What is Oppo's favorite method for removing stuck oil filters.

Kinja'd!!! "Decay buys too many beaters" (decay)
10/21/2019 at 13:51 • Filed to: None

Kinja'd!!!0 Kinja'd!!! 66
Kinja'd!!!


On my two most recent oil changes, I have come across over tightened oil filters. Usually (and when working on a filter I’ve installed) I can remove them by hand with a set of rubberized grip gloves, but these two gave me absolute fits. On both I tried the following

Loosen by hand with grippy gloves. Which didn’t work, even on a clean dry surface I couldn’t put in enough force to turn it

Use a clamping oil filter wrench. This one usually does it, but in these last two cases, it just starts to crush the filter housing

Kinja'd!!!



Use a socket oil filter wrench adapter. These usually just end up turning and rounding off the oil filter edges a bit if the previous tool doesn’t work. I don’t know why I bother trying it.

Kinja'd!!!

Use a strap wrench. In these two most recent cases, I couldn’t put enough force in to get the filter to move. The most recent case broke the strap.

Kinja'd!!!

At this point, people generally try the “stab a screwdriver through it and turn” method. But I had this method once tear off the body of the filter (as in the lead image) so I no longer use this method.

Kinja'd!!!

No, in both recent cases, I JB welded the oil filter to socket adapter to the stuck filter and turn with way more force than I should’ve had  to.


So what does everyone else here do in this case?


DISCUSSION (66)


Kinja'd!!! VincentMalamute-Kim > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 13:57

Kinja'd!!!6

Kinja'd!!!


Kinja'd!!! Snuze: Needs another Swede > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 13:58

Kinja'd!!!0

Plasma cutter. Consequences be damned!!!


Kinja'd!!! Decay buys too many beaters > VincentMalamute-Kim
10/21/2019 at 14:01

Kinja'd!!!0

I’ve tried these (specifically in the locking vicegrip style) , but never had much luck. 


Kinja'd!!! and 100 more > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 14:02

Kinja'd!!!0

Did you try some PBlaster or some other penetrating oil?


Kinja'd!!! diplodicus forgot his password > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 14:02

Kinja'd!!!2

Big ass channel locks. Then never let anyone else put an oil filter on ever again. 


Kinja'd!!! VincentMalamute-Kim > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 14:04

Kinja'd!!!0

Really? What happens?

I’ve tried all the others and these work the best for me. Maybe I’ve never faced a truly stuck filter.

Crushing the filter housing is OK - you’re not reusing it.


Kinja'd!!! Decay buys too many beaters > VincentMalamute-Kim
10/21/2019 at 14:06

Kinja'd!!!1

Similar to the screwdriver, I’ve seen a housing tear when given the proper amount of angry force. 


Kinja'd!!! Nick Has an Exocet > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 14:06

Kinja'd!!!1

I try not to put myself in this situation. However, I usually do my best to break whatever seal is holding it so tight. Warming up the engine (to the point where the filter heats up but not necessary the block) has worked for me. Lately, I’ve been buying oil filters that accept a socket on the bottom.

Kinja'd!!!


Kinja'd!!! Decay buys too many beaters > and 100 more
10/21/2019 at 14:08

Kinja'd!!!0

I did not, I don’t expect it would get to the problematic dry on dry contact area under the seal. On fasteners I use it a lot, but never t hought to use it on a filter.


Kinja'd!!! vicali > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 14:09

Kinja'd!!!4

Usually I use the end cap type because I’m normally the one putting it on. If that doesn’t work I go way to the back of my toolbox and dig out my filter strap - it looks like this but add 40 years of oil changes.. It has never failed, and has crushed it’s share of filters..

Kinja'd!!!


Kinja'd!!! adamftw > VincentMalamute-Kim
10/21/2019 at 14:10

Kinja'd!!!1

Yup, never had one that wouldn't come off with these. 


