Oil Filter Stuck - Advice Needed
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Oil Filter Stuck - Advice Needed
Sigh, the damn oil filter got stuck. Everything was going fine, drained the oil, put the new filter on tight by hand, filled the oil and started the car for leaks. There was a good sized leak, so I tried to tighten it by hand some more, but it wouldn't budge. So, I took my oil filter pliers and tighted it about 1/8th turn and checked again. Still leaking, but much slower. Took the pliers and tried to tighten some more, but this time it wouldn't budge.
Now, I tried taking the filter off and replacing it with a spare. When I tried this with the pliers, I nearly destroyed it. The grooves on the top are basically stripped and the sides are dented in. I'm going to buy the rubber strap wrench tomorrow morning to see if it will come off that way, but what do I do if that doesn't work?
I don't think the plastic oil filter ratchet cups will work since the grooves are gone. I've heard of the hammer and screwdriver method, but not too sure on that. Any other suggestions?
Now, I tried taking the filter off and replacing it with a spare. When I tried this with the pliers, I nearly destroyed it. The grooves on the top are basically stripped and the sides are dented in. I'm going to buy the rubber strap wrench tomorrow morning to see if it will come off that way, but what do I do if that doesn't work?
I don't think the plastic oil filter ratchet cups will work since the grooves are gone. I've heard of the hammer and screwdriver method, but not too sure on that. Any other suggestions?
Last edited by DMK; 05-13-2008 at 11:26 PM.
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get a real oil filter wrench, then try your luck at the base of the filter, since the end is a little effed and those are the only two places to work from, the base is next
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If it is stuck, you will be hard pressed to get it off with a rubber strap wrench
Screwdriver---and you will be golden....
Screwdriver---and you will be golden....
Last edited by Z-Track; 05-13-2008 at 11:58 PM.
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Yea that looks like it would of pissed me off! lol Maybe try a big pair of channel locks before the hammer nail method. Once you do that things are going to get sharp and slippery. You might be able to squeeze the top flat so you can get a grip with the channel locks, I bet just a 1/4 turn and that thing would be loose. Did you put oil on the o-ring before you put the filter on?
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Yup, put oil on the gasket. I don't understand how its leaking when it on there so damn tight. Maybe I should have cleaned the sandwich adapter before putting on the filter?
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just for future reference the oil filter should only be tightened down about half a turn more than when it feels like it begins to get 'tight' ..any more could result in a faulty gasket / leaks / etc
Good luck getting it off though.. I would have suggested a rubber strap too, but I dont know if that will help you at this point O_O!
Good luck getting it off though.. I would have suggested a rubber strap too, but I dont know if that will help you at this point O_O!
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i have been in the same boat before on a vw golf.
after alot of cursing and struggling by hand, stabbing it with the screwdriver, breaking the plastic cap style remover and getting my dad and neighbor to try it was still stuck. the only thing that ended up working was a chain wrench like this
it works like the traditional oil filter wrench (the kind with the metal band that tightens once you torque on it) but was able to grab it better since there was oil on it from the "puncture method"
after alot of cursing and struggling by hand, stabbing it with the screwdriver, breaking the plastic cap style remover and getting my dad and neighbor to try it was still stuck. the only thing that ended up working was a chain wrench like this
it works like the traditional oil filter wrench (the kind with the metal band that tightens once you torque on it) but was able to grab it better since there was oil on it from the "puncture method"
#16
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From now on try to tighten at the base of the filter rather than crushing the outside. I agree that you could have had some old gasket left over or perhaps the gasket on the new filter was defective.
While draining the oil again and rechecking the filter would have been a pain in the ***, it's better than what you're dealing with now.
While draining the oil again and rechecking the filter would have been a pain in the ***, it's better than what you're dealing with now.
#17
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Originally Posted by SpoilsofWar
Punch a damn flat head screwdriver thru the thing and be done with it.
#18
Most of the filter is a tin can. Only the flange or top part that touched your engine block is thicker steel.
If you can, place the blade of the screwdriver on the flange and hammer against it to turn the filter counter clockwise.
You have a better change of turning the filter it you target the flange (with your screwdriver). The "can" part of the filter is easily punctured or distorted and is limited as far as how much force you can exert on it.
If you can, place the blade of the screwdriver on the flange and hammer against it to turn the filter counter clockwise.
You have a better change of turning the filter it you target the flange (with your screwdriver). The "can" part of the filter is easily punctured or distorted and is limited as far as how much force you can exert on it.
#19
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Originally Posted by Neb
just for future reference the oil filter should only be tightened down about half a turn more than when it feels like it begins to get 'tight' ..any more could result in a faulty gasket / leaks / etc
Good luck getting it off though.. I would have suggested a rubber strap too, but I dont know if that will help you at this point O_O!
Good luck getting it off though.. I would have suggested a rubber strap too, but I dont know if that will help you at this point O_O!
#20
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I use a Pair of Oil Filter Pliers I bought at AutoZone for 10 bucks. It's the best tool and works for every filter. I went thru all types even putting a screw in the filter to loosen it. This thing worked the best for tightening and loosening.
Here is a Link to one I found online quickly.
http://www.autobarn.net/xxxw-cal302.html
Here is a Link to one I found online quickly.
http://www.autobarn.net/xxxw-cal302.html
Last edited by RedBullRR; 05-14-2008 at 07:54 AM.