Oil filter wrench

[ptsg]

Maybe I’m doing something wrong.

This is after the initial filter change.

I’ve always hand turned the filter until it’s snug, then mark the edge, and turn another 50% (1/2 turn).

When it’s time to replace the filter, it’s really easy to get off. I don’t need much of a turn with a strap wrench and the rest can be unscrewed with a hand.

I’ve never lost any oil. The filters are always snug and don’t move by hand - but once the strap wrench loosens it a tad it screws off easily.

Have I just been lucky or is my process ok?

MoKelly

Same here. Even though I do mark the filter, I just go by eye.

Never had any leaks or filter coming loose and I take them off by hand just as easy.

I don't think I even have a filter wrench around.

 

[Frankenkubota]

I agree that there is not one tool that will work in all cases. I have strap wrenches, chain wrenches, multiple sizes of end cap wrenches, fancy ratchet powered clamp on end wrenches. I have still had to resort to the screw driver driven through the filter approach at times. The one on my Triumph motorcycle is the worst. It is a half sized filter in a recessed hole to where only the end is exposed. What a pain. K&N started making a filter for that bike that has a large hex nut pattern stamped into the end of the filter so you can use a 15/16" box end wrench to remove.

Someone made the comment that people put them on too tight. So true. But it also seems they tighten themselves. I have had filters that I have put on myself just hand tight that require major torque to loosen. One trick I have learned is that sometimes they seem to be less tight if you let the engine cool completely,

i had to do just the opposite. my rtv had 400 hours on it when bought it and had never been serviced. i got all but 1 filter off, don't remember which one wouldn't come off..

i decided to run it up to temp and try again. it worked but the kubota filters in general have been the hardest for me to remove, tractor and rtv.

 

[RalphVa]

I tighten engine oil filter by hand as tight as I can. Had a filter come loose once following their directions. For the hydraulic filter, you have to use a wrench to snug it up.

Use the 2 finger wrench on every filter. Never had a problem.

 

[lpakiz]

I don’t know if this works on every filter, but on my car and pickup, as tight as I can get it with one hand, and usually can loosen it with two hands. Never a leak, so far, but only been doing this for 25 years or so.
On my MF 1754, I do give the hydraulic/HST filter a little more than that with a wrench, but less than 1/4 turn.

 

[PILOON]

Filter story.
Certain models of Jeeps of a vintage has serious filter problems.
An engine option had the filter located just too close to suspension components.
The result was a dent in pressure relief valve area and when a cold day pressure would build to the point that the filter simply blew off the engine.
My BIL had that version and it took a bunch of sleuthing B4 they discovered the cause.
(It was a V8 installation)

 

[hube2]

I’ve always hand turned the filter until it’s snug, then mark the edge, and turn another 50% (1/2 turn).

I don't know how far I go once it is snug. I tighten then filter as tight as I can get it with one hand, still need a wrench to get them off. I've never had a problem with oil leaks.

 

[pacosperson]

Can any one tell me a trick to get the oil filter off my 1726E? It's tucked down among other stuff so it's very hard to get a wrench on (See attached photo) (and it seems to be on very tight). I've tried several wrenches but none are able to get a good enough grip on it and allow me to exert the force needed.

Yup, I recognize that problem. One of those three fingered types, shown in a picture below, will amaze you and solve your problem.

 

[Cycledude]

For the biggest hydraulic filter on my LS XR4155 I wound up buying this wrench at Fleet Farm and very thankful I bought it because it was pretty difficult to get loose, had to use a extendable ratchet to get it loose, I’m very confident that a screwdriver wouldn’t have worked. The wrench was about $14. Supposedly has lifetime warranty.

 

[kpsp50]

Hey big barn looks like you have a good selection of filter wrenches but I think you forgot one the (screwdriver)

 

[WranglerX]

What is really so sad is at one time WIX filters had a hex plate on bottom you could put a wrench on.... It went away with to concept of saving money, but it gave birth of to the "filter wrench market".....

BUT K&N seems to have the concept, and IF you can find K&N filter the fits your needs....

 

[Tony H]

I don't bother with any wrench on any oil filter that I need to remove to install a new one (exception is the cars, I use a strap wrench on them), I take a long screwdriver and a hammer and shove the screwdriver through the filter and lever it off with the impaled screwdriver.

You are tossing it anyway. jam it in and lever it off. easy-peasy.

Don't forget to check to see if the old filter gasket came off with the filter. Double gasketed filters always leak.

But if it doesn't