Help! I can't remove my oil filter..

[Socrates]

Help! I can\'t remove my oil filter..

Well, I attempted to change my oil today, and low and behold, I believe my Viper tech used super human strength to "hand tighten" the oil filter. I've spent the last 5 hours trying to get it off - it simply won't budge. Any suggestions? I've tried just about everything.

Thanks so much,
-Justyn

 

[Austin]

Re: Help! I can\'t remove my oil filter..

Does this guy happen to live anywhere near you?

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In all seriousness, I dont know what to say. It seems if you've been trying to turn it all day that it would loosen atleast a little.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Re: Help! I can\'t remove my oil filter..

If you can't remove it with a filter wrench, it's time for the big screwdriver-punch-through-and-turn method. Keep lotsa rags nearby.

 

[AviP]

Re: Help! I can\'t remove my oil filter..

What are you using to open it? And this might be stupid but I've got to ask. Are you sure you are loosening it and not tightening it instead?

 

[Scorch]

Re: Help! I can\'t remove my oil filter..

Don't laugh (or cry) when you hear this. All I can say is it works and I've done it myself on a couple of vehicles, although not on my Viper. Drive a long bladed screw driver through the filter and use it as a "T" handle to turn the filter. It's messy but works every time.

Good luck.

 

[Socrates]

Re: Help! I can\'t remove my oil filter..

Thanks, guys:

Yes, I used the good ole' "tried and tested" screwdriver method (and made a mess), but I just ended up mangling the filter. I couldn't believe it, as that method usually works for me every time as well. It won't budge - I think my Viper tech is Bruce Banner. Oh, and yes, I'm turning it counterclockwise.

Any other suggestions? I'm going to give it another round tonight and hope for the best.

 

[hemibeep]

Re: Help! I can\'t remove my oil filter..

clockwise if you are going in from the top...I saw a filter wrench that looked like a slip-joint with large teeth. it may be able to grab the top if the rest is chewed up

 

[GR8_ASP]

Re: Help! I can\'t remove my oil filter..

I have used a chisel on the top bead before. Just be very careful not to get anything but the filter and try to hit as close to tangentially as possible.

 

[Vic]

Re: Help! I can\'t remove my oil filter..

Righty-tighty, lefty-loosey.

I'd tear off the remaining soft sheetmetal, and get down to the female threaded part that actually screws onto the male adapter stem. Heat it up with a drop light, as long as there is no oil or gas around. The heat will make the female part expand, which will help loosen it up, then you can put the electric ****** on it and gnaw it off that way.

Its fun to make up tools......electric ******, heh heh.......

Actually, if you get down to the female threaded part, you might get a small pipe wrench on it. I saw one once used by plumbers that worked at a right angle. Dunno what else to tell ya....Good luck.

 

[99 R/T 10]

Re: Help! I can\'t remove my oil filter..

Well, I attempted to change my oil today, and low and behold, I believe my Viper tech used super human strength to "hand tighten" the oil filter. I've spent the last 5 hours trying to get it off - it simply won't budge. Any suggestions?
-Justyn

Yes, go to the gym tomorrow..............................................................












And next time come by the house in Bama to get the right tool, BFH!

 

[Socrates]

Re: Help! I can\'t remove my oil filter..

Well, I attempted to change my oil today, and low and behold, I believe my Viper tech used super human strength to "hand tighten" the oil filter. I've spent the last 5 hours trying to get it off - it simply won't budge. Any suggestions?
-Justyn

Yes, go to the gym tomorrow..............................................................














And next time come by the house in Bama to get the right tool, BFH!

 

[acrdakota]

Re: Help! I can\'t remove my oil filter..

What type of oil filter wrench are you using? Was the wrench slipping or were you just not strong enough to turn it?

 

[Jack B]

Re: Help! I can\'t remove my oil filter..

It is too late now, but, in the future use the cap wrench that goes over the end of the filter and uses a rachet to turn the filter. They could have used that set up to tighten it.

 

[94RT10Ohio]

Re: Help! I can\'t remove my oil filter..

Just another reason.... Do all your own work, then it is not over tightened. They probably forgot to lube the seal before putting it on.

 

[Socrates]

Re: Help! I can\'t remove my oil filter..

Well, I give up. Unfortunately, I'll have to have it towed to the dealer tomorrow. I've been trying for 7 hours now, and all I have to show for it is a mangled filter that I can't budge. Can't wait to see the looks on their faces tomorrow - oh well.

Jack,

I tried to get the cap wrench earlier today before I started, but no one carried the right size (go figure). I then bought the strap type, as I couldn't find anything else that would fit in such a small space.

Thanks for all of the replies.

 

[Ron]

Re: Help! I can\'t remove my oil filter..

Advantage of K&N oil filter. Uses 1" socket.

