Can you suggest a solid and reliable oil filter tool? Which style is the best to be used for various applications ranging from cars, motorcycles, and tractors? The common options seem to be oil filter specific pliers, strap style, 3 jaw style, and the socket style. What has given you the best results?
Oil Filter Tools
- Thread starter Dynasty
- Start date
It all depends on where the filter is located.
Some tools are better than others but won't fit all applications.
I just go with the one that works for the job at hand which usually means buying something special for some of my vehicles.
Some tools are better than others but won't fit all applications.
I just go with the one that works for the job at hand which usually means buying something special for some of my vehicles.
4Kings
Well-known member
Piece of sandpaper for grip, twist it off by hand.
astroracer
Well-known member
I have a big spike. Very sharp and pointy on one end. I drive it through the filter from one side through the other and unscrew the filter. And it won't leak at all if you do it quick enough... 
Works every time on every filter.
Mark
Works every time on every filter.Mark
bart1
Well-known member
I have a big spike. Very sharp and pointy on one end. I drive it through the filter from one side through the other and unscrew the filter. And it won't leak at all if you do it quick enough...
Mark
Probably wouldn't work on this filter (not my car, but I have the same). I have a socket type that I use. I also have Channelock filter pliers and a three armed Craftsman gripping socket for other filters.
Jweebothee
Well-known member
i like to have all different kinds for any situation, every filter location is different on different cars, I use each one that you listed everyday, it just depends on the vehicle that comes in to the shop
Forever Fixin
Well-known member
Agreed, there is no one tool for every oil filter due to space/position. I usually have the most luck with the metal band style strap wrench. I own 3 different sizes. I use the oil filter sockets the least. I'm interested in one of the adjustable 3 jaws that get used on a ratchet, anyone like those?
I have strap, cap, and 3 jaw style oil filter tools, but the HF oil filter pliers get the most use by far.
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-inch-to-4-1-4-quarter-inch-oil-filter-wrench-36778.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-inch-to-4-1-4-quarter-inch-oil-filter-wrench-36778.html
woody 73
Well-known member
Funny story and the timing of this post is perfect. yesterday my son asked me for some help in changing his oil, so out came the tools for the job. I have showed him in the past how to take off the canister with a few easy step by step instructions but somehow he is slow at picking up on car related things.
well after a few minutes he yells hey Dad something happened to the tool you gave me (metal strap type oil filter wrench); which by the way I have had that tool for donkeys years and never had any problems with it. He hands me the tool which by now looks like Swiss cheese and looks like a semi rolled over it. I then went under the car and low and behold the canister looks even worse as he had destroyed it till their was not much left to even get much of any kind of tool on it or through it.
I never lost my temper but he destroyed that nice tool that I used for many years,
I could only think he was tightening it the whole time.
Kids...sigh oh well on to the next lesson!
well after a few minutes he yells hey Dad something happened to the tool you gave me (metal strap type oil filter wrench); which by the way I have had that tool for donkeys years and never had any problems with it. He hands me the tool which by now looks like Swiss cheese and looks like a semi rolled over it. I then went under the car and low and behold the canister looks even worse as he had destroyed it till their was not much left to even get much of any kind of tool on it or through it.
I never lost my temper but he destroyed that nice tool that I used for many years,
I could only think he was tightening it the whole time.Kids...sigh oh well on to the next lesson!
All the space in the world = giant 18" Channellocks
My other cars, I'm liking my two sizes of Channellock oil filter/PVC pipe pliers, but I don't have any horrible clearance problems on any of them.
OK, on my Mercedes, I used a cast aluminum cap type wrench, but that's a specific tight spot.
My other cars, I'm liking my two sizes of Channellock oil filter/PVC pipe pliers, but I don't have any horrible clearance problems on any of them.
OK, on my Mercedes, I used a cast aluminum cap type wrench, but that's a specific tight spot.
Spudland_Dave
Well-known member
Depends on the vehicle I'm working on...IN truth the answer to your question would be "It Depends"
-GMC Sierra - Good ol fashioned band wrench works easy
-GMC Acadia - Aluminum Cup type "Socket" on a rat is best
-Honda Accord (Car is gone) - Bent Handle Band Wrench
-Suzuki Forenza...only changed the oil once and I had all the guards & trim apart to do a timing belt so I really don't know what the best style will be in a normal change.
-Hydraulic filters on some of my equipment - MAC "Seat Belt" type strap wrench
Just to illustrate there is no silver bullet, do it all tool. You'd probably get better answers if you asked "What is the best tool to change the filter on a 2015 Brand Model with the ** Liter engine...
-GMC Sierra - Good ol fashioned band wrench works easy
-GMC Acadia - Aluminum Cup type "Socket" on a rat is best
-Honda Accord (Car is gone) - Bent Handle Band Wrench
-Suzuki Forenza...only changed the oil once and I had all the guards & trim apart to do a timing belt so I really don't know what the best style will be in a normal change.
-Hydraulic filters on some of my equipment - MAC "Seat Belt" type strap wrench
Just to illustrate there is no silver bullet, do it all tool. You'd probably get better answers if you asked "What is the best tool to change the filter on a 2015 Brand Model with the ** Liter engine...
