Motorcraft filter quality
Thread Starter
|
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
Motorcraft filter quality
I was just curious if anyone else has had any recent quality issues with Motorcraft filters. I have been using FL1A's in all my Fords for years but it seems as if the last 2 or 3 have had drain-back problems in the first 1,000 miles. What I mean is the engine knocks really bad with no oil pressure on a cold-start for the first few seconds. Replace the oil and filter and it's fine. I think I might switch to Wix for a while. Anyone else have any thoughts?
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
Likes: 111
From: SW Va
I use the Motrocraft FL-1A exclusively, on my 99 Ranger 4.0L & changed it a couple of weeks ago & haven't had any problems before or since.
BUT my filter mounting position on this engine is inverted, so I don't really need a anti-drainback as much as those with fllters mounted horiz.
BUT my filter mounting position on this engine is inverted, so I don't really need a anti-drainback as much as those with fllters mounted horiz.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,642
Likes: 6
From: Northern California
Motorcraft FL400s and even Motorcraft FL300 on Chrysler engines (the 1/2 quart oil filter to the Motorcraft FL1-A oil filter)...
ZERO, ZILCH, NADA, NONE, 100% SATISFACTION DURING AN ERA "I CAN'T GET NO SATISFACTION" (AS STATED BY MICK JAGGER & KEITH RICHARDS) problems with Motorcraft Oil Filters.
Frankly, I feel they are an excellent product.
Ed
ZERO, ZILCH, NADA, NONE, 100% SATISFACTION DURING AN ERA "I CAN'T GET NO SATISFACTION" (AS STATED BY MICK JAGGER & KEITH RICHARDS) problems with Motorcraft Oil Filters.
Frankly, I feel they are an excellent product.
Ed
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9,176
Likes: 4
From: Western Central NV
Originally Posted by pawpaw
I use the Motrocraft FL-1A exclusively, on my 99 Ranger 4.0L & changed it a couple of weeks ago & haven't had any problems before or since.
BUT my filter mounting position on this engine is inverted, so I don't really need a anti-drainback as much as those with fllters mounted horiz.
BUT my filter mounting position on this engine is inverted, so I don't really need a anti-drainback as much as those with fllters mounted horiz.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
Likes: 111
From: SW Va
On my inverted filter, the closed end is down & the open threaded end is up, so gravity takes care of keeping the filter full, so other than some kind of siphoning action, a inverted filter will naturally keep itself full & is in less need of a anti-drainback valve.
Now filters mounted verticle (closed end up, open end down), or horizontally, like my old 3.3L I6 is, need that anti-drainback valve, so the filter will stay full & help prevent dry starts.,
Now filters mounted verticle (closed end up, open end down), or horizontally, like my old 3.3L I6 is, need that anti-drainback valve, so the filter will stay full & help prevent dry starts.,
Trending Topics
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,099
Likes: 380
From: Southern California
Probably just got a "lucky batch"! I personally use ac filters on my wife's 97 cougar sport- the size makes install/removal much easier. An excellent filter also, but I had a gasket blow out 2 days after i serviced the vehicle- sometimes it just happens and I have had motorcraft filters whose drainback valve stuck- I just replaced the filter and it was fine. Happens to even the best now & then.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Southern Indiana
Originally Posted by Beechkid
Probably just got a "lucky batch"! I personally use ac filters on my wife's 97 cougar sport- the size makes install/removal much easier.....
Say what??!! AC filters?
Our air conditioner uses 20 x 20 x 1 filters. How in heck do you fold yours to make it fit? And how do you screw it on? I just can't imagine...
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,642
Likes: 6
From: Northern California
WOW, Chuck! Ironically, I also use the 20 X 20 X 1 filter in our house, and I agree: How do you bend, clamp down and make that filter work? I'm sure there is a kit that makes them useable on various engines, maybe even via a remote filter setup??
"Go with what you know -- AC Delco" that was a spiffy jingle I must admit...
Changed the oil in my Aerostar Van Saturday morning, 4.5 quarts of Chevron Supreme 5w30 oil and a fresh, out of the box, new Motorcraft FL400s oil filter. As the sun sets, and we're headed to my wife's dinner / Christmas party, the wife is enjoying the Andy Williams Christmas music cassette I put on, in my mind, I am thinking... "Fresh oil, a chilly night...I did tighten the oil filter, right?...man this 3.0V6 is purring beautifully in the ol girl". ('87 Aerostar XLT 3.o V6) so much for us FTE members who do our own oil and oil filter changes, huh? Something about a just completed oil change that makes you feel good about your machine...
Anyone else think like me? Of course my wife doesn't even give that a centilla of a thought! haha
Ed
"Go with what you know -- AC Delco" that was a spiffy jingle I must admit...
