Seems like everybody knows somebody who had a motor burned up after an oil change at a quickie lube place. My friend in TX who had it happen to him, evidently the guy FORGOT to put the new oil in. Must've gotten distracted after putting the plug back in. I always fear doing this myself, 'cause I am prone to get distracted, so I put a piece of tape over the ignition switch until the new oil is in, to make D--N sure that stupid trick doesn't happen. Anyways, my friend in TX got real mistreated by this oil change place. They only wanted to REBUILD his Accord motor (the car was pretty new). He insisted on a complete new oem motor. He had to actually get a lawyer and go towards the courthous before the oil place caved and bought the new motor.

 

w8n4sno...if you're still in the market for a filter wrench, try to find a SUPER GRAPHITE No. 6 made by FloTool. It's a 36 flute made just for the FL820S and similar Motorcraft filters. While it has a 3/8 drive provision, I haven't had to use the drive because the filter wrench has several protrusions molded onto the flute rim that provide a great hand grip even when slippery with oil. Look for the wrench at auto supply outlets.

 

Yeah, back in 97 or 98, my wife took a truck we use to have, a 96 Chevy pickup, in for an oil change at one of those Quicky change places. Well a month or so later, my trucks ABS brakes failed and had to be completely overhauled/replaced because those guys had put oil instead of brake fluid in the master cylinder. The oil eats up all the rubber pieces in the brake system. It was ugly. Luckily I got it covered by my insurance as vandalism, because it could not be proved.

 

Oil changes on the '04 is one thing I will give Ford a lot of credit for. It is by far the easiest late model oil change I've done. If it takes you more than 15 minutes on the 5.4L, you're doing something wrong. Get the filter wrench that was mentioned earlier and a 3/8 inch drive with a short extension and you won't have to worry about scraping a knuckle (or breaking a nail). The catch plate under the filter does a nice job of directing the oil. I use one of those low provile 20qt oil pans that catch and store the oil.

It also gives you an excuse to get under your truck and get familiar with the chasis and drivetrain.

 

That's about as bad as it gets.