Oil Filter Question
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Indiana
Oil Filter Question
I took my vette in to the dealer for the first oil change a couple days ago, and when the guy screwed on the oil filter I didn't remember seeing him use a wrench of any kind. So I asked him, thinking I just missed it, and he said they just put them on "hand tight"! Is this the right way??? He assured me it was normal and it wasn't going to come off...but it's the first time I've heard of this. I always used the wrench when I've done my own oil changes in the past, on some of my previous cars.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,486
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From: Las Vegas NV
"hand tighten only" has been a rule for oil filters for as long as I can remember. If you put them on TOO tight (like really leaning on it with a wrench), you'll likely have to destroy the filter or do other nasty things to get it off at the next oil change.
Some clean oil on the filter gasket, and hand-tighten as best I could has worked for me for over 30 years of doing my own oil changes -- never an issue*
Cheers,
Kent
*ok ok ok, one issue... once long ago on my Jeep, the rubber gasket from the OLD filter stuck to the block instead of coming off with the filter. I didnt see it, and put the new filter and gasket on on TOP of the old gasket. I had a few quarts of 10w30 on the floor at startup before i could jump in and shut down!
Lesson learned - ALWAYS check and clean the filter mounting pad on the block!
Some clean oil on the filter gasket, and hand-tighten as best I could has worked for me for over 30 years of doing my own oil changes -- never an issue*
Cheers,
Kent
*ok ok ok, one issue... once long ago on my Jeep, the rubber gasket from the OLD filter stuck to the block instead of coming off with the filter. I didnt see it, and put the new filter and gasket on on TOP of the old gasket. I had a few quarts of 10w30 on the floor at startup before i could jump in and shut down!
Lesson learned - ALWAYS check and clean the filter mounting pad on the block!
Last edited by Kent1999; Jun 25, 2008 at 01:41 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,328
Likes: 405
The oil filter box (as well as most labels on the oil filter) has instructions to tighten the filter 3/4-1 turn after the gasket has contacted the seat. If you can get the 3/4-1 turn by hand, there's no reason to put a wrench on it. You definitely don't want to overtighten it which can easily happen if you use a wrench. Your mechanic is doing you a favor if you happen to change your oil the next time...overtightened filters can be a pain to get off unless you have the right tool. My 24" channel locks have never met a filter it couldn't remove, just squeeze and turn.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,289
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From: Providence Forge, VA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
The oil filter box (as well as most labels on the oil filter) has instructions to tighten the filter 3/4-1 turn after the gasket has contacted the seat. If you can get the 3/4-1 turn by hand, there's no reason to put a wrench on it. You definitely don't want to overtighten it which can easily happen if you use a wrench. Your mechanic is doing you a favor if you happen to change your oil the next time...overtightened filters can be a pain to get off unless you have the right tool. My 24" channel locks have never met a filter it couldn't remove, just squeeze and turn. Hand tighten has been the rule as long as I've been alive and I'm 59. You only want to seat the seal not crush it. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,422
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From: Wilkes-Barre Pa
[QUOTE=glass slipper;1566041034Your mechanic is doing you a favor if you happen to change your oil the next time...overtightened filters can be a pain to get off unless you have the right tool. My 24" channel locks have never met a filter it couldn't remove, just squeeze and turn.[/QUOTE]
Check out filter pliers sometime. They are like channel locks but with giant rounded jaws. They make it so easy especially if the filter is hard to reach.
To tighten a filter I always snug it by hand then go a 1/2 turn with the pliers.
[/QUOTE]Check out filter pliers sometime. They are like channel locks but with giant rounded jaws. They make it so easy especially if the filter is hard to reach.
To tighten a filter I always snug it by hand then go a 1/2 turn with the pliers.
Last edited by MARSC6; Jun 25, 2008 at 05:41 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 1
From: Southlake Texas
I took my vette in to the dealer for the first oil change a couple days ago, and when the guy screwed on the oil filter I didn't remember seeing him use a wrench of any kind. So I asked him, thinking I just missed it, and he said they just put them on "hand tight"! Is this the right way??? He assured me it was normal and it wasn't going to come off...but it's the first time I've heard of this. I always used the wrench when I've done my own oil changes in the past, on some of my previous cars.
Most of us were taught to install the filter by hand - let it seat and then another 1/2 to 3/4 turn. However, Chevrolet says you are required to torque the filter to 30 NM or 22 Lb-Ft (it's in the manual so you have to do it
). 
Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 608
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From: LZ IL
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,109
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From: Marengo Illinois
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
I alway used to hand tighten, but on my 06Z I torque to 22 ft/lbs.
Had to use the 24" channel locks to get the filter off after dealer did initial oil change.
(as hell).
Called and chewed them out big time.
Had to use the 24" channel locks to get the filter off after dealer did initial oil change.
(as hell).Called and chewed them out big time.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 1
From: Southlake Texas
Never torqued and "old" filter.
Hand seating and tightening an oil filter is a good approximation and most of us still use it. However, oil filters and oil filter mounting bases have different canister wall thickness (flex), seal diameter, seal width, seal viscoelasticity (compression) and mounting threads. With respect to clamping force and seal pressures; a 3/4 turn on a small diameter, coarse thread filter is not the same as a 3/4 turn on a large diameter, fine thread filter. One of the car magazines did a test several years ago where several people installed oil filters on various cars using the ¾-turn method and then looked at the resultant seal pressures - which varied considerably depending on car and who did the installation.
GM now recommends that the oil filter be installed with a torque wrench because it is more a consistent method given the inconsistencies in filter design and the abilities of many techs and owners (read liability issue). So, go laugh at GM.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 538
Likes: 41
From: Alameda CA
I put some new oil on the filter gasket and use a filter wrench (K/D Tools 2380 for the Z06) to tighten the filter. But I shoot for between 1/2 and 3/4 turns and have never had difficultly taking off any old filter or with leaks.