As others note, it depends on the car. I used only the strap or band type and regular socket wrenches (for cartridge filters) for many years but now some require things like 36mm socket.
Some require moving things out of the way with other tools to access the filter.
Just once I did drive something through a stuck filter that an incompetent has installed.
Some require moving things out of the way with other tools to access the filter.
Just once I did drive something through a stuck filter that an incompetent has installed.
Richard Cranium
Well-known member
I have used just about every thing in the past, Just depends on the car and where the filter is at. Good luck
four.cycle
Well-known member
crappy old leather belt or a pair of heavy rubber gloves.
I've never owned an "oil filter wrench".
sold a million of 'em, but never owned one.
I've never owned an "oil filter wrench".
sold a million of 'em, but never owned one.
I hear an oil filter wrench doesn't need to be applied to oil filters only. Can have other various uses as well, especially plumbing. Might have to try this myself. 
four.cycle
Well-known member
^ old school stuff.
the leather belt has to be really crappy though - you're going to get oil all over it. loop it around the filter, through the buckle, and give it a good yank. works if you can get a good pull on it.
on my Ranger V6 I just use a big pair of heavy black rubber gloves.
the leather belt has to be really crappy though - you're going to get oil all over it. loop it around the filter, through the buckle, and give it a good yank. works if you can get a good pull on it.
on my Ranger V6 I just use a big pair of heavy black rubber gloves.
fras_auto
Well-known member
I hear an oil filter wrench doesn't need to be applied to oil filters only. Can have other various uses as well, especially plumbing. Might have to try this myself.
IVE USED THE SMALL ONES TO KNOCK OUT BEARING RACES LOL
martin666
Well-known member
To do everything takes everything, that said. I work on Heavy Equipment with large filters and sometimes they are tight.
kd tools offer standard metal strap oil filter wrenches that I have found to be reliable. Also, the plier style I have found to be very useful as well. A chain style works very well if you have the room. If those don't work then I have used my 18inch snap on pry bar, hammer thru and twist. I have broken a few of the square tube and strap style filter wrenches.
kd tools offer standard metal strap oil filter wrenches that I have found to be reliable. Also, the plier style I have found to be very useful as well. A chain style works very well if you have the room. If those don't work then I have used my 18inch snap on pry bar, hammer thru and twist. I have broken a few of the square tube and strap style filter wrenches.
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RedneckWelder
Well-known member
I used one just the other day to get the screw down ring that holds the fuel sender unit on a wheel loader loose. It was pretty much the only thing that would fit in the space so I didn't have to disassemble more.
I wouldn't be without my channellock oil filter pliers. They don't have the grip of regular channellocks but they get into tighter spaces and work fairly well except for stupid tight filters.
Wakefield
Well-known member
How does the Channellock No. 215 rank?
I can't imagine it ever breaking,unlike some of the strap wrenches.
I can't imagine it ever breaking,unlike some of the strap wrenches.
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mjoekingz28
Well-known member
Didn't this topic happen last week?
Maybe a different forum or I am getting senile in my young age.
But, disregard all that has been said til now.
Get the two Lisles, and you'll probably never have to worry about canisters again.
Then, Some GMs need a 32mm socket for the cartridge element housings.
I know little to nothing of others' canless oil filters. Maybe they are all 32mm or not?
Maybe a different forum or I am getting senile in my young age.
But, disregard all that has been said til now.
Get the two Lisles, and you'll probably never have to worry about canisters again.
Then, Some GMs need a 32mm socket for the cartridge element housings.
I know little to nothing of others' canless oil filters. Maybe they are all 32mm or not?
I can’t imagine it breaking, either.
Glowing reviews on Amazon
http://amzn.com/B0009WG5T4n
There is a smaller one like this, too.
.
djb2
Well-known member
Modern BMWs use 36mm on their plastic cap. Older ones with a metal cap use 17mm (rarely 19mm) bolt.
I was recently working on an ancient (1960s) Toyota 3R engine and was surprised to see that it used a modern-looking filter cartridge rather than a can.
Modern filter cartridge was contemporary!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_filter#Cartridge_and_spin-on
I remember in the early 80's, some Mercedes were using cartridges; I bet they had never stopped.
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I have a big spike. Very sharp and pointy on one end. I drive it through the filter from one side through the other and unscrew the filter. And it won't leak at all if you do it quick enough...
Mark
I never heard of this method before, and I don't think it would work "every time on every filter." I can tell you that the paper oil filter elements used on older Corvette engines for instance, were housed in a thick steel canister that would probably resist the "Bubba-like" removal method you're suggesting. Even if you did manage to puncture the canister, you'd have to replace it at great cost, and probably inflict unnecessary damage to the bottom of the engine block. With so many different "made for removing oil filter" tools on the market, the large spike approach seems like it could get messy, and the risk of potential hazard would be elevated. Sorry to call you out on this, but I really don't think what you're advocating is very good advice. Maybe your method works sometimes, but I think there are significantly better and safer ways to remove an oil filter.
Jim C.
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justanengineer
Well-known member
For our personal vehicles SWMBO uses oil filter sockets due to access problems. I've also got all manner of channel locks and strap wrenches.