i have never had a problem lol ever... never needed a fliter wrench nothin then again im a marine mechanic so im kinda used to gettin my hand in tough spots

 

The 3.0 was pretty easy compared to the car I had before I finished the Ranger. 88-92 Mazda 626, mx6, and Ford Probe have it on the firewall side of the block, under the intake manifold, and pinned behind an intake brace. I'm really liking the simplicity of changing it on the 300-6 though.

 

Im going to change my oil for the first time this weekend, so the tip is to rip off the splash guard or the funnel? also make sure to take the filter off from the TOP and not the bottom, or dose it matter after i rip off the splash guard? any advise would be great! thanks

 

Do this, you'll be sorry if you don't!

 

^ this is the first time i heard about doing that ^

 

never had one issue getting mine out from under the truck. in fact I have so much room 99% of the time I can just grab the filter with two hands and spin it off without need of a wrench.

I also dont even need to jack the truck up, just slide under and pull the plug and swap the filter.

BTW, that little funnel is my friend....

 

Ive done 3 oil chainges since I got my truck, never had a problem. I let it cool down, crawl under there, drain pan, loosen filter and let oil drain via lil funnel and pull it out from top. I dont remove the wheel well liner or anything. I pour some oil in new filter, screw it back in and fill it up with Valvoline 5-20. Its not as easy as other trucks Ive had, but not that bad IMO

 

I wouldn't rip off anything. As the other posters have said, it's not
that bad, and on a 2wd you can probably remove the filter from
either the top or bottom. My 04 4wd will only come out the top, at
least it's much easier from the top.

The built-in funnel helps to isolate the filter from the starter, so there's
less chance of shorting it out. Put a pan under the funnel area, and let
the filter drain for a few minutes after loosening it.

 

I personally think the 3.0l is one of the easist engines to do routine maintenance on, oil changes included. I love the little funnel. When I am done I squirt a little degreaser in the funnel and hose it off. The whole job takes 10 minutes or less.

 

I agree.

 

I've changed my oil at least 10 times and its easy. I stick my hand up there and grab the filter, twist, drain, take off, replace. I never have any major issues, though I do work at a shop, even before when I used to change it in the driveway I had no issues.

 

yea, just changed the oil on a 3.0 the other day.. that suckedddddd

 

Bought truck new on 02.now have 160k on it.changed oil a million times.easy.no issues,just take your time.do not remove any panels

 

not really "easy" compared to some cars.. but its also not hard compared to others. its just annoying.

 

I don't get it. I can get all the way under the vehicle without a jack at 6'4" 215 lbs none the less. The drain plug could not be easier to get to. From the top the oil filter is starring me right in the face. I really have not found a vehicle that is any easier to do an oil change on. Now mine is a 4X2, so maybe that makes a difference. I have not worked on a 4X4 so I don't know if they are different.

 

maybe its cause i pulled the filter out through the bottom.. where theres not exactly room between the starter and frame lol

 

My filter will not come out from the bottom without removing the funnel, no way, no how. I have tried plenty of times.

I have started changing the filter through the wheel well and that makes it much easier with my truck. I don't take the splash guard off, I just move it out of the way.

 

Spark plugs on the 3.0 are easy. For me it takes less time than changing the oil. Go figure.

IIRC, any store that sells oil is required to accept used oil for recycling. At least that's how it is here.

 

okay, so i changed the oil myself, i got ticked at the funnel it only help on by the nut now, it's kinda in place, should i take it off totally(if so how) or just keep it there and next time try to snap it back in?

 

I've have 94 2wd 2.5L 5speed an it's easy. Thinking about getting the 2wd 3.0 5peed next time. I don't what to think. A lot of different opinions on the filter change. Could you cut an access hole in the wheel well and rivet it back on there with a hinge or something so you can easily open it up next time?

 

Isn't the 3.0 a Mazda designed engine? Thats why its so hard to get at because its in the engine bay the wrong way! If it was in the engine bay for a front drive car it would be easy to change the oil filter. It still worth it to me to do all our cars oil changes. I've heard so many "YOU NEED" when people go to fast lube places. $30.00 dollar range now for a oil change.... What's going on???

 

The Ford Ranger 3.0L Vulcan V-6

 

The first hood I seen it under was a Mazda and looking over a few Wikipeda sites ,its been every where from Germany to Australia and the UK to Africa. Ford bought the engineering from Porsche and had to get it emission legal for the US market. It even had a spot in Jaguar engine application.

 

yea i definately hate changing the oil in my 3.0. i wonder if anyone makes a oil filter relocating kit for them.....

 

My 3.0 is easy to change the oil in it. i can do it without using a hydraulic lift or a jack. I don't know what your guy's problem is. LOL!