problems with oil change

[Pyromidion]

I usually do it myself, since it only takes 20 minutes anyway. This last time I took my car in to the shop it was about the interval so I had them change my oil while it was there. The shop tightened the oil filter tight enough that I can't torque it by hand enough to get it loose from where it is on the engine (obstacles).

I took a large pair of channel lock pliers to loosen it, but with the strength required to turn it, the filter started to crush and I punctured it. I now have a dented and bleeding filter and it's still too tight for me to get it loose.

What are some recommendations to get the filter off?

 

[allanon1965]

what car and what engine?

 

[james1701]

Buy an oil filter wrench.

 

[jlee]

I mangled one up pretty bad with a pair of channel locks. It'll come off eventually..if not you're in for an interesting time.

That was the first time in a long time I've paid someone to have my oil changed...hopefully the last time for a while.

 

[Pyromidion]

Buy an oil filter wrench.

http://www.classic-car-magazine.co.uk/articles/images/oil_change/oil_filter_wrench.jpg I have one of those I tried too. The filter (Fram 3614) is too small and it can't grab it.

as for the engine, its a 3VZ-E in my Toyota.

 

[Iron Woode]

http://www.classic-car-magazine.co.uk/articles/images/oil_change/oil_filter_wrench.jpg I have one of those I tried too. The filter (Fram 3614) is too small and it can't grab it.

as for the engine, its a 3VZ-E in my Toyota.

what about the ones that fit on the bottom and use a ratchet to turn it?

or the old standby: punch a screwdriver through it and turn it.

 

[LTC8K6]

Poke a long screwdriver through it?

 

[jlee]

Poke a long screwdriver through it?

I'm not sure what his engine layout is, but I couldn't really do that in my Tundra...had to fight with a big pair of pliers for a while.

 

[brblx]

buy a plier type oil filter wrench and one of the spring-loaded cups for use with a 3/8 ratchet. between those two things, you should be able to remove 95% of external canister-type filters.

 

[CraigRT]

I'm gonna go outside the box here. K&N filters with socket adapter on the end.

BAM!

 

[HappyPuppy]

Do what the pros do.

 

[Meghan54]

http://www.classic-car-magazine.co.uk/articles/images/oil_change/oil_filter_wrench.jpg

Those band type are almost worthless.

Try one of this style next time......

Have yet to have the spin-on type oil filter defeat that type of filter wrench. The harder you torque on the filter to remove it, the tighter those grip the filter's canister.

 

[brblx]

those work good. i like this type a little better, though-
http://www.jcwhitney.com/jcwhitney/...73&zmam=73771597&zmas=21&zmac=141&zmap=123073

if that type is slipping, this type is sure to grab it-
http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/kd3149.html

and if you need to get at it from the side, you'll need some filter pliers. these are a locking version that works excellently-
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=66568

 

[SooperDave]

those work good. i like this type a little better, though-
http://www.jcwhitney.com/jcwhitney/...73&zmam=73771597&zmas=21&zmac=141&zmap=123073

if that type is slipping, this type is sure to grab it-
http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/kd3149.html

and if you need to get at it from the side, you'll need some filter pliers. these are a locking version that works excellently-
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=66568

I have this http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/kd3149.html and it has never failed to get a filter loose yet and I've come across some pretty tough ones. It will keep crushing it until enough pressure is relieved from the gasket.

 

[Gibson486]

Nothing compares to taking off the brake hose on a mazda 3. I swear, Mazda went out of their way to make all maintenance on the car difficult. 1 hour to change a cabin air filter? WTF!

 

[AMCRambler]

Screw driver if you don't have another car to go buy an oil filter wrench. If you've got the space, tap the screw driver completely through the filter and use it as a handle to turn it.

 

[StageLeft]

I tried band style it was crap.

The best are ones specifically for your filter and go around it like a socket. Next I have the ones that look like large pliers and they work, too.

I once did have to hammer a long screwdriver through. That worked but what a hell of a mess. I always hand-tighten my filter as tight as I can so I need a filter tool each time to remove it but with the tool it's never a problem.

 

[exar333]

I'm gonna go outside the box here. K&N filters with socket adapter on the end.

BAM!

Yeah, these are awesome. Sure it's a couple dollars more for the filter, but it is so easy to tighten and loosen with a regular ol' socket set. This was great for my old Mazda6 because the oil canister was mounted at an angle, and had so little room around it to use a standard oil-wrench. Saved a ton of hassle.

 

[LTC8K6]

Well, he already caused the filter to leak through crushing it, so the screwdriver won't make much more of a mess....