Oil Filter Tricks

[Begester]

Every year when I change my oil, the filter seems to get harder and harder to remove from the metal bracket that it sits on. I lube the ring on the filter with a little oil but it seems to be less and less effective.

QUESTION: What is your trick for getting the filter off or preventing this from happening? I used a filter wrench and still ended up having to remove the entire bracket, cut the filter, and put the bracket in a vice to get the top off. I tried jamming a screwdriver into the filter, no luck.

Any insight is greatly appreciated.

 

[alldodge]

Every once in a while I need a filter wrench to remove, but most the time I can remove by hand. Having so much trouble maybe your putting it on to tight to start with. The filter just needs to be snugged up a bit with one hand (don't use two hands)

Maybe try grease instead of oil, but oil is all I use

 

[GA_Boater]

Are you tightening the filter more the what is written on the filter? Most say to give only 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn after the gasket makes contact. I don't use a filter wrench to tighten, just turn it by hand and it seems to work for me same as AD.

 

[Silvertip]

Most folks tend to place a band-type filter wrench in the middle of the filter. All that does is crush the filter. Place it as high on the filter as possible, preferably right on the ridge. But the best filter wrench is not a strap wrench but rather a cup wrench. Of course that means using filters with the flats on the bottom. Finally, don't screw it on so tight. Follow directions!

 

[Scott Danforth]

I have about 8 different cup wrenches currently. strap wrenches crush them, and a screw driver just leaves a jagged torn mess.

use grease on the gasket, and you shouldnt need more than 3 fingers to tighten the filter 3/4 of a turn once the gasket makes contact. any tighter and you are over-tightening.

 

[hogbare35]

I agree with all of the above. A little grease or stp and only hand tight.

 

[82rude]

AGREED on all.

 

[Begester]

Thanks all for the great advice and insight! Will try all of these suggestions

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... When oil, or fuel filters won't come off, it's usually because of 1 of 2 things,.....

Either it was put on, Waayyy to tight,.....
Or,....
It's turned the wrong direction, which is easy to do, lookin' at it upside-down,.....

 

[Grub54891]

I use this on customers filters when they are to tight, works every time.

 

[Redfred1]

My gripe it is nearly impossible to to get get the filter out without spilling the oil (inside the filter) on the frame; crossmember; linkage; floor; my hand. Have ruined a lot of shirts.

 

[Grub54891]

My gripe it is nearly impossible to to get get the filter out without spilling the oil (inside the filter) on the frame; crossmember; linkage; floor; my hand. Have ruined a lot of shirts.

A zip lock bag helps a lot, but ya, it still can get messy.

 

[Redfred1]

That or a bag from WM. We have a bunch of them.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Simple green for cleanup

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

Try a different brand filter if you can get the factory filter start there. Its a thought may not be the fix. But working on cars it’s really rare I see a factory filter stuck but I’d do see a fair number of aftermarket filters that hard to get off. That could be from non skilled labor installing them to tight?

 

[QBhoy]

I’m going to guess this is referring to the Mercruiser remote filter on the front port side of the engine.
Thwy always go tight, even if you put them on hand tight last time.
The grips someone has pictures above are the answer if so.
Or if you are patient, wait until the engine has cooled down. Easier to remove then. Obviously change the oil when it’s warm, but leave the filter a while (without starting engine in between time obviously)

 

[jakedaawg]

To keep spills to a minimum I like to cut the side out of oil bottles and use as a spill catcher. Simply hold it under the remote filter and it catches much of the runoff.

 

[oldjeep]

My malibu always acts like its filter is welded on. Makes no difference if i oil, grease or antiseize the gasket and it isnt on too tight. To top it off there is little space around the remote mount. Bought one of these 3 jaw filter wrenches and it makes all the difference.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Lumax-B...BEgLmM_D_BwE&dclid=CNGWkuyGmdoCFYLRwAodifwLpg

 

[aladin_sane]

I also use the claw type filter wrench. They are the best I have ever used.

 

[H20Rat]

My malibu always acts like its filter is welded on. Makes no difference if i oil, grease or antiseize the gasket and it isnt on too tight. To top it off there is little space around the remote mount. Bought one of these 3 jaw filter wrenches and it makes all the difference.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Lumax-Bi...FYLRwAodifwLpg

I've even had those fail on me before... my current solution for the filters that have welded themselves on is my modified 3 clamp. I took your type like that, bent the tab in on each arm. It digs in and punctures the can so it will make a mess, but the filter WILL come off!

But to the original point, in my experience, filters that weld on tight are almost always overtorqued when they are put in. The rubber gasket expands and also squeezes out the oil in the seal, so it locks itself tight after some time.