Changed the oil in my Aerostar Van Saturday morning, 4.5 quarts of Chevron Supreme 5w30 oil and a fresh, out of the box, new Motorcraft FL400s oil filter. As the sun sets, and we're headed to my wife's dinner / Christmas party, the wife is enjoying the Andy Williams Christmas music cassette I put on, in my mind, I am thinking... "Fresh oil, a chilly night...I did tighten the oil filter, right?...man this 3.0V6 is purring beautifully in the ol girl". ('87 Aerostar XLT 3.o V6) so much for us FTE members who do our own oil and oil filter changes, huh? Something about a just completed oil change that makes you feel good about your machine...
Anyone else think like me? Of course my wife doesn't even give that a centilla of a thought! haha
Ed
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
Likes: 111
From: SW Va
Yup Ed, I like to change the oil & filter on my rides too. I'm not quiet to the point of being a "recreational" changer, but I do like to know my steeds have nice, new, good, clean lube & filter.
I do it every 6 months, which works out to about 3.5-4K miles, most of which is severe service, short time/mileage suburban, or light towing type of operation.
Recently changed the 4.0L Ranger & 3.8L Taurus oil & filter, with the last of my Big Lots $3 a qt Synthetic Havoline 5w-30 stash & Motorcraft filters.
On the Taurus 3.8L engine, you can look into it & see the valve springs & it still looks new inside, clean as a pin, no deposits to be seen & it's right at 100k miles now. IMO Havoline does use a good detergent/dispersant add pack. Difficult for me to believe their new "Deposit Shield" formula could be any better & keep my engine any cleaner.
The engine is quiet too & there's no consumption between changes, so that widens my grin too!!!! lol
I do it every 6 months, which works out to about 3.5-4K miles, most of which is severe service, short time/mileage suburban, or light towing type of operation.
Recently changed the 4.0L Ranger & 3.8L Taurus oil & filter, with the last of my Big Lots $3 a qt Synthetic Havoline 5w-30 stash & Motorcraft filters.
On the Taurus 3.8L engine, you can look into it & see the valve springs & it still looks new inside, clean as a pin, no deposits to be seen & it's right at 100k miles now. IMO Havoline does use a good detergent/dispersant add pack. Difficult for me to believe their new "Deposit Shield" formula could be any better & keep my engine any cleaner.
The engine is quiet too & there's no consumption between changes, so that widens my grin too!!!! lol
Last edited by pawpaw; Dec 23, 2007 at 01:47 PM.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,489
Likes: 45
From: Central NY
you got me looking for a deal on my 820s....so i hit ebay....who would pay nearly $10 with shipping for the same filter you can get at Wal-mart for less than $4!
http://search.ebay.com/search/search...20s&category0=
http://search.ebay.com/search/search...20s&category0=
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 833
Likes: 0
From: latrobe pa
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,642
Likes: 6
From: Northern California
Originally Posted by pawpaw
Yup Ed, I like to change the oil & filter on my rides too. I'm not quiet to the point of being a "recreational" changer, but I do like to know my steeds have nice, new, good, clean lube & filter.
I do it every 6 months, which works out to about 3.5-4K miles, most of which is severe service, short time/mileage suburban, or light towing type of operation.
Recently changed the 4.0L Ranger & 3.8L Taurus oil & filter, with the last of my Big Lots $3 a qt Synthetic Havoline 5w-30 stash & Motorcraft filters.
On the Taurus 3.8L engine, you can look into it & see the valve springs & it still looks new inside, clean as a pin, no deposits to be seen & it's right at 100k miles now. IMO Havoline does use a good detergent/dispersant add pack. Difficult for me to believe their new "Deposit Shield" formula could be any better & keep my engine any cleaner.
The engine is quiet too & there's no consumption between changes, so that widens my grin too!!!! lol
I do it every 6 months, which works out to about 3.5-4K miles, most of which is severe service, short time/mileage suburban, or light towing type of operation.
Recently changed the 4.0L Ranger & 3.8L Taurus oil & filter, with the last of my Big Lots $3 a qt Synthetic Havoline 5w-30 stash & Motorcraft filters.
On the Taurus 3.8L engine, you can look into it & see the valve springs & it still looks new inside, clean as a pin, no deposits to be seen & it's right at 100k miles now. IMO Havoline does use a good detergent/dispersant add pack. Difficult for me to believe their new "Deposit Shield" formula could be any better & keep my engine any cleaner.
The engine is quiet too & there's no consumption between changes, so that widens my grin too!!!! lol
Agree completely, Paw Paw. I like Havoline, always have, and now since it's a part of the Chevron family, even more so. I see the new "Deposit Shield" formula for Havoline oil, I would not hesisitate to use it in any of my vehicles.
I was recently in our local Big Lots with the wife, they did not have ANY oil in stock.
Like you, I saw that Havoline synthetic for $3 a quart about a year ago, but all they had in stock now was some oil additives and some off-name fuel injector cleaner.
Even our local Dollar Tree used to carry oil (CITGO SuperGuard) for $1 a quart. Now, nothing as far as quart oil (bulk - closeouts) anymore.
Merry Christmas Paw Paw, have a nice Holiday.
Ed (more later)