Halo

How do you guys remove a stuck oil filter? I did a search had no luck.. thanks in advance

B2FiNiTY

iTrader: (2)

Punch a screw driver into it and unscrew.

keys

screwdriver should be a last resort....

try first:

oil filter wrench
leather belt

robbin

you can buy sort of a huge socket that fits over the filter and then unscrew it with a ratchet with an extension. The socket's like $3 or something.

reefer_bob

Screwdriver will work, but like said... LAST resort... There is an oil filter remover called the claw, which is adjustable, it has 3 prongs on it that clamp around the filter and tighten as you try to loosen the filter... I forget where I got it though... gotta think...

Reefer_Bob.

eastsidemags

super walmart has that thing

Dirt

Mechanix glove and good leverage works for me.

gsr squirrel

i use on of those rubber hand grips that i used to use at the gym. works good for me.

GSRaCeRbOI

latex or Mechanix gloves, grip hard and turn
if that doesnt work.. you can try using a piece of sandpaper to grip the filter and then turn it.. if htat still doesnt work try using an oil filter wrench.. there are a few kinds.. one where the tips are semi circles and grip on the filter, theres the kind that attach to a 3/8" ratchet.. as you turn it to loosen the tips close and grip ... theres the normal oil filter wrenches, if all else fails.. jab a screwdriver thru it and turn...

amal8301

My last oil change I used all the normal methods, then I used the screwdriver and the filter casing ripped. I ended up putting 5 holes in it before it was loose enough to turn by hand(punch, turn about 1/32 of a turn and the hole was too deformed to use, repeat).

I'll never go to a quick lube place again.

Jackson

whoa baby! not the leather belt!

keys

lol yes the leather belt!!

As much as I hated to punch a screwdriver through my oil filter, I had to do it today. The weird thing is that I only screwed my filter on hand tight(because ever since I switched filter brands, my filter wrench doens't fit anymore) and even though I tightened the filter hand tight, for some reason my hand wasn't able to get it out. So it does happen and the screwdriver was my last resort, because I couldn't drive my car to get a oil filter wrench that fit. HTH

Area57

60-80 grit sandpaper...be very carefull w/ the screwdriver

mugenracer

make sure when replacing it to put a little oil around the rubber seal on the end of the filter, this will also help in getting it off again, as it stops the rubber from sticking/melting to the hot engine

Tweakmeister

ahhh the screwdriver death stab! I know it well. Last time it was a hot Mobil1 bath
I took pics of the filter...need to get them up.

You can try the cap thingys (I never get them to fit) or the strap things or the huge *** Channel Lock pliers (a personal favorite).....or you can get this, a gift from Heaven....

http://buy.snapon.com

EDIT\\\okay no doubt the above link is DOA. So, go to snap-on and get the adjustable oil filter wrench. As you tighten, it tightens against the filter. It wouldn't have worked on the last filter I had to stab (I ended up bending two screwdrivers on this beauty) but it should do the trick for other ones....


[Modified by Tweakmeister, 1:25 AM 9/18/2002]

EL Vap133

Wrap a thick ruberband around the filter and try unscrewing it by hand...

stumpyf4

A big pair of channel lock pliers will do the job.

PatrickGSR94

iTrader: (1)

I always use a piece of coarse sandpaper. I don't even try any other method first, I just get the sandpaper and go at it.

keys

damn I sure wish I knew about the sandpaper method before I stabbed my filter. Has anyone ever done or heard of anyone doing any damage to the engine block using the screwdriver stab method?

IN VTEC

iTrader: (3)

I use the claw. Works without fail, unless i use the smaller Honda filters from the 'K-series engines or the HAMP filters.

I'm trying to find a smaller claw.

MattG

I did the screw driver trick and it worked. I used to do it on an old truck we had. Not the best way but in a pinch it will get the filter off.

ingrate

this is my first time posting pics in a really long time so don't laugh

Rusty Shackleford

how tight are you guys putting your filters on? i put mine on hand tight, and get it off with a hand. it probably helps i use the filters with a textured grip, but filters dont need to be so tight.

redteg1

i use fram cuz it has the grip thing. so then next oil change i just unscrew it by hand

smeister

This is my first resort if I cant get the oil filter off with a good grip. This only happens after the dealer puts the oil filter in though. Those hand wrenches have never worked for me because I have a hard time putting it on the rachet. A hole in the old oil filter isn't a big deal anyways. You will end up throwing it away anyways. JMO