Where is the oil filter - 1998 Mercury Mystique

The oil filter is a can shaped object that is screwed into the side of the engine.
You need an oil filter removal tool that wraps a strap around the oil filter so you can unscrew the oil filter in an anti-clockwise direction. When the oil filter is loosened you will get some oil spillage.
When you replace the oil filter, apply a little fresh oil on the rubber o-ring seal before you screw the oil filter back onto the engine. Do not over tighten the oil filter as you can damage the o-ring seal and cause the oil to leak out of the engine when the engine is running.
After installing the new oil filter I suggest you start the engine and let it run until the engine warms up, then check the oil filter to see if there is any oil leaks from the oil filter (between the engine and the oil filter). If it leaks and you have not tighened the oil filter enough then screw the filter a little tighter/

well let me see you have 4.6L engine you need 7.5 quarts of oil with new oil filter.to do the oil change you need large drain pan and oil filter wrench and a metric wrench to remove oil drain plug you need a funnel also.you need first start engine let it run for 5 minutes to warm up thin out the oil so it will flow better.once engine warm up.turn off the engine.open you hood.now safely raise support vechicle on jack stands make sure vechicle parked on solid level ground.place large drain pan under oil pan remove oil drain plug you need a 15m wrench remove drain plug let all old oil drain out until you see slow drip then reinstall oil drain plug dont over tighten drain bolt.then place drain pan under the oil filter then remove oil filter using oil filter wrench or large channel lock pliers.once you remove oil filter wipe oil filter seal surface with clean paper towel.take new oil filter add oil to new filter then install new oil filter hand tight take filter wrench turn oil filter one half more turn dont over tighten will damage oil filter seal.make sure oil pan drain plug is in place. then lower vechicle. remove oil filler cap on the valve cover add new oil to the engine using a funnel to keep from spilling oil all over the valve cover and exhaust manifold.add all 7.5 quarts to oil crank case wait until oil settle down in crank case check oil dip stick oil level should be at the full mark on oil dip stick.dont over fill crank case.once you finished oil level correct crank engine check for oil leaks at oil filter and oil drain plug. if engine running okay you see no oil warning lights you ready wheel and deal.

These maintenance intervals come from the maintenance interval calculator
at www.autozone.com, using a starting point of 25,800 miles (43000 km), and
assuming 1000 miles (1666 km) driven per month, and "severe driving conditions," which
are actually normal usage characteristics, such as frequent short trips, urban driving, waiting in traffic, driving in hot weather, trips under 16 km in cold weather, etc.

STARTING MILEAGE: 25800 (43,000 Kilometers)
Item
Action
Service History

20000 miles or 32000 kilometers

Battery Check
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace
Vehicle Inspect
Brakes and Traction Control Inspect
Tires Rotate


21000 miles or 33600 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


24000 miles or 38400 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


25000 miles or 40000 kilometers

Battery Check
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace
Vehicle Inspect
Brakes and Traction Control Inspect
Tires Rotate


27000 miles or 43200 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


30000 miles or 48000 kilometers

Battery Check
Air Filter Element Check
Wheel Bearing Lubricate
Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Fuel Filter Replace
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace
Fluid - A/T Replace
Cabin Air Filter Replace
Vehicle Inspect
Brakes and Traction Control Inspect
Cooling System Inspect
Wheel Bearing Inspect
Ball Joint Inspect
Drive/Propeller Shaft Inspect
Exhaust System Inspect
Steering and Suspension Inspect
Heat Shield, Exhaust Inspect
Tires Rotate


33000 miles or 52800 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


35000 miles or 56000 kilometers

Battery Check
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace
Vehicle Inspect
Brakes and Traction Control Inspect
Tires Rotate


36000 miles or 57600 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


39000 miles or 62400 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


40000 miles or 64000 kilometers

Battery Check
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace
Vehicle Inspect
Brakes and Traction Control Inspect
Tires Rotate



42000 miles or 67200 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


45000 miles or 72000 kilometers

Battery Check
Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Fuel Filter Replace
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace
Cabin Air Filter Replace
Vehicle Inspect
Brakes and Traction Control Inspect
Cooling System Inspect
Wheel Bearing Inspect
Ball Joint Inspect
Drive/Propeller Shaft Inspect
Steering and Suspension Inspect
Tires Rotate


48000 miles or 76800 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


50000 miles or 80000 kilometers

Battery Check
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace
Vehicle Inspect
Brakes and Traction Control Inspect
Tires Rotate


