Oil filter confusion - need Ford Tech's view - Focaljet

**Shifter** · 07-05-2001, 05:39 AM

I read a few topics about which oil filter to use on the Zetec motor. There were some views by owners and non-experts and some very interesting information from someone who cut apart some oil filters.

I'd like a Ford Tech to check up on this and post some information I can count on about this important subject.

Here's the issue:

My '01 owners manual says to use the FL-400S. However, the loaner 2000-model I had recently had an owner's manual in it that said to use the FL-2005 filter.

I checked three dealers around here and they all said to use the FL-2005 filter in my 2001, despite what the manual says.

Are my dealers just out of date, or did Ford really switch its recommendation to FL-400S filters?

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Infra-Red 2001 ZTW Wagon, 5-speed, 205/50 X 16 tires, ABS, side airbags, cruise, tilt and telescopic leather steering wheel.

**raitchison** · 07-05-2001, 07:44 PM

According to the owners manual the Zetec engine is supposed to use the FL-2005 and the SPI uses the FL2005. That's probably where the confusion lies. Your owners manual may well have a misprint. I would download the owners manual from ownerconnection on PDF and see what that says.

Since you have a Zetec, you should use the FL-2005.

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Rainforest Green ZX3 5 Speed "Kona Car"
K&N Cone Filter
Tint 51% Rear / 71% Front
-----

-----
My Home Page

**Shifter** · 07-06-2001, 08:09 AM

"That's PROBABLY where the confusion lies. Your owners manual MAY well have a misprint."

Thanks and no disrespect, but PROBABLY and MAY kind of replies are what I'm getting from my local dealers. I'd like a Ford Tech to get on the blower and contact Ford Engineering, or whatever, and find out for sure.

I can't believe Ford would print an owners manual, hundreds of thousands of copies, with the wrong oil filter listed.

To switch the recommendation from FL2005 in 2000 to FL400S in 2001, somebody had to make a conscious decision and make the change at the printers.

Any Ford Tech willing to take this on with Ford Engineering?

**PointFocus** · 07-07-2001, 09:28 AM

The 2001 Zetec motor is meant to use the FL400S filter. I believe there was a thread here not that long ago where someone bought and dissected both filters. The main difference is that the 400S uses a silicone valve element to keep oil in the filter after shutdown so that oil reaches the operating surfaces more quickly.

**noresull** · 07-07-2001, 10:15 AM

You can use the 2005 or the 400s on either year car. PointFocus is correct about the check valve, it is there so the oil pressure will be built up alot quicker than having to wait for the filter to fill up.

**Shifter** · 07-07-2001, 10:34 AM

PointFocus is NOT correct in stating that the FL400S filter has the device that prevents most of the oil from draining back into the engine.

The FL400S, like all Ford oil filters, has an anti-drainback valve to prevent oil from draining back into the engine after shut-down. I had nothing but praise for this filter on my '98 and '00 F-150 4.2 V6 engines.

The thread we are talking about, where the guy cut apart the two filters, said that the FL2005 filter had something extra to prevent drainout when the filter is removed. Removed, not shut-down. This is quite different.

And if the FL400S is the filter for the 2001, like the owners manual says, then why are all the dealers around here recommending, and installing, the FL2005.

So, I'm still confused. I repeat my plea for anybody with factory connections -- please shed some light on this?

**noresull** · 07-07-2001, 11:03 AM

Dude, you asked for a techs advice, I gave it to you. I'm done.

**Bobby** · 07-07-2001, 11:20 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by noresull:
Dude, you asked for a techs advice, I gave it to you. I'm done.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hey Shadetree....no one listening to you anymore???

Well, since this old engine man does his own work...I use the 400S but a couple of oil changes ago, AutoZone didn't have a 400S and I used a 2005 till the next change. Went back to the 400S because it was about a buck cheaper than the 2005.

Hey John,,,my computer finally died so I don't have AOL or AIM anymore but I think the email address in my FocalJet profile is still good.

Shifter....I can tell you from personal experience that Noresull knows his stuff when it comes to motors; you can count on his information being good

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01 Yellow ZX3

**claypoolio** · 07-07-2001, 11:36 AM

i recently changed my oil and filter, while doing this i noticed that the old filter was the 2005. So that is what i replaced it with. BTW, the dealer changed the oil previoulsy.Just something to think about.

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00 Rainforest Green ZX3
Everyone dies,it's what you do when your alive that counts!!

