DIY - Oil change for a 2017 Expedition

[NorthGeorgia]

Hello,
This inquiry will sound like it's coming from someone who does not know what they are doing.....but I have changed my own oil for 50+ years......from compacts to Corvettes. But getting under my 2017 for the first time threw me for a loop????

As some of you know the 'bottom' is covered with a metal 'plate' and with some 'felty' feeling stuff....which hinders access to anything. Imprinted on the 'metal' cover stated more than once...."Do Not remove bolts for an oil change" ????? Upon removing partially the front 'felty' thingy I can 'see' the oil filter but getting my 70+ year old body to 'touch' it is quite a sight!!! But how does one get access to the oil plug to drain? In fact how is one to do any of this???? There are 2 'rubber' covers?/flaps? that come off(from the metal cover) but I don't see how these help accessing anything????

I'm kinda embarrassed to admitting to this..... but I've got 6 qts of syn. oil and a filter waiting to be installed (by me...or someone).

Thanks for responding. Anxiously looking forward to responses.

P.S. -> I did look online but what I saw didn't look like my vehicle even tho it said for '17' Expy.

 

[NorthGeorgia]

Well.......... I did some more research and did find a 2015 oil change ..... very detailed. It did look my '17' on what was being shown. I guess maybe I am getting 'blind' because when I was under the vehicle and took off the back 'felty' thing I did not see the oil plug...but I guess it has to be there.....so will get under again and try again????

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

I have a 2015 Expedition Limited 4x4 - purchased new.

I have changed the oil and filter on my vehicles (and many other repairs) for more than 45 years - including family member’s vehicles.

The Expedition is the most difficult vehicle to change the oil and filter that I have ever encountered.

I take it to the dealer for the “Works” package. Twice, the dealer installed 5W20 oil and once the dealer installed 8 quarts of oil.

I’ve always done it myself - but it is too difficult. However, if you have a dealer do it - watch them closely.

 

[chuck s]

Getting oil out is easy, just suck it out the dipstick. Common procedure with inboard boat engines. I do this with my lawn equipment and S2000. Oil filter, though, is more of a challenge on the Expedition (can be reached from above on the S2K and mowers).

I let Ford do the maintenance on my Expeditions and never experienced problems with either of my two Ford dealers and the Works package. Lots of Ford dealers around if yours employs idiots.

An extended out of town trip a few years found me at a Jiffy Lube and they were shaking the car and kicking the wheels in an attempt to remove them to rotate the tires. They'd removed all five lug nuts from each wheel but the wheels were stuck on. Solution was as simple as removing the sixth nut...

-- Chuck

 

[RustyOval]

I used to change the oil in all my vehicles myself. I take the Expy to the dealer because itis cheaper than anywhere else, and for the cost my time is worth much more. Every now and them I get a free change and everything is inspected by someeone who knows the vehicle.

I have made many repairs myself after being advised by the dealer of what needs attention. Sometimes you just cant beat going tothe vehicle dealer, and I am a cheapskate.

 

[NASCAR Mike]

The 3.5L engine has to be the worst oil changing experience I ever had with any of the dozen or so cars I have owned. I am thinking about buying a remote oil filter kit so I can move the filter to the frame rail and then I can use a larger oil filter.

I remove the felt cover and the metal cover. It's the only way I can get my big hands up to the oil filter to remove it.

 

[lbv150]

Any thoughts on keeping the felt cover off? What are the negative effects?

 

[JRHEXP]

I have changed the oil in my 2017 twice and I will admit its not easy. I remove the air inlet tubes and go down from the top to get the filter. If you remove the felt cover the drain plug becomes accessible

 

[NASCAR Mike]

The metal cover and felt cover help with airflow under the truck. I would leave them on.

 

[MidwestBoater]

When I did my first oil change I decided to remove the felt-like noise suppression cover from under the oil pan and just leave it off.. I also removed the brackets for it. After creating a massive mess removing the oil filter the first time I started putting an extra large zip lock back under the filter before removing it, then dropping it into the bag.. keeps oil from getting all over the skid plate and dripping onto my driveway for days.

 

[NASCAR Mike]

After creating a massive mess removing the oil filter the first time I started putting an extra large zip lock back under the filter before removing it, then dropping it into the bag.. keeps oil from getting all over the skid plate and dripping onto my driveway for days.

That is a great idea. I changed my oil a few weeks ago and oil from the filter dripped everywhere. I cleaned as best I could with brake cleaner but the next morning I had a small pool of oil about 1 inch wide on the garage floor. I verified that the oil filter and oil pan plug were not leaking.

I think the zip lock bag idea will help the next time I tackle this. Thanks!

