help, please ?torque for oil drain plug
 

I can not find a manual for the 04 F150. I have a 5.4l 3 valve, sc.
Does any know the torque for the oil drain plug. You'd think they'd print it on something!!!
Thanks in advance.

Snug, but don't overtighten. Works like a charm. :thumbsup:

What he said.....:thumbsup:

Thanks, but is there no number?? 12 ft.lbs, 15? I have this problem with 'snug'. Feels good when you first turn it, but ?? maybe another little turn? etc. don't want it popping out while going down the road.
A torque number would REALLY help.

I think you'll only find that answer in a service manual. I'm sure the service dept at the dealer could tell you. Not sure if we got some techs here or not.

Anywho, if you 'snug' it down (ie, don't pull on it with all your might), I guarentee it's not gonna 'pop' off. Hell, you hand tighten your filter, right? It doesn't go flyin, niether will the plug.

Info from my 2004 Service CD


Oil filter 12 lb-ft
Oil pan drain plug 10 lb-ft

Crank it down till you strip it then back it off a little, works every time :devil:

Great to have guys like Neil around and this website to provide peace-of-mind with the requested info.:fyi:

Nobody torque an oil filter, not that i know of and the drain plug i put it snug, and 10 ft lbs for the drain plug, that to me for some reason seems low. I am a mechanic and i usually see them in the 20 ft lbs range. I always hand tighten an oil filter and snug the drian plug good and never ever have a problem.

Thank you Mr. Neil.
Are you somewhere near Stoneyford? My most favorite place to dirt bike ride?
10 ft. lbs it is!!!!
My last truck, a '97, was a 14 ft. lb. and the ford before that had a 15 ft.lb.
I am finally ready to get to it.
Your info combined with the need to cranck the wheels to the left to get the oil filter out have really helped.
Great site!!

I agree, most people do not torque oil filters and drain plugs, and most use the "hand tight" and "snug" methods. But kn127 wanted to know what the FORD specs were, and I provided the info to him directly off of the FORD Service CD.

If you wish to challenge the torque specs for the requested items, I encourage you to contact the folks at Ford that published the information.

Hey, while we're changing the oil, I've got a question that's been lingering in the back of my mind for some time. Here it is-are the oil pans on these '04's aluminum or steel. If they are aluminum, are the threads also aluminum or steel inserts? thanks:cool: :beers: :wave:

I'm about 60 miles to the east of Stoneyford. Seems like it is becoming a very popular place to ride!


You'll find that the OEM filter is torqued to a whole lot more than 12 lb-ft. You might want to buy a fluted filter wrench before you attempt the first oil change.

Hmmmm....good question. And now you've got me curious. I changed the oil the first time when the odometer hit 1500 miles, and I didn't pay any attention to what the pan was made of at the time. The odometer just rolled over 4000, so it's about time to go under again. If I get a second this weekend I'll take a long look at the pan.

I did manage to salvage the Fumoto Drain Valve off of my wrecked 2001 SCrew, and I installed it on the 2004 SCrew when I did the first change. You might want to consider installing a Fumoto Valve, no more worrying about torque values or stripping threads.

I haven't made the 1st oil change yet--so I haven't been under my '04, but was curious about the oil pan material. Everything is now being made from the lightest and cheapest materials possible so I'm not surprised at anything. A magnet will quickly tell what's steel & what's not.