Motorcraft FL-1A Filter issue on stock 302

[Stroppe-Envy-77]

Okay, here's a new one for me. Wanted to pick the group brain.

I always run Motorcraft FL-1A filters on my Bronco, as well as two other Fords. But the last two times I replaced it, the metal part of the filter started contacting the block about 1/4 turn after the gasket made contact.

In other words, the filter won't tighten fully because it stops turning before the gasket has fully seated. And thus, I get a small leak.

Did Motorcraft's supplier start making the gaskets a millimeter or two thinner to save some minute amount of money on each one? Should I try a different brand? (I know that, like batteries, there are only a handful of companies making filters.)

 

[garberz]

I pick up a couple of those every time I buy oil, I haven't had that issue yet. But my stock of filters is about a year old now.

Mark

 

[Steve83]

...the metal part of the filter started contacting the block about 1/4 turn after the gasket made contact.
In other words, the filter won't tighten fully because it stops turning before the gasket has fully seated.

Have you looked at the instruction illustrations on the inside flap of the box?

...I get a small leak.

Are you absolutely sure the leak is coming from the filter? It's an old truck & engine. How clean do you keep it?

Should I try a different brand?

If it really is the filter leaking, I'd return it for refund and buy them somewhere else. Dealership, WalMart, parts store, Amazon, RockAuto... Since you haven't said where you're getting them, and you didn't post any pics, it's hard to know what the actual problem is. %)

 

[Bronco Junkie]

I have found that some are made in USA and some in China. China ones do exactly what you are describing. I had the same thing.

 

[Stroppe-Envy-77]

Have you looked at the instruction illustrations on the inside flap of the box?

To learn how to install an oil filter?

Perhaps I should clarify. I've owned this Bronco since 2005, and have done all the oil changes on it. And, I have changed the oil on my two Mustangs (owned since 1992 and 1994, respectively) as well. And those are just the Fords.

To further clarify, this is a new problem, as of Saturday, with a filter identical to the ones I've installed on this vehicle about a half-dozen times.

Yes, it's the oil filter leaking, not some other part of an "old truck engine."

As I stated initially, it's not just leaking inexplicably. It's leaking because something about the filter/gasket is keeping it from being properly tightened. The metal part of the filter contacts the mounting surface just after the gasket does. Again, the filter stops turning (due to the metal portion contacting the mating surface of the engine) after only about 1/4 turn once the gasket makes contact with the mounting surface. Generally speaking, it's recommended that filters be tightened about 3/4 turn after initial gasket contact. Doing some quick math, that means that the filter is 1/2 turn loose from ideal. Hence, the leak.

 

[Stroppe-Envy-77]

I have found that some are made in USA and some in China. China ones do exactly what you are describing. I had the same thing.

Ah, helpful advice. Thank you! I still have the box with the old filter in it and will look.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Where did you source the parts from? Wouldn't surprise me that you got a batch of counterfit parts.

 

[Stroppe-Envy-77]

Where did you source the parts from? Wouldn't surprise me that you got a batch of counterfit parts.

Summit Racing, via their web site. The filter is marked "Made in U.S.A." and I'd be sorely disappointed if Summit is selling counterfeit stuff.

 

[Rustytruck]

Check to see if the actual part number has changed.

 

[Stroppe-Envy-77]

Check to see if the actual part number has changed.

D9AZ-6731-A

That's the "Ford" part number, but FL-1A is pretty much the ubiquitous filter number for nearly every V8 Ford made for some 35 years or so.

 

[Rustytruck]

So its not a new revision. Now was made in USA on the box or actually on the filter. The secret is what was actually made in the usa. The box or the paint on the filter or some other part. I use the high end Wix or Napa gold filters (which is made by Wix) myself. They were highly rated when a torn down survey was done many moons ago. But so was the Ford filter. Of course who knows these days as everything in mass production is going off shore.

 

[Stroppe-Envy-77]

So its not a new revision. Now was made in USA on the box or actually on the filter. The secret is what was actually made in the usa. The box or the paint on the filter or some other part. I use the high end Wix or Napa gold filters (which is made by Wix) myself. They were highly rated when a torn down survey was done many moons ago. But so was the Ford filter. Of course who knows these days as everything in mass production is going off shore.

"Made in U.S.A." is part of the paint scheme on the filter itself.

I may try a NAPA filter, instead of one of the other Motorcrafts I have on-hand. (I buy the 3-packs, since I have three vehicles that use them.)

 

[Slowleak]

That would tick me off. I bet they switched to a cheaper gasket. Can you compare the new gasket to the old one to verify that the new one is thinner?

 

[73azbronco]

I bet the supplier started making them wrong. Can you put one that does not work next to one that does and take a pic?

 

[Stroppe-Envy-77]

That would tick me off. I bet they switched to a cheaper gasket. Can you compare the new gasket to the old one to verify that the new one is thinner?

Yep, as soon as I take it off.

I will contact Motorcraft with the issue. Pretty inexcusable.

 

[Rustytruck]

If its just the gasket then use the old gasket on your new filter. I'll bet its the steel piece with the threads, probably went to a stamped drawn sheet metal thread instead of the heavy steel piece with machined threads they use to have.

 

[Stroppe-Envy-77]

If its just the gasket then use the old gasket on your new filter. I'll bet its the steel piece with the threads, probably went to a stamped drawn sheet metal thread instead of the heavy steel piece with machined threads they use to have.

If I'm going to go to all that trouble (wresting the filter out and back in on a Bronco with power steering), then I'll go ahead and drop the $7 on a new NAPA filter to be sure.

 

[WheelHorse]

Thanks for the heads up. Do the other two filters from your multi-pack measure the same as the defective unit?

 

[Stroppe-Envy-77]

Thanks for the heads up. Do the other two filters from your multi-pack measure the same as the defective unit?

Don't know yet. I haven't removed the defective one.

 

[Rustytruck]

I use the shorter fl-300 size filter since I have an oil cooler spacer under the filter. They might make your oil changes much easier. Napa gold FIL 1068 it is only 4.338 tall.