Oil change boo-boo

[RedlandRanger]

This stupid FORD oil filter base location sucks.

While the location isn't the BEST, I've certainly had vehicles that had a MUCH worse location. Why do you think this location sucks? Just curious....

The absolute best location I've ever had was on one of our Saturns - it was a cartridge filter right on top of the engine - made for the easiest oil changes of any vehicle I've ever owned.

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[Crow_of_judgement]

While the location isn't the BEST, I've certainly had vehicles that had a MUCH worse location. Why do you think this location sucks? Just curious....

The absolute best location I've ever had was on one of our Saturns - it was a cartridge filter right on top of the engine - made for the easiest oil changes of any vehicle I've ever owned.

I didn't know Saturn's ran long enough to need an oil change

 

[RedlandRanger]

I didn't know Saturn's ran long enough to need an oil change

We owned two of them and they were actually pretty good cars for us. We didn't drive them a ton of miles though (< 100k), which is probably why we didn't have any issues. They certainly didn't seem to be built for the long haul - lots of plastic.

The buying and dealership experience though was amazing. Ford could learn a lot from what Saturn pioneered in that regard.

 

[got3fords]

The absolute best location I've ever had was on one of our Saturns - it was a cartridge filter right on top of the engine - made for the easiest oil changes of any vehicle I've ever owned.

Ah yes, I remember that. Yes, that was easy.

 

[got3fords]

I didn't know Saturn's ran long enough to need an oil change

My wife's Saturn was one of the best vehicles we ever owned. It was a smooth running comfortable car.

 

[Radioman]

While the location isn't the BEST, I've certainly had vehicles that had a MUCH worse location. Why do you think this location sucks? Just curious....

The absolute best location I've ever had was on one of our Saturns - it was a cartridge filter right on top of the engine - made for the easiest oil changes of any vehicle I've ever owned.

The worst location of an oil filter of all the cars that I have owned was a 1992 Cougar that Ford had stuffed a V8 into. I hated to work on that car. The best is my 2012 Jeep that also has the cartridge filter on top of the engine. Additionally, with the height of the Jeep, crawling underneath is very easy.

 

[Cmar]

I wipe off the oil filter base with a paper towel on each oil/filter change.
I have changed every oil and filter in all my vehicles since 1965.
This stupid FORD oil filter base location sucks. I shine a light on it to make sure all is good.
I pre-fill my all oil filters also, even the stupid Nissan 1985 truck that was 45 degree from
vertical upside down. My Honda VTX 1300 has horizontal filter. It gets filled to the top.
At least there is room to quickly move it to position and screw it in.

I've found that even just filling them and letting the oil soak into the paper, makes a difference for the right angle an upward sloping filters.

 

[Cmar]

Worst location for a filter was on a Nissan Pathfinder with the old 2.7 turbo diesel (Japanese home market model I once owned) in it. Filter was located under the exhaust manifold and turbo and behind a heat shield. Could only be changed by blindly snaking your arm full length down between various components and unscrewing. Then it had to be tipped manoeuvred in a number of tricky moves to get it out, spilling oil everywhere. New one had to go back in the same way.

 

[Jason B]

I didn't know Saturn's ran long enough to need an oil change

Well, at least you didn't have to worry about the body panels rusting out.

 

[Old NaCl]

I'd recommend you start with Simple Green and work your way up to brake cleaner if you happen to find some that managed to get caked on somehow. It's fresh oil - simple green should blast it right off.

Purple power etches aluminum - don't use that.

Simple green will also etch Al. If not rinsed off well enough. Unless the formula has been updated.

https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/migrated/aviation/safety/upload/SA_2000-01.pdf

 

[pbethel]

You do realize that if the companies that warranty your many and varied engines thought that pre-filling a filter made the slightest bit of difference in increased engine life and decreased warranty claims all filters would be easy to replace pre-filled?

 

[got3fords]

 

[Dr_Strangelove]

Simple green will also etch Al. If not rinsed off well enough. Unless the formula has been updated.

https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/migrated/aviation/safety/upload/SA_2000-01.pdf

You're 100% correct - I forget that this is the Simple Green I keep in my shop at home. I should have mentioned. https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Green-Extreme-Aircraft-Precision/dp/B081D5R6T9

They haven't changed the formula but they do sell a formula for aluminum. I fill up my own spray bottles and just call it "simple green" to keep it... simple

 

[Cmar]

You do realize that if the companies that warranty your many and varied engines thought that pre-filling a filter made the slightest bit of difference in increased engine life and decreased warranty claims all filters would be easy to replace pre-filled?

Your point is valid but ;
I figure it can't do any harm
I usually keep cars well past the manufacturers warranty period.

 

[pbethel]

Your point is valid but ;
I figure it can't do any harm
I usually keep cars well past the manufacturers warranty period.

I do too.
But I owned well used GM products that had no oil filters. They were optional (maybe where the 3,000 or 3 months got started?) as well as air cooled VWs with only a screen in the sump.
I also worked on and operated heavy equipment, some with multiple large filters all of which were easily changed pre filled.

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