clip are facing upward and hard to see and get to. With a small pair of pliers you can twist the connection gently toward you, with a small screwdriver push the white prong from the nearest side inward and down, once one side is released the other side comes off pretty easy. DO NOT try and remove this clip, it stays on the connection, just push it down as far as it will go and pull off the hose. Have plenty of rags on hand and something to catch the gas as it drains out. Again this will be simple the next time it has to be done. The tool they gave me at the auto parts store does NOT apply this model Ford fuel filter, even though it says on it 1990 to current models, I took it back for a refund. There may be a tool out there, but can't see how anything would make it easier to take that one clip off.