The Hidden Struggles of Changing Oil from a Cummins 6.7L
If you’ve ever owned a Dodge Ram 3500 with the 6.7L Cummins engine, you know it’s a beast built for heavy-duty performance. But even beasts need maintenance—and one of the more deceptively frustrating tasks is removing the Mopar MO-285 oil filter. While it might seem like a routine job, many owners and mechanics alike have voiced their frustrations over this seemingly simple component.
What Is the MO-285?
The Mopar MO-285 is a factory oil filter used in many Ram 3500 models, particularly those equipped with the 6.7L Cummins diesel engine. It’s a robust filter, often compared to the FleetGuard LF3972, and is known for its solid construction and decent filtration capabilities.
Why Is It So Challenging to Remove?
Tight Clearance
-
- The MO-285 is located in a tight spot near the engine block, surrounded by various components. This makes it difficult to get a good grip with a standard oil filter wrench. Many users report needing a specialized low-profile wrench or even resorting to strap wrenches to get the job done.
Factory Torque
-
- From the factory, these filters are often installed with a significant amount of torque. Combined with heat cycling and oil residue, they can become nearly fused to the engine over time. First-time removals are especially notorious for requiring brute force or creative tool use.
Messy Removal
-
- Due to the filter’s orientation, removing it often results in oil spilling down the side of the engine and onto the frame or suspension components. Without a proper catch system or funnel, it’s a messy job that can lead to hours of cleanup.
The Orientation Problem
Routine maintenance on a Dodge Ram 3500, especially with the 6.7L Cummins engine, is usually straightforward—until you get to the oil filter. While it’s a solid filter in terms of performance, its orientation in the engine bay is a major source of frustration for DIYers and even professional mechanics.
The MO-285 is mounted vertically, facing downward, and tucked deep into the engine bay on the passenger side. This positioning creates several challenges:
Gravity Works Against You
-
- Because the filter is mounted vertically with the open end facing down, removing it causes oil to immediately spill out—not just into your drain pan, but all over the suspension components, frame, and sometimes even the starter. This makes for a messy job and increases the risk of long-term grime buildup or even component damage if not cleaned properly.
Limited Access
-
- The filter is surrounded by tight clearances, including the exhaust manifold, wiring harnesses, and frame rails. This makes it nearly impossible to get a full-sized oil filter wrench around it. Many users resort to strap wrenches, claw-style tools, or even hammer-and-screwdriver tactics to break it loose.
Poor Visibility
-
- You can’t see the filter clearly from above or below without contorting yourself or using a mirror. This makes it hard to ensure your wrench is seated properly, increasing the risk of slipping and damaging the filter housing.
Heat Soak and Torque
-
- Because of its proximity to the turbo and exhaust components, the filter gets extremely hot during operation. Combined with the factory torque (often overly tight), this heat can cause the gasket to bond to the engine block, making removal even more difficult.
Tips to Tackle the Orientation Challenge
- Let the engine cool before attempting removal to avoid burns and reduce gasket adhesion.
- Use a low-profile cap wrench specifically designed for the MO-285.
- Place a plastic bag or funnel around the filter before removal to catch oil and reduce mess.
- If you’re doing this regularly, a filter drain tool like our MC86080 6.7L Cummins Oil Filter Plug can help avoid messes when removing and installing the filter.
Final Thoughts
While the MO-285 is a solid filter, its removal can be a real headache for even seasoned DIYers. With the right tools and a bit of patience, though, it’s a manageable task. And if you’re looking for better filtration or easier maintenance, exploring alternatives like the Fleetguard LF16035 or Donaldson DBL7349 might be worth your time.
Have you had a tough time with your MO-285? Share your experience or tips in the comments below!
