Oil Thread!

[The Big Stu]

Sorry guys, I did a search and ended up with 5 pages...figured this would be easier.

I am about to give my MM its first oil change. I am going with Royal Purple 5w20, so I am not asking about the different oils. I am trying to decide wether or not to do it my self. If I do the change, what will I need? How many quarts of oil, tools, where is the filter, what filter do I ask for, what do I do with the old oil, and anything else I should know in advance? If I don't do it, where would you recommend going? I live in Houston. I have never changed oil before, so feel free to talk to me like I am stupid. I changed the spark plugs on my old focus once...other than that, I know nothing about cars at all. I don't think my car has any mods except K&N CAI right now, it is just like I bought it and I don't know what to look for. If it makes a difference at all I am hoping to get 4.10's and a tune with my tax return...that really should not effect an oil change I would not think.

Thank you all for the replys that are about to follow.
-Stu

[RR|Suki]

well get ready for a hell of a task if you have never done oil before... not that it's hard by rule, but our filter is in a sucky spot... so trial and error. Ok so here we go.... you'll need 6quarts, ask for a filter for your car at the parts desk, or go to wallmart and look through the little book they have, ford uses it for a million things cuz they you modular motors for a million things. Het the motorcraft filter. Ok now te fun part... jak your car up in front(I would recomend both sides for a virgin attempt) put it on stands and go on under, get an oil bucket ready and look on the drivers side right over the power steering crossmember and such (you'll see where the shaft comes down from the fire wall to meet... twist and turn your hand till you can get it up on to the filter and take it off... now th bad news... if you can't get it by hand you'll need a tool :( I have never had luck with those on this car, so good luck. let that drain then move towards the back of the cat and you'll see a bolt head stiking out from a black area under the motor, this is your drain plug... take it out and let it drain, while that is happening put your new filter on.. put your finger in the new oil and then run it accross the rubber seal on the filter (this might not be needed but it's habbit now). put the filter back on, put the drain plug on and BOOM you're a monkeys uncle. get up remover the fill cover on the valve cover and put in your oil. close the cover start let run a couple miinutes, turn off let sit a coupe minutes and check... BOOM you're done

[SID210SA]

In case I missed it....Welcome to the site....would that be a black Marauder by any chance? and if so did you buy it in San Antonio?

[The Big Stu]

Thank you Suki, that may just be enough for me to get through it.

It is black, but I got it in Houston at Lone Star Ford...Thanks for the welcome.


I am not really noticed because I don't post much...I just don't have much to say.

[Drock96Marquis]

ask for a filter for your car at the parts desk, or go to wallmart and look through the little book they have, ford uses it for a million things cuz they you modular motors for a million things. Het the motorcraft filte
Motorcraft p/n: FL-820s :)

[The Big Stu]

Thank you Drock.

I forgot about one of my important questions, what do I do with the old oil?

I am remembering this as I go along...I don't have any tools, but I have access to some, I just have to get them in advance. What size socket will I need for the plug? What size wrench for the filter...if I do need one?

Thank you all for the help.

[RR|Suki]

umm I think murry's and autozone take old oil :D

[Ross]

Hey, Stu--- what part of Houston are you in?

[The Big Stu]

Ross, I am in bearcreek...Glencairn to be exact. Hwy 6 near Clay if you don't know the area.

[Ross]

Yep, I know the area. I live in Westbury and work in the Galleria. We need to get some Houston guys together for you to meet. Maybe Wes Chain can put something together. He's a good guy and sells some good products for our cars.

[RF Overlord]

What size socket will I need for the plug? What size wrench for the filter...if I do need one?Stu, welcome to the club...

You will need a 5/8" wrench for the drain plug. You can use a box wrench or a socket. As for the filter, most auto parts stores, like AutoZone, Advance, Pep Boys, etc, sell a cup-type wrench that fits over the fluted end of the filter and allows you to use a 3/8" ratchet handle. There are also strap-type wrenches available, but there is limited room to swing one.

