Mangled Oil Filter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 44
From: Calgary Alberta
Getting flashbacks, ha. Only happened once to me but it was just the worst. Added a solid hour or more to a job I wanted to do to relax one night.
In the end I used one of those strap oil filter wrenches and just worked at for a long time and it eventually loosened a little, then a little more...
In the end I used one of those strap oil filter wrenches and just worked at for a long time and it eventually loosened a little, then a little more...
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 119
From: Springfield Missouri
looking at the holes put in the filter by the screwdriver, he has tried to turn the filter the wrong way.
I have changed many a filter, if the filter strap did not work, the screwdriver thru the filter did work, now I was turning it the correct way.
I wonder what the drain plug looks like?
I have changed many a filter, if the filter strap did not work, the screwdriver thru the filter did work, now I was turning it the correct way.
I wonder what the drain plug looks like?
Last edited by lvmyvt76; Mar 15, 2014 at 12:32 PM.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 533
Likes: 271
From: Indianapolis, IN
I have had to use the screwdriver trick a couple times.
My only suggestion, it to try to slightly tighten, then loosen.
Once you break the "seal" of the rubber seal the filter will come off.
I can tell you WHY it happened. It wasnt overtightened, IMO, when the filter was installed, they didnt take their finger, dip it in oil and put a small bead of oil around the rubber seal. I always do that and never have a problem.
The ones I have used the screwdriver trick on, the rubber was dry as a bone.
Best luck,
ken
My only suggestion, it to try to slightly tighten, then loosen.
Once you break the "seal" of the rubber seal the filter will come off.
I can tell you WHY it happened. It wasnt overtightened, IMO, when the filter was installed, they didnt take their finger, dip it in oil and put a small bead of oil around the rubber seal. I always do that and never have a problem.
The ones I have used the screwdriver trick on, the rubber was dry as a bone.
Best luck,
ken
Last edited by Ken_4fun; Mar 13, 2014 at 09:32 AM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 340
Likes: 2
From: Port Washington WI
This is what I would have asked if I was the 1st poster to reply after the OP's thread opening post: "Are you certain during your 1st attempt that you were turning the filter the correct direction?" It is not so apparent when something is screwed in upside down and you're not under it looking up but on the side of it exerting twisting pressure on the filter wrench. Many stuck oil filters are the result of not taking a few seconds to get oriented before starting to turn it ... just 3/4 of turn more on a filter will freeze it to the block and require some innovative techniques (like some mentioned above) to get it off. Good luck.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 421
From: BC
Here's a trick my grandfather taught me when you're upside down and reaching behind your head and get discombobulated about which way to turn the wrench. Curl your fingers and extend your thumb, like giving a thumbs up. Point your thumb in the direction the piece needs to move (in this case point away from the block). The curl of your fingers is the direction you turn the wrench. Use your left hand if you're working with left handed threads. Works every time.
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Michael S. Palmer
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 294
Likes: 10
From: Palmer Alaska
Another vote for a pipe wrench, it worked for me the one time I had this happen. From then on I never let anyone change my oil for me. That was almost 35 years ago, guess I am still processing trust issues.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
It appears to me that the OP is trying to turn it in the proper direction. I'm betting that it was put on "dry" and the heat sealed the gasket to the engine surface. The most sturdy part of that filter is just below where it mates with the engine. The farther down on the filter you place a wrench, etc., the more flex the filter housing has.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Here's a trick my grandfather taught me when you're upside down and reaching behind your head and get discombobulated about which way to turn the wrench. Curl your fingers and extend your thumb, like giving a thumbs up. Point your thumb in the direction the piece needs to move (in this case point away from the block). The curl of your fingers is the direction you turn the wrench. Use your left hand if you're working with left handed threads. Works every time.
Scott
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 38
From: Los Gatos CA
Yeah, sometimes you get a doozey. I recently serviced a new Accord; the dang filter was either over tightened or no oil or both from the factory. It's always good when they move...
I don't go anywhere without my trusty (large) channel lock pliers.
I don't go anywhere without my trusty (large) channel lock pliers.
Racer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 296
Likes: 16
From: Edmonton Alberta
