oil filter

i have a quick question about changing the oil filter on a 2000 3.8L.

i drained the oil and realized that i do not have the end-cap wrench for the motorcraft oil filter. My question is whether I will run into any problem in replacing the filter after putting the oil in. Will oil come rushing out when I take the old filter off later?

and where to buy the end-cap wrench for the motorcraft filter (at the dealership)?

The only oil you should spill would be whats in the filter itself, I know some walmarts have filter wrenches, many auto parts stores like autozone and napa have them.

I never had to use an endcap wrench and I worked at a Ford dealer for 6 years.

Oil Filters Should Be Hand Tight!! When You Need To Replace They Shuold Be Able To Be Taken Off With Your Hand.too Many People Tighten Way To Much Causing Problems When Its Time To Replace

I agree with that! I have a pretty strong grip and eevn when I thighten a filter with my bare hands, it's not over-tightened and will come off next time. I also sign all my installed oil filters, so when I see my sig, I know it will come right off.

There are some cars where its easier to use a filter wrench rather than your hand because of small spaces or where the filter has oil residue on it and its slick

i tried taking it out with my hand and could not even i hand tighten it when i did the oil change before.

looks like it requires a special wrench based on the pattern at the end. I'll try Walmart for the cap.

Thanks

what i recommend you get is the filter wrench that is not for a specific size but one that has a range of sizes. I have a couple of them and they work great for taking the filters off. for me, by the time i get to the filter my gloves are all oily etc and it won't come off by hand. hence the wrench. works great everytime. although i must say that the windstar filter location is a real pain to get to.

do you have a link to the wrench you're talking about.

here're some pics of the type of filter i'm trying to replace

http://www.motorcraft.com/products.do?item=13

The windstar filter location make one of those "end cap" filter wrench units......with the spot for your ratched to connect to......the best option.
You can get them at auto part stores, etc
I rarely need to use one.....as the hand tighten / removal works....but sometimes it can take a good grip.......and it is good to have the wrench in the garage......seems that just the presence of the wrench nearby makes the filter come off easy.

I find it easier to use the end cap filter wrench to remove my filter aswell. Not so much for the advantage on grip but more for the advantage of not getting nicked by sharp edges and getting burned by hot engine components.

I must admit, I hand-tighten when I install new filters during an oil change. I am generally not able to remove them by hand during the next change though. The 'end-cap' piece works great on the Windstar.

I have noticed that the flutes on the end of the filters are not all the same. My end cap tool will not work well on some filters. Find a brand that matches your end cap tool. In a pinch, hammer a #2 phillips screwdriver through the filter and turn. You may have to repeat this several times depending on much room you have, quite messy but will work with a very stubborn filter.

I use my large channel locks to remove the filter if I can't get it off by hand..I grab it as close as I can to the end so it want crush it.. I do tighten hand tight plus an extra quarter turn to snug it down.. The Windstars filter is and an odd place and a lot of filter wrenches don't fit in there very well. But the channel locks work for me..

Well, why not. It's my turn to give my :2cents: I suppose. Now that Frahm and Advance Auto have their filters with nice grip ends on them, they go on and off very nicely by hand and also grip the metal band wrench and end cup when tight and slick with oil. The filter location on Ford's 3.8 on the Windstar and Taurus (which I think everyone would agree is a lousy place both tight and messy!) pretty much precludes you to a end cup wrench or by hand if with the grip filter. I bought an end cap filter wrench/socket, whatever it's called, sized specifically for the 3600 filter. Guess what, it doesn't fit all of them!?! :banghead: :banghead: Duh!!! Thank God for the grip end filters!! My last resort that never fails is my 6" jawed Channel Locks! :iceslolan: :iceslolan:

I use my large channel locks to remove the filter if I can't get it off by hand..I grab it as close as I can to the end so it want crush it.. I do tighten hand tight plus an extra quarter turn to snug it down.. The Windstars filter is and an odd place and a lot of filter wrenches don't fit in there very well. But the channel locks work for me..

That's exactly what I do and have been for a long, long time! Works much better than those dang, worthless filter wrenches.:2cents:

When all else get a bigger wrench

They make an oil filter wrench that is like channel locks, but curved and made for the filter removal.