Doh, can't take off the oil filter. Ok to just leave it?

[holden j caufield]

and my hands are too oily and weak to untighten it now. 6k miles on the oil filter. What's the rated life for a mobil 1 oil filter?

 

[iamwiz82]

Use an oil filter wrench or if you dont have it now, stick a screwdriver through the filter and then use that for leverage.

 

[OS]

sure you can leave it on, it's what jiffy lube does if they can't reach your filter either.

 

[DainBramaged]

Originally posted by: OS
sure you can leave it on, it's what jiffy lube does if they can't reach your filter either.

lol...so true :roll:

if you cannot get it off with a dry rag or anything else, iamwiz has the best idea here

 

[NeoAaronX]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Use an oil filter wrench or if you dont have it now, stick a screwdriver through the filter and then use that for leverage.

The screwdriver trick works but it's really messy.

I heard that you can take an old belt (the type to hold up your pants, not the type off a car.) and wrap it around the filter,...... I guess kinda like an oil filter wrench?

 

[herrjimbo]

screwdriver works well. for future reference, the new filter should be hand tightened. the filter wrench is just for removal. fyi

 

[Muadib]

Call the Oil Filter Hotline at 1-800-882-0890 for assistance. Hours are Monday to Friday,
7 am to 8 pm (Central Standard Time), on Saturdays from 7 am to 5 pm (CST), and on Sundays, from 11 to 3 pm (CST).

 

[RiDE]

Originally posted by: OS
sure you can leave it on, it's what jiffy lube does if they can't reach your filter either.

lol

 

[KK]

you need to whack off more and build up those forearms.

<---Got the strongest forearms here.

 

[0roo0roo]

why i tighten by hand only.

clean it off until you can take it off

 

[FoBoT]

if you have some duct tape, you can wrap that around it

or you can jam a screwdriver through it

 

[biggestmuff]

All of these responses and nobody asks what vehicle?

I wouldn't slam a screwdriver through the oil filter/filter housing on my VW GTI!

 

[IGBT]

..I used to have this problem with my Dakota. I now change the oil when the motor is still warm. The filter comes off easy.

 

[sao123]

changing the filter is the most important thing...
the oil will outlast your filter every time...

IEe its safer to leave in the same oil for 10k miles and change the filter every 3k miles...

 

[XZeroII]

I've done the screwdriver thing before. Works great.

 

[John]

Why not have someone go buy you a new $2 filter wrench from the local parts house, Wal-Mart, etc.?

 

[xanis]

Just go to your local NAPA or Pep Boys and buy an oil filter wrench for like $2?

 

[Mucho]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Use an oil filter wrench or if you dont have it now, stick a screwdriver through the filter and then use that for leverage.

:thumbsup:

 

[Vette73]

tighten it with a filter wrench

That is the reason it will not come off. You should only put a screw on filter by hand.


Just get another wrench to get it off. The screwdriver method works something but if it doe snot, might not leave you with enough to use a wrench anymore and now it gets real tricky.

 

[RU482]

If you're taking it off, you don't have to care if you destroy it. I use a channel lock pliers, and usually have to puncture the case of it to get enough of a grip on it

 

[ScottFern]

Buy another one. They are $3

 

[Ophir]

Originally posted by: biggestmuff
All of these responses and nobody asks what vehicle?

I wouldn't slam a screwdriver through the oil filter/filter housing on my VW GTI!

Why not? The filter is exposed and will be tossed, as long as you jam the screwdriver in a safe way there shouldn't be any harm. Even if you have a luxury GTI.

 

[drnickriviera]

Originally posted by: Ophir

Originally posted by: biggestmuff
All of these responses and nobody asks what vehicle?

I wouldn't slam a screwdriver through the oil filter/filter housing on my VW GTI!

Why not? The filter is exposed and will be tossed, as long as you jam the screwdriver in a safe way there shouldn't be any harm. Even if you have a luxury GTI.

He may be referring to some German cars that use a cartridge filter. On all the Mercedes i've worked on, the housing is a cast piece of aluminum mounted to the block. All you change is the filter element.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: OS
sure you can leave it on, it's what jiffy lube does if they can't reach your filter either.

Really? Never seen that happen.

 

[Fritzo]

BTW- While we're on the subject, the "Change your oil every 3000 miles" thing is a myth that was created by oil change places. Your car's manual will tell you how often to change the oil, and if you use synthetic oil, you can usually add 1000-2000 miles on top of that.

My Envoy has an oil sensor system that checks the oil's condition and tells me when it needs changed. The owners manual says to change it every 7000 miles reguardless, but it usually goes off every 5000-6000 miles.

My Scion needs a change every 5000 miles. Don't listen to the propaganda, listen to the people that built the damn car.