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Can't unscrew oil filter

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Nelson

Nelson

Jedi Warrior
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Decent weather today prompted me to do the first oil change since getting back on the road. This is supposed to be a simple no-brainer job. Not in my case. Apparently when I installed my screw on oil filter I over tightened it and now I can't get it to budge. Originally I had the canister type and I switched to the screw on type when I rebuilt everything. First I had tried a rubber strap wrench but that didn't budge the filter. Then I used a big slip joint pliers and now I have a hole in the side of the unmoved filter. Unless I am the first person to over tighten the filter I hope someone has a suggestion to get the @#$% thing off the car. Someday I'd like to do a job that goes easier than anticipated.
 
Maybe jam a screw driver in the side of the oil filter and turn?
 
Brute force. Maybe check out spin on oil filter removers at your auto parts store.

The all metal ones.
 
Well you can take it apart bit by bit if need be.
I have used the large screwdriver method in the past with great success.
Drive it through both sides and then turn, remember lefty loosie and righty tighty.
 
Tomorrow I'll try the screw driver approach. I didn't know about filter wrenches that attach from the bottom. I see one that Harbor Freight has that grips from the bottom and then you use a 3/8" ratchet to provide leverage. There is probably a similar tool available locally, as you suggested, Jack. The old bolt through the cannister didn't have this problem.
 
I have a strap with half inch drive square tube around here somewhere that does wonders with those things, the strap is nylon and tightens up around the filter then you attach a half inch ratchet with an extension. Things have never failed to move that way.
 
large screwdriver as mentioned. If that don't work, a chain wrench.
 
Next time, Nelson, turn till the rubber gasket just touches, the tighten ½ to ¾ of a turn. Don't ask me how I know. :blush:
 
The trick is a bit of oil on the rubber gasket thin tighten just with your finger tips.
 
Nelson, I've got the spin on adapter and an oil cooler on Bugsy. Difficult to get at and remove the filter. Tonight I changed oil which includes unscrewing the oil cooler hose, loosening 2 bolts to remove the housing/filter from the block and taking the whole assembly over to the workbench where a vise quickly allows me to get things apart. All back together and oil changed, no leaks. Bugsy is still up on jacks so tomorrow tranny gets drained and differential gets refilled. I don't think I've changed the oil in the tranny for ages and differential has been as long. Then hopefully some time on hte road, sunny and 60 is hte promise for Sunday in Dayton.
 
Hey Jim,
Up here by the Lake we are supposed to get some rain.....I have to work anyway. Maybe we can meet up at a show or something this spring/summer. Happy motoring today!
Dave
 
Check out your friendly local auto parts store. I have a half dozen filter wrenchs i've bought over the years. All to fit certain vehicles. You're lucky spridgets provide so much room compared to some modern vehicles!!

Kurt.
 
Dave,

Put the first Saturday in August on your calendar. British Car Days in Dayton. Close to 300 cars or more each year all British. Held in a nice park across the street from the Air Force Museum. The best free attraction in the U.S.
 
Situation resolved. Went to my local Autozone store and came home with an "Import car filter wrench" for only six bux. It works with a 3/8" drive. I didn't know I had the strength to tighten the filter when I installed it and I really had to pull on my wrench to get the filter loosened. Now I wish I would have remembered to take the filter out to the side instead of lowering it through where it doesn't fit. It tipped and applied "rustproofing" on the chassis and down both my arms. At least the new filter is now in place and I have fresh oil for the winter.
 
Not that this will help now, but...
I have always tighten with my left (weak hand) and remove with my right (strong hand) - for both filter and oil drain plug... Never had a problem getting a filter off or removing drain plug from any of my vehicles... Unless I had the oil previously changed by a "professional"...
cd
 
I never change oil cold. Get more carp (sp) out and flows better out the drain warm or hot. Also, if you don't wipe clean motor oil on the rubber gasket of the new filter before you put it in, you can very easily end up just like you did....stuck. Hope you oiled the gasket.
 
The oil on the gasket is the trick, plus the not over tightening. Certainly want the engine warm before the change, and the vehicle on level ground. I personally know a guy who was in a hurry to finish the job and over tightened the filter which distorted the gasket so that when he showed up at his gals house he pumped most of his oil all over her brand new flagstone drive. He will remain unnamed. :blush:
 
Glad that is resolved.
 
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