 

[sixsix]

As I've stated in previous threads, this is by far the biggest PITA vehicle I've ever had to change oil on and I was an oil change jockey at a tire shop for 4 years. The easiest way I've found to get the oil filter out is to do it from the top. Take the top of the air box off and go at it that way. If you go slow enough the oil will only drain out of the rear spout on that catch funnel. Then once I get it off I try to wipe it the best I can then hit it with some brake parts cleaner to flush the rest of the residual oil out of there. To get to the drain plug I have to jack up one side of the truck so I can wiggle my tall ass under there and have enough room to get the access panel out of the way. Just take out 3 of the bolts and pivot it out of the way. That method seems to work the best for me.

 

[NorthGeorgia]

Well.............I will pass this along anyway even tho there are comments already about their success.

I'm 70+ years old and have changed oil in ALL my cars for 50+ years....as I stated in my opening/original post. I finally tackled the job today and have successfully completed the task. I first rotated the tires. I don't have a lift....I have to use the old fashion jack and jack stands. By the time I had completed that the engine/oil was cool enough (warm) to change. Again the jack and jack stands. I got the 'felty' thingy off and drained the oil. Thankfully I have 35" arm length so was able to reach the oil filter with my left hand/arm. Thankfully the Ford dealer which did the 'free' oil change previously only hand tightened the filter so was able to get it off. I did this all from laying on the ground and squirming and getting my body in awkward contortions.
I feel good I was able to get this done. Most places charge $60+ and even more for Full Synthetic oil change. I did mine for less than $25. I feel good. Even tho I had to take a longer than usual time to get ALL of this done.
I thought changing the oil in my Corvettes a feat...but this experience tops them all.

 

[sixsix]

Where did you get 6 qts of oil and a filter at for under $25?

 

[NorthGeorgia]

Where did you get 6 qts of oil and a filter at for under $25?

The Mobil One was on sale at Costco and I got the filter for cheap at Farm and Fleet. Maybe It was under $30....still a good deal.

 

[1955moose]

Now you know why I use Fram premium synthetic filters. I've got a 2000 4x4 that's nowhere as tough as the 3.5, but still a pain in the butt. The grippy black stuff on the end is great. How come Ford or any of the others don't use it? It's not like Fram has a patent on the sticky stuff. Who knows maybe they do! Anyhoo, you might consider them if the later 3 rd and 4th gen 3.5's are that tough. Good idea on the big baggie. When I used to service Harleys, I'd waste a red rag under the filter, after initial removal. That and spraying down area after with brake clean. The rags were replaced every week by the laundry service, so who cares!

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[barrydu4]

I always bring my 2013 F150 XLT and my 2017 Expedition Limited to Ford for all the maintenance. My wife works there and I get a discount and with my back problem I can't do much. I have purchased the extended warranties so the Works covers all that needs to be down and a lot quicker than I could ever do.

 

[sixsix]

I always bring my 2013 F150 XLT and my 2017 Expedition Limited to Ford for all the maintenance. My wife works there and I get a discount and with my back problem I can't do much. I have purchased the extended warranties so the Works covers all that needs to be down and a lot quicker than I could ever do.

I used to let the dealer do it, but I got tired of cleaning up after them...then there was the whole issue of them putting 5/20 in it instead of 5/30.

I see you're in Louisiana too...curious to know what dealer you bring yours to.

 

[Habbibie]

I always bring my 2013 F150 XLT and my 2017 Expedition Limited to Ford for all the maintenance. My wife works there and I get a discount and with my back problem I can't do much. I have purchased the extended warranties so the Works covers all that needs to be down and a lot quicker than I could ever do.

The day I break my back and have the government pay me enough $$$ to the point that I can take my cars to a dealer for over procedure and epicly simple maintenance is the day I give up on life!

By the way, your post that I quoted is so damn useless in a thread where a person who's OBVIOUSLLY is fully capable and isn't afraid fo get down & dirty is asking about how to access an oil filter

And one more thing... if you have so called "back problems" why the hell do you own a pick up truck? Status? Reputation? Manhood? You cant even lay down on flat ground let along lift anything into the back of a f150's bed and if you could then you're a sad excuse of a life. But please I mean no harm in trying to tell you based on your post that YOU sir are a.....

 

[Dakota4ce]

The day I break my back and have the government pay me enough $$$ to the point that I can take my cars to a dealer for over procedure and epicly simple maintenance is the day I give up on life!

By the way, your post that I quoted is so damn useless in a thread where a person who's OBVIOUSLLY is fully capable and isn't afraid fo get down & dirty is asking about how to access an oil filter

And one more thing... if you have so called "back problems" why the hell do you own a pick up truck? Status? Reputation? Manhood? You cant even lay down on flat ground let along lift anything into the back of a f150's bed and if you could then you're a sad excuse of a life. But please I mean no harm in trying to tell you based on your post that YOU sir are a.....

Ouch. Tad harsh there, my friend!


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