Any tricks to get off a STUCK oil filter??

[Culprit]

Howdy Stallion - glad you got the filter off (but I'm still going to give my input to this thread).

If my filter wrench won't budge a stubborn filter, before going to the screwdriver as a last resort I reach for my truly universal filter wrench - a pair of Channel-locks that measures about 16.5 inches long and can grip someting about 4 inches wide. Works every time!

Semper Fi,
Culprit

PS - did you end up buying the ramps or go with one of the other methods mentioned?

 

[Stallion]

"did you end up buying the ramps or go with one of the other methods mentioned?"

Believe it or not, but I didn't need to get her off the ground at all. I'm not small, but I'm skinny. I slid right under her. I didn't think I could do it, but it did work. It was a tight squeeze under there. I couldn't really turn my head or anything, not enough clearance.

And channel locks were my next option. Thank goodness I got it off, though.

Lou, I will definitely get a room for next year. A day is not enough for all of that there. Definitely a weekend thing.

TR

 

[TWINRAY]

:bang

 

[Eric]

"did you end up buying the ramps or go with one of the other methods mentioned?"

Believe it or not, but I didn't need to get her off the ground at all. I'm not small, but I'm skinny. I slid right under her. I didn't think I could do it, but it did work. It was a tight squeeze under there. I couldn't really turn my head or anything, not enough clearance.
TR

WHAT:eek! People tell me I'm skinny but there was no way in heck I was ever fitting under my 71. Must have been my big head :Roll

-Eric

 

[MaineShark]

I did only hand tighten it. Hopefully next time I won't have this problem.

For what it's worth, the rule I've always used was to tighten it until the gasket "lands" against the base, then turn it an additional 1/2 turn. That's actually written right on the filter that came with my tranny filter kit, and it's just a PH8A with Perma-Cool's logo and text on it...

Joe

 

[Rowdy1]

For Sure Next Year

Sorry I missed you but in one day there's just too much to see & do. There will be other times, we're not that far apart.

 

[Blade]

Re: Re: Filter

Should be "Lefty loosy, righty tighty" but whose counting. Just don't try this on your bicycle pedals.

That's the ditty that I grew up on. My father always said this.

"Lefty loosy, righty tighty", my Dad was tought that in the Navy during WWII. I still use it today.

 

[Rowdy1]

I Said That!

Except I said Lucy and not loosey, so SUE ME! I did say it first!!!

 

[searay270]

One thing that helps is to slide the filter wrench all the way up against the top lip of the filter, if possible, where the filter has the most strength.

Jack

 

[Roy]

Filter Removal

Just for the principle of the whole thing, you should still stab that oil filter with the biggest screwdriver you can find. I know you have it off the engine now, but gee whiz, you'll feel a whole lot better after you stab it a few times. Don't ask me how I know.

By the way, I'm glad to read that there are other oil-filter-stabbers out there. Maybe stabbing oil filters can be the basis of a new opinion poll on this forum.

Roy in Sunny Portland, Oregon

 

[TWINRAY]

:bang

 

[tonyk72]

Speaking of cutting up oil filters...

Would cutting open a filter reveal any interesting tidbits of engine health?

 

[MaineShark]

Yup. You can buy filter-cutting kits. Racers often cut their filters, to check for what sort of particles are being trapped.

Joe

 

[Jack]

Speaking of cutting up oil filters...Would cutting open a filter reveal any interesting tidbits of engine health?

Yes. We don't have a cutter ... we use tin snips. FYI ... on a chevrolet, the outer diameter of the element is where the shmutz collects ... the oil is blown into the filter through the ring of holes ... returns to the motor through the large center hole. Cut the can off as close to the end plate as possible. Don't confuse the bits created by cutting can with possible motor bits ... keep a close eye on what you're doing & make a mental map of the stuff. Pour whatever oil remains inside filter through clean cloth (look for shmutz on that cloth as well as outer filter pleats). Dirty, sloppy job ... be careful not to cut yourself ... yields good info.
JACK:gap