Kinja'd!!! Decay buys too many beaters > diplodicus forgot his password
10/21/2019 at 14:11

Kinja'd!!!1

Why is “seal touching plus a half turn” so god damn hard to understand? If you need to use a tool to tighten you’re doing too much. I always dread the first filter change on a new vehicle because it’s almost always tighter than I would do. 


Kinja'd!!! Decay buys too many beaters > Nick Has an Exocet
10/21/2019 at 14:12

Kinja'd!!!1

I too usually go to these, but it’s a moot point as I’ve never had a filter I installed give the slightest issue coming off. 


Kinja'd!!! dogisbadob > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 14:13

Kinja'd!!!1

hammer and screwdriver

The key is to make sure the screwdriver makes it all the way through the other end of the can, otherwise you will mangle it. That may have been the case with your issues using it.


Kinja'd!!! Decay buys too many beaters > vicali
10/21/2019 at 14:13

Kinja'd!!!1

OO, this is one I don’t have. Looks real simple and effective in theory .


Kinja'd!!! benn454 > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 14:14

Kinja'd!!!1

 All of the above. I don't worry about crushing the filter. It's just getting thrown away. As long as you don't tear it in half, you're good. Then it's hammer and chisel time.


Kinja'd!!! Decay buys too many beaters > dogisbadob
10/21/2019 at 14:15

Kinja'd!!!1

I made it all the way though when I had the issue . A lot of modern filters, specifically for J apanese cars use thinner walled metal for their filter housings than has been used previously.


Kinja'd!!! diplodicus forgot his password > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 14:17

Kinja'd!!!1

I usually do a full turn but I’ve always been able to get it off. Plus I know what idiot to blame if I can’t. In the case of having to use the big ass channel locks I’m pretty sure the shop that did my head gasket put the oil filter on before the headers went back on, which makes sense but caused it to be way to tight to get off when the headers were on. 


Kinja'd!!! Future Heap Owner > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 14:18

Kinja'd!!!1

Because nobody knows that “hand t ight” means “when the seal touches”


Kinja'd!!! lone_liberal > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 14:18

Kinja'd!!!1

I mostly follow the same steps as you do, but I’ve never had a clamping oil filter wrench just the strap kind and I’ll still do the stab method if I really have to but I haven’t had to resort to that for quite a while. 


Kinja'd!!! MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 14:21

Kinja'd!!!1

I use a big channel lock, squeeze it enough to deform the filter a bit and then twist. Haven’t had this not work for me yet *knocks on every piece of wood th at can be found*


Kinja'd!!! jminer > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 14:22

Kinja'd!!!1

I’ve done two things that usually work if it is really stuck. F irst is a large pair of channel locks set just tight enough to clamp and slightly deform the canister. That usually gives me enough purchase to pop it loose but you have to be careful and not hulk it like your first pic.

Second is I have a giant pair of channel locks if I don’t have enough room for the first. Clamp them down just right enough to deform it and then tap them with a 5lb sledge (lightly) and that should provide enough impact to jar it loose but not tear it apart.

I’ve not had a filter that I failed to remove with either of the above options.


Kinja'd!!! MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > vicali
10/21/2019 at 14:22

Kinja'd!!!1

Why have I never seen one of these before? It looks like it would be very effective.


Kinja'd!!! Aremmes > vicali
10/21/2019 at 14:30

Kinja'd!!!0

Kinja'd!!!


Kinja'd!!! Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 14:31

Kinja'd!!!1

Chain wrench. Like a strap wrench but won’t break, and the links indent the filter to give it good grip. One of these and a breaker bar  and anything’s coming off.

Kinja'd!!!


Kinja'd!!! thejustache > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 14:35

Kinja'd!!!1

I’ve had to use the hammer and screwdriver method once when a strap wrench failed me. Thankfully it worked and didn’t shear off like yours did...