Cross Reference
| - | - | - |
| ACDelco - PF1070 | Doc's Diesel - D5335 | Mann-Filter - W950/21 |
| ACDelco - PF1070F | Donaldson - P550909 | MicroGard - MGL57620 |
| Amsoil - ASF80 | Donaldson - P558615 | MicroGard Select - MSL57620 |
| Amsoil - EAO80 | Donaldson - P559305 | Mighty Distributing System - M4422 |
| Amsoil - SDF80 | Donaldson - P559310 | Mighty Distributing System - OF4422 |
| Atlas - M-45 | Duralast - D3976 | Mileguard - MO3976 |
| Autoedge - AL3976A | ECOGARD - X5335 | Mobil 1 - M1-403 |
| Autopart International - FE302 | Federated - LF408F | Mobil 1 - MO5335 |
| Autopart International - FE334 | Federated - LF608F | Mopar - MO-285 |
| Baldwin - B7181 | Federated - PG5335F | Motor Trend - ML3976A |
| Baldwin - BT339 | Firestone - 7006860 | Motorcraft - CFL-819 |
| Baldwin - BT7339 | Fleetguard - LF16006 | Motorcraft - FL-896 |
| Baldwin - BT7349 | Fleetguard - LF16035 | NAPA Gold Filters - 1604 |
| Big A - 92604 | Fleetguard - LF3349 | NAPA Gold Filters - 1607 |
| Big A - 92607 | Fleetguard - LF3552 | NAPA Gold Filters - 7620 |
| Bosch - 3520 | Fleetguard - LF3806 | NAPA Proformer - 27620 |
| Car Care - OF3976 | Fleetguard - LF3885 | NAPA Proformer - 27620MP |
| Carquest - 85604 | Fleetguard - LF3894 | NAPA ProSelect Filters - 27620 |
| Carquest - 85607 | Fleetguard - LF3935 | NAPA Silver Filters - 21607 |
| Carquest - 85607MP | Fleetguard - LF3959 | Parts Master - 61607 |
| Carquest - B5335 | Fleetguard - LF3972 | Parts Master - 67620 |
| Carquest - B5335MP | Fleetguard - MK12405 | Parts Plus - LFP780 |
| Carquest Premium Filters - 84620 | Fleetguard - MK12428 | Pennzoil - PZ-47 |
| Carquest Premium Filters - 84620MP | Fleetguard - MK13072 | Pennzoil - PZI-147 |
| Carquest Standard Filters - R84620 | Fleetguard - MK13074 | Pennzoil - PZI-47 |
| Carquest Standard Filters - R84620MP | Fleetguard - MK13077 | Penske - PN3976 |
| Cartek - CTK3976A | Fleetguard - MK13149 | Pentius - PLB3976 |
| Cartek - CTK3976AXL | Fleetguard - MK13152 | Pentius - PLB3976A |
| Case - 47368538 | Ford - F3HZ-6731-A | Performax - PO-47 |
| Casite Filters - CF408 | Ford - F3HZ-6731-B | Powerflow - SL45335 |
| Casite Filters - CF508 | Ford - F3HZ-6731-C | Prime Guard - POF5335 |
| Cenex - CO780 | FRAM - DL3976A | Pro-Gauge - PGO-5335 |
| Champ filters - LFP780 | FRAM - PH3976 | Promotive - PH5335 |
| Champion Filters - 41607T | FRAM - PH3976A | Pronto - PO5335 |
| Champion Filters - COS3976A | FRAM - TG3976A | Pro-Tec - 171 |
| Chrysler - 0508 3285AA | FRAM Drive - FD3976A | Pro-Tec - PTL57620MP |
| Chrysler - 05083285AA | FRAM Force - FF3976A | Pro-Tec - PXL57620 |
| Chrysler - 0509 3092AA | FRAM Titanium - FS3976A | Pro-Tec - PXL57620MP |
| Chrysler - 05093092AA | FVP - R1607 | PureZone - 8-57620 |
| Chrysler - 4429 395 | General Motors - 12490127 | Purolator - L44422 |
| Chrysler - 4429 615 | General Motors - 25011997 | Purolator - L45335 |
| Chrysler - 4429395 | GK Industries - OF3976A | Quaker State - QS3976 |
| Chrysler - 4429615 | GK Industries - OF45335 | Quaker State - QS45335 |
| Chrysler - 4638 674 | Gonher - GP-178 | Security Filters - LFP780 |
| Chrysler - 4746 914 | Group 7 - V5335 | Security Filters - SO-780 |
| Chrysler - 4746914 | Hastings - B7181 | Service Champ - OF4422 |
| Chrysler - 4761 277 | Hastings - LF408 | Service Pro - E5335 |
| Chrysler - 4761277 | Hastings - LF508 | Service Pro - M5335 |
| Chrysler - 5011 844AA | Hastings - LF508F | Shell - Archived - S-67 |
| Chrysler - 5011844AA | Hastings - LF608 | Shell - Archived - SH47 |
| Chrysler - 5016 547AA | Havoline - HSO-138 | STP - S3976 |
| Chrysler - 5016 547AB | Havoline - T-40 | STP - S3976ML |
| Chrysler - 5016 547AC | Havoline - T-47 | STP - S3976XL |
| Chrysler - 5016547AA | Heritage - HL3976 | STP - SL3976A |
| Chrysler - 5016547AB | Interfil - OF-3976 | STP - SL3976AXL |
| Chrysler - 5016547AC | Interfil - OF-3976STX | STP Filters - S3976 |
| Chrysler - 5083 285AA | John Deere - TY22013 | STP Filters - S3976XL |
| Chrysler - 5083285AA | K&N - HP-4003 | TruStar - TO3976A |
| Chrysler - 5093 092AA | K&N - PS-4003 | Unocal 76 - OF1607 |
| Chrysler - 5093092AA | Kralinator - L249 | Valucraft - V3976 |
| Chrysler - 6804 8553AA | LUBER-FINER - LFP780 | Valvoline - VO-64 |
| Chrysler - 6808 6920AA | Mann-Filter - ML 1023 | Wix - 51604 |
| Chrysler - 68086 920AA | Mann-Filter - W 950/18 | Wix - 51607 |
| Crosland - 2069 | Mann-Filter - W 950/21 | Wix - 51607MP |
| Deutsch - D651 | Mann-Filter - W950/18 | Wix - 57136 |