Great tool for stuck oil filters

[dink]

Everyone has it....and so do I....but I didnt have the 12" until now

Why have oil filter wrenches when you can use this....yes yes it will crush or dent the filter...oh well....actually most have tongue and groove but this is basically the same tool just in a v style

http://www.channellock.com/acb/stores/1/442_-_12_inch_V_-_Jaw_Tongue_a_P41C4.cfm

 

[jimvannoy]

Used my large channellock pliers many times. Sometimes they don't even work though and I have had to pound a large screwdriver into the side of the filter to turn it.

 

[69lkmno]

This one works out perfect for me no matter how tough it is:

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...Automotive+Specialty+Tools&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

 

[I Love Grits]

This one works out perfect for me no matter how tough it is:

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...Automotive+Specialty+Tools&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

Hummm.. thats a cool looking one lkmno. Youve used it enough to make sure you wont have any problems or anything? I might have to pick one up

 

[eschoendorff]

Hummm.. thats a cool looking one lkmno. Youve used it enough to make sure you wont have any problems or anything? I might have to pick one up

Yes, I have one too and they DO work.

 

[z28toz06]

i changed the oil in my wifes jeep yesterday and i used one of these. worked great.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...BV_EngineID=ccjkaddjigldjkfcefecemldffidfko.0

 

[dink]

The spider legged tool always worked for me up till this situation...you cant go wrong with that tool

 

[kartracer55]

Saturdays at work are reserved for quick jobs, mostly brakes, oil changes and tires. We schedule all heavy work for during the week. It is not uncommon for me to do 10 oil changes on a saturday.

The sears oil filter wrench pictured is an excellent tool. There are other variations of it, but I actually find the 3 jawed sears model to be the best out of them all. It is the tool I reach for first, and I highly reccomend it. A good last ditch tool is a "lobster claw" style oil filter plier. I use them as a last resort because they rip up filters. A good 2 piece set of traditional strap style oil filter wrenches is a good thing to have laying around too, as sometimes these are the only way to easily tighten a filter do to clearances.

THe most effective tool, by far, is the style pictured from sears. I have had a few filters where this is the only tool that will grip them tight enough to remove them.

Jim

 

[bmwpower]

What's the deal? Are you guys cranking down on these filters when you install them? I've never needed one of these things to remove a filter.

 

[PAToyota]

I'm not sure that I could fit the 12" set down in to reach the oil filter on either the Saab or the Chevy truck. What I find myself using more often than not is one of those round rubber grip sheet things that kitchen stores sell for opening jars.

 

[kartracer55]

BMW, I just go hand tight on them. But its amazing what you see coming out of jiffy-lube type places.

Jim

 

[rambler]

BMW, I just go hand tight on them. But its amazing what you see coming out of jiffy-lube type places.

Jim

We use to have a mechanic at our shop who services some of our fleet. After the lube man complains why the filters are on so tight everytime that mechanic services them, he claims the filter states it to tighten the filter 3-4 times after the gasket makes contact with the housing. The lube man said "NO", its tighten 3/4 turn after the gasket makes contact, not 3-4 turns.

 

[stupidjet]

thats funny

 

[l_bilyk]

Should one get stuck, I use this

and this

 

[stupidjet]

anyone ever pop a hole in it to drain the oil? mine always starts drippin while unscrewing it and i always spill at least a little bit. anyone do this and work well?

 

[Down Under Bloke]

I have one of those Sears style units, and it always worked great (past tense as my work car is serviced for me).

Never had a problem with zipping the filter out and in just plan your attach, by the second time, on any vehicle the best way is clear.

I always fill the new filter with fresh oil before putting it on, to avoid a long dry start on the engine. This may seem like a PITA but look at your oil pressure gauge the next time you change your oil, and imagine what’s happening.

 

[l_bilyk]

I really don't think it's that bad. Ok so you have no oil pressure for like 1-2 seconds.. so what? All the parts still have a thin film of oil on them.

I could be wrong, but I dont think it makes any difference when it comes down to it.

 

[stupidjet]

when you change your oil..about a quart or more is still in your engine...owners manual sates this by engine rebuild specs vs oil change. you dont have to fill filter.

 

[bmwpower]

I always fill the new filter with fresh oil before putting it on, to avoid a long dry start on the engine. This may seem like a PITA but look at your oil pressure gauge the next time you change your oil, and imagine what’s happening.

You must have quick hands. If I did that I would get an arm full of oil everytime.

 

[eschoendorff]

I really don't think it's that bad. Ok so you have no oil pressure for like 1-2 seconds.. so what? All the parts still have a thin film of oil on them.

I could be wrong, but I dont think it makes any difference when it comes down to it.

That's what I've always thought too.

 

[TNToy]

You must have quick hands. If I did that I would get an arm full of oil everytime.

Not if you owned a car with a spin-on filter haging straight down from the threads.

BMW was smart enough no to do that back when they used spin-ons, though, because the oil runs down the filter onto your hand when you break the old one loose.

If I have one I know is going to make a huge mess, I punch a hole in the lowest part with a pin pinch and a hammer to let it drain most of the oil... while I pull the drain plug and let the oil pan run dry. You'll never get it all because the filter media is saturated with oil, but it helps a little.

