Symptoms
Oil on the driver's side of the block and dripping onto the exhaust or crossmember, which is often mistaken for a rear main leak.
The fix, step by step
- Drain the oil and remove the filter.
- Unbolt the adapter (on 1991 and later engines it sits next to the starter), clean both faces, fit new O-rings and refit the adapter.
- Use the correct O-ring set for your year: the adapter changed for 1991.
Tools & part numbers
- Sockets and extensions
- filter wrench
- drain pan
- clean rags
Where to buy the parts
Crown 4720363 oil filter adapter O-ring kit, 1993–2001 4.0LQuadratec ↗Amazon ↗
Crown 33002970 oil filter adapter O-ring, 1987–92 4.0LQuadratec ↗Amazon ↗
Crown 33002971 oil filter adapter O-ring, 1987–92 4.0LQuadratec ↗Amazon ↗
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Rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, support the truck on stands rather than a jack, and work at your own risk (disclaimer). Some parts links are affiliate links, which pay us a small commission at no cost to you.