The JB weld method seems like a decent last resort, although I would get impatient waiting for it to cure. That heavy duty strap wrench posted below looks really intriguing. Thankfully this is most likely only an issue on new-to me vehicles


Kinja'd!!! Decay buys too many beaters > thejustache
10/21/2019 at 14:39

Kinja'd!!!1

Ha! At that point I was pretty heated and needed to walk away for a bit anyway. A break wasn’t the worst thing th at could have happened.


Kinja'd!!! Decay buys too many beaters > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen
10/21/2019 at 14:39

Kinja'd!!!0

Now this looks like it could put some real force into a system. 


Kinja'd!!! dogisbadob > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 14:46

Kinja'd!!!0

Stick to the standard aftermarket brands, such as Fram and Wix :o)


Kinja'd!!! This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 14:47

Kinja'd!!!1

A giant channellock was my go-to for a while before it somehow wandered off. . Impressive, considering it was over a foot long.


Kinja'd!!! Decay buys too many beaters > dogisbadob
10/21/2019 at 14:48

Kinja'd!!!1

I’ve never had a filter I installed give issues coming off, so that choice is not usually mine to make :) 


Kinja'd!!! Michael > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 14:50

Kinja'd!!!2

Model-specific ratchet oil filter wrench.  Finding one for Toyotas was a bitch, all the off the shelf ones were 1mm too large and just spun


Kinja'd!!! PartyPooper2012 > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 15:12

Kinja'd!!!2

sometimes.... simple solutions are the best solutions....

1) Check the thread on new filter and make sure it isn’t left thread.

2) if all checks out, make sure you are spinning lefty loosey.

I have been where you are and somehow looking at things upside down sometimes confuses brain and makes it spin things righty tighty


Kinja'd!!! Decay buys too many beaters > PartyPooper2012
10/21/2019 at 15:20

Kinja'd!!!2

I’m fairly certain if I ever ran into a left hand thread on something unlike a crank pulley or tie rod (or something else with an actual reason for being LH thread) I’d go on a personal quest to find the engineer who’s name appears on the part drawing(s) for a good slap upside the head.


Kinja'd!!! AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 15:21

Kinja'd!!!3

Glare at my lube techs and make them feel bad.


Kinja'd!!! Brickman > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 15:23

Kinja'd!!!1

A few time I had to use a big screwdriver to stab the can to get it off. Socket works well. At home I use a rubber strap wrench. I know how tight to put the filter, so it will come off with little effort


Kinja'd!!! AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Nick Has an Exocet
10/21/2019 at 15:24

Kinja'd!!!3

In my experience, more often than not, those little nuts break off because some dumbass used  it to install the damn thing.


Kinja'd!!! Decay buys too many beaters > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
10/21/2019 at 15:28

Kinja'd!!!0

So. much. this.
I always get extra scared when the first change I do on something  new has one of these. 


Kinja'd!!! PartyPooper2012 > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 15:28

Kinja'd!!!1

mmmm.... fair... but... did you check?


Kinja'd!!! Decay buys too many beaters > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
10/21/2019 at 15:31

Kinja'd!!!0

Then check the shop air pressure to make sure the rattle guns used to install the filters aren’t getting too much hot sauce? 


Kinja'd!!! Decay buys too many beaters > PartyPooper2012
10/21/2019 at 15:33

Kinja'd!!!1

lol, I’ll admit that I did not.

but, to be fair, a properly tightened oil filter should be able to spin a small amount in either direction with a strong hand force regardless the thread direction.


Kinja'd!!! PartyPooper2012 > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 15:39

Kinja'd!!!2

Pretty much every oil filter I have ever tightened by hand, I was unable to loosen by hand. I needed the oil wrench. One time the filter got stuck pretty badly. All my turning and twisting caused the filter to bend.... I was yanking on the filter so hard the car was jumping up and down. Eventually though.... I stepped back..... realized I was spinning it the wrong way. It got unstuck real quick.