 

[thefairlaneman]

For years I changed the oil on a fleet of school buses. Those large channel locks were the best and fastest thing we found to work. When other mechanics would over tighten the filters it could be very hard to remove them without this tool. They could crush filters if you wernt careful and then you had one hell of a mess trying to chisel the thing off,cussing the other mechanic the entire time.

 

[kartracer55]

Mazda got smart. I just did one the other day that used a cartridge filter in a similar place as a regular spin on, only they give you a drain plug so you can drain the oil before you remove the end cap for the housing.

Jim

 

[Down Under Bloke]

Ya filing the filter with oil may seem over the top, but as they say, most engine wear occurs at start up, so I figure it is worth it; also makes me feel better about flogging the **** out of the engine!! A mechanic friend explained to me, you should always put a smear of oil on the rubber o ring and then just do the filter up hand tight. He could also see the merit in priming the filter.

As in Australia we drive right hand drive cars, and often use left hand drive engines this some times requires some in factory modifications to make it all work. Chrysler/Dodge ran into a problem with their small block V8 (273, 318 & 360) the dam oil filter was in the way of the steering box. Easy fix; remote the oil filter (yes but), they located it upside down over the rocker cover. Now this oil change *****, you need half a dozen rags catch the lost oil and some will always end up on the exhaust just to add a nice smell to the whole dam mess. Needles to say re,relocating the oil filter as a common mod. Before you ask, there is no way I would try priming a filter on one of these. Apart from the oil changes, I have fond memories of these engines; any engine that you can throw a rod out of the block and still drive it on the truck after the race deserves respect.

 

[mjribeiro]

What's the deal? Are you guys cranking down on these filters when you install them? I've never needed one of these things to remove a filter.

bmw - everyone I heard that has bought a GMPP BBC crate moter (including me) shares the same horror story with the factory installed filter. Once you install the engine, perform the break in and do an oil change, you can't get the ac delco out - and to boot you have some pretty big headers in the way!

Many people are now recommending to remove the factory filter before dropping the motor in....

so what exit are you off? haha - Whitehouse Station here.....

 

[stupidjet]

the new ford 6.0 diesels are great. with a fumoto valve, not one drop is oil is spilled. the filter is just the paper element which is locanted on TOP of the engine. just unscrew the cap, let it drain down a few seconds and pop it out. no mess. brilliant.

 

[wrigh003]

the new ford 6.0 diesels are great. with a fumoto valve, not one drop is oil is spilled. the filter is just the paper element which is locanted on TOP of the engine. just unscrew the cap, let it drain down a few seconds and pop it out. no mess. brilliant.

Do those fumoto valve things hold up over time?

 

[bmwpower]

bmw - everyone I heard that has bought a GMPP BBC crate moter (including me) shares the same horror story with the factory installed filter. Once you install the engine, perform the break in and do an oil change, you can't get the ac delco out - and to boot you have some pretty big headers in the way!

Many people are now recommending to remove the factory filter before dropping the motor in....

so what exit are you off? haha - Whitehouse Station here.....

That makes sense. Just never needed one on my end. I usually do all my oil changes nowadays.

Exit?... Depends on which way you go. Usually Exit 4 though.

Will be up in your town tomorrow...gotta do some computer recon...

 

[bmwpower]

the new ford 6.0 diesels are great. with a fumoto valve, not one drop is oil is spilled. the filter is just the paper element which is locanted on TOP of the engine. just unscrew the cap, let it drain down a few seconds and pop it out. no mess. brilliant.

Sound like my BMW setups, at least the newer ones. My 535 has the filter housing on an angle, so it can get messy if you're not careful, but the newer models are all as stated above.

 

[TNToy]

Yup. Our vehicles are the same way. Cartridge style filters are the best thing automakers have done to vehicles since EFI. Much cleaner.

 

[stupidjet]

Do those fumoto valve things hold up over time?

i've had mine for 3 years now on 2 tucks, no problems at all...greatest thing ever invented for oil changes. they are OEM for many auto makers so if it's ok with them, it's ok with me. check out their website and forums, never heard one bad review or problem

 

[TNToy]

Forogt until now. The channel-lock pliers the original poster linked to are okay. But a GREAT tool for oil filters are teh 'gator jaws' pliers.

They're 2 feet long, have an angled portion to the jaws, and some serious teeth that will about puch through the body of the filter. Traction isn't reall an issue.

 

[wilbilt]

LOL...people used to cuss cartridge filters because they made
such a mess.

The spin-ons were the best thing going. I always prefill mine (assuming a vertical orientation) and don't miss the cartridges.

Stuck filter tools run the gamut...depending on clearance...from big pliers to an air chisel.

 

[mjribeiro]

Exit?... Depends on which way you go. Usually Exit 4 though.

Exit 4? Rio Grande/Wildwood? I grew up in South Dennis and went to Middle Township HS - small world, or state.....

 

[bmwpower]

Exit 4? Rio Grande/Wildwood? I grew up in South Dennis and went to Middle Township HS - small world, or state.....

Oops. I guess you meant GS Parkway. I was thinking NJ Turnpike. I'm nowhere near the Parkway. But if I hop on the Parkway it's usually near EHT.