 

[Ron Hickey]

Re: Help! I can\'t remove my oil filter..

To piggyback on Ron's comment: The K&N filter has a "nut" on the cap. To remove the filter, you just put a 1-inch socket on it and use a ratchet. No filter wrenches needed.

 

[Socrates]

Re: Help! I can\'t remove my oil filter..

To piggyback on Ron's comment: The K&N filter has a "nut" on the cap. To remove the filter, you just put a 1-inch socket on it and use a ratchet. No filter wrenches needed.

That's just what I needed!!!

 

[Gerald Levin]

Re: Help! I can\'t remove my oil filter..

Man, Is that a poor design or not? I'm assuming a dodge filter. Poor guy has spent 7 hours trying to remove a friggin oil filter and even tried the screwdriver "T" technique. How many hundreds of others have had this same problem? You would think they would make the filter like the K&N to prevent the above the problem. That sux.

 

[Socrates]

Re: Help! I can\'t remove my oil filter..

It was a Mobil 1...

 

[cgmaster]

Re: Help! I can\'t remove my oil filter..

Let us know what happens.

 

[Socrates]

Re: Help! I can\'t remove my oil filter..

Most definitely -- I hope to get it to the dealer tomorrow morning.

 

[carguy07]

Re: Help! I can\'t remove my oil filter..

Before you give up try one of these:

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The trick is to crush the filter, not just grip it and turn (harder on a Mobil1 because they are thick walled). Once you smash into it you will be able to grip it and turn. They make a vice grip version and you can get the jaws offset if needed. I think the regular one works on my GenI. Sold everywhere.

 

[cgmaster]

Re: Help! I can\'t remove my oil filter..

I had a filer that was stuck on a car I was restoring. I tried everything you did so far. finaly ended up cutting off the filter with a cut off wheel and welding a large nut to the base of the filter (the part with all the holes for the return not the outside). I then used a .75" impact to get it off. It worked I still have no idea why it was so hard to get off though.

 

[Rocket65C]

Re: Help! I can\'t remove my oil filter..

I thought I was the only one who wound up spending hours to do some seemingly simple task, a one sentence instruction out of Chilton's (like, "unscrew and remove oil filter" LOL). I spent 2 hours trying to remove a hose ring with a pair of pliers, only to find today that Sears sells a specific tool just for that ring. I hate seeing that problem about Mobil 1 since I'm partial to those. I may have to go with that K&N-a 1" socket attachment is just too sweet to pass on. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Socrates]

Re: Help! I can\'t remove my oil filter..

I thought I was the only one who wound up spending hours to do some seemingly simple task, a one sentence instruction out of Chilton's (like, "unscrew and remove oil filter" LOL). I spent 2 hours trying to remove a hose ring with a pair of pliers, only to find today that Sears sells a specific tool just for that ring. I hate seeing that problem about Mobil 1 since I'm partial to those. I may have to go with that K&N-a 1" socket attachment is just too sweet to pass on. Thanks for the heads up.

LOL, tell me about it! I was thinking to myself, "now that I have jackstands and a low profile jack, I'm going to start doing some of the work myself - first I'll do the oil change." So you can imagine my surprise when I this "seemingly simple" task turned into a surprise nightmare. Stuff like this always happens to me though, so I guess I should have expected it. I did get to torque the oil pan bolt down to 25 ft/lbs though!

Tow truck is on the way now - gotta go!

PS. Will the filter wrench above work in such a confined space? I looked at them, but didn't feel that they would fit in that space.

 

[Steve-Indy]

Re: Help! I can\'t remove my oil filter..

Snap-On sells a clever device that is used with a 3/8" drive...place it on the bottom of the filter and unscrew it; as it turns, its three arms rotate inward grabbing the filter (and partially crushing base)...made by their Blue Point division.

 

[AviP]

Re: Help! I can\'t remove my oil filter..

I tried to get the cap wrench earlier today before I started, but no one carried the right size (go figure). I then bought the strap type, as I couldn't find anything else that would fit in such a small space.

Strap wrenches are for women to open jar lids.
Next time get the cap wrench. They work great. That what I use.

 

[Qualitywires.com]

Re: Help! I can\'t remove my oil filter..

There's a tool made for this and it looks like a strap...the more you wrench on it the tighter the strap gets...worked all the time. (I used to work for an instant oil change place a lont time ago).

Your tech who changed your oil must have been in a bad mood or something....only way he would have gotten your filter that tight was using an oil wrench to tighten it down...wouldn't use him again and wouldn't want my car to be his therapy!

 

[Bandit3]

Re: Help! I can\'t remove my oil filter..

Socrates--hope I'm not too late with this suggestion. Disable the ignition system prior to taking it to the dealer. A lazy/inconsiderate/thoughtless mechanic might start it up to bring it into the shop. John