51000 miles or 81600 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


54000 miles or 86400 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


55000 miles or 88000 kilometers

Battery Check
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace
Vehicle Inspect
Brakes and Traction Control Inspect
Tires Rotate


57000 miles or 91200 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


60000 miles or 96000 kilometers

Battery Check
Air Filter Element Check
Wheel Bearing Lubricate
Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Fuel Filter Replace
Spark Plug Replace
Fluid Filter - A/T Replace
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace
Fluid - A/T Replace
Cabin Air Filter Replace
Vehicle Inspect
Brakes and Traction Control Inspect
Cooling System Inspect
Wheel Bearing Inspect
Ball Joint Inspect
Drive/Propeller Shaft Inspect
Exhaust System Inspect
Steering and Suspension Inspect
Heat Shield, Exhaust Inspect
Tires Rotate


63000 miles or 100800 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


65000 miles or 104000 kilometers

Battery Check
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace
Vehicle Inspect
Brakes and Traction Control Inspect
Tires Rotate


66000 miles or 105600 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


69000 miles or 110400 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


70000 miles or 112000 kilometers

Battery Check
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace
Vehicle Inspect
Brakes and Traction Control Inspect
Tires Rotate


72000 miles or 115200 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


75000 miles or 120000 kilometers

Battery Check
Air Filter Element Check
Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Fuel Filter Replace
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace
Cabin Air Filter Replace
Vehicle Inspect
Brakes and Traction Control Inspect
Cooling System Inspect
Wheel Bearing Inspect
Ball Joint Inspect
Drive/Propeller Shaft Inspect
Steering and Suspension Inspect
Tires Rotate


78000 miles or 124800 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


80000 miles or 128000 kilometers

Battery Check
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace
Vehicle Inspect
Brakes and Traction Control Inspect
Tires Rotate



And you can continue the pattern from there...

what gasket you have a couple by that area

Hi

Are you sure its the oil filter? it could be the oil filter gasket, some models/ not all vw have a second gasket seperate from the oil filter itsself, the other thing is the oil could be leaking from the top of the engine but then dripping off the filter making you think that, that is the cause.

Is the oil filter to the rear of the engine or up front? what model, year and engine size?
Regards
Dan

FIRST OF ALL YOU NEED 4.0 QUARTS OF OIL FOR 2.2L 2.3L AND 2.4L OHC ENGINES AND THE 2.2L OHC USES 5.0 QUARTS WITH NEW OIL FILTER.TO GET START YOU NEED A FILTER WRENCH,DRAIN PAN, RUBBER GLOVES WHICH PROTECT HANDS FROM OIL. OILWILL CAUSE CANCER , IF STAYS ON SKIN TOO LONG.YOU NEED TO CRANK ENGINE UP LET IT IDLE 5 MINUTES TO THIN OUT MOTOR OIL SO IT CAN FLOW FASTER.WHEN 5 MINUTES UP.TURN OFF ENGINE.SAFELY RAISE SUPPORT VECHICLE ON JACK STANDS ON SOLID LEVEL GROUND.SLIDE DRAIN PAN UNDER THE CAR OIL PAN. PUT ON RUBBER GLOVES THEN REMOVE OIL PAN DRAIN PLUG ON BOTTOM OF OIL PAN USING A 15 METRIC SOCKET WITH RATCHET WRENCH.WHEN ALL OIL DRIPS.SCREW IN TIGHTEN OIL PAN DRAIN PLUG BACK IN OIL PAN REMOVE OIL FILTER ITS NEXT TO OIL PAN USE SOCKET TYPE OIL FILTER WRENCH IF OIL FILTER IS DOWNWARD POSITION. IF OIL FILTER ON THE SIDE YOU NEED THE BAND TYPE OIL FILTER WRENCH. ****** NOTE THIS THE 2.2L OHC ENGINE USES A OIL FILTER ELEMENT THAT HOUSED INSIDE A RECEPTACLE LOCATED AT THE LEFT FRONT CORNER OF THE ENGINE.YOU UNSCREW THE OIL FILTER CAP THEN LIFT THE CAP AND OIL FILTER FROM THE FILTER RECEPTACLE IN THE ENGINE.SEPERATE THE OIL FILTER ELEMENT FROM THE CAP USING A CLEAN RAG REMOVE OIL DIRT AND SLUDGE FROM THE OIL FILTER CAP AND FROM THE RIM AROUND THE OIL FILTER RECEPTACLES.INSTALL A NEW O RING INTO THE GROOVE IN THE CAP.THEN INSTALL THE NEW FILTER ELEMENT IN THE CAP AND INSERT BOTH INTO THE FILTER RECEPTACLE.SCREW DOWN THE CAP AND TIGHTEN IT SECURELY. WHEN ALL IS DONE POUR NEW OIL IN CRANK CASE.MAKE SURE OIL LEVEL ON DIP STICK ON THE FULL MARK YOU CRANK THE ENGINE.MAKE SURE OIL DRAIN PLUG SCREWED BACK IN OIL PAN.WHEN INSTALLING OIL FILTER FILL IT HALF WAY WITH NEW ENGINE OIL,RUB OIL ON FILTER SEAL TO HELP IT SEAL TO ENGINE.BESURE WIPE OIL FILTER SEAL SURFACE ON ENGINE TO MAKE SURE IT CLEAN. WHEN ALL IS DONE CRANK ENGINE UP CHECK FOR OIL LEAKS.IF ALL IS GOOD LOWER CAR BACK TO GROUND,YOU DONE.

