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Oil Change

Tflong24

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Just wanted to share my dealership oil change experience. I took my 17 350 in for its first oil change at the dealersip where I purchased the car. The dealership is about 40 miles away as they sold me the car with no ADM when my 2 local Ford dealers would not.

My car had about 1050 miles on it when I scheduled the change. I like doing the initial change at 1000 miles or so, old habit from having M cars. I believe a lot of other people on this forum do this as well. Anyway, I called to ensure they had the proper oil and filter prior to my appointment (I believe they didn't have it until I mentioned it).

So I go in and of course I'm nervous, I just don't trust dealer service. This is a very small dealership, so I am even more nervous. I brief them on ensuring the filter is torqued to spec.They take the car in and I manage to get a couple looks while it's on the rack. Tech seems to be taking his time and doing it right

So, to shorten it up, they finish up and pull the car out. These are really nice people and gave me a great deal on the car. I traded in a 16 M3 Comp pack for the 350 by the way.

I drive the 40 miles home, did a few short pulls to 6500 rpm or so, cruised 80-90 most of the way. When I get home I pull in the garage and park. Smell a little burning oil, attribute it to residual spillage from the filter change. Everything looks good under the car and under the hood.

Car sits overnight. Next day like I always do after an oil change I look under the car. BAM!!!! Oil puddle under the car, about 3 inches by 4 inches. Looks like it is dripping from the back end of the front diffuser. Said to myself Damn, they didn't torque the filter.

With the help of my wife and some creativity we get it up on ramps. I checked the filter, by hand, it was tight. Was some oil residue on it but doesn't seem to be leaking. However it seems there is a lot of oil on the topside of the diffuser. My wife gets under there and cleans the top of the diffuser the best she can. No room to loosen back fasteners to drop it down. So we clean it up best we can and back it down off the ramps. I then look from the top of the engine and can see even more oil towards the front of the diffuser, no way I can get to it.

So, I believe the filter is tight and not leaking, this is simply case of the tech getting a lot of oil spillage on the diffuser during filter removal. He said he cleaned up but I don't think he knew the extent of spillage. I think a "form a filter" would solve this issue.

So while I'm a little upset, I believe this was their first 350 oil change. It takes a little more care and cleanup with these cars.

The reason I shared this is to let others know it may not always be a "leak", it may be spilled oil from the change. Although I don't know for sure if the filter is leaking or not. I will take the car to the base within a week and put it on the rack, lower the diffuser as much as possible without removing the splitter, inspect and clean up the remaining spillage.
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Tomster

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KiLLeR2001

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Yeah if you don't account for the spillage that will occur, it will collect all over the inside of the diffuser and slowly drip out the back. Happened to me on my first oil change and I had to get in there with a few rags and wipe it clean because a lot of oil can collect. Now I'm going to lace the inside of the diffuser with rags on my next change so I won't have that problem. Poke a hole in the filter to let it drain, use a plastic walmart bag when twisting the filter off etc. Eventually I'll find the cleanest way to do this change, lol.
 
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Tflong24

Tflong24

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Yeah if you don't account for the spillage that will occur, it will collect all over the inside of the diffuser and slowly drip out the back. Happened to me on my first oil change and I had to get in there with a few rags and wipe it clean because a lot of oil can collect. Now I'm going to lace the inside of the diffuser with rags on my next change so I won't have that problem. Poke a hole in the filter to let it drain, use a plastic walmart bag when twisting the filter off etc. Eventually I'll find the cleanest way to do this change, lol.
I think a form a filter will work well. Available on amazon.
 

Spacebird

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I'm still trying to figure out how people make such a mess during oil changes.

1) Open the drain plug and let the oil drain.
2) Punch a hole at the zenith most point of the filter. Let it drain.
3) Remove the filter.

2-3 shop towels takes care of any spilled oil.
 

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Sammy

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You are correct. The dealer spun the oil filter off and made a huge mess of the bottom cover and I am sure their shop floor. The little hatch they give you is too small for the mess the oil filter makes. Punch a hole in the filter will help but there is a significant amount of oil behind the check valve that comes out when the oil filter seal is broken. if you take your time and spin it off slow and let it drain when it starts to come out. That way it will make it's way out the hatch. The dealers don't know this and don't care. Time is money. This is why I do it myself.

Sammy
 
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Tflong24

Tflong24

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You are correct. The dealer spun the oil filter off and made a huge mess of the bottom cover and I am sure their shop floor. The little hatch they give you is too small for the mess the oil filter makes. Punch a hole in the filter will help but there is a significant amount of oil behind the check valve that comes out when the oil filter seal is broken. if you take your time and spin it off slow and let it drain when it starts to come out. That way it will make it's way out the hatch. The dealers don't know this and don't care. Time is money. This is why I do it myself.

Sammy
I normally do all my oil changes as well but the dealer threw a free one in with my deal. Don't know if everyone gets that, but I figured I would take it just to get the early change done. It's a gamble letting them do it, which it should not be. Just wait until the oil cooler recall fix stories start....gonna be fun.
 

raiderjatt02

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I normally do all my oil changes as well but the dealer threw a free one in with my deal. Don't know if everyone gets that, but I figured I would take it just to get the early change done. It's a gamble letting them do it, which it should not be. Just wait until the oil cooler recall fix stories start....gonna be fun.
My dealer gave me a free oil change too but I told them to just give me the oil and filter for free, I'll do the work myself. I'm dreading the day I have to take mine in for the damn recall fix...I don't trust dealerships to do anything on my car.
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