I have had my ranger about 2 months now, I took it for it's first oil change since I've had it, (60k miles now) Since the oil change I noticed some spotting underneath, so I took it back to the oil change place and they checked the filter and the drain plug and said everthing was ok. Then the guy says it might be leaking from the rear main seal, but it never leaked a drop before the oil change. So I got home and park it, and an hour later I look and there is a fresh spot on the ground, so I slid up underneath and I see the starter is all wet with oil, and the drip is coming from the wiring harness going to the starter, and the oil filter is right above the starter, so I am wondering if it's common for the oil filter to leak? Also, what's the easiest way to change it? It seems difficult to get to.....

 

could be a double gasket on the filter or a number of things wrong. i'd take it back and have them change the filter.

 

I have had that before. It is the oil filter either too loose or too tight. When I had it I just redid oil change. Only tighten filter hand tight.

 

wrong. good idea to use your hand to make sure you do NOT cross thread but never just leave it hand tight. use the tool that pits to it and 1/4 turn.

filters dont leak by themselves and as this isnt a common ranger problem get a mag-lite and check the receiving threads for either second gasket form old filter or severe damage to the threads.

 

I use to tighten it with the wrench and this is what happened. Read the directions on the fillter box next time you buy one. Hand tight.Determining Tightness
When installing the oil filter, you should slowly screw it in with your hand. Make sure the filter turns in cleanly to avoid damaging the filter.

When the filter has been completely screwed in, give it one quarter turn. This allows the filter to fit securely without being too tight.

Oil filters do not need to be too tight. If you can safely unscrew the filter with your hand, requiring only minimal resistance from the tightened position, then your filter has the correct tightness.



Read more: How Tight Should My Oil Filter Be? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_7619271_ti...#ixzz1HwrsCHY8

 

I took it back to the oil change place again, they let me go down in the pit while they looked at it. They wiped off all the oil ( oil was sprayed on the starter, the trans cowling, the cross frame, etc. They took off the filter, cleaned the oil filter mount, and replaced the filter. Then they added a quart of oil and we started it, they claimed (again) that the rear main seal was leaking because a few drops of oil dripped off the trans cowling, but I think it was just residue. I drove 15 miles to work this morning, got out with the engine running and looked underneath, and I don/t see any drips now, so I'll just have to keep an eye on it for a while.

 

only put a filter on by hand. if it would have had 2 gaskets on, it wouldnt have just dripped. they spray everywhere.

 

Have you made that mistake too?

 

You only do it once. lol. Of course the time i did it was on an 05 mustang gt when they first came out and were still all hyped up and it came in for its 1st oil change at 3k...

 

^I lost three quarts in three seconds.

 

check the drip guard around the filter too, might be housing some static oil

 

I bought an 03 last fall, which was a one owner till I bought it... The truck got a reman motor because the original owner had it back to the dealership 3 times for a rear main oil leak. First thing I did was change the oil, at a Ford dealership, and within 6 weeks it started to show signs of leaking.
I am wondering if he changed to a heaver oil before he sold it???