Recently I’ve been checking items off the to do list. Currently stuck at oil change. 95 Saturn wagon, not quite 80k miles. I’ve done most of the maintenance on it and until now I’ve never encountered a problem I couldn’t solve. Oil change once a year with full synthetic oil. I always hand tighten the filter.
So why won’t this filter come off?
Strap wrench, jaw type wrench, chain wrench, pipe wrench. They all slip and filter won’t budge. Yes, I’m trying to turn it counterclockwise. I don’t want to resort to a torch. Suggestions?
Hammer a large screwdriver or other 10-12 inch long metal object into in from the side a good distace and then turn. If you don’t have a sharp enough screwdriver you can pre-drill a hole to get it started.
Go clockwise to loosen it. Counter intuitive but it often works.
You can also refill with oil, drive then remove filter, it will be very hot but that will also help loosen it. But that is an extra cost of extra oil you will waste (and mess unless you drain the fresh oil).
Some recommend stabbing it with a screwdriver, though i would be afraid of an engine projection being damaged or the can collapsing then you have to pick apart pieces.
You can also try a penetrating oil or WD40.
You can use a hammer drill if you have some attachment or the cap had a head that you can put a sprocket on, the pulses often loosen stuck bolts. Start at low power.
The time I tried the stab with screwdriver, the metal ended up ripping apart and I was worse off.
The getting it hot might work.
I had success by gluing two strips of 120(?) grit sandpaper back to back and using that under a strap wrench. After I cleaned the strap with some acetone or some sort of de-greaser.
The grit dug into the filter and the glue kept the two pieces from slipping on each other.
There are also oil filter wrenches/sockets that have a section that fits over the knurled end of the filter - but that costs money.
Goo Luck,
Jeff
The screwdriver probably doesn’t have to be all that long. It’s been a lot of years since I’ve done it and it turned very easy. I think I put a hole in the bottom first to get the oil out of the way.
I don’t think I’d bother with a drill. Just Hammer a good size nail into it for a starter hole for the screwdriver. Just do it near the cap but on the side where the can is stronger. But if you end up with a dent in it plenty of your other wrenches will probably work.
Yes the proper tool is always best. But the hammer and the screwdriver will be done in 30 seconds. Then you can buy the proper tool at your convenience for the next time.
Maybe time to take it to an oil change place and let them figure it out?
I’ve always changed the oil myself on all my cars and every once and awhile the filter will be a pain. But a strap wrench will take care of it. Not sure what’s going on with yours.
Take it to a place like Jiffy Lube and have them change the oil this one time.
The times in the past when I had oil filters that didn’t want to come off the sandpaper trick worked fine. Except for one time and rather than driving a screwdriver or nail through the filter I had Jiffy Lube deal with it
Did you lube the filter gasket before screwing it in the last time? That can cause the filter to stick and be difficult to remove.
My fave tool for an oil filter! Just happened to break my filter wrench one day and the neighbor borrowed my his. Had to get one of my own. One of the best tools I ever bought.
I’m sorry you are having trouble. Such things happen to all of us but they can be frustrating. I use these “wrench caps” and they have been awesome. I got mine from autozone, I think. This should get the idea across though. No idea how good the harbor freight ones are though. They come in different sizes and make things way easier for hard to reach filters or ones that are stuck.
Just to be clear, I have the 9 in channellock oil filter pliers. I haven’t used them in the last 12 years because I have not needed them. Channellock also makes a 12 and a 15.5 in oil filter pliers. And plenty of other companies make them in 9 to 12 inches. But if you’re stuck and you don’t have an extra vehicle or you have got to get it done to drive to work the next day, then the screwdriver will get it off. I changed the oil in our three vehicles yesterday so I won’t have to do it during the winter. And I have never paid to have my oil changed. I do not enjoy doing it but I want to know it’s done right. The last used vehicle that I bought had a stripped oil drain bolt. It was not leaking but when I went to change the oil it was extremely tight and then it just spun and did not turn out. I had to clamp on with the 10-in vise grips hanging straight down and pull down as I was turning to get it to start catching what little threads were left. Apparently Ford intentionally makes the threads on the bolt softer than the threads in the pan so when some knucklehead over tightens things you can just buy a $5 plug. I’m sure many oil change places get the job done MOST of the time without issues.
It sounds like you have tried all the usual tools and tricks, and probably have a big oily mess with no option to take it anywhere.
The threads are likely galled or cold-welded from galvanic corrosion of dissimilar metals.
i don’t know if the flange is accessible, but i would be thinking of using a chisel and hammer to tap on the nut flange in the CCW direction, or an air impact hammer if you have that equipment. Anything to get some vibration into the thread joint to break it loose.
