Stupid question...

[MDE]

I can't find the oil drain plug on my 90 Mercury Topaz, does anyone happen to know where it is? The manual is no help and Googling "Topaz oil drain" doesn't exactly help either.

 

[kami333]

Does this help?

link

 

[CrackRabbit]

On the oil pan, under the engine.
I had a Tempo once, changing the oil on it isn't that hard, even the filter is fairly accessible.

 

[MDE]

I saw that, and I don't know if that's for the V6 model or the 2.3L 4 cylinder (what I have). I looked behind what I think is the oil pan, but didn't see anything. I'll take another look.

 

[MDE]

Found the plug, it was on the backside of the oil pan. I just needed to look from a different angle. Please excuse my idiocy .

 

[Vette73]

Just don;t use Fram oil filters.

 

[MDE]

I used the Motorcraft replacement that Ford recommends, which is the FL-1A, although the car had an FL-300 installed (didn't notice until I took the old filter off). Is one inferior to the other? The FL-300 was recommended on a forum for Dodge Rams and is supposed to be used on older Mustangs and Thunderbirds. I doubt I'd notice a difference on the Topaz, but I just want to make sure. I'm assuming that was the only filter the dealer had in stock that would fit when the previous owner took it in for the last oil change.

 

[Vette73]

The FL300 is just the FL1a but smaller. So either will work. Some like the fl300 as it is easier to get to and chage. Soem like to go witht he FL1a as it has more media. But either will work.


The only oil filters I stay away from are made by Honeywell corp. They make Fram and soem other filters.

The $2 filter at walmart, supertech, is better then fram.

 

[MDE]

The Ford filter was dirt cheap ($4 I think), so I figured I'd use what I know would definitely work, besides, I've seen a TON of Fram bashing that I didn't see anyone arguing with. I just wish the filter was a little easier to get at.

 

[CrackRabbit]

Originally posted by: MDE
The Ford filter was dirt cheap ($4 I think), so I figured I'd use what I know would definitely work, besides, I've seen a TON of Fram bashing that I didn't see anyone arguing with. I just wish the filter was a little easier to get at.

I personally like Wix/Napa Gold filters, good price performance in them.

Escorts and GM 3800 motors are worse to change oil filters on.
*still shudders at the thought of changing the oil on his GF's old Buick*

 

[soonerproud]

Just be glad you don't have to change the starter on that car. I had a 89 Ford Tempo (basically the same car) that I had to change the starter on. I created a whole new set of cuss words just for that particular task.

I agree with staying away from FRAM filters. What oil do you use? Stay away from Penzoil simply because it has a reputation of gumming up if you miss changing your oil on occasion. I personally use Valvoline and have never seen an engine gum up with it.

 

[MDE]

I used Shell 5W-30.

 

[Umberger]

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit

Originally posted by: MDE
The Ford filter was dirt cheap ($4 I think), so I figured I'd use what I know would definitely work, besides, I've seen a TON of Fram bashing that I didn't see anyone arguing with. I just wish the filter was a little easier to get at.

I personally like Wix/Napa Gold filters, good price performance in them.

Escorts and GM 3800 motors are worse to change oil filters on.
*still shudders at the thought of changing the oil on his GF's old Buick*

I have an Escort with 140,000 miles on it, and have done every single oil change. What's so bad about changing the oil? I just pull it up on ramps, drain the pan, and while I'm waiting for that to drain, I change the filter. I usually stick a rag up under the filter, so oil can't run down on the halfshaft, but it's not bad at all. 15 minutes or less.

 

[lein]

What's wrong with fram?

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Just don;t use Fram oil filters.

for kicks some time, check what filters are on the cars in junkyards. Lots o Fram there. In my VW, they lack the check valve needed to keep pressure up, so for the MK1/MK2 cabbies, you see LOTS of them with frams. Coincidence? I think not.

Pay the extra 50 cents and get a Boch, STP, MAN, WIX, etc.

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: soonerproud
Just be glad you don't have to change the starter on that car. I had a 89 Ford Tempo (basically the same car) that I had to change the starter on. I created a whole new set of cuss words just for that particular task.

I agree with staying away from FRAM filters. What oil do you use? Stay away from Penzoil simply because it has a reputation of gumming up if you miss changing your oil on occasion. I personally use Valvoline and have never seen an engine gum up with it.

Penzoil (not sure if this is still true) uses wax in their oil. Shell, Chevron, and Sunoco all are wax free (may be others, this data is from research about 5 years ago). That wax is bad stuff, stay away from it. We used to run Dello 400 (Chevron 15w40) in EVERYTHING from Geo Metro to the Cat Challenger tractor when we were living on the farm. Good stuff!

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: lein
What's wrong with fram?

Fram is the bottom of the barrel worst for QC and overall all quality. They skimp on lots, and just plain suck. Why has NOBODY stuck up for them? Because they suck really bad. See my example of missing a critical (and cheap) check valve in my VW filter, that causes low oil pressure and engine damage. The oil filter is a critical component, and shouldn't be a "lowest cost" type item. I stopped using FRAM a long time ago. The WIX/Napa suggestion above is a great one, it's what I run on my Dodge, and I run BOSH or STP on my Cabby. I don't usually change the oil on my little car, but I DO go and pick up a filter and make them use it when they change the oil. Usually get anywhere from $3 to $7 off my change.