Oil filter is STUCK (Page 1/1)
86fierorestoproject JAN 31, 10:17 PM
alright, been a while.

me and my dad were going to change the oil since we had just bled the brakes, and he tried to take it off, and its stuck on there so much he put a hole in it trying to get it off. (ive had the car for a year and the guy we bought it from stopped working on it 15 years ago) though it is a sh@#, cheap filter. any tips on how to get it off without tearing it the rest of the way apart?
pmbrunelle JAN 31, 10:32 PM
Last time I did an oil change (on my Ford Ranger), I used double-sided tape on my oil filter to get a better grip on it with my leather gloves.
oneinch JAN 31, 10:41 PM
There's no reason not to destroy it. Just don't damage the filter mount. At this point I would cut away as much as the tin metal as you can. This'll leave the structural part of the filter. You can try larger pliers on this or a pipe wrench. You can weld a handle to this. Good luck.

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Stanton
'88 Formula, red on gray

Mike in Sydney JAN 31, 11:12 PM

quote
Originally posted by oneinch:

There's no reason not to destroy it. Just don't damage the filter mount. At this point I would cut away as much as the tin metal as you can. This'll leave the structural part of the filter. You can try larger pliers on this or a pipe wrench. You can weld a handle to this. Good luck.




Agree! I had this problem. It's usuallly the result of not putting a film of oil on the rubber gasket on the filter. I got mine off by drilling a hole at the lowest point on the filter and letting the oil in the filter drain out. I then used a pair of really large water pump pliers (channel locks) to get a grip on the filter. Try turning it clockwise first (tighten) and then counter-clockwise to loosen the filter. It should come off unless the filter was cross-threaded onto the engine.

Don't have channel locks large enough? Use a chain wrench or a strap wrench. Just make sure the surface of the filter is oil-free or the strap is likely to slip.
WKDFIRO JAN 31, 11:40 PM
Next time, get the engine and oil up to operating temperature so that you have good thermal expansion across the board. At this point its just messy.
reinhart FEB 01, 12:04 AM
One trick I've learned is to just hammer a long screwdriver or similar rod through the filter from one side through to the other. In other words putting it through the diameter of the circle. Then you can rotate the bar out by grabbing one hand on each side and turning it.
theogre FEB 01, 12:59 AM
Cause is likely tighten way hard last time and rust etc is "welded" it on.

1 issue is Many Oil the "O-ring" before install new filters. Even if box says has Teflon etc coated O-ring.
Problem is make it very easy to over torque them.

Putting holes thru most filters just made more problems because of thin case. Many types of filter wrench have problem for same reason. Worse for cheap tools.

So now you likely need to wreck it more to access base of filter.
Dent base along ring of small holes should get it loose.
If really bad, cut base metal around same small holes. Likely don't need to Dent/Cut all the way around.

If you cut etc. Plug center hole w/ big enough rag you can't forget to keep out crap.
Filter In is the small holes... Any small crap missed just trap by new filter.
But "clean" oil Out is the center hole. Any crap in that hole goes directly into the engine.

Best "wreches" are often End Grabber types but not many Cups.
Ones that cam close as you turn or "springs" goes on from end. Either doesn't care about shape or have "grip paint" like many Frame types filters.
Some Cups say exact fit X filter but often Not filter w/ grip paint because they are a bit bigger. Universal/generic cups often doesn't fit any.

But many of them only loosen. Duh. Most filter only need "Hand Tight" after the "o-ring" touches the "flange." Most say flange contact + 1/4 to 1/2 turn. If the filter is hard to tighten by Hand like simple can't access to fit you hand... Only very carefully use a wrench.
Example: Many newer vehicle have trim and "access plug" over the filter. Most can't grab them to tighten. Can use a 3/8" drive cup and turn ratchet near the head, Not at the handle, to turn X angle.

Metal strap Filters wrenches often have problems even some "better" ones from Snap-on etc. Then add Most won't clear other parts/panels on many newer cars.

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

86fierorestoproject FEB 01, 02:07 PM
used Mike's idea, came right off! thanks Mike!
Mike in Sydney FEB 02, 01:11 AM
No worries. Glad to help. Us boys from NC have to stick together. (From Cumberland / Bladen County originally. Got to Oz by way of Charlotte & Birmingham)