Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Maintenance K&N Oil Filter for Zetec?

You can remove the filter by reaching down from the top of the engine. It is very hard to get it from the side or below the engine.

Positioning of the filter wrench (when needed) is the hardest part.

If the casing on the filter is clean and the car is fairly warm when you do it, I can usually get the filter off by hand- no wrench needed.

I never have a prob changin my oil, True I might take longer but no probs.....

I just go ahead and save me the effort and just take off the passenger wheel then do all that i need to do and put the wheel back on and let the jack free.. I always use my hands to get it off, cold or hot, its no prob, and no leaks so i know its on there good!!

Finally got word back from K&N regarding the 2004 oil filter working for the Zetec. Here's what their rep had to say:

"We do not offer a filter for that engine. The Hp-2004 may physically fit. The internal components are not the same. Like the pressure the oil pressure relief valve is set for. The type of anti-drain back valve. The other thing to keep in mind is if you have internal engine failure the dealer will not warranty it if you are using a filter not designed and approved for that engine. The choice is yours."

Thanks for writing
Fred Ridge
Tech. Support

I hope this answers everyone's questions. I certainly will not use this filter in the future if it hasn't been tested for compatibility with our engines. Like the man said "the choice is yours".

well I have been using this filter for OVER 30,000 miles and my engine is still running like the day I bought it. so I will continue using it but thanks for the info...

BTW it is funny that the K&N book shows the contour and this filter listed as working for it.

ZetecRacing:
that's what I don't get. you've been using this filter for that long and there's no problems yet. but, do you think it is possible for an oil filter to cause severe internal engine failure by having too much pressure? I guess I just don't fully understand the job the oil filter does. you said that K&N actually has the 2004 filter listed to work with the 4 cyl. Contour in a catalog. their website doesn't list any oil filter for our engines. WTF! could you scan that page for me and send it me? I would love to see it and call K&N to find out what the phuck is going on. thanks!

Here's another question do they list it for the Focus or the Escort?

K&N doesn't list a filter for the ZX2, but the focus has several different filter listings. The Zetec filter for the ZX3 is 57-2526-2 and the SOHC 2.0 is HP-2009. the catalogue I used doesn't show the Application if you just enter the part # so, even though I know what the P# is; I don't know what the listed application is for the HP-2004.

I don't have it it was in the store I get my filters from it lists the filter for the contour, ZX2, focus, and cougar though.... I wonder if they would say the same thing about the filter they make that fits the duratec.

I myself don't see how the filter could raise oil pressure much though... but I really don't know that much about how it works.

the filter is designed to hold approx. 1 qt. of oil and obviously filter it before it goes back through the engine. I can't see how it could cause too much pressure, but I don't know for sure either. Advance Auto Parts computers in my area list the 6 cyl. filter for the duratec as working with the Zetec. I don't think so. I guess you really can't go by everything you read. Oh well, I guess I'll just stick with the Motorcraft filter or maybe I'll try the new Fram Z(?) filter.

HP-2004 thats the same filter I use on my Jeep Cherokee. Thats pretty cool it fits contours. I would use it if I still had mine. I love K&N, it's such an awsome company.