Changing Oil Filter

[Blak_Smk]

Ok, I have only had my truck since may and its my first diesel. ive since changed the oil twice and have run into the same problem both times when chaning the oil filter...when i originally pulled out the filter that came in the truck, both ends of the filter were identical, had about a 2" hole surrounded by some fabric...well the new filter did not look like this and every one i could find for the truck had the hole on 1 side and it was almost closed with 4 plastic prongs on the other end..while trying to install this new filter, it seems as if the prongs were in the way and the cap wouldnt screw down all the way, so i happened to find another filter that looked the same as my original, also with the exact same part number, confusing, so today i went for my 2nd oil change and ran into the same problem with the filter, i checked every brand filter for my truck and they all looked the same with those four little plastic prongs, i said to heck with it and tried to force the cap down and or course ended up crackin the inside of the oil cap because those stupid prongs were in the way, so later at another store i found the filter that was the same on both ends under the same part number and same box...am i going crazy and why am i havin this problem...

[MoeB]

The correct filter has different end pieces. The bottom has a hole about an inch and a half across, and the top has four plastic tabs formed in a circle about an inch across. The four tabs snap into the oil cap. It sounds like maybe your old filter came apart when you went to take it out and the top end piece is still stuck in the cap. If so you need to get it out so the new filter will fit. It also seems unlikely that you could have broken the oil cap. They're pretty tough. You sure you didn't just break the old filter end piece that was stuck in the cap?

Not sure what that last filter you found that was the same on both ends, but it's the wrong one.

[Blak_Smk]

OK i see what your saying, it may be true that the end peice of the filter did come off inthe cap and the first filter that i found that was the same on both ends had the four tabs but that peice was removeable i just took it off, but the one i found yesterday didnt have the tabs jsut a hole on both sides...im fairly mechanicaly incline and im baffled by this...ill go check out that cap

[MoeB]

Make sure your oil filter looks like this. Never seen one with a removable end but I would avoid the "will-fit" filters and stick with Motorcraft FL2016, Fram CH9549, or Racor R2016L (I think). You can get the Motorcraft and Fram at Walmart, Advance Auto, etc.

[604x4]

I have heard that some of the aftermarket filter brands come with a different filter cap or a different cap is available. That would make the aftermarket filter fit. I use the fram filter for my truck because it is made by Racor and is the exact OEM filter. Just make sure it says made in USA or made in Germany. Before they were made by Racor, they were made in China or somewhere. There have been problems cause by some aftermarket filters. Good Luck!

[Blak_Smk]

awesome thanks for all the help, MoeB you were right, the original filter came apart and the top with the tabs was stuck in the cap and the reason it dawned on me was cause when i pulled my filter cap off, the filter was not attached to the cap so i yanked that old top off and put in the new filter and its great, although that doesnt explain the filter that i just bought that has an opening on both ends...kinda brings up the question of what would i do with that now that i know how it really works..the extra filter i have basically seems no good...hmm..thanks again..

[MoeB]

Good deal, Blak, glad that's all it was. Can you exchange that filter for the right one?

[Blak_Smk]

im sure i can, just gotta run back by there, advanced is pretty decent about all that, even when i dont have the receipt..

[sickofford]

Purolater and O'Reilly both sell a two piece filter like you describe. They probably are good filters, but the problem comes when someone changes your filter and leaves the pronged section in the cap and screws it on top of the Fram or Ford filter that has the prongs built on to the filter.