My first oil change

[fields_mj]

I read somewhere on here last week about how big of a hassle it is getting the oil filter off of a 7.3L IDI. I should have listened. After dropping mine yesterday when I took it off, and getting some pretty warm motor oil all over myself, I would have to say that I agree! I figured at that point rather than get more oil all over my shirt, I'd just take it off and lay in the oily gravel/grass/clover/weeds to finish it. It had already drained down my arm, into my shirt, and down my back, so what the heck would some rocks and a little dirt hurt...

I think from now on I will punch a hole in the bottom and drain it out BEFORE I take it off and drop it in the dirt....

 

[Alex S]

oil filters should not be that tight with a dry filter (on the outside) and some gloves you should be able to spin it off with both hands

 

[Diesel JD]

No they shouldn't be that tight, but many times they get that way even if you follow the proper tightening procedure. I have a large adjustable filter wrench that clamps down on filters from NAPA and that's what I use to loosen them. For tightening tighten it only as tight as you can get it by hand with a towel or gloves so you have a good, dry grip unless you plan to use a torque wrench and use the book spec for tightening. If you use a wrench otherwise it could easily become over tight. As far as the mess, I usually drain the sump oil first then loosen the filter till oil begins to drain out from the top of it with my drain pan under the filter. Then once it is mostly done I'll spin the filter off by hand and immediately dump the rest of the contents into my drain pan.

 

[zpd307]

i have had two filter rattle loose and start leaking, being put on hand tight. i now use a filter wrench.......

 

[k_williams1982]

I drain the oil pan first, and then position the drain pan under the filter. Spin it until it starts running down the sides and let it sit like that for a few minutes. Then, I take it the rest of the way off and tip it upside down in the drain pan. I always wipe the mounting surface clean and oil the gasket of the new filter (FL1995) with fresh oil. I "prime" my new filter about 3/4 of the way full (completely full is not possible since the filter sits on a slight angle and will pour fresh oil out if full) and then reinstall it. I had a Fram filter rattle loose when hand tight, but the Motorcraft seems to do okay. I do turn it as tight as possible though by hand.

 

[zpd307]

yeah, they were frams....

 

[Diesel JD]

You all really shouldn't be using Frams.....

 

[troutwest66]

I think from now on I will punch a hole in the bottom and drain it out BEFORE I take it off and drop it in the dirt....

Exactly. I drain the pan and grease the chassis while it's draining. Then I use a punch and drain the filter before trying to loosen it. I use the metal strap style wrench to loosen it and finish by hand and no oil running up my sleeve! I also fill the new filter with oil almost full and put it on. I also use the PowerStroke filter 1734 at NAPA. It holds more oil and filters down smaller. I get it at snug as I can with my hands.

 

[CDX825]

I'm also a fan of punching a hole in the filter with a nail to drain it. If I have time I will let it sit and drain over night. I also use the FL1995 motorcraft filter so it takes some time to drain.

 

[troutwest66]

By the time I grease the front end the filter is pretty well empty.

 

[zpd307]

You all really shouldn't be using Frams.....

yes, it has been said many times....

 

[Diesel JD]

yes, it has been said many times....

Sorry I couldn't resist. It's your truck your choice though.

 

[zpd307]

;p

 

[DragRag]

It's what you do with the oil after you are done that counts. Goes in my fuel tank at 50% mix, after filtering of course.

 

[fields_mj]

I do the same procedure as most of the rest of you, but once the oil ran down the side, it made things a lot harder to hold on to. That darn filter is a pain in the rear to get back on there! IH left plenty of room until Ford ran those stupid brake lines (I think) through there. I can't hardly get a grip on the filter by hand because of the frame, pan, and everything else. I put it a little past finger tight, and then go a little past 90 degrees with a wrench. Like I said though, next time I will put a hole in it before I take it off so that the oil doesn't get all over me. Pretty simple solution. Just one more useful piece of info that you folks have sent my way.

Thanks,
Mark