Since the 5.4 4x4 is such a joy to do an oil/filter change on (filter is really the fun part) -- I've taken ours into the dealer the last several changes when they had a special going etc...

So I did my own this last time and used a Fram filter (it was on sale and IMO a good enough filter), now before you anti-Fram guys jump in here, please hold the posts for a bit...

You know that 1st start in the morning clatter that always is considered normal? (I've always been told it was an emissions thing)

Well mine doesn't make any more clatter on first start of the day! I'm now thinking that the Motocraft oil filters have a poor anti-drainback?? And now I'm thinking what I've really been hearing is a dry hydraulic valve lash until the oil system pressures up?? Yee Gads, what has this done to the motor?!

I may just become a Fram biggot after this...

Anyone else experience this with these or other oil filters?

 

not buying it. My 2005 5.4 expedition has had motorcraft since day one. it now has 92000 miles on it and not a single problem. I also have a maintenance record on it, so changing filter is not a good idea for me.

 

carlos1212: Not buying what? That I'm telling the truth, or that my 1st start clatter stopped? That I had motorcraft oil filters the last 3 oil changes?

Does yours clatter on start up? It doesn't sound like you've tried another brand filter in any case...

my previous 3 oil changes were done at Maita Ford in Auburn, CA, which I also have records for, or can be looked up on OASIS...

 

Are thet actually Motorcraft brand filters or are they the dealer jobber filters? The dealerships don't always use the same filters as you can buy over the counter.

 

That's a good point -- I remember looking after the 1st change, since I knew how tough the filters are to change and could see it was a white filter with writing on it, but I didn't look close enough to actually see it was a MC filter. The one I took out myself was definately a motorcraft filter. Is there one that fits but isn't anti-drainback?? It was exactly the same size as the Fram I put in, and I did check that the fram was the right part for the 5.4 Expy...

Again

All I know is now it makes no clatter noise on 1st start up, where it did before, and that's a good thing, right?

I don't want to come off as an anti-Ford OEM filter guy, and you all should really be buying a Fram, etc., ok? It's just what happened to me, and I thought it was odd, so I figured I should ask here...

 

Since day one, every time I've replaced the Motorcraft filter on our 5.4 (every 3-5k), I write the month, year, and mileage on the bottom of it in marker. That's four attributes (including the filter manufacturer name) that can be seen clearly by every dealer it's been into for additional service, warranty included - the Ford techs at the nearby dealer say it's overkill with information but at least they know the filter thats on it meets Ford spec. I have never let a Ford or Jippy Lube change the oil or filter because I've seen them screw up the jobs by using the wrong part, or cross-threading the drain pan bolt. Even during the times I deployed to Iraq and Afhganistan, I had a trusted relative do the LOF (with Motorcraft filter, which I purchased ahead of time with the Motorcraft 5W-20 oil at our local base exchange) on the truck at the required intervals if needed. The Motorcraft does have an anti-drain back capability in it; I didn't believe it until I sliced a used Motorcraft filter open and compared it to a Fram on a buddy's Dodge. The Fram is just paper inside. However, I don't see anything wrong with personal preference when using a filter, if Fram's work for you, then use them! I just prefer to reduce risk and stick to the Ford spec. Whether it works or not, I won't be able to tell for another 200k miles or so. That's been my experience.

 

I've had problems with MC filters in the past also. The vaunted FL820S has given up the ghost 3 times on me. It occured about 1000 miles into an oil change. I got a quick, momentary clatter sound on cold startup, which I had not heard before. The first time it happened I thought it was just a faulty filter. I changed the filter and it went away. When the second one did it, I became a little suspicious. When the third one started to clatter after 750 miles, I switched to NAPA Golds and have never heard that noise again. Maybe it was a bad production batch, but I bought these from 3 different sources each about a month apart, so it must have been a WIDE production batch. The NAPA's were $3.50 apiece bought by the case, so there wasn't a great increase in cost either. No more Motorcraft for me...

 

If you dont want to use the motorcraft filter...The K&N filter is much better than fram filter & the K&N has a nut on it so its easy to get on & off with a rachet & extension...

 

This is an excellent post. I have quite the opposite situation to mention. I've always used MC filters on my Expy. On one instance, I had to use a Fram, as the auto parts store was out of the MC's and I was doing my oil change that evening after work. The following morning, with the Fram in place, there was a horrific clatter on start-up. I swore something broke in the valvetrain. I called the auto parts store while at work to see if they had received their shipment of MC filters - thay had. I stopped on my way home and got the FL-820S filter and swapped it that evening. Following morning, no clatter. I'm sticking with the MC just because of past experience.

But, if the Fram works for you, use it, by all means. Just like alot of members on here use only the MC 5W-20 Synthetic Blend, while others use Mobil1, PP, or straight dino oil. It's all personal preference. Use what works. Maybe Fram's changed things in the past year or so with their products. But, just because of past experience, I'm going to continue using the MC.

 

I had a 97 with the same clatter. I tried a bunch of different filters and oils but was never able to chase it away. My 03 makes no funny noises It happens to have a MC filter now.

I also had a 97 cobra that made the clatter until I tried Amsoil 0W40 (kind of expensive though) and a MC filter. I wish I could remember more about it.

I stuck with the MC filters after reading a cut away comparison that someone posted on this site. It really broke down how each filter was made and who actually made it.

 

Dang! and I didn't even mention the Chevron 5w 20 I put in there...

Funny thing is: the 6.0 guys think the Fram is the same as the MC on those motor's oil filters -- both are supposed to be made by Racor, but I doubt that applies to the Fram canister units for our 5.4s...

Thanks everyone for your posts -- at least now I know what it is supposed to sound like on 1st start up, so if that clatter happens again I'll change the filter no matter what is in there!

 

I work for a Motorcraft distributor and the FL-820S does have a anti drain back valve in it. The S stands for silicone valve. FYI Motorcraft sent a bulletin to us noting that in the future the size of the 820S will be altered slightly to help installations on vechicles where space is tight (mainly the 4.6 crown vics) however this change does not impact the performance of the filter. I'm a true blue Ford man and I recommend to replace part with what it came out of the factory with because they design it a certain way for a reason. Also if you were to cut a Fram or NAPA filter in half and compare it to the Motorcraft you would be shocked, the Motorcraft offers much greater protection.