**Technarch** · 07-08-2001, 02:15 AM

From previous threads if I remember right, the 400S will make a mess on removal, the 2005 doesn't as much.

Otherwise they perform the same more or less.

**projectzx3** · 07-08-2001, 09:18 AM

ok i thought i had it figured out ... i have been using the FL2005. I want to use whichever oil filter allows oil to the motor more quickly. based on this criteria ... which is better in this respect?

**Shifter** · 07-09-2001, 08:05 AM

Thanks for the replies but, with respect (again), I think we have a communication problem here. I didn't "ask for a techs advice." I've already had that, locally, and it conflicts and may be out of date.

What I asked is for a tech to get on to Ford Engineering, or some official Ford factory source, and ask for confirmation that the 2001 owner's manual has a misprint. Somebody had to change the recommendation from the 2000-model's recommendation.

My suspicion is that there were problems with the FL2005 filter and Ford now recommends the proven FL400S filter, even though it leaks out more oil when it is removed.

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Infra-Red 2001 ZTW Wagon, 5-speed, 205/50 X 16 tires, ABS, side airbags, cruise, tilt and telescopic leather steering wheel.

**ZX3er** · 07-09-2001, 09:46 AM

I've tried them all, Motorcraft 400 and 2005 along with ACdelco400 and K&N 2009.
Ac Delco is a nice filter for the money ,but for my next 10000 synthetic oil change (Amsoil 5-20) I will use K&n hp2009 because it has a better filtrating area and it's build like a tank (I want it to last at least 5000 miles)
All of those filters are a good filters and I think AcDelco 400 is the best buy.

**JonBoy470** · 07-10-2001, 03:47 PM

It's just a frigging oil filter people! The primary criteria is that it screws on properly and doesn't leak! If you change it every oil change evey 3-5K miles or so, you will never have to worry about the damned thing failing...

**BottleFedZX3** · 07-10-2001, 07:38 PM

Whats up everybody, this is my first post ever. I am a tech at a Ford dealer in Florida. This should clear the confusion.
For the SPI engine, you use the FL400S, for the Zetec engine, you use the FL2005. This I know for sure because I deal with it everyday. Hope it helped you guys out

**Tony D** · 07-11-2001, 11:14 AM

The new Fram number for the Focus is PH8316. This is the new application listed for the 2001 in their catalog. It is cross referenced to the Motorcraft FL 2005.

Hope this helps.

Tony D

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www.newedgeperformance.com
Ford Focus Specialist and proud sponsor of the Think Zinc Project Car.

**pipedreampi** · 07-11-2001, 11:53 AM

I work as a software engineer for a company that makes a parts catalog for just about every manafacturer. I happen to work on the Ford team.(Lucky Coninsidence)

To put this to a rest. From the data we get from Ford every month.

DOHC : FL-2005
SPI : FL-400-S

Enjoy,

|dreampi

**jinstall** · 07-11-2001, 01:31 PM

I had to order my filters from the states. I am using WIX #51315. Is this the correct # for a 2001 ZX3? I am at 4300 miles and need to change the oil so I would like to know before I get it off and find out it's the wrong one. Filters here are not growing on trees and take 2-4 weeks to get here.

**SegaCide** · 07-11-2001, 02:27 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jinstall:
I had to order my filters from the states. I am using WIX #51315. Is this the correct # for a 2001 ZX3? I am at 4300 miles and need to change the oil so I would like to know before I get it off and find out it's the wrong one. Filters here are not growing on trees and take 2-4 weeks to get here.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You don't have an AAFES car care auto parts store in your area? Your BX/PX can help you find some. They sell Fram and K&N filters at mine. I just have the dealer put on the motorcraft filters at the dealership, they won't let me put anything else on or they won't service it. They didn't like my MBRP exhaust too much either, they tried to tell me my engine and all the accesory belt devices are void... Whatever, I'm going to the states soon.

**pipedreampi** · 07-11-2001, 03:05 PM

Sorry, we don't yet have the information for europe.(Soon hopefully) Else, I would be glad to get your the information.

|dreampi

**Shifter** · 07-11-2001, 03:55 PM

Thank you, BottleFedZX3. Yours is the most helpful response so far.

Now, could you do me one more thing? My original request was for a tech to get on to Ford HQ or Engineering and confirm that the 2001 owners manual is a mis-print.

Would you do that for me?

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Infra-Red 2001 ZTW Wagon, 5-speed, 205/50 X 16 tires, ABS, side airbags, cruise, tilt and telescopic leather steering wheel.

