Stuck oil filter :(

[predator]

Does anybody have any tips for getting off a really stuck down stuck oil filter?

I have used one of those clamp things, that you can really tighten the end down.. but I just can't seem to turn it at all.

It's an R32, and really difficult to get your hand under the intake manifold to get a proper grip

I've even tried getting at it from underneath to see if I could get more leverage, but the steering rack and starter motor are pretty much in the way.

[LittleB]

TOOLS: Big, long flathead screwdriver and a hammer.... :uh-huh:

METHOD: Hammer screwdriver through the filter and twist the filter off ... :uh-huh:

[Amaru]

TOOLS: Big, long flathead screwdriver and a hammer.... :uh-huh:

METHOD: Hammer screwdriver through the filter and twist the filter off ... :uh-huh:

What he said... works a charm. Can be a bit messy but you get that

[Beer Baron]

i'll third that motion. done it on an SR20 that someone had put the wrong filter on and done it up F#$king tight to boot. yes it's messy, but it gets it off

[rumble]

if the brute strength approach doesnt work (see above) you can get a rachet tool for filters-it has 3 arms that tighten when its turned -not cheap though-priced one at $64!

[predator]

Won't that approach just bend through the metal??

Assuming I get dirty great big screwdriver skewered through, it looks as if its more at the point of peeling open the filter, rather than unscrewing it. The metal doesn't look too thick.

rumble: that sounds like a gear puller sort of thing.. $65 though - ouch.

I got a pretty nifty standard oil standard one that really screws itself down on it, and that wasn't working (worked on so many other cars). Think its the leverage that sucks .. bloody RB20's! RB25 had more room.

[The Dan]

Drive the car up to brissy and I'll get it off for ya. Guaranteed. and I'll do it free of charge.

Unless you got no oil in it.

The screwdriver works fine....just make sure you hammer it right through the other side so it has good support. The metal will peel but eventually you hit a hard spot and she'll bite in.

Failing that, gimme $15 dollars and I'll drive down there and get it off for you.

[strutto]

Teh big screwdriver method + hammer has worked for me on other cars...

[Trust33]

use your back man...put some effort into it get some friends over and have a party....maybee not a party but use your strength..

if it's too slippery get a grip matt...

[predator]

I'll have to give it a try later.. this was this morning before it went off for compliance.. not to be seen for 3 weeks or so

No filter change this oil change.. I even had it sitting there and everything

The oil was the sludgiest, smelliest oil I'd ever seen on any car.. good to see the japanese owner treated it with care..

[mickr33]

Had the exact problem on my R33. Tried the clamp tools (two different sizes) and just kept slipping. So ended up buying one of those tools Rumble spoke about which was actually $20 from Autobarn and it's the best tool ever.

[leb]

I got some rytool one, only got it so haven't really used it.

Brute strength is the best method.

HINT : Use a rubber glove, it will grip to the filter, and grab the filter as tight as you can and undo it in small reps

[The Dan]

^ Great advice leb ^

This method works great when you don't have any other tools.

Hint on the hint is to spray the filter with some carby clean first and let it evaporate so that you remove any oily residue. Then you get supamegaextremo grip with the washing up glove.

[Duncan]

$20 3 arm tool works for me, bloody hard to get at filters with those crappy strap wrenches

[Trust33]

turn it with your hands as you are useing the arm tool.

[Cubes]

I'd go with the rubber washing glove.

I've also used pure leather gloves that also grip really well.

That being said I recently gave a friend of mine a hand do an oil change on his S15.

S15's have THE smallest oil filter and lack of room I have seen. lol.

It felt like I broke my hand I was gripping the oil filter and forcing it so much.

It is definitely a rachet tool for that one.

I hadn't actually thought of throwing a screw driver through it but definitely sounds like a workable option.

I'll keep it in mind when I'm stuck.

If you are after a decent oil filter the K&N ones have a nut on the end to aid in removal.

[Brackez]

Sharpen the screwdriver first (makes it useless for anything else, but always good for filter changes ). If you can, get one with a square shaft & have a flat part of the shaft facing the direction you want to turn the filter: makes it harder for the screwdriver to rip the metal.

[R33vit]

Another method is to use the screwdriver on the rim of the filter. Hit the filter on the outer rim closest to the block to make a dent in it then use the hammer and driver at a angle and tap the filler in the direction to loosen it off...

[The Dan]

Another method is to use the screwdriver on the rim of the filter. Hit the filter on the outer rim closest to the block to make a dent in it then use the hammer and driver at a angle and tap the filler in the direction to loosen it off...

I'm not sure you understand the lack of room to swing a hammer in one of these cars.....maybe an elves hammer or something of equivalent size. But then you'd have to use an elves screw driver. Not really available at all leading retailers but I'm sure an SAU member could sell you one.

oh yeah, Cubes...I believe that would have been a Z445. very small.

But at any rate...these filters should not be done up that tight to begin with.

One other thing. R33vit. Not a very good idea to hit the filter at the rim as you risk scoring the mating surface for the filter. If you damage it you risk tearing the seal on the next filter fitted.

[the phantom]

I also vouch for the hammer right through the filter idea...works very well, albeit messy. Then again all filter removals seem to end up messy!