Oil filter PROBS!!!!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 503
Likes: 1
From: WC MO
Oil filter PROBS!!!!
Hey everyone, I usually don't change my own oil, but I had the time over the holiday weekend. Anyway, I've drained my oil and moved to the filter and it would not budge. I grabbed it with a wrench and bent the filter and now placed a filter wrench on it, but due to the dents in the filter, now the filter wrench will not fit or grip at all and just spins. 
I've been trying to break this filter loose all day and it will not budge. Besides drilling a hole in the filter and using a screw driver to try and twist it off, I'm looking for suggestions on how to get it off.
Thanks for the advice
T.J.
I've been trying to break this filter loose all day and it will not budge. Besides drilling a hole in the filter and using a screw driver to try and twist it off, I'm looking for suggestions on how to get it off.Thanks for the advice
T.J.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 881
Likes: 1
From: Hernando MS
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
I have a huge set of 18" pliers that I break out for the really stubborn Oil Filters, and have been known to drive a large screwdriver through the filter housing if that didn`t work. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,592
Likes: 393
St. Jude Donor 05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Originally Posted by 66427-450
i have one of those black steel slip-on tools, that cups the botom........ i drilled 2 holes in it and screw lag bolts up into stuck filters. it's always worked for me
But damn that is alot of work to change a filter. I always change my own. Someone must have way over tightented that baby.
Good luck!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,592
Likes: 393
St. Jude Donor 05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Originally Posted by 12stepvette
I have a huge set of 18" pliers that I break out for the really stubborn Oil Filters, and have been known to drive a large screwdriver through the filter housing if that didn`t work.
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 477
Likes: 0
From: South Park (Pittsburgh) PA
T. J. , NAPA sells a strap wrench that may help you. The strap is flexible and conforms to the filter. It is attached to a very heavy duty 1/2 drive anchor that should work even when the filter is deformed. I have used this on motorcycles where the filter is hard to reach and on diesel oil and fuel filters that are sometimes very hard to remove. It may help you with this.
Bob
Bob
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
I have a Leslie swivle strap wrench that has never failed! Napa sell them. Next in line would be an oil filter wrench that looks like a large spring. When you wrap it around the filter and turn it counter clock wise the spring tightens up on the filter.
If that doesnt work I have a GREAT BIG pair of slip joint plires that will get any filter off!!
\BC
If that doesnt work I have a GREAT BIG pair of slip joint plires that will get any filter off!!
\BC
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,063
Likes: 9,827
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Strap wrenches usually work best. Punching a screw driver through it will only tear the metal when you start to turn the filter. The strap wrench gets tighter as you turn the wrench and with a half inch ratchet on it you get an extra foot of leverage.
Bill
Bill
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Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
I use the "wrench" that fits over the end, you won't be able to use that now. You could use the Oil Filter Pliers, this is a huge pliers, it will loosen the filter. Because of the recessed filter, you will have to use partial turns.
The specs call for tighthening (sp?) the filter to 22 ft-lbs, this is 2-3 turns after it bottoms ! I don't know why they specify so much, maybe because of the expansion/contraction of the aluminum block ?
The specs call for tighthening (sp?) the filter to 22 ft-lbs, this is 2-3 turns after it bottoms ! I don't know why they specify so much, maybe because of the expansion/contraction of the aluminum block ?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,315
Likes: 17
From: Near Jacksonville Fl.
Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
I have a Leslie swivle strap wrench that has never failed! Napa sell them. Next in line would be an oil filter wrench that looks like a large spring. When you wrap it around the filter and turn it counter clock wise the spring tightens up on the filter.
If that doesnt work I have a GREAT BIG pair of slip joint plires that will get any filter off!!
\BC
If that doesnt work I have a GREAT BIG pair of slip joint plires that will get any filter off!!
\BC
I purchased this because in my past life I owned a service station and people who changed their own oil usually didn't lube the rubber ring on the filter with oil before installing it and the next time they tried to change it couldn't get the filter off.
The one I use on my own cars fits the indentation's around the bottom of the filter and a 3/8 ratchet fits in it to remove it.
And I wouldn't tighten my filter to 22ft lbs, lube the gasket with oil and spin it on till it contacts the housing and then 3/4 turn more.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 503
Likes: 1
From: WC MO
Thanks for all the advice. I used my filter wrench and drilled two holes into it, used two screws in the holes and it came off 
it was like Christmas all over again.
Thanks again to everyone
T.J.
it was like Christmas all over again. Thanks again to everyone
T.J.
Night Owl for life
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 24,730
Likes: 4,564
From: Bugs Bunny should'a made a left turn here
Originally Posted by paul6585
Use a pipe wrench - aka plumbers wrench. You will need a large one. That's what I had to use after trying all types of filter wrenches including two strap wrenches (they are crap).