**lt7d101** · 07-11-2001, 04:09 PM

Didn't the 00 wagons only come through with the SPI motor? Perhaps the owners manual was never updated when the Zetec became available in the wagon. Just a thought.

**BottleFedZX3** · 07-11-2001, 05:21 PM

Ok man, i'll see what i can do about confirming that it is indeed a misprint. Will post as soon as i get any new info.

**noresull** · 07-11-2001, 07:28 PM

Shifter, you don't realize I am an ex-Ford tech of about 5 months ago and I get my info from the dealer daily, do you?

**Shifter** · 07-12-2001, 07:59 AM

Thank you, BottleFedZX3. I appreciate that extra enquiry on your part.

noresull: As I said, "no offence" but I just wasn't getting my questions answered.

I put a lot of miles on my vehicles, which means a lot of oil and filter changes that I do myself. My 2000 F-150 had 34,000 miles in 18 months before I swapped it for this new Focus, which I REALLY like.

Call me suspicious, but I just want to know why the official recommendation would change, 2000 vs 2001. And, as this FocalJet exchange evolves, I'm curious why there was no official TSB on the "error".

07-05-2001, 05:39 AM	#1
Shifter Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 92	Oil filter confusion - need Ford Tech\'s view I read a few topics about which oil filter to use on the Zetec motor. There were some views by owners and non-experts and some very interesting information from someone who cut apart some oil filters. I'd like a Ford Tech to check up on this and post some information I can count on about this important subject. Here's the issue: My '01 owners manual says to use the FL-400S. However, the loaner 2000-model I had recently had an owner's manual in it that said to use the FL-2005 filter. I checked three dealers around here and they all said to use the FL-2005 filter in my 2001, despite what the manual says. Are my dealers just out of date, or did Ford really switch its recommendation to FL-400S filters? ------------------ Infra-Red 2001 ZTW Wagon, 5-speed, 205/50 X 16 tires, ABS, side airbags, cruise, tilt and telescopic leather steering wheel.

07-05-2001, 07:44 PM	#2
raitchison Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: West Hills, CA, Canada Posts: 3,073	Re: Oil filter confusion - need Ford Tech\'s view According to the owners manual the Zetec engine is supposed to use the FL-2005 and the SPI uses the FL2005. That's probably where the confusion lies. Your owners manual may well have a misprint. I would download the owners manual from ownerconnection on PDF and see what that says. Since you have a Zetec, you should use the FL-2005. ------------------ Rainforest Green ZX3 5 Speed "Kona Car" K&N Cone Filter Tint 51% Rear / 71% Front ----- ----- My Home Page

07-06-2001, 08:09 AM	#3
Shifter Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 92	Re: Oil filter confusion - need Ford Tech\'s view "That's PROBABLY where the confusion lies. Your owners manual MAY well have a misprint." Thanks and no disrespect, but PROBABLY and MAY kind of replies are what I'm getting from my local dealers. I'd like a Ford Tech to get on the blower and contact Ford Engineering, or whatever, and find out for sure. I can't believe Ford would print an owners manual, hundreds of thousands of copies, with the wrong oil filter listed. To switch the recommendation from FL2005 in 2000 to FL400S in 2001, somebody had to make a conscious decision and make the change at the printers. Any Ford Tech willing to take this on with Ford Engineering?

07-07-2001, 09:28 AM	#4
PointFocus Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Bethpage, NY, USA Posts: 74	Re: Oil filter confusion - need Ford Tech\'s view The 2001 Zetec motor is meant to use the FL400S filter. I believe there was a thread here not that long ago where someone bought and dissected both filters. The main difference is that the 400S uses a silicone valve element to keep oil in the filter after shutdown so that oil reaches the operating surfaces more quickly.

07-07-2001, 10:34 AM	#6
Shifter Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 92	Re: Oil filter confusion - need Ford Tech\'s view PointFocus is NOT correct in stating that the FL400S filter has the device that prevents most of the oil from draining back into the engine. The FL400S, like all Ford oil filters, has an anti-drainback valve to prevent oil from draining back into the engine after shut-down. I had nothing but praise for this filter on my '98 and '00 F-150 4.2 V6 engines. The thread we are talking about, where the guy cut apart the two filters, said that the FL2005 filter had something extra to prevent drainout when the filter is removed. Removed, not shut-down. This is quite different. And if the FL400S is the filter for the 2001, like the owners manual says, then why are all the dealers around here recommending, and installing, the FL2005. So, I'm still confused. I repeat my plea for anybody with factory connections -- please shed some light on this?

