I just cannot remove the oil filter...

[choi0706]

Originally Posted by MrTranxD

Ive never heard of hammering a screwdriver through the filter, but that seems....interesting? But overall, this thread is a funny read for some strange reason.

on some cars, the filter is really difficult to access, and if that filter is tight people have to resort to this ..

[jamesm]

use k&n oil filters... they have a nut on the top to make it easier to get them off. but first and foremost don't let dealership techs touch your car.

[ZionsWrath]

First oil change on new car = bring to dealer for me

Havent had any problem doing that on 3 different brand cars.

[ZionsWrath]

Originally Posted by choi0706

your hand tight, my hand tight, and average joe hand tight are different..

you need to follow the directions on the filter.. which usually is 3/4to 1.5 turns from when the gasket touches the base.. thats the only way to properly do it.. and from what I've seen and done myself, its impossible to reach 3/4 without some tool of sort on most vehicles..

I've never put a filter more than hand tight and have never had a problem?

[choi0706]

fwiw, I use the AST oil filter wrench..
fits perfect and doesn't slip.. very heavy duty, for professionals..
http://www.toolsource.com/subaru-hyu...-p-104328.html

[choi0706]

Originally Posted by ZionsWrath

I've never put a filter more than hand tight and have never had a problem?

when you do 10,000+ oil changes a year, you'll see..

[ZionsWrath]

Originally Posted by choi0706

when you do 10,000+ oil changes a year, you'll see..

See what? I have done all my own oil changes and helped numerous friends. They and I have seen 3 digit speeds and hard driving pretty much daily and no problems.

When I have gotten dealer changes they come off with only my hand after. Please share your secrets and not emoticons.

[choi0706]

Originally Posted by ZionsWrath

See what? I have done all my own oil changes and helped numerous friends. They and I have seen 3 digit speeds and hard driving pretty much daily and no problems.

When I have gotten dealer changes they come off with only my hand after. Please share your secrets and not emoticons.

they seep oil with "hand tight" follow the directions of the filter, none of the filters I've seen will mention "hand tight" on any instructions.. because its simply too vague, and I've mentioned your hand tight, my hand tight, someone else's hand tight are different.. and some vehicles, you can barely put your fingers on it to tighten.. yet alone get even 3/4 turn..

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by racecat

I think generally people here are saying it's either the first filter from the dealership or after taking it in for service. Your average joe would have no reason to install a filter so tight...can't figure out why dealerships do.

I have no idea what it was like on your car. My first oil change had a filter that came off easily by hand.

Originally Posted by choi0706

your hand tight, my hand tight, and average joe hand tight are different..

you need to follow the directions on the filter.. which usually is 3/4to 1.5 turns from when the gasket touches the base.. thats the only way to properly do it.. and from what I've seen and done myself, its impossible to reach 3/4 without some tool of sort on most vehicles..

My "hand tight" is exactly the procedure that is outlined in the FSM, marked on the filter, etc.

Screw on filter. Once rubber base touches engine, turn another 2/3 to 3/4. This can be accomplished by hand.

There is absolutely no need to turn the filter 1.5 full rotations. Please show me where it says to screw on the filter that tightly.

-alex

Edit: torque spec for the filter is 10ft-lb of torque.

If that is not a definition of "hand tight", you're doing it wrong!

[mav1178]

From the FSM.

[racecat]

Originally Posted by mav1178

I have no idea what it was like on your car. My first oil change had a filter that came off easily by hand.



My "hand tight" is exactly the procedure that is outlined in the FSM, marked on the filter, etc.

Screw on filter. Once rubber base touches engine, turn another 2/3 to 3/4. This can be accomplished by hand.

My friend tried as well, we were both unable to loosen it by hand or normal tools. So, screwdriver.

This is how I tightened it when I installed the new one. No issues so far.

[mav1178]

^^^ screwdriver technique always works!

[choi0706]

http://www.purolatorautofilters.net/...ages/FAQs.aspx

I can assure you on some filters the instructions say to go as high as 1.5 turns..

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by choi0706

http://www.purolatorautofilters.net/...ages/FAQs.aspx

I can assure you on some filters the instructions say to go as high as 1.5 turns..

I'm not doubting what you are saying. But for what we use on OUR cars, it's around 3/4 turns max.

The "how much beyond gasket contact" is dependent on the thickness of the rubber gasket, and the actual filter thread. If the threads are finer/thinner, there would be a need to turn the filter more to compress the gasket properly.

For coarser threads, the filter would need to be turned less.

Or look at it this way: the finer the thread pitch, the more turns it will take to move the same vertical distance versus a coarser thread pitch. A filter gasket needing 2mm of compression would require different amounts of turning based on the thread pitch differences, hence the vague info from the filter maker.

-alex