Which oil filter?

[kb9ilt]

I decided to give my Fusion Hybrid its first oil change today and ran into a little trouble. Fordparts.com listed (entered vin number to find out) the oil filter as FL-910S which I then went out and bought. After getting the car up on the ramps, removing the covers for the oil drain and filter, and draining the oil, I proceeded to remove the oil filter. It wouldn't budge. As hard as I tried, I couldn't get it off.

 

While struggling with the filter I noticed that its replacement was a different size. It was much shorter, but the same diameter. Strange, I thought as I went to check the owner's manual which lists the filter as FL-2017B. Next I checked the web to see what I could find. This CHART says the FL-910S is the correct filter. Luckily I still have my old car, so I went to Pep Boys to see what I could learn by looking at the FL-2017B. It turns out that it's an insert type filter while the FL-910S is a regular screw on filter. They didn't have the cannister that holds the FL-2010B, so I still don't know which is correct. I gave up struggling with the filter and just added fresh oil. The car has only at 5000 miles on it, so I'll just let the dealer fight with the filter in a few thousand miles.

 

Has anyone here replaced their oil and filter and have the answer as to which filter is correct?

[jeff_h]

Has anyone here replaced their oil and filter and have the answer as to which filter is correct?

 

Yes, this weekend I will hit the 50k mark with my 2010 FFH and have changed the oil every 5k miles. I started off using the Fram 9566 as that was the spec'd filter at the time, but that has now been replaced with the Fram 3614 as the spec'd filter, and I've used each of those and they worked fine. I just went to the store last weekend to get a couple more and got the Motorcraft FL910S and will use that too, checked it against the 3614 in the store and yes you're right, same diameter but the length of the filter is different.

 

If you have a 2010 FFH, unless they have drastically changed things since I bought mine (I highly doubt it) then the FL910S will work fine for you, and the 2017B filter element is NOT what you need - that is the filter I used on my wife's Escape Hybrid, totally different.

 

If you cannot get the filter off, are just trying by hand or do you have something to fit on the end and get some force behind it? I've seen comments on there about some oil filters that were loose from the factory, however mine was pretty tight on there from the factory, I guess you never can tell which one you're gonna get.

 

Good luck!

[kb9ilt]

Thanks Jeff. Yes, I have a 2010 and used two different filter wrenches, but couldn't free it. If I had it up on a lift I think I would have loosened it, but it's difficult to get much leverage while lying down. Also, I wasn't in the mood to deal with a crushed filter today. I'll keep the FL-910S for my third oil change. :)

[Buster1]

I've done hundreds of oil changes, but none in the FFH yet. Use whatever it takes to get the old filter off, don't worry if you dent it a little. ALWAYS use JUST YOUR HANDS to put on the new filter, with a litle oil in it and a light smear on the rubber seal. Should be just fine. Hand tight only is the KEY!

[drolds1]

I don't have any experience with the FFH, but it's not unheard of that the OE oil filter is different from the service filter.

 

I don't change my own oil but I did for 30 years. I found that the best tool for stubborn oil filters were the cap style wrenches. They fit over the end of the filter and have a square opening so you can insert a ratchet or breaker bar. They are made in various sizesa nd fit the flats on the filter end exactly for a non-slip grip. Any auto parts store should stock them. You can exert quite a bit of leverage without distorting the filter.

[Zoom]

Don't mean to stir up any controversy but, before putting one of those (cheap) Fram oil filters on your new baby, you should do some research into oil filters.

I did look into the subject a few years ago, and stopped using Fram oil filters.

 

Seems that they aren't what they once were,

...a very good filter.

[Buster1]

I was just going to say that too. Fram is one of the worst for any car! I do not recommend them. Do the research if you care, but a paper filter puts paper fibers into the hot oil. Not what you want.

[Oman]

The other thing to remember here is that modern oil doesn't get old (at least not anywhere near 10,000 miles). The filter gets old and allows the oil to get dirty. Spend on the filter and just stay within the manufacturer specs on the oil. The tests to meet the specs are very stringent. If the oil meets the spec it won't be a problem. Who cares if the oil can meet 3x the spec, if you are going to change it well within the specifications test lifetime it doesn't matter that the oil recycler gets better oil.

 

 

 

Jon

 

 

I was just going to say that too. Fram is one of the worst for any car! I do not recommend them. Do the research if you care, but a paper filter puts paper fibers into the hot oil. Not what you want.