Overtightened oil filter... *blush*

[Skant]

Okay... this is a little stupid. But it's the first time I've done an oil change on my vette, and I misread the directions.

I thought it said to tighten as far as it would go (hand tight) by hand and then tighten another full turn with the wrench... when it actually said to just spin it up until it stopped (on contact) and then just one turn beyond that.

It was very tight to get off. So I figured heck they must just do them tighter on these ones than I'm used to. Wouldn't be the first thing different about the vette. I ended up only tightening it 2/3rd or 3/4th past hand tight because it seemed like too much. Then I reread the directions and slapped myself.

So far it doesn't seem to be leaking at all. And I don't think I hurt the threading. Might it start leaking later because I crushed the seal? Or maybe I didn't overtighten it far enough to be a real problem.

Heh. On my K-5 Blazer, I wouldn't have worried about it at all. That engine was indestructable. I guess the vette engine isn't actually much different. But I've got such this attitude that everything must be perfect where the vette is involved.

What do you think? Am I overly nervous about my vette? Probably...

- Skant

 

[Ken]

Nothing bad is going to happen with the filter as it stands, but wait until you try to get it off again! :eyerole

Hopefully it won't get too seriously tight, but if you want, it would be easiest to remove it now and replace. I don't know if I'd try to simply loosen it at this point; it's either remove and replace, or wait until next oil change and take your chances. The worst that can happen is that it will be real messy when you have to jam a screwdriver or something in there to remove the filter.

What happens when you over-tighten it is that the rubber gasket gets crushed against the block and when the engine warms the gasket tends to stick tightly to the two items preventing easy removal.

_ken

 

[Skant]

It's a K&N filter with that 1 inch hex on the end of it. So maybe that won't be too much trouble. I hope...

- Skant

 

[Ken]

No worries Mate!

_ken

 

[Topless]

I had that happen too. Don't be too hard on yourself.
I was doing an oil change and could not get the filter off. (tried at least 3 different types of filter gadgets) I was not comfortable jamming the screwdriver in it in case it still didn't want to come off. I ended up taking it to the dealer to let them do the dirty work. No problems.

Yeah, I could have done it myself, but oh well.....

 

[Edmond]

I'm always the one who worries about not tightening the filter enough. I will be driving on the expressway and say to myself, "I hope I tightened the oil filter good enough."

This is terribly embarrassing, but I've left the oil cap on and closed the hood after filling the engine oil. Same thing with the power steering fluid.:gap

 

[BigRed]

I get at least 2 of these a day. I ended buying a Snap On filter wrench that looks like a 3 finger claw that work off a 3/8 ratchet. Work great and there has yet to be a contender for it.

Bout 20-25 bucks..

 

[nucferr]

In 1989 I bought a 1985 with 25K miles from a dealer. The first time I went to change the oil (right after I bought it) the previous owner had overtighten the oil filter and when I went to remove it the hollow "all thread" that the filter thread on to (I believe it is part of the oil cooler) came down with the filter. Well I just about s***. I just spent more money then I could afford, I am laying under this car that I was only able to raise up a few inches and stuff that I never saw before is coming down with the oil filter. I quickly spun the filter and all thread back into the cooler and added some oil. My wife drove the vehicle back to the dealer the next day and, according to what the mechanic said, all that was done was the filter was removed and the "all thread" was lock tited back in place.

I don't know if all c4's have this set up. Since that first vette I have owned a 1989 that I bought with 1800 miles. Last Sept I picked up a new 03 Z06. They were all great!

 

[oldace84]

Been there...Done that.....just a learning experiance...you'll know better next time!!!!!!!!
tony