07-07-2001, 10:15 AM	#5
noresull [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Isanti, Southern Canada, MN USA Posts: 5,195	Re: Oil filter confusion - need Ford Tech\'s view You can use the 2005 or the 400s on either year car. PointFocus is correct about the check valve, it is there so the oil pressure will be built up alot quicker than having to wait for the filter to fill up.

07-07-2001, 11:03 AM	#7
noresull [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Isanti, Southern Canada, MN USA Posts: 5,195	Re: Oil filter confusion - need Ford Tech\'s view Dude, you asked for a techs advice, I gave it to you. I'm done.

07-07-2001, 11:20 AM	#8
Bobby Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 2,610	Re: Oil filter confusion - need Ford Tech\'s view <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by noresull: Dude, you asked for a techs advice, I gave it to you. I'm done.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Hey Shadetree....no one listening to you anymore??? Well, since this old engine man does his own work...I use the 400S but a couple of oil changes ago, AutoZone didn't have a 400S and I used a 2005 till the next change. Went back to the 400S because it was about a buck cheaper than the 2005. Hey John,,,my computer finally died so I don't have AOL or AIM anymore but I think the email address in my FocalJet profile is still good. Shifter....I can tell you from personal experience that Noresull knows his stuff when it comes to motors; you can count on his information being good ------------------ 01 Yellow ZX3

07-07-2001, 11:36 AM	#9
claypoolio Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Ft.Myers,Fl. Posts: 1,143	Re: Oil filter confusion - need Ford Tech\'s view i recently changed my oil and filter, while doing this i noticed that the old filter was the 2005. So that is what i replaced it with. BTW, the dealer changed the oil previoulsy.Just something to think about. ------------------ 00 Rainforest Green ZX3 Everyone dies,it's what you do when your alive that counts!!

07-08-2001, 02:15 AM	#10
Technarch TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 433	Re: Oil filter confusion - need Ford Tech\'s view From previous threads if I remember right, the 400S will make a mess on removal, the 2005 doesn't as much. Otherwise they perform the same more or less.

07-08-2001, 09:18 AM	#11
projectzx3 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Parkville, Maryland, USA Posts: 1,867	Re: Oil filter confusion - need Ford Tech\'s view ok i thought i had it figured out ... i have been using the FL2005. I want to use whichever oil filter allows oil to the motor more quickly. based on this criteria ... which is better in this respect?

07-09-2001, 08:05 AM	#12
Shifter Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 92	Re: Oil filter confusion - need Ford Tech\'s view Thanks for the replies but, with respect (again), I think we have a communication problem here. I didn't "ask for a techs advice." I've already had that, locally, and it conflicts and may be out of date. What I asked is for a tech to get on to Ford Engineering, or some official Ford factory source, and ask for confirmation that the 2001 owner's manual has a misprint. Somebody had to change the recommendation from the 2000-model's recommendation. My suspicion is that there were problems with the FL2005 filter and Ford now recommends the proven FL400S filter, even though it leaks out more oil when it is removed. ------------------ Infra-Red 2001 ZTW Wagon, 5-speed, 205/50 X 16 tires, ABS, side airbags, cruise, tilt and telescopic leather steering wheel.

07-09-2001, 09:46 AM	#13
ZX3er Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: palm harbor,fl,usa Posts: 1,001	Re: Oil filter confusion - need Ford Tech\'s view I've tried them all, Motorcraft 400 and 2005 along with ACdelco400 and K&N 2009. Ac Delco is a nice filter for the money ,but for my next 10000 synthetic oil change (Amsoil 5-20) I will use K&n hp2009 because it has a better filtrating area and it's build like a tank (I want it to last at least 5000 miles) All of those filters are a good filters and I think AcDelco 400 is the best buy.

07-10-2001, 03:47 PM	#14
JonBoy470 TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Manchester, NH, USA Posts: 846	Re: Oil filter confusion - need Ford Tech\'s view It's just a frigging oil filter people! The primary criteria is that it screws on properly and doesn't leak! If you change it every oil change evey 3-5K miles or so, you will never have to worry about the damned thing failing...

