1997–2002 Ford Expedition
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| Part Name | Part Number | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil filter (Motorcraft FL-820S or equivalent) | — | — | |
| 5W-30 motor oil, 6 quarts | — | — | |
| Drain plug crush washer (if equipped) | — | — |
💡 Pro tip: Order all parts at once to save on shipping
Follow these steps carefully
Start the 1998 Expedition's 5.4L Triton V8 and let it idle for 2–3 minutes so the oil warms and drains completely. Park on a flat, level surface, shift into Park, and firmly set the parking brake. Warm oil carries contaminants out with it, but shut the engine off before crawling underneath.
Video at 0:00
Slide under the front of the Expedition and find the 16mm oil drain plug on the rear-facing side of the stamped steel oil pan. The Motorcraft FL-820S style spin-on oil filter sits just forward of the drain plug on the driver side of the engine. Place a wide drain pan beneath the plug, offset toward the rear to catch the initial stream.
Video at 0:50
Fit a 16mm socket on a ratchet onto the drain plug and turn counterclockwise, finishing removal by hand while pressing inward so you can pull the plug away quickly. Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip, which takes several minutes on the 5.4L's 6-quart sump. Inspect the drain plug threads and replace the crush washer if it is deformed.
Video at 1:40
Position the drain pan under the oil filter, then loosen the filter counterclockwise with a cap-style filter wrench. Spin it off by hand and tip it open-end-up into the pan to catch residual oil. Wipe the filter mounting boss on the engine clean and confirm the old filter's rubber gasket came off with it.
Video at 3:00
Smear a thin film of fresh 5W-30 oil on the new filter's rubber gasket so it seals and releases properly at the next change. Spin the filter onto the threaded boss by hand until the gasket contacts the engine, then tighten an additional three-quarter turn. Do not use a wrench on the filter, as overtightening makes removal difficult and can distort the gasket.
Video at 4:10
Thread the drain plug back into the oil pan by hand to avoid cross-threading, then snug it with the 16mm socket to a firm hand-tight torque. The plug should be tight enough to seal without crushing the threads in the pan. Wipe the pan area clean so any future leak is easy to spot.
Video at 5:00
Remove the oil fill cap on the driver-side valve cover and pour in 6 quarts of 5W-30 motor oil meeting Ford specification using a funnel. Reinstall the fill cap and wait a minute for the oil to settle into the pan. Check that you used the correct viscosity for the 5.4L Triton.
Video at 5:45
Pull the yellow dipstick, wipe it, reinsert it fully, and pull it again to confirm the oil level sits between the min and max marks. Start the engine, let it run for 30 seconds, shut it off, and look under the truck for drips at the drain plug and filter. The job is complete when the level is correct and no leaks appear.
Video at 6:30
Test your repair before closing everything up. If something doesn't work right, double-check your steps.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
2018–2024
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1997–2002
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2007–2017