Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Maintenance Good Oil & Filter

The pre98 Contour Zete is practicly the same as the Focus engine.
They differ slightly, but each has some positives over the other.
Both are better than the post 98 Contour Zetec with its VCT.

Will, I've picked up an Oil Filter Tool, Oil Pan, FL2005 and Mobile1. Dam that oil was like 23$ for 5Qt! But it said lasts 15K..Hmmmm?

It's way too hot to change anything on that car today. Guess I'll try later at work once the bigwigs go home and the sun is down.

Now let me get this right..

1. Remove oil cap
2. Remove oil Filter
3. Remove oil plug
(Wait)
4. Put plug back on
5. Wipe filter sealing ring with oil
6. Put new filter back on
7. Fill up oil (About 4 Qts)
8. Look for leaks
9. Run engine for few minutes.
10. Turn off car.. wait 1 minute.
10. Look for leaks, check oil level.

So not counting tools, that's about 27$ in oil/parts. This oil should last around 15K? 4 to 5 Oil changes.

Oh yeah, you actually want to do the pan plug before the filter (also put plug back in before you remove the filter(?)). Then after you wipe off the seal for the filter (on the car), make sure you spread oil on the seal on the filter, the seal will dry up and break, if not done, and you will pay dearly for it. Make sure the filter and plug is TIGHT, but not too tight on them, if you get the filter to tight, you can break the seal. Good luck.

This is what I found over at FocusHacks.com

Procedure:


1) Pull the car up to where you'll be doing the change at, then shut it off. If the car's engine is hot, let it cool down for at least 30 minutes.
2) While cooling, place ramps ahead of the front wheels of the car, or chock the rear wheels and jack the front passenger corner of the car off the ground. See owners manual for lifting point locations.
3) If using ramps, pull the car up onto the ramps and shut the car off. Chock the rear wheels and use your emergency brake.
4) Prop the hood open, and open the oil filler cap on the valve cover.
5) Locate the oil drain plug and oil filter. Remove the oil filter with the oil drain pan located beneath it. Make sure the rubber gasket came off the engine.
6) Loosen and remove the oil drain plug, on the back of the engine's oil pan.
7) Allow all oil to drain from engine.
8) While oil is draining, open the new oil filter box, and open a bottle of oil. Dip your finger into the oil, and rub oil liberally on the rubber gasket of the oil filter. Make sure there is a good coat of oil on it.
9) When oil is finished draining, install the new oil filter per the directions on the box and/or filter itself. It doesn't need to be installed "He-Man" tight, nor should it be!
10) Replace oil drain plug
11) Add about 4 Quarts of oil. Install oil filler cap.
12) Back down off the ramps or lower the jack.
13) Start the engine up, let it run for about a minute. While it's running, get out and check for dripping oil or leaks under the car.
14) Stop the engine, let it sit for a minute, then check your oil level. It should be about 1/2 Quart low. add oil until dipstick reads "Full".
15) Close hood, and enjoy!

"Remove the oil filter with the oil drain pan located beneath it." Huh?

Thought you meant oil pan ,,, not a pan bought from wal mart to hold used oil. ...... It doesnt matter where it is when removing the filter, that oil is gonna hit the suspension stuff before making it to the ground. Put some rags or something there to catch the oil.