Oil change cautionary tale

[Tim]

Changed oil in the truck last week.

Regular cab 6.5 ft bed, 5.0 engine, FX4.

After 6,000 plus a few miles since my last oil change, the dipstick showed it had used less than half a quart of oil.

During that 6,000 miles I emptied the oil catch can a few times so maybe that accounted for maybe 5 or 6 ounces of the oil used.

If you have changed oil in a 5.0 you know that the oil filter is below and a bit left of the crankshaft pulley.

As is my usual oil change procedure, I start the engine, crawl under the truck and check the oil filter for leaks.

However, I could not get my head up high enough to see if there were leaks at the filter so I used my fingers.

So with the engine running at high idle (1,200 RPM) as it is wont to do upon startup I twisted my hand so that I could reach under the filter.

At that point in time, my thumb came into contact with the crankshaft pulley and belt.

The belt cut a into my thumb and the pulley machined a groove in my thumbnail.

I pulled my hand away quickly and just lay there under the truck thinking about what had happened and what could have happened.

If my thumb was just a bit closer, if the belt would have taken hold, my thumb could have been ripped off and possibly my arm broken and, since I was alone in the garage, I could have bled out because I am on blood thinners. Life ,as I know it, would have ended.

There is no moral to this story, just information on how not to check for oil filter leaks.

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[gregs150xlt]

Why in the world would you be up under a running truck in the first place (let alone with your hands within inches of moving parts) unless you're a mechanic.
Glad you're ok, but, Sorry, I don't think common sense prevailed here.

Maybe you should think about a dealer doing your next oil change! :-\

 

[PPK]

My goodness... let's keep the engine off when doing maintenance.. and the truck on the ground...

 

[fordtruckman2003]

I have a hard time believing that OP is the only one looking under a running vehicle. You can't see everything with engine off.

Blindly reaching into engine bay of a running vehicle is a recipe for disaster and I think they learned a valuable lesson here.

I used to lay a blue shop towel under filter when I had my 3.5. Flashlight from above looking for leaks and I would shut it down and remove the towel and check it out. I really only did that a couple times then didn't bother for the other 11 years I owned truck. Never leaked or used any oil.

 

[WhiteLightningnshitshadow]

Aight this is real dumb.

 

[dzacco]

I've never tried that... But then I don't have a death wish either.
Just lube the gasket with oil and tighten by hand as tight as you can. I've never had a leak, including on the horrendously located filter in the 3.5.

 

[fordtruckman2003]

Just lube the gasket with oil and tighten by hand as tight as you can. I've never had a leak, including on the horrendously located filter in the 3.5.

Ditto. I only worried about it first couple oil changes on the gen 1 motor because it's a dumb design and wasn't sure I was getting it tight. Factory filter I nearly destroyed getting it off. Someone at the factory is a dick. ?

 

[EcoB259]

You usually get an oil filter leak from not checking that the old o ring stuck to the motor instead of coming off with the filter. Make sure it’s on the filter when you remove it. Wipe the contact area clean, check the new o ring for any damage, lube the new o ring and hand tighten. Should never have any problems.

 

[trabo]

Jesus man.. what were you thinking?

 

[nvabill]

Changed oil in the truck last week.

Regular cab 6.5 ft bed, 5.0 engine, FX4.

After 6,000 plus a few miles since my last oil change, the dipstick showed it had used less than half a quart of oil.

During that 6,000 miles I emptied the oil catch can a few times so maybe that accounted for maybe 5 or 6 ounces of the oil used.

If you have changed oil in a 5.0 you know that the oil filter is below and a bit left of the crankshaft pulley.

As is my usual oil change procedure, I start the engine, crawl under the truck and check the oil filter for leaks.

However, I could not get my head up high enough to see if there were leaks at the filter so I used my fingers.

So with the engine running at high idle (1,200 RPM) as it is wont to do upon startup I twisted my hand so that I could reach under the filter.

