I have never had such an easy oil change since my 1998 when the oil filter was located on the driver's side behind the front bumper. This 2010 has easy access right down in front of the engine. No big honking, power robbing, belt-drive fan anymore. I find that this this screams, too, because of less fan drag. I swear I may be the exception, but this truck moves. I wonder what PHP or Troyer could do with it...

 

I have to agree, oil changes are rather easy. Although the first time I took that oil filter off I had to use a damn breaker bar. Im hoping my second oil change it will come right off. Also I cant wait to get a leveling kit put on, I cant quite fit under the truck comfortably on my creeper when changing the oil. Other than that oil changes are a breeze.

 

thank god i had my truck on the lift and for my super-human strength otherwise that filter would not have came off for the first oil change, hoping the second change is easier because i put it on the right way (hand tight).....

 

I think they are saying that the oil filter on the 2010's is in a much more accessible location than the one in the 2009's because of that part change.

Am I correct?

I didn't even bother trying to do it myself on the 2009, just went to the dealer since it was such a PITA the first time I did it on my 2004, never mind it always sucked because it was in such a crap location to get at. Haven't even looked to see where mine is on my 2009, had pretty much given up hope Ford would make it accessible again, figured they wanted the revenue from forcing dealer changes than on our own changes.

 

probably the filter is in the same location it just doesnt come out straight at the bottom of the fan shroud, so you have more clearance with the electric fans because there is less thickness between the engine and the radiator.

 

Huh? Less thickness? What? I think you mean that the space between the back of the radiator and the front of the engine on the 2010 is no longer filled with the big fan and shroud. Not to pick pepper out of fly poop, but the oil filters (to my knowledge) have never come straight out on the 5.4L, but always on an angle toward the front drivers corner. Yes, the oil filter on the 2010 is in the same spot is was in 2004-2008 and 2009. It is on the front bottom of the engine on the drivers side immediately next to the bottom hose of the radiator. In fact, mine rubs on the filter such that I have to push the hose out of the way to spin the filter. Even at 6'-5", I need to step up on a milk crate to reach down behind the radiator to grab the filter, but mine came of easily with a strap wrench. The only dislike, but I'll live with it, is that the oil drip guard atop the front differential has a drip "spout" or channel to the back and one to the front so there are two places to be sure to catch dripping oil. Still , it's easy enough to wipe off the guard from the top to prevent that continued post-oil change drip. I may have to get a Fumoto valve and make this oil change real easy.

 

do the 2009s have e-fans. i never looked under the hood yet

 

^^ ^^

Too cold outside to look?

That's like turning on the tv to find out if it's raining outside

Oh - answer = no.

 

nope not to cold. just no need to. it is a ford after all and since this is my 10th f-150 with a 5.4 i didnt think much would change.

 

Pics please, are worth a thousand words (or ten posts). ???? Thanks

 

Does anybody know if it is possible to put the electric fans on a 2009 that doesn't have them? Also how much power savings do you think the Efans really make? What are the other advantages to Efans? Thanks.

 

sure its possible to efans on. i had them on a 2006. i didnt see much of an advantage. maybe a touch more throttle response

 

I bet a standard radiator fan consumes up to 10 hp at full tilt. That is power that is not going to your rear wheels when you want/need it most.

Advantages of e-fans:

More useable HP

In cold weather the e-fans will not even come on (unless you are stuck in traffic idling or something) so you will get better MPG.

In the winter the engine is not getting blasted by frigid air before it's warm.

e-fans offer more cooling when idling in traffic on a hot day.

They can be retro-fitted but I don't know what's involved. Is it worth it? Probably not unless it's just something you 'hafta' do.

 

There is an overall advantage for Ford to add them, but the average person will not perceive a difference.

 

My 09 F150 has an engine driven fan, however it is a different clutch than before, the clutch is similar to an AC clutch, the PCM, (computer) tells the fan when to run... so as for HP differences?

with the PCM saying no fan needed => the load on the engine to spin the pulley would be pretty low. When the PCM sez run the fan it would load the engine, but so would electric fans as the alternator loads, which is more efficient???
At first I would say direct drive, An alternator does not only make electricity it makes heat, an electric motor does not only spin something it also makes heat => heat is an energy loss
But to add more confusion: electric driven fans are mounted closer to the radiator fins so I could conceive less HP needed to get the amount of cooling necessary, plus with electric fans you can have >1 fan, 1 fan = moderate cooling, 2 fans = max cooling => if done correctly electric fans can be more efficient than the engine driven electric clutch deal. (My Corvette has 3 electric fans, 1 behind the radiator 2 in front)

If we believe the engine driven fan consumes 10HP, I can't imagine a 10HP electric fan (10 hp is roughly 7500 watts or 625 AMPS @ 12VDC), that would fit in the space behind the radiator.

Are the electric fans better (2010 vs 2009)?
I think so, but...
I've owned cars since 1976, I've never replaced an engine driven fan, but I have had to replace 3 electric fans over the years....... will I go thru the PITA to convert...not in the near future...good disccusion though.