I know... problem exists between creeper and the car... what can I say. I had the case of the dumbs


Kinja'd!!! Gimmemabrewski > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 15:59

Kinja'd!!!1

I use my jaws (giant set of channel lock pliers). Crushes the filter a bit but works every time. It seems like any Audi 2.0 i come across has  an over tightened filter on it lol


Kinja'd!!! Dogsatemypants > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 16:18

Kinja'd!!!1

There are three tools i will use to remove any filter no matter how stuck. Slip joint filter pliers with a angled jaw, gators (aka big boy filter pliers) or a 3 finger or 2 piece ratchet claw. Between those 3 i have never had any issue other than getting the tools on the filter or having enough room to make a good turn. Try sticking a hollow metal tube on the end of your ratchet and lengthen your lever. Go at it again with the ratchet claw . You can crush the shit out of the filter body as long as it twists off.


Kinja'd!!! Decay buys too many beaters > PartyPooper2012
10/21/2019 at 16:19

Kinja'd!!!0

I have that issue quite a bit, it’s one of the reasons I like my ratchets to have “on” and “off” labels on t he direction elector. It’s also the reason I like that clamping oil filter tool, it can only spin in one direction. 


Kinja'd!!! Future next gen S2000 owner > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 16:39

Kinja'd!!!3

I’m a screwdriver guy but I don’t take my cars anywhere. I do all my oil changes so I know how tight they go on and who to cuss at if it doesn’t come off. Ironi c ally, I’m starting to like canister cartr idge styles more and more. 


Kinja'd!!! Gaslollipop > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 16:40

Kinja'd!!!1

Hammer and chisel and if that doesn’ t go, try the air chisel. Had one someone installed dry and ended up chiseling off the filter in pieces. Split it like a nut. 


Kinja'd!!! Decay buys too many beaters > Dogsatemypants
10/21/2019 at 16:49

Kinja'd!!!0

My three jaw has never failed until these most recent two. In both cases it crushed the filter, then destroyed the rubber pads on each arm, then lost sufficient  friction to grip the filter.


Kinja'd!!! Decay buys too many beaters > Future next gen S2000 owner
10/21/2019 at 16:51

Kinja'd!!!0

You know, that was my thought as well, far less fiddly. Only real downside I can think of is that it’s a bit messier. 


Kinja'd!!! Dogsatemypants > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 16:56

Kinja'd!!!1

Get one of these https://www.homedepot.com/p/Lisle-Import-Car-Filter-Wrench-LIS63600/306764010?mtc=Shopping-BA-F_HC_A-G-D25T-25_31_GARAGE_AUTOMOTIVE-NA-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-Auto_RLSA&cm_mmc=Shopping-BA-F_HC_A-G-D25T-25_31_GARAGE_AUTOMOTIVE-NA-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-Auto_RLSA-71700000037147753-58700004141485307-92700048672352091&gclid=Cj0KCQjwrrXtBRCKARIsAMbU6bHszfhoGaGrka6KwMKZNk7R4KJ2b7tQt8p51uchtSYPbmvczYM9D5gaAmNGEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds


Kinja'd!!! Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 17:09

Kinja'd!!!2

In order:

1. Strap wrench. If this begins crushing:

2. Screwdriver through side. If this begins cutting filter:

3. Small chisel along the flange of the filter. This method usually works without fail.

Likewise, I’ve yet to need any of the above since I started doing my own changes about 10 years ago.


Kinja'd!!! Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 17:18

Kinja'd!!!1

That’s a Datsun L24-L28 block.

I’ve never had a hard time getting filter s off myself. I usually get it by hand, if that doesn’t work a compression type filter wrench works for me.

Kinja'd!!!


Kinja'd!!! Decay buys too many beaters > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/21/2019 at 17:24

Kinja'd!!!0

I admit, I used all stock images for this post. I’m pretty bad about taking any photos while I’m working


Kinja'd!!! Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 17:28

Kinja'd!!!0

I just noticed an E31 stamp on the head, It’s an L24. Same engine as is in my datsun, just a tab bit cleaner. 


