We just traded my wife's 99 Montana on an '05 T&C. (I guess with the JK, we're now a DC family.) It was time for something with fewer miles and all the internet forums seemed to indicate the massive tranny problems were a thing of the past.

I noticed on the minivan forums that many owners had "upgraded" their factory filters on the 3.8L to the Motorcraft FL-1A.

My Jeep has startup clatter that started immediately after the first oil change. I put in Mobil1 0W-20 and a Mobil1 filter. I have great history with the Mobil1 oil, since it stopped piston slap on my wife's Expedition 5.4. (before the Montana) I'd never used a Mobil1 filter before and I know the Motorcraft filters have a better silicone anti-drain valve than most.

Anyone here tried the FL-1A yet? I checked the seal and thread size and they looked to match up. It has more capacity and a proven anti-drain valve.

 

I'm using a Motorcraft FL-400S filter with Motorcraft 5W-20 semi-synthetic oil. No startup clatter. I considered the FL-1A but wasn't sure the wider diameter filter would clear the crank pully. The FL-400S is longer than the stock filter and has the good anti-drain valve.

I'll probably send an oil sample in for a UOA next oil change to see how my engine is breaking in.

 

Is it possible you just got a bad filter? The Mobile filters are supposed to have a pretty good anti-drain valve. Any chance that using the 0W instead of the recommended 5W is a factor in this?

 

We'll see.
I bought an FL-400S and put it in last night.
cb4017 is right. There's not enogh clearance in there for a fatter filter.

 

There are mini van forums?

 

^^^ gotta check that out

 

2 cold starts later and no clatter with the FL-400S.

Let's see, a $10 filter is either designed as crap or has crap for quality control.
A $3.50 filter works perfect.

Hmmm. I guess I know which I'll choose next time.

 

Really, honey, I wasn't looking at porn all night...I was on a mini-van forum. Wait, no, porn would be better. Yes, I was looking at porn.

 

I use fram-ph3600 about 2x longer than stock with no problemsme

 

FL-400S has the same diameter as factory spec, which is barely anything more than the gasket. DC even cut a bit out of the bolt boss to make room for the filter. On the T&C, the filter is vertical, with tons of room for alternatives.

I took the picture in the dark, so the cell phone didn't want to focus. Cut me some slack on the obvious lack of familial relation to Ansel.