Tips on removing a stuck oil filter?

[gwilks98]

My oil filter is placed in such a way that I can't drive a screwdriver into the side of it without jacking the car 5 feet in the air.

I've heard of using a hair dryer, but I can only get the hot air on the rubber grip end, doing me no good.

I can get a rubber grip wrench around it, but there's no room to turn the wrench because of the filter's placement under the hood.

I've dented in the rubber end a good deal, so I'm afraid to put oil back in and drive it to warm it up.

Does anyone care to share some tips before I take a sledgehammer to the ****er who designed this?

[gwilks98]

Nevermind. Called my dad up, who brought a very handy socket-style wrench. I'll post a link to one if I can find it.

[mechmike0034]

http://www.global-b2b-network.com/direct/dbimage/50330796/Oil_Filter_Wrench.jpg

Also, never drive a screwdriver into the filter. You stand a good chance of stripping or bending the threaded filter mount.

If one gets stuck, I peel the housing away and carefully use an air chisel to spin the base off (being careful not to contact or mar the filter gasket contact surface) - kind of like using a punch or smaller chisel to "chase" a broken bolt out of a threaded hole.

They also make large, narrow pliers that you can use to get a good grip on the base seam with. These can be used to remove a stubborn filter as well:

http://images1.comstock.com/Imagewarehouse/TS/SITECS/NLWMCompingVersions/C0033/C0033163/C0033163.jpg

[brainsmile]

nice tool

[mechmike0034]

nice tool

Mrs. MM thinks so. Wait, what?

[Markel]

Who needs a fancy tool. Just smash a screwdriver through the sides thing and twist it off (even if mechmike says otherwise ;) ).

[renovation]

large channelock pliers works very well.

[gwilks98]

Who needs a fancy tool. Just smash a screwdriver through the sides thing and twist it off (even if mechmike says otherwise ;) ).

My dad did that as a teen and effectively did exactly what Mike warned about. He was relieved that I didn't have enough room to try it.

Also, if you try it and fail, you've just disabled your car.


And the tool looked more like this:

http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=5624&ysmchn=BIZ&ysmcpn=Shopzilla&ysmgrp=Shopzilla&ysmtrm=KD%203253&ysmtac=CMP&utm_source=Shopzilla&utm_campaign=Shopzilla&utm_term=KD%203253&utm_medium=CMP


Mind you, I work out 3 times a week. I have near unlimited access to pron. I've decent hand strength. My hand feels like it's going to fall off today because I was trying so hard.
A couple seconds with that socket, the bugger came right off. It should be on modern marvels.

[mechmike0034]

And the tool looked more like this:

http://www.tooltopia.com/ProductImages/ir-lif/kd-3253.jpg

YES! If you change your own oil, buy one of these in the appropriate size to fit your car. Your life will be much easier, as per this thread...

Also, lube the new oil filter gasket with clean oil and use this wrench to put the filter on. The spec for most is one full turn after the gasket touches the sealing surface.

[brainsmile]

Mrs. MM thinks so. Wait, what?LOL...

[Markel]

http://www.tooltopia.com/ProductImages/ir-lif/kd-3253.jpg

YES! If you change your own oil, buy one of these in the appropriate size to fit your car. Your life will be much easier, as per this thread...

Also, lube the new oil filter gasket with clean oil and use this wrench to put the filter on. The spec for most is one full turn after the gasket touches the sealing surface.
That's my tool of preference for installing an oil filter, but for removing a stuck filter I've had trouble with that type slipping off too easily. I've used ones similar to the first one you posted above, only with two wider "bars" sticking up on the sides - that type will clamp down harder the harder you turn (which is why I don't use it for installing).

I haven't been changing my own oil for a few years, but when I did I always would apply a layer of oil to the gasket. I also liked to partially fill the filter with oil (as much as it could take without oil spilling out when it was installed). Probably not much of a difference, but it always felt good to be minimizing any "dry" time for the oil to start flowing through the filter.

[gwilks98]

Also, lube the new oil filter gasket with clean oil and use this wrench to put the filter on. The spec for most is one full turn after the gasket touches the sealing surface.

I always do that. The damn thing just got really stuck. My hand is still hurting.

[mechmike0034]

LOL...

Sorry, dude - couldn't resist...

[nhbilly]

I've used the belt wrench thing a ma jig.
Hate having my oil change by the shop they always over tighten the filter. I hand tighten mine and why the heck do the shop over tighten oil filter for?