I have a 2000 Ford F-150 4X4 SuperCab XLT - 5.4L Triton. I bought it six monthes ago from the original owner. It has 59000 mi on it now and I just completed my second oil change (every 3K). My problem is that I am having trouble getting the oil filter to seal and not leak. So far I have fought with this on both oil changes. I have tried different brand of filters and still experiencing the same problem. So far, the only luck I have is to tighten it with an oil filter strap wrench with all my strength and keep my fingers crossed that I don't strip the threads on the block or filter by over-tightening. I keeping tightening and checking for leakage till I succeed. I have owned several cars and a couple of Ford trucks and have never experienced this problem before except once when the old oil filter gasket stuck to the block and I didn't notice it till after I install the new filter. Anyone else experiencing this problem?

Thanks.

 

Did you lubricate the seal before installing, is there some debris on the location the filter gasket mates to? Have you bought the Ford Motorcraft filter (although should not matter) and tried for better luck (available at Walmart for about same price as Fram)?

 

Next filter change check to see if the rubber ring remained from one of the filters of a previous change. That happened to me once, but noticed it when I went to dab some oil from the removed filter to put on the new filter ring and noticed the old filter ring was gone. Found it stuck to the engine filter mounting surface. Just peeled it off before mounting the new filter.

 

First oil change I used a motorcraft. Bought a second motorcraft filter thinking that something might be defective with the first and the second one leaked also. Then I replaced it with a Fram ph2 with the "suregrip" and finally got it tight enough not to leak. This time I went straight for the Fram filter and once again it is leaking. The old filter gasket remained on the old filter and I use a rag to wipe off any debris from the area wear the filter gasket seals against the block. It's almost like there not enough threads to allow the filter to screw on far enough to completely seal the filter.

 

The hole in the filter should not limit how far the threads go into the filter. Multiple filter problems should direct your attention to the mating surface.