Hello,

Despite hand tightening the oil filter cap, and using a Motorcraft filter element, whenever I change my oil and filter, the oil filter appears slightly smashed. The pleats on the filter element are not exactly vertical, but twisted as if the filter element is slightly smashed in the housing.

Has anybody else seen this?

It probably doesn't effect performance, but it is troubling.....

 

Yes, 35 filters all smashed, every oil change (at 5k miles interval).

 

I've had an '05 and '09 FEH and have changed the oil and filters 12 times myself. I have never had a smashed filter. I tighten with an oil filter wrench because I can't get the filter all the way on by hand. Never any issues so far so I think you're doing something wrong. I also just use Motorcraft oil filters. Could it be you have two spacers between the top of the filter instead of one?

GaryG