Oil change issues

Tiny
DUSTYMCKRUSTY
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 MERCURY COUGAR
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 110,000 MILES
My 99 Cougar makes even an oil change scratch my head. Used a hydraulic jack to lift the front and placed jack stands basically under the side mirrors (where the manual shows to place the stock jack) on the inside of where the seam is and the side started bending. Also the oil pan drain plug is blocked (can't fit ratchet in) by a large metal elbow pipe I am having trouble identifying. I am assuming that lifting from the front center frame under the radiator lifted the engine and oil pan creating a tighter than normal fit. I also attempted to remove the oil filter but its in an awkward space that wont enable enough torque.

I am hoping someone can provide a website with photos or illustrations of front lifting points that wont raise the engine. Also where the two jack stands can go that wont cause damage. And what technique or tools need to be used to remove filter.
Thursday, April 11th, 2019 AT 12:26 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

If I am not mistaken right underneath the mirrors is the jack point for that vehicle. I would put the jack stands on the front ""A" arms. If I am not mistaken again, there should be a reinforced piece of them specifically for a jack stand. Use the box end of the wrench to get the drain plug. If it being tough, get a piece of pipe and slid it over the end of the wrench. This is called a "cheater bar". The longer you can make the bar and still have room to turn it, the better. You can get an oil filter adapter at your local auto parts store that will fit on a ratchet like a socket and will snugly fit on the filter. They make them specifically for Ford Motor Company oil filters. Save that, here's another little trick for your oil filter. Take a screw driver and hammer it directly in the side of the oil filter. There is a reinforced perforated tube in the middle that the oil flows through. Get your screwdriver through that and loosen that way. You might have to do this more than once from another angle. Drive it through, get a 1/4 turn. Repeat. And so on. When you get it off and put a new filter on, make sure the old oil filter still has the rubber gasket attached. Take new oil and wipe a thin coat on the new oil filters gasket. No not over tighten the new oil filter put on hand tight and then give it a 1/4 turn. This is s tight enough. Put the oil pan bolt back in and tighten. Get this one tight, but not too tight. Refill with oil until it reads in the normal operating range on the dipstick.
If you have any other vehicle related questions, please, don't hesitate to ask. That's what we are here for.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Thursday, April 11th, 2019 AT 12:58 AM
Tiny
DUSTYMCKRUSTY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hey thanks. Would the "A" arms be the control arms by chance? I googled it and they look familiar. I'll give it a shot and report back. Yeah. The spot the manual listed for jacking only seems to work for a jack with the gap in the middle. Heard a faint bending noise and immediately had to lift again. Any ideas on where to use the hydraulic jack for the front? Seems my motor mounts may be shot and didn't allow the motor to lower after my attempt. In any case I'm going to the parts store to get a ratchet that doesn't require a socket attachment. Should save enough space to fit. While there gonna see what they have for the oil filter. Also. Good call on checking for the old rubber gasket! Wouldn't have thought of that.
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Thursday, April 11th, 2019 AT 8:03 PM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

Yes, the slot on the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) jack is designed for the seam on the vehicle. What you can do is get a piece of 2X4 and place between the jack and the vehicle. This will spread the load of the vehicle out across the wood and should be okay.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Thursday, April 11th, 2019 AT 9:19 PM

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