07-10-2001, 07:38 PM	#15
BottleFedZX3 TEAM Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Miami,FL Posts: 343	Re: Oil filter confusion - need Ford Tech\'s view Whats up everybody, this is my first post ever. I am a tech at a Ford dealer in Florida. This should clear the confusion. For the SPI engine, you use the FL400S, for the Zetec engine, you use the FL2005. This I know for sure because I deal with it everyday. Hope it helped you guys out

07-11-2001, 11:14 AM	#16
Tony D Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Cresaptown, Md Posts: 3,251	Re: Oil filter confusion - need Ford Tech\'s view The new Fram number for the Focus is PH8316. This is the new application listed for the 2001 in their catalog. It is cross referenced to the Motorcraft FL 2005. Hope this helps. Tony D ------------------ www.newedgeperformance.com Ford Focus Specialist and proud sponsor of the Think Zinc Project Car.

07-11-2001, 11:53 AM	#17
pipedreampi TEAM Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 203	Re: Oil filter confusion - need Ford Tech\'s view I work as a software engineer for a company that makes a parts catalog for just about every manafacturer. I happen to work on the Ford team.(Lucky Coninsidence) To put this to a rest. From the data we get from Ford every month. DOHC : FL-2005 SPI : FL-400-S Enjoy, \|dreampi

07-11-2001, 01:31 PM	#18
jinstall [FJ] Addict Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Manassas/Ft Belvoir VA Posts: 12,983	Re: Oil filter confusion - need Ford Tech\'s view I had to order my filters from the states. I am using WIX #51315. Is this the correct # for a 2001 ZX3? I am at 4300 miles and need to change the oil so I would like to know before I get it off and find out it's the wrong one. Filters here are not growing on trees and take 2-4 weeks to get here.

07-11-2001, 02:27 PM	#19
SegaCide TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 379	Re: Oil filter confusion - need Ford Tech\'s view <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jinstall: I had to order my filters from the states. I am using WIX #51315. Is this the correct # for a 2001 ZX3? I am at 4300 miles and need to change the oil so I would like to know before I get it off and find out it's the wrong one. Filters here are not growing on trees and take 2-4 weeks to get here.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> You don't have an AAFES car care auto parts store in your area? Your BX/PX can help you find some. They sell Fram and K&N filters at mine. I just have the dealer put on the motorcraft filters at the dealership, they won't let me put anything else on or they won't service it. They didn't like my MBRP exhaust too much either, they tried to tell me my engine and all the accesory belt devices are void... Whatever, I'm going to the states soon.

07-11-2001, 03:05 PM	#20
pipedreampi TEAM Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 203	Re: Oil filter confusion - need Ford Tech\'s view Sorry, we don't yet have the information for europe.(Soon hopefully) Else, I would be glad to get your the information. \|dreampi

07-11-2001, 03:55 PM	#21
Shifter Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 92	Re: Oil filter confusion - need Ford Tech\'s view Thank you, BottleFedZX3. Yours is the most helpful response so far. Now, could you do me one more thing? My original request was for a tech to get on to Ford HQ or Engineering and confirm that the 2001 owners manual is a mis-print. Would you do that for me? ------------------ Infra-Red 2001 ZTW Wagon, 5-speed, 205/50 X 16 tires, ABS, side airbags, cruise, tilt and telescopic leather steering wheel.

07-11-2001, 04:09 PM	#22
lt7d101 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 1,544	Re: Oil filter confusion - need Ford Tech\'s view Didn't the 00 wagons only come through with the SPI motor? Perhaps the owners manual was never updated when the Zetec became available in the wagon. Just a thought.

07-11-2001, 05:21 PM	#23
BottleFedZX3 TEAM Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Miami,FL Posts: 343	Re: Oil filter confusion - need Ford Tech\'s view Ok man, i'll see what i can do about confirming that it is indeed a misprint. Will post as soon as i get any new info.

07-11-2001, 07:28 PM	#24
noresull [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Isanti, Southern Canada, MN USA Posts: 5,195	Re: Oil filter confusion - need Ford Tech\'s view Shifter, you don't realize I am an ex-Ford tech of about 5 months ago and I get my info from the dealer daily, do you?

07-12-2001, 07:59 AM	#25
Shifter Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 92	Re: Oil filter confusion - need Ford Tech\'s view Thank you, BottleFedZX3. I appreciate that extra enquiry on your part. noresull: As I said, "no offence" but I just wasn't getting my questions answered. I put a lot of miles on my vehicles, which means a lot of oil and filter changes that I do myself. My 2000 F-150 had 34,000 miles in 18 months before I swapped it for this new Focus, which I REALLY like. Call me suspicious, but I just want to know why the official recommendation would change, 2000 vs 2001. And, as this FocalJet exchange evolves, I'm curious why there was no official TSB on the "error".

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