I received a new owners welcome gift in my oil filter.

[Vynull]

Man, I was so stoked to perform my first oil change today at 1278 miles! 2026 Heritage 2.3 7MT. My FIRST EVER brand new car.

I read the oil thread and the other one about the change in filters for 2025+ MY MPC engines. I settled on Valvoline 5w30 Advanced protection full synthetic and carquest premium extended protection filter based on the excellent feedback.

As I am pulling off the factory filter, I see a glint of metal. My heart sinks. And then I pull a strand of metal probably as long or longer than my phone out of the oil feed for the filter. WTF. I have been working on cars since I was 12 (I am 38) and never, ever seen anything like this in my life.

I stopped mid oil change and called Ford customer relations. Nice girl, could offer zero advice or help other than call your dealership and i'll notate your file. Again, WTF!? Pics for reference

I looked in the oil feed with my borescope and could see no evidence of anything further up the passage. There is nothing obviously wrong as you can see above. But how will I ever be sure that this motor isn't going to grenade while I have my wife and kids inside?

I am truly heartbroken. Not sure whether to initiate a buyback or have the dealer take it for months and replace the motor. I'm sure if they do that it will never be right again. I JUST FINISHED kilmatting the trunk floor, just got my procal in and was going to do the tune tonight. NOT ANYMORE! F#$%%@

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[LVS]

I’m not an expert by any means, but If those metal strips and hit any moving parts they would have been torn to pieces. My guess it’s a defect that originated inside the filter.

 

[TruckCamper]

Seems like a strong reaction... There will be particles in oil especially break in. As to what that piece of metal is / was... there is no way that passed through the block. Likely either from the filter or machining at the housing.

I think people are crazy to not perform proper motor break in and 500 initial oil change for things like this.

I'd recommend changing the oil again after 1,000 miles. Then after 2,000 miles. Then every 3,000 miles and watch the oil condition. Could always get it tested as well.

I highly doubt your engine will fail. Getting a replacement motor at this point is stupid. You're likely to have more issues having the entire truck ripped apart.

If it becomes an issue then the warranty will cover to 60k (if you don't install the tune yourself). FP tune will void your warranty (if self installed). But even dealer installed it adds a level of complication as Ford Performance is involved. DON'T INSTALL THE TUNE (until you're happy to keep it). We tuned our 2.3L but left the Raptor stock until the extended warranty runs out.

I'd also have Ford handle the oil changes if seriously concerned about motor failure. Having a paper trail of on time service will make much less hassle.

 

[Vynull]

Seems like a strong reaction... There will be particles in oil especially break in. As to what that piece of metal is / was... there is no way that passed through the block. Likely either from the filter or machining at the housing.

I think people are crazy to not perform proper motor break in and 500 initial oil change for things like this.

I'd recommend changing the oil again after 1,000 miles. Then after 2,000 miles. Then every 3,000 miles and watch the oil condition. Could always get it tested as well.

I highly doubt your engine will fail. Getting a replacement motor at this point is stupid. You're likely to have more issues having the entire truck ripped apart.

If it becomes an issue then the warranty will cover to 60k (if you don't install the tune yourself). FP tune will void your warranty (if self installed). But even dealer installed it adds a level of complication as Ford Performance is involved. DON'T INSTALL THE TUNE (until you're happy to keep it). We tuned our 2.3L but left the Raptor stock until the extended warranty runs out.

I'd also have Ford handle the oil changes if seriously concerned about motor failure. Having a paper trail of on time service will make much less hassle.

Yeah I know its a strong reaction, but FFS it is a brand new car. I am going to get the oil tested. The only thing that makes me feel SLIGHTLY okay, is that the metal has no discoloration (heat) so as you said likely a manufacturing defect. But come on, how can I NOT feel bad about this?

 

[TruckCamper]

Yeah I know its a strong reaction, but FFS it is a brand new car. I am going to get the oil tested. The only thing that makes me feel SLIGHTLY okay, is that the metal has no discoloration (heat) so as you said likely a manufacturing defect. But come on, how can I NOT feel bad about this?

We live in a world where stuff breaks and wears out. Nothing is perfect. Even our brand new Toyotas have had issues. I've bought well over a dozen new vehicles over the years...

You'll probably be fine.

 

[Vynull]

We live in a world where stuff breaks and wears out. Nothing is perfect. Even our brand new Toyotas have had issues. I've bought well over a dozen new vehicles over the years...

You'll probably be fine.

The "probably" is the part if have an issue with. Well aware nothing is perfect. I've been working on finnicky european cars my whole life and had my fair share of heartbreak. I just expect more from a brand new vehicle with modern manufacturing techniques and quality processes.

 

[HighVelocity]

I'm tearing down the house because there's a crack in the drywall.

 

[LVS]

It looks like an oil filter defect; I would recommend taking it to the dealer, have them take photos of it to send to Ford. Get them to send you an email with those photos, now you have proof they’ve been notified in case anything bad happens later.

I don’t think Ford makes their own filters, it’s unlikely they would have noticed that defect if it was deep inside the filter when they installed it.

Does a magnet stick to the metal strip ?

 

[Vynull]

I'm tearing down the house because there's a crack in the drywall.

Poor metaphor. More like, there is a crack in the foundation. Do I patch it and hope for the best or rip it and do it again? You can live in a house with no drywall, you can't drive a car without an engine.

 

[Vynull]

It looks like an oil filter defect; I would recommend taking it to the dealer, have them take photos of it to send to Ford. Get them to send you an email with those photos, now you have proof they’ve been notified in case anything bad happens later.

I don’t think Ford makes their own filters, it’s unlikely they would have noticed that defect if it was deep inside the filter when they installed it.

Does a magnet stick to the metal strip ?

Good question. There is very slight magnetism to the strips. definitely not steel based, some kind of alloy.

 

[LVS]

Are any of the strips attached to the filter or are they free ? If they are all attached then that’s a good thing.

 

[HighVelocity]

Poor metaphor. More like, there is a crack in the foundation. Do I patch it and hope for the best or rip it and do it again? You can live in a house with no drywall, you can't drive a car without an engine.

Whatever you say, Francis.

 

[Vynull]

Are any of the strips attached to the filter or are they free ? If they are all attached then that’s a good thing.

no, all free. The strip came out of the feed hole. Not tangled in the filter media

 

[Tybh88]

no, all free. The strip came out of the feed hole. Not tangled in the filter media

Did you open the filter to inspect the entire filter? Like another member posted, if it hit any moving parts it would chew that apart and leave the oil with a glitter and metal fragments everywhere. Not a good look but more than likely okay.

 

[Vynull]

Did you open the filter to inspect the entire filter? Like another member posted, if it hit any moving parts it would chew that apart and leave the oil with a glitter and metal fragments everywhere. Not a good look but more than likely okay.

I want to keep the filter in-tact to deliver to dealer. There was nothing obvious in the pan. Poured some of the filter oil out to inspect, very very slight sparkles. What I would expect to see from a motor during break in.

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