Oil Filter removal

[Perihelion]

Kinda feel like a newb here, but I can't seem to unscrew the oil filter. Any trick to this?

[cnk]

Get a oil filter cap from Pep Boys or Autozone. You could also use a oil filter strap or Sears has one that rotates with 3 prongs to grip the filter. Usually the first oil filter change is the most difficult since we all know OEM's use gorillas to torque the filters down.

[p00mba]

i use the oil filter strap works like a charm everytime.

[FRSFirestorm]

My last change the filter was to tight to do by hand. I had put it on the previous oil change.... anyway I didn't have a filter wrench or strap. I managed to get it loose by a rubber mallet and large blade flat screw driver and gently tapping the top edge of the filter.

[7thgear]

[suaveflooder]

I just did this the other day. It's on pretty tight, I just had to muscle it out. I might have to try the strap people are talking about.

[Hanakuso]

Like what others said but when worse comes to worse you can jam a screwdriver in it and twist it off. Be prepared for a mess.

[LeeMaster]

Originally Posted by Perihelion

Kinda feel like a newb here, but I can't seem to unscrew the oil filter. Any trick to this?

First of all, wipe the filter dry and clean so you get maximum grip, warm up the car, take it off, if all else fails, wait another hour and try again. If that fails, wait tomorrow and try again. It "always" come off the second day for me, dont know how or why.

[leon78]

Use some MAN!

[ayau]

Lay a dish washing glove (or any type of rubber glove) on top of the oil filter and twist.

[killerkid08]

if you just wanna get it off, and have another handy, and aren't afraid to go to town on it, cut a hole in the top and insert tool to aid in adding torque.

Sometimes you dont wanna buy stuff, you'll never use.

[deucethemoose]

I have found that wrapping sandpaper around the filter provides the grip required to remove it.

Otherwise just buy an oil filter cap for a few bucks and call it a day.

[Perihelion]

Thanks for the advice! I'll try again tomorrow

[Draco-REX]

Originally Posted by Perihelion

Thanks for the advice! I'll try again tomorrow

The original filter was too tight to take off by hand on my car, so I drove a screw driver into the side of it and used it as a lever to take it off.

Once you get that filter off, you should NEVER need a tool to tighten or remove a filter again.

Proper filter installation:

Make sure the old gasket from the previous filter is not stuck to the filter seat, then clean the seat by wiping off any oil and dirt. Don't worry if you get some down into the little hole. It will get flushed up into the new filter when you start the engine.

(If this engine had a filter than hung from underneath, you'd fill the new filter with oil at this point. But since our cars have it up top, you'll skip this step.)

Coat the gasket on the new filter with oil. You can use old or new oil, just don't be stingy. We don't want the gasket to snag on the seat when were're tightening the filter.

Now spin the filter onto the post until it stops against the seat.

Finally, grab the filter and turn it one HALF turn to tighten it.

You're done. Your filter will not leak and you'll be able to remove it at your next oil change with just your hand. With a Fumoto drain valve, this car is a tool-less oil change.