where can I buy a nice one? Ive looked at autozone they dont have any?

 

I don't recommend using them. Just put on your new filter hand tight. If you took it to a mechanic that uses one when you changed your oil then get a cheap one to get the old one off.

 

autozone should have the one you need, otherwise check another parts store. Just in case you didnt know, on by hand, off with the wrench.

 

HAND TIGHTENING IS ALL THAT IS REQUIRED. HAVE U EVER LOOKED AT A FILTER BEFORE PUTTING ONE ON. THERE'S ONLY ABOUT FOUR TO FIVE THREADS ON THE FILTER. IF YOU CRANK THIS DOWN WITH A FILTER WRENCH GOOD LUCK GETTING IT OFF. ALSO THE RUBBER SEAL IS MEANT TO EXPAND W/HEAT SO HAND TIGHTENING IS THE WAY TO GO. BESIDES I DON'T EVEN WANT TOTHINK OF THE HASSLE OF FITTING THE WRENCH ON THE FILTER , THE SPACE IS EVEN A LITTLE TIGHT FOR MY HAND!

 

fram makes filters with sandpaper grip on the edges..

but the oil filter wrenches i find that work the best for hondas are the kinds where there's a 3/8" square hole to put in a ratchet/extension and they grip the filter tight as you turn it. if you use the right size extension(like 4-6"), it's a VERY easy job, much easier than reaching in with your hands


[Modified by In7egrity, 12:41 AM 3/16/2002]

 

When taking off an old filter.....jab a screwdriver into it and then just twist it off....saves some $$$ from having to buy a filter wrench.

 

had to do that in a pinch once. warm filter trickling down the arm, no fun.

 

Ahhhh... Memories. Like the last time the filter was put on so tight that the oil filter wrench wore off the corners of the filter

Tuned by caveman.

 

i usually just do mine hand tight.. as long as theres no leaks (which i've been doing this method since my car was new in 95) its ok for me.. anyway i usually wear latex gloves or mechanix gloves when i work on my car.. so that improves grip (unless they got oil on them)... if its on too tight and you must get a tool.. you can use sandpaper and put it on the top of the filter and grip hard and try turning it... if that doesn't work there is a universal filter that has like 2 grips/claws that attaches to your 3/8" ratchet.. as you turn it to unloosen.. the claws compress against the filter and as you turn it grips and will get it loose... there is also a wrench where the tips are shaped in a circular pattern that grip on the filter... then theres the ones that are like a cap/cup and go over the top of the filter.. and if all else fails.. you can jab the filter w/ a screwdriver and puncture it, then turn..

 

Tried that once on my dad's villager, the filter DIDNT turn, it was on too tight, the hole made by the screwdriver tore the filter apart, made it impossible to turn, I had to cut the whole thing off with a dremmel. I will never use the screwdriver method again.

 

Agree.
Screwdriver method should be used as last resort.
Before that, try sandpaper or latex glove for more grip.

 

I always used Honda filters hand tight, and I can always remove them by hand (even last week when I didn't have my gloves, I was still able to get it off). I always loosen it by hand under the car, then go above and reach down behind the intake manifold to loosen it the rest of the way. This way I don't have hot oil running down my arm (I try to change my oil very soon after driving the car). I have found it nearly impossible to get a filter wrench of any sort up in there between the axle and tie rod and firewall, etc.

 

omg! removing it from the top, I never thought of that!. I have at least 5 oil stained t-shirts because of removing it from the bottom. Thanks for the tip!

 

I can't get to mine from the top, and I am pretty skinny.

 

hey guys, this is kinda OT, but when i last went to Acura to get my filter, they gave me a small metal washer with it and said that if i didnt use the washer it would leak.. i just changed my oil and there was no room for the washer.. has anyone heard of this???

 

that washer is for the drain bolt, not the oil filter

 

thanks everyone but when the filter starts to get stiff when putting the new one on how tight is hand tight ? half a turn?\

and when I put my synthetic oil in my engine exactly how many quarts does it take?

 

I tighten it as tight as I can w/ my hand, and I never have problems getting it off w/ my hand. I always use exactly 4 qts Mobil1 5w30 and it always sits exactly on the full mark on the dipstick after I'm done.

It's a tight squeeze from up top behind that GS-R manifold, but I can get to the filter. I advise something to protect your arm, though, I got a slight burn on my arm from the intake manifold.

 

yeah that metal crush washer they gave you is for the drain plug.. not the filter.. anyway yeah i've done it from the top too.. you kinda have to reach from behind/next to the throttle body/intake manifold from the driver side.. and kinda bend your hand around and stuck your hand in (towards front) until you can feel the filter.. make sure you dont wear jeans.. or you have some sort of fender guard.. cuz the buttons/zipper on your jeans might scratch your car..... it kinda helps to be tall and thin if you have the car raised/jacked up from draining the oil.. because my friend is short. .and he couldnt bend and reach his body/arm down there... kinda hard to explain.. but you just kinda "feel" for where the filter is.. and grip it from the side w/ your thumb and the rest of your fingers... make your hand into a "C" and grab the filter and turn.. it works for me.. then i just let it drop down on the floor and i can install the new one from the top too. but you have to be careful not to drop and dent the filter...