How to confirm that 2.7 oil filter has been changes?
 

One advantage of a spin-on filter is the means to check whether it has been changed by the dealer or aftermarket vendor. After catching a dealer not changing the oil & filter, I have been diligent in confirming that such work has been performed as paid for. But, the 2.7 canister filter makes such precautions difficult. Has anybody figured out a method of detecting whether a new filter has been installed other than DIY?


EDIT: re: thread title...changes=changed

There is not an easy way to tell, without opening up the cartridge top.
You could always ask for the old one if it was a major concern.

I like to do my own, that way I know it has correct oil amount, that new filter is in, all 3 O-rings have been changed, and there is never any mess.

Other than using a 27mm socket and taking the canister off to see if it looks like clean oil in the filter, you might just have to take their word for it. What ever you do, don't unscrew the drain plug even a little.

I just had mine changed here at my work (Honda Dealership) and I stood out there and guided/watched the tech thru it all. If you have a rag handy, you can unscrew the cover and as long it has been sitting for a little while, it shouldn't make much if any of a mess.

Get a yellow paint pen and put a little mark on the backside from the housing to the block where it's not so noticeable. When you get it back see if the marks still line up, if they do it might not have been changed. And as KJP said, give them a baggie and have them put your old one in it.

After reading the horror stories of 2.7's being overfilled when done by a shop or the dealer I will be changing my own oil.

Yep... and if you do have somebody do it and can't be there to watch or instruct, then make sure you check your oil level afterwards (after sitting 15 minutes of course).

just put a piece of tape on it where they won't see...if tape is gone, then you know. I wouldn't put a pen mark...unless chalk. That should line up again after its tightened...

I would use a grease pen or pencil, and make a light mark so it won't be obvious, and it will be very unlikely it will line up again when they re-tighten it.

If you find the marks still match, then they probably didn't remove the old oil filter.

You put a dab of paint from the lid to the housing and let it dry. If the paint is broken the filter was changed.

I can't believe a Ford dealer wouldn't change the filter. It's not like it's a hard job. At the dealer I work for even the oil change kid actually does the filter changes. Not changing the filter seems more like a jiffy lube deal.

Overfilled is a legitimate concern, the oil change kid here overfilled the first 2.7 he did, asked us after he kept adding and it seemed like too much.

DIY?