At that point in time, my thumb came into contact with the crankshaft pulley and belt.

The belt cut a into my thumb and the pulley machined a groove in my thumbnail.

I pulled my hand away quickly and just lay there under the truck thinking about what had happened and what could have happened.

If my thumb was just a bit closer, if the belt would have taken hold, my thumb could have been ripped off and possibly my arm broken and, since I was alone in the garage, I could have bled out because I am on blood thinners. Life ,as I know it, would have ended.

There is no moral to this story, just information on how not to check for oil filter leaks.

I know you feel bad enough so I won’t lump it on, hope you get your hand taken care of and all healed up. May I suggest next time to start the engine a few minutes and then shut it down and crawl underneath and feel for leakage around the filter.

 

[Pedaldude]

 

[powerboatr]

wellllllll try adjusting carb mixture on a 7 cylinder radial engine
your brain bucket is about 6 inches from a spinning propeller, you have to come in from the rear and sneak up to the side, keeping said bucket out of way.
arms are cheap ...brains ain't ?


or standing next to a spinning tail rotor aiming a timing light at little targets only inches from your hand.
leak checking a main rotor gearbox while its turning up full speed and you laying on the open engine cowling..... praying the ship dont rock

OSHA my rear


we all do it
moral of this story...now you know your not the only one and .....WATCH the spinning things as they will snap a HURT on you in a blink
brakes set, wheels chocked,

good your only minor damaged. thumbs dont grow back ever.

 

[KingDavid]

Changed oil in the truck last week.

Regular cab 6.5 ft bed, 5.0 engine, FX4.

After 6,000 plus a few miles since my last oil change, the dipstick showed it had used less than half a quart of oil.

During that 6,000 miles I emptied the oil catch can a few times so maybe that accounted for maybe 5 or 6 ounces of the oil used.

If you have changed oil in a 5.0 you know that the oil filter is below and a bit left of the crankshaft pulley.

As is my usual oil change procedure, I start the engine, crawl under the truck and check the oil filter for leaks.

However, I could not get my head up high enough to see if there were leaks at the filter so I used my fingers.

So with the engine running at high idle (1,200 RPM) as it is wont to do upon startup I twisted my hand so that I could reach under the filter.

At that point in time, my thumb came into contact with the crankshaft pulley and belt.

The belt cut a into my thumb and the pulley machined a groove in my thumbnail.

I pulled my hand away quickly and just lay there under the truck thinking about what had happened and what could have happened.

If my thumb was just a bit closer, if the belt would have taken hold, my thumb could have been ripped off and possibly my arm broken and, since I was alone in the garage, I could have bled out because I am on blood thinners. Life ,as I know it, would have ended.

There is no moral to this story, just information on how not to check for oil filter leaks.

I'm SO glad you're okay. I hope you now know not to do a damn thing to any vehicle while the engine is running.

 

[Grafx36510]

wellllllll try adjusting carb mixture on a 7 cylinder radial engine
your brain bucket is about 6 inches from a spinning propeller, you have to come in from the rear and sneak up to the side, keeping said bucket out of way.
arms are cheap ...brains ain't ?


or standing next to a spinning tail rotor aiming a timing light at little targets only inches from your hand.
leak checking a main rotor gearbox while its turning up full speed and you laying on the open engine cowling..... praying the ship dont rock

OSHA my rear


we all do it
moral of this story...now you know your not the only one and .....WATCH the spinning things as they will snap a HURT on you in a blink
brakes set, wheels chocked,

good your only minor damaged. thumbs dont grow back ever.

The ships always rock. But, do be sure to let the pilot know when the leak stops leaking.

 

[{tpc}]

Props to the Op for having the balls to come to a public forum and tell people about this.

This is just one of those things you don’t ever do though. I save the oil changes for the dealer now anymore, if just so I don’t have to figure out how to get rid of used oil haha.

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