YOU NEED 4.5 QUARTS OF OIL WITH NEW OIL FILTER.YOU NEED OIL FILTER WRENCH YOU NEED WRENCH TO REMOVE OIL DRAIN PLUG.YOU NEED A DRAIN PAN CATCH OLD OIL.NEED LATEX GLOVES TO KEEP GETTING OIL ON HANDS.OIL DOES CAUSE SKIN CANCER.NOW YOU CRANK CAR UP LET IT IDLE 5 MINUTES TO LOOSEN UP OIL AND SLUDGE.TURN OFF ENGINE.SAFELY RAISE SUPPORT VECHICLE ON LEVEL SOLID GROUND USING JACK STAND.PLACE DRAIN PAN UNDER OIL PAN THEN REMOVE OIL DRAIN PLUG LET OIL DRAIN OUT UNTIL IT STOP DRIPPING. PUT OIL DRAIN PLUG BACK IN OIL PAN. THEN SLIDE DRAIN PAN UNDER OIL FILTER REMOVE OIL FILTER LET OIL DRAIN UNTIL IT STOP DRIPPING.TAKE CLEAN PAPER TOWEL WIPE OIL FILTER SEAL SURFACE MAKE SURE NO DIRT ON SURFACE.TAKE NEW OIL FILTER POUR NEW OIL IN FILTER UNTIL ITS ALMOST AT TOP THEN.RUB CLEAN OIL ON NEW OIL FILTER SEAL.THEN PUT NEW OIL FILTER IN PLACE HAND TIGHTEN IT.POUR 4 QUARTS NEW OIL IN ENGINE CRANK CASE USING A FUNNEL.WHEN DONE.CRANK THE ENGINE CHECK FOR LEAKS AT OIL FILTER AND OIL DRAIN PLUG.IF ALL IS GOOD JOB WELL DONE.

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

Buy four quarts of oil, oil filter, you'll need couple sockets, oil pan, jack stands, hoist, and strap wrench.

(1) Park vehicle on flat surface.

(2) Open hood and unscrew oil filler cap.

(3) Take oil pan and yourself under vehicle and unscrew drain plug to allow old oil to drain out of vehicle.

(4) As oil is draining from vehicle, go ahead and prepare new oil filter by applying some oil to the rubber "O" ring on new filter. Thats therubber ring on the filter that butts up against the block when thefilter is screwed and tightened into place.

(5) Now that the new filter is ready to be used go ahead and put drainplug back into vehicle oil pan at this point all old oil should havebeen drained out.

(6) Go ahead and use oil filter wrench to take off old oil filter, youmay be able to use your bare hands to take this off as these arejust hand tightened let old oil drain from oil filter housing for a fewminutes. Wipe area clean with a rag before putting new filter on. Nowyou can install new oil filter remember to hand tighten new filter onlyyou won't need to use oil filter wrench to tighten oil filter

7) Now you can add new oil by pouring it into the same place you took off the oil filler cap.

(8) After pouring in oil check oil dipstick to make sure you havepoured the proper amount, this is usually done by making sure new oilis at the top of of the crossed section that is at the bottom of thedip stick.

If it's leaking from the oil filter spacer.( the 2 inch metal ring that attaches to your block, and has two rubber hoses coming out of it, and your oil filter attaches to) There is an o-ring between the spacer and the block. Take off your oil filter, remove the oil filter stud with 1 3/16" socket( or metric equivalent) and the spacer will come off. I found all the auto parts stores around me said that the o-ring was a dealer item. I bought a FRAM PH3387A oil filter and removed the o-ring on that. It fit perfectly, snug down your oil filter stud to specs, then install your oil filter. Double check that the oil filter is not double gasketed, and your are fixed!