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.

Thanks for the suggestion to get the fluted wrench, I am going this afternoon to buy it all and will buy one.
But what is a "consider installing a Fumoto Valve" that you mentioned?
I wish they had a magnetic plug. Is it one of those??

Aside to all of you who do not care about torques, that's fine with me, I wouldn't tell you what to do or not, but why knock the man who was kind enough to look it up for me??

I appreciate his kindness.

kn127, the Fumoto Valve is a simple open or closed 1/4 turn ball valve. The Fumoto Valve is extremely popular in the OTR trucking industry, and is gaining popularity with the car and truck owners.

Install it once and forget about it. They are brass, and do not have a magnet.

Here's a link to the Fumoto Web site.
FUMOTO DRAIN VALVES

I not trying to call you a liar man just stating my methods and to me it just seems low 10 ft lbs from my expierences working on cars. Hand tighten oil filters is what everyone does b/c that what it says to do on the oil filter and even the most professional mechanics. Not even ford techs do it. No need to get mad or upset, just it's not something i do is torque drain plugs or oil filters and finding the drain plug torque is low but every vehicle is different so.

More good info. Went to the site.
Will order one pronto. I have seen others talk about the Fumoto on other threads.
Thanks again.:wave:

I've never heard of safety latch on a Fumoto failing and allowing the valve to open, but to make sure I'm not the first casualty, I run a nylon zip tie around the valve. The small 4 inch ties that the local True Value store sells, fits perfectly into the groove preventing the lever from being lifted out of the lock position. Most likely not necessary, but it only adds a couple of cents to an oil change. :beers:

the pan is made of quiet steel.

see: http://www.quietsteel.com/pressrelease-080603.html

RTREMAINE-very interesting. I sure didn't know quiet steel was needed on the oil pan, but we know now. thanks

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...3c5c37ef31.png
2001-2003 Ford F150 5.4L Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug Torque 19 lbft.
I always do my torque for for all my 5cars, Jk, Camry, Corollas, F150.. etc... In this case the proper torque for the 2001-2003 Ford F150 5.4L as per OEM Manual is 19 lb-ft.

You realize this thread has been dead for 15 years?

15 years ago, Original Post asked for torque spec for 2004.

15 years later, we get 01-03 torque spec.

Sorry guys, no body pointed to the correct documented answer... My son now has a 2003 F150 and asked me the same question since he couldn't find the correct answer here..:surrender:

Yes, but this is the 2004-2008 forum.