Those 2 tools and a suitable pan to drain the oil into are the only things you'll need.

BTW, I second Drock's advice...get the Motorcraft FL-820S...it's the best value-for-money.

[natacop]

i just did this on my dads car. when your about to take off the oil filter pull the new one out of the box rip the box up so you can have the box under your oil filter. then unsrew your filter this way you can make it so the oil doesnt go driping on the power steering rack and instead goes into the drain pan. also make sure your cars not warm

[JACook]

First, contact Ray "The Dealer" and get yourself an oil filter drain deflector.
Go -here- (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=15970&highlight=oil+deflector) for more info. Bottom line is it'll save you a bunch of cleanup.

As others have said, use a Motorcraft filter. FL820S. If your local supplier doesn't have Motorcraft,
Napa, Carquest, and Purolator also make good filters. Fram would pretty much be my last choice.

When you remove your old filter, make sure the rubber seal ring comes off with it. Also take a clean
rag and wipe off the pad where the filter seats.

When you install the new filter, don't crank it on there. Bout a 1/4 turn once it contacts the seat
should do fine. If it doesn't leak, it's tight enough. You'll thank yourself next time.

Snug also does it with the drain plug. It's got an integral O-ring seal. If it needs to be cranked
tight to get a good seal, it's time for a new plug. I get mine from my local Ford dealer.

I like to pre-fill my filter before installing it. Not a big deal, just gets the oil pressure up a bit sooner
when you start the engine. When filling the filter, you have to give it several shots as it soaks in.
Because the filter mounts at an angle you can't completely fill it. About 2/3 is about right.

I like to finish the job by using brake cleaner to wash off the deflector, and any oil residue that it
didn't catch.

Pretty much any auto parts chain will take your used oil. Make sure you don't contaminate it with
anything else though. They get kinda testy about that...

[CRUZTAKER]

I'm going with Royal Purple 5w20.
-Stu

I do as well..with a Motorcraft filter. ;)

[The Big Stu]

Thank you all for the info, I am going to take a look under the hood this weekend and if I can find everything I think I will be convinced I can do this. Ross, if the local boys ever do get together, count me in...I have been waiting to see that post since i got my car.

[The Big Stu]

Do I put all 6 quarts in? How do I know if it is full before it starts to overflow?

[RF Overlord]

Stu...the best method is to put 5 quarts in, which is more than plenty to protect the motor, start it up and let the motor idle for a few minutes while you check for leaks (in case you forgot to tighten the filter or the drain plug sufficiently) and clean up. Stop the motor and let it sit for 5 minutes or so, then check the level. Add only enough oil to bring it just up to the full line (some motors don't take quite 6 quarts...mine takes slightly less...some take slightly more).

It won't "overflow"...unless you tried to put in 20 quarts...but if it's seriously over-full you can cause damage, so it's important not to fill it above the "FULL" or "MAX" mark on the dispstick (I forget which it says). Slightly below the full mark is better than having too much. Just don't let it get below the "ADD" mark.

[The Big Stu]

Thanks Overlord

[GreekGod]

No one mentioned:

1)ramps being better than jack-stands (& block the rear wheels)

2) always use a torque wrench on an oil pan drain plug

3) get someone to show/help you for the first time

4)the rear air suspention should be turned off

5)have oil-dry ready, you will need it

6)use disposable gloves to protect the skin on your hands from used oil

7) probably some other things I haven't thought of (see #3 above)

[The Big Stu]

I actually do have a friend that is going to give me a hand, and I will be picking up his ramps today. If I can get a hold of a torque wrench, how much pressure should I apply when I put the plug back in? How do I turn off the air suspension?


And Thank you for your input as well.

[RF Overlord]

Stu, the oil drain plug should be torqued to 10 ft/lbs. As far as turning off the RAS, that's only necessary if you are going to be lifting the back of the car off the ground, but the switch is in the trunk, on the left.

[The Big Stu]

Good to know Overlord, the rear will be on the ground...just rolling the front onto the ramps.