2.9L & 3.0L V6 Tech General discussion of 2.9L and 3.0L V6 Ford Ranger engines.

Does anyone else not like changing the oil on their 3.0?

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Old 04-11-2009
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Does anyone else not like changing the oil on their 3.0?

Am I the only one who hates changing the oil on my 3.0?

I can't get the job done without at least one scratch or burn. The filter must be removed from the top, at least on mine, and moving it around the steering shaft, exhaust manifold, etc. is a *****. It usually takes me a few tries to find the threads for the filter because you can't see anything when you are putting it on.

My 2.5 was very easy to change the oil on. I think I could have gotten the filter off from the top or bottom with my eyes closed.

I used to work at a quick lube, so I've changed oil on a lot of different cars. My 3.0 is among the worst I can remember though.
 
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Old 04-11-2009
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i used to work at a ford dealership, and i always hated changing the oil on the 3.0L's, your lucky you've got the 2WD, try changing the oil on the 3.0L's with the 4X4. there is only one way to get the filter out, and that is from the top, and you end up dumping oil all over the damn place
 
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Old 04-11-2009
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i can get to my filter from the top, the bottom, and through the wheel well, right now my splash guard is ripped off so its not in the way, yeah it still spills a little bit, but i just move the catch pan over so it drips into it, the wipe all that spilled off the motor
 
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Old 04-11-2009
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i LOVE changing the oil in my 4.0 sohc.lol working in a shop though... i can agree, changing oil in a 3.slow does suck.
 
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Old 04-11-2009
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mines really easy i just ripped that drain piece off the top of the starter motor
 
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Old 04-11-2009
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I hated it before, after the body lift its no problem at all. I just get the filter through the wheel well
 
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Old 04-11-2009
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Originally Posted by 04blackedge
I hated it before, after the body lift its no problem at all. I just get the filter through the wheel well
Bodylift FTW! It made changing my plugs a breeze.

I've got a 4.0, but where the filter is on a 3.0 just looks like a pita.
 
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Old 04-11-2009
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Originally Posted by manofak
mines really easy i just ripped that drain piece off the top of the starter motor
Yeah, I was thinking that it would be a lot easier if that funnel wasn't there. There is definitely no way to remove my filter from the bottom with that funnel thing in place.
 
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Old 04-11-2009
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I have always removed mine from the bottom with that funnel there, I just had to navigate it around it.
 
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Old 04-11-2009
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I put a chair next to my truck and then stand on it. Usually after a couple tries im successful at removing the filter.
 
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Old 04-11-2009
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I'd rather change the oil in a 3.0 Ranger then change the cap and rotor in a 5.2 liter Dodge. Which is my the cap and rotor that I bought is still sitting in the cab of the truck.

Oil change on 4.0 FTW! Takes like, 5 minutes, not including drain time.
 
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Old 04-11-2009
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Originally Posted by Jimmeh
I'd rather change the oil in a 3.0 Ranger then change the cap and rotor in a 5.2 liter Dodge. Which is my the cap and rotor that I bought is still sitting in the cab of the truck.

Oil change on 4.0 FTW! Takes like, 5 minutes, not including drain time.
Is yours in the Dodge set back super far under the cowl? On our dakota is suckssss working on the engine, everything is back there hidden.
 
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Old 04-11-2009
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after my first oil change on my own its been a breeze, just gotta know how and where to twist or lean the filter and its pretty simple.... been changing my own oil in the 3.0 since 10k on the clock... now has 30k and it still has the splash guard and the funnel over the starter... Ive done worse oil changes... like a 93 escort where the filter is on the VERY back of the block... but the easiest oil change Ive ever done was on a 94 E36 325IS coupe.
 
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Originally Posted by 04blackedge
Is yours in the Dodge set back super far under the cowl? On our dakota is suckssss working on the engine, everything is back there hidden.
Yup. Only way to get the cap and rotor off, from what I can tell, is to basically take everything off the front. Since I am lazy, I figured plugs and wires will be good enough for now. Nope. Caps giving me trouble. Yet another reason why I can't wait to get my Ranger done. :D
 
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Old 04-11-2009
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Originally Posted by Fenech627
I put a chair next to my truck and then stand on it. Usually after a couple tries im successful at removing the filter.
I have to stand on one of those plastic car ramps to get to it.

Since I bought a claw oil filter wrench it is much easier to take the oil filter off, but putting it on is still hard. There is no way to remove my filter from the bottom...I tried many times.
 
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Old 04-11-2009
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doesn't bug me on the location.. the useless funnel and crap is what annoys me!
 
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Old 04-11-2009
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Originally Posted by pacodiablo
I have to stand on one of those plastic car ramps to get to it.

Since I bought a claw oil filter wrench it is much easier to take the oil filter off, but putting it on is still hard. There is no way to remove my filter from the bottom...I tried many times.
i have a dent on my fender from getting pissed while trying to put one on lol.
 
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Old 04-11-2009
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2.3L FTW!

so easy, a caveman could do it..
 
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Old 04-11-2009
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Id rather change oil in a 3.0 than...

a 4.6 4x4 f-150 of the 97-03 style
a 2.3 fusion
a 4.3 chevy fullsize truck
a jimmy/blazer of 1995+
a crown vic with a steering box
 
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Old 04-11-2009
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its fun
 
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Old 04-12-2009
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Originally Posted by Toreador4x4
Id rather change oil in a 3.0 than...


a crown vic with a steering box
is that not the most stupid a$$ design you've ever seen in your life? i get suicidal when one of those pull in for an O-change.
 
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Old 04-12-2009
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It's never bothered me. I'll change it when the engine is cool, doens't take a pro to figure that much out.

I slide the oil pan under the truck to where the oil filter is (to catch any spilled oil) then remove the old filter from the top. It hardly spills. When the filter is off, there's enough room to flip the filter on it's back and pull it out on up. I have large hands, so maybe that's why it's easy. I'll slap a new filter on, get under the truck, wipe up any oil that leaked down on the splash gaurd and starter. Then I'll remove the drain plug and drain the pan.

Really easy stuff.

Now an oil change on the g/f's 94 Civic is another story. Only way to remove the filter is from the bottom, and it's a PITA to remove the filter.
 
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Old 04-12-2009
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I work as a mechanic, I do ALOT of oil changes, The 3.slow with 4x4, is a easy as hell(2wd is even easier)...It takes about 5 minutes to drain, change filter, and refill.
 
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Old 04-12-2009
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i dont mind the 3.0, when i worked at jiffy lube i hated all the *******s who came in after driving around all day in there toyota 4 clyinders with the damn filter below the header and the only way to turn it your freakin arm rubbed against the header, i have a few nasty burns from those damn cars. /rant
 
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Old 04-12-2009
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The first time I took out my filter and tried to pull it down past the funnel it hit the positive post on the starter and burned a hole through it. Much sparking fun!

So now I just remove the battery cable when I want to change my oil... PITA!
 


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