Motorcraft Oil filter not fitting?!

[OBJDOG]

Hello again all,

Just started to change the oil for the first time since owning my truck and it all appeared to be a very quick job with the oil filters being on the tops of these engines (love that).... However, when I removed the old filter, the Ford Motorcraft FL-2016 filter didn't fit back into the cap. The filter has 4 tabs that appear to be used to connect it to the cap, and inside the cap it has 4 latch looking things and a ring around them all, but when I put the filter into the cap it just sits there and spins freely, I suppose I could install it back this way... but then I'll have a devil of a time getting that filter out later as it will just be sitting in the oil filter housing and won't come out with the cap...

Do I have a bum cap? Or was the wrong filter in the box?

Any ideas?
-Ed

[capcalvin]

could be the wrong cap

[OBJDOG]

That's definitely what I was afraid of... didn't realize that off brand filters would come with their own caps.

I guess I'll grab my other truck and head down to the Ford dealer tomorrow and pray they have one in stock... I'm kinda picky about using OE so I'd rather not grab an off brand filter.

-Ed

[capcalvin]

They usually have them in stock. Motorcraft filters are the way to go with the 6.0. Also, don't use aftermarket fuel filters either. I tried that once and the one on top of the engine got crushed and broke the little black plastic valve thing inside the housing.

[screamin7.3]

get a billet cap. and motorcraft filter.

[amdriven2liv]

Here is a video on Ford filters. I thought I read somewhere that either a whole new cap was used for after market filters, or there was some sort of added top to the filter that went inside the OEM cap to fill the space.

YouTube - Motorcraft Power Stroke Diesel Filter Comparison

[KingRanchF350]

Originally Posted by amdriven2liv

Here is a video on Ford filters. I thought I read somewhere that either a whole new cap was used for after market filters, or there was some sort of added top to the filter that went inside the OEM cap to fill the space.

YouTube - Motorcraft Power Stroke Diesel Filter Comparison

As I was reading through this thread I thought of adding this vid... You beat me to it.

[dhanna6powerstroke]

Make sure the top of the old filter didn't pull off when removing it from the cap. Seen that quite a few times. New filter definately won't fit it that happens. Makes it too tall and won't snap into place.

[OBJDOG]

Sean,

I owe you a beer, my friend.

Went back out there and took some pliers to the inside of the cap and I'll be a son of a you know what if the cap from the old filter wasn't lodged in there. So, 15qts out and 15 qts in, the truck is now a happy camper and I feel like an idiot!

It's never easy to gauge an old oil by looking at it and feeling it, but the stuff that drained out felt pretty good. I'm just trying to establish a base-line on all the preventative maintenance for this baby since I just bought her a month ago. You never really know how well someone before you kept their vehicle so I guess it never hurts to waste 15qts of oil for some peace of mind.

Coolant is next.

-Ed

[amdriven2liv]

Ed (OBJDOG), Happy to help, and glad you took a chance tearing into the cap.

It's a good thing to start your own "maintenance clock" on a new to you vehicle. I did the same when I bought mine.

Enjoy your new truck, and welcome to the org.

Sean