Kinja'd!!! Greg > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 19:01

Kinja'd!!!1

I had one stuck on a friend’s car once. Apparently the last 2 times it was taken to a shop they couldn’t get it off so they left it. At this point it was starting to rust out and was leaking. Tried 3 different types of filter wrenches and just kept destroying the filter further. Ended up spraying   it with pb blaster, filled the motor with cheap oil and ran the car till it got hot again. Let it cool off and surprisingly was able to take it off by hand.


Kinja'd!!! Urambo Tauro > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 19:51

Kinja'd!!!1

If the canister is destroyed like in the first pic there, I’m gonna throw in another vote for the chisel method. Bite into the flange and hammer from an angle that will lo osen what’s left of the filter .


Kinja'd!!! AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 21:09

Kinja'd!!!1

Or put actual hot sauce in an air nozzle and blast it at them!


Kinja'd!!! gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 22:56

Kinja'd!!!0

K&n or if i can’t strap wrench to nudge it off. 


Kinja'd!!! 66P1800inpieces > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 23:27

Kinja'd!!!1

Like opening jars, it is sometimes easier to use your left hand to loosen things as you can get better leverage and use your forearm. If you use your right hand the twisting motion is mostly via the wrist.  Probably wouldn’t with the apparently wrenched on filters that come your way. 


Kinja'd!!! wafflesnfalafel > Decay buys too many beaters
10/21/2019 at 23:34

Kinja'd!!!0

I have a pair of those reinforced rubber strappy type wrenches that have worked on every single filter I’ve ever done - save one - the original filter on an 05 Nissan Altima that I had to do the jam the screwdriver through trick. I also had the cap type ratchet for the cartridge type set up on a Mazda 2.3 MZR (which worked fine but was a PITA, always ended up covered in oil...)


Kinja'd!!! Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's > Decay buys too many beaters
10/22/2019 at 01:47

Kinja'd!!!0

I have resorted to the screw-driver method in the past, but it is messy and aggravating and only a last resort . I change the oil on my car and my GF’s car, and I usually dont put the filter on too tight, but a few weeks ago I could not get either of our filters off. Hurt my wrist trying too, so I gave in and got some of these from Autozone:

Kinja'd!!!

Never been a fan of the clamp style pliers. I literally dented and slightly crushed both of our filters trying to get them by hand, my wrists hurt that day. These things just bite right in and let me get my anger out. The right tool for the job is always the best way to do things.


Kinja'd!!! Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Decay buys too many beaters
10/22/2019 at 12:15

Kinja'd!!!0

I always use the socket adapter to loosen and make damn sure nobody else touches my oil filters so they are always just hand tightened to begin with. When I have dealt with this problem in the past, I have used the screw driver through the filter successfully. But I think the socket style would have worked in that case anyways. I absolutely hate the adjustable filter wrenches, those always give me hell and its a tight fit on my miata anyways so adjust ing those things is awful. Ive never been able to hand loosen just because of how slippery everything is and its usually too hot to get in there and get a good grip while playing the operation board game with my wrists on hot parts. 


Kinja'd!!! Echo51 > Decay buys too many beaters
10/22/2019 at 12:33

Kinja'd!!!1

The oil filter is stuck firmly in place on my old engine. I changed the motor (:


Kinja'd!!! I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Decay buys too many beaters
10/22/2019 at 14:48

Kinja'd!!!0

I’ve never had enough clearance to do anything besides the socket. If it’s tight, I can usually slip my four foot breaker in and, well, you know


Kinja'd!!! HammerheadFistpunch > Decay buys too many beaters
10/23/2019 at 00:27

Kinja'd!!!0

Thankfully I can’t remember when I last had a stuck filter. hand tight, 1/4 back. no leaks, no problems for 20 years.


Kinja'd!!! JPGBU1 > Decay buys too many beaters
10/23/2019 at 09:17

Kinja'd!!!0

I make sure to lube the filter well when putting on thus the problem never arises for me... also if possible depending on location get strap closest to the top for better torque