2003 V8 oil change how-to or FAQ

[mode101]

Hi! I am new to the forums here. I just did a search for 'oil change' in the 2002-2005 group and did not see a FAQ or how-to for changing the oil in a 2003 V8.

Does anyone have a link to such an article? I would really appreciate it!

thanks!

 

[White97Jimmy]

Drain the oil, pull the filter off, put new filter on, fill with ~6qts of oil, done.

 

[blichy]

Drain the oil, pull the filter off, put new filter on, fill with ~6qts of oil, done.

The most difficult part was getting the filter off, as there wasn't a lot of room to get a good grip. Unfortunately my 2 year old didn't have the strength to twist it, but he tried to help anyway.

 

[mode101]

hehe

 

[mikephotos]

It's for the V6 but should help anyway...
http://www.aviationwire.net/explorer/oilchange.html

Mike

 

[grumpy]

But don't forget to put the drain plug back in before filling it with oil.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! You will never want to give out your vehicle to a garage for an oil change after you read this thread: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1410344&postcount=17. It was a story about a garage that advertised cheap oil changes in a local flyer. My grandfather went there, and found out why it was so cheap!

 

[jadez03]

Welcome to this forum! You will never want to give out your vehicle to a garage for an oil change after you read this thread: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1410344&postcount=17. It was a story about a garage that advertised cheap oil changes in a local flyer. My grandfather went there, and found out why it was so cheap!

Is that place still in business? I'd like to believe they went out of business acting like that, but I bet they just make bank from the endless supply of clueless owners.

 

[BrooklynBay]

I was a kid at the time, and I don't know where this place was. That old guy would have to be over 100 by now if he's still alive to make oil changes.

 

[Limited02]

I think I am do for an oil change soon, so if there isn't a sticky, then I suppose I could make one.

Changing the oil is a very simple process and if you have any specific questions, fire away

 

[esclamada]

If you noticed, the placement of the oil filter on 4.6L V8 was really something that was missed by Ford engineers. It's directly beneath a cross member at an angle and then they decided to put a metal piece to direct the flow of oil out. It looks like the frame was really intended for the v6 and then they decided slapping in a v8. The worst part is that changing the oil pan gasket requires lifting the engine. Crappy engineering at its best.



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[JoshMcMadMac]

If you noticed, the placement of the oil filter on 4.6L V8 was really something that was missed by Ford engineers. It's directly beneath a cross member at an angle and then they decided to put a metal piece to direct the flow of oil out. It looks like the frame was really intended for the v6 and then they decided slapping in a v8. The worst part is that changing the oil pan gasket requires lifting the engine. Crappy engineering at its best.

I do not think it is that bad. It is relatively easy to get to and swap out. Trying to change the filter on the same engine in a Mark VIII...that is a feat! I certainly would not call it crappy engineering, though.

 

[esclamada]

I do not think it is that bad. It is relatively easy to get to and swap out. Trying to change the filter on the same engine in a Mark VIII...that is a feat! I certainly would not call it crappy engineering, though.

yep the MarkVIII is the same crappy engineering, putting a v8 engine to a v6 chassis. They could have beefed up (or used a different) the transmission for such a torquey engine but instead re-used the transmission. I'm just making this comparison to other cars that I've worked on, toyota, bmw, suzuki, honda.. they are very serviceable and the oil filters are located in a place where it should be.



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[Donystoy]

[QUOTE I'm just making this comparison to other cars that I've worked on, toyota, bmw, suzuki, honda.. they are very serviceable and the oil filters are located in a place where it should be.

My wife's car is a Toyota Camry. The oil filter is behind a cover towards the back of the engine and requires a special tool to remove. It has a housing that holds an open paper element that you change. Almost going backwards to the early days before spin on filters. I wonder how many cars go in for an oil change where this filter is not replaced due to its difficulty.

 

[D Hook]

Changing oil on a Mark VIII is so crappy I just take it to the local Valvoline oil change place and let them do it. They do a good job and have the advantage of being able to stand up while doing it. But never Jiffy Lube. I wouldn't let those guys work on my lawn mower!

 

[esclamada]

[QUOTE I'm just making this comparison to other cars that I've worked on, toyota, bmw, suzuki, honda.. they are very serviceable and the oil filters are located in a place where it should be.

My wife's car is a Toyota Camry. The oil filter is behind a cover towards the back of the engine and requires a special tool to remove. It has a housing that holds an open paper element that you change. Almost going backwards to the early days before spin on filters. I wonder how many cars go in for an oil change where this filter is not replaced due to its difficulty.

Those are cartridge type filters and european cars has been using those. Toyota and Mazda started to shift to this kind of filters. They are not difficult to assemble and replace, on some Audi/BMW models you don't even have to go under the car, the filter is accessible from the hood. Those special tools are very common and cheap, it's not something you buy in a specialty shop or a dealer item only.

btw I got a toyota camry hybrid and that special tool cost less than $5, it still uses a spin off filter.

https://www.facebook.com/diytoyotacamryhybrid