I have an "03 Supercrew with a 4.6L engine. At the 3000 mile mark I changed the oil and installed a remote oil filter. At the 6000 mile mark I changed the oil and filter using a Motorcraft FL-1A filter and Motorcraft 5W-20 oil. At 7900 miles (1900 first after oil change) there was a knock in the engine. It sounded like tappets or lifters. The noise was coming from under the valve cover about where the oil filler tube is. Oil level was fine. Fearing the dealer would not like the remote oil filter and not warranty any repairs, I removed the remote oil filter and put on a stock Motorcraft oil filter. Ran the engine to fill the new filter and topped off the oil level. After letting the engine idle for about 5 minutes, the noise disappeared and has not returned. Any one had this problem with remote oil filters?

 

i have a 98 4.6L with a stock remote oil filter. i've had a tapping noise right under the PCV ever since the dealer.

first question (don't take offence) is it the right remote filter kit and "filter" for your vehicle. was there any restrictions(kincks, twists) in the hoses. if you have the knock with the kit installed and don't have it with out the kit. it sounds like you have a flow restriction. could be the wrong filter too.

 

I used a parts list from a posting I saw on this MB. The engine adapter is correct. The hoses are almost straight with no kninks or bends. I used the remote adapter that alloys me to use the larger than stack FL-1A filter. What is strange is that this was the second oil/filter change using the remote system. I ran 4900 miles without any problem. When I removed the remote filter, it was full and plenty of oil ran out of both hoses. I am not sure but could the FL-1A filter have more restriction than the stock (820-S) filter? At the next oil change I plan to try the remote filter again.