mjheinz82

I'm embarrassed to ask this but...I have a 2005 FX4 w/5.4. What tricks do you use for changing the oil filter without making a mess?

Thanks

sicmadecstms

Dude making a mess is the whole point of doing it urself!!! Hahah i use the old screw driver stabbed into the filter trick to get it started turning. Jus let the oil finish draining out of the filter first. Your other option is using a oil filter wrench to get it started turning once the oil starts seeping out let it drain then finish takin the filter off. Either way jus put down and peice of carpet or cardboard so if u do spill then itll catch it.

13Harleyfan

I have to say that when they engineered these trucks, the DIYers weren't figued into the equation.

techrep

iTrader: (1)

stab it with a screw driver...lol that will make a big mess...
I slid a peice of cardboard under the filter...sort of make a place for it to run into my oil bucket...I have a large pair of channellocks that fit around the filter to crack it loose.. its still messy

kjclark

instead of stabbing it with the screw driver use some big channel locks to get a hold of it and just have an oil pan below it to catch what runs out.

sicmadecstms

Channel locks huh? Never heard that one!

madeSICC

Where is your guys filter located? Mine is probably the easiest to get to compared to any other vehicle I've owned, I just grab and twist with my hand, my truck is lifted to so that might make it a little easier but still should be easy to get to either way

sicmadecstms

Mines on the side of the motor horizontally mounted. Im about to install a remote oil filter housing in the engine bay or bed to make things easier

MikeyDubs

Yea the filter is definitely in a awkward spot!! I was thinking about changing my oil myself but once I looked under the truck to see where the filter was I said forget it. I don't want to make a mess in my driveway and my buddy owns a mechanic shop and charges me $45 for a synthetic oil change so its not that bad.

madeSICC

Hmmm, maybe all my cars have just been really hard so now my truck seems like a breeze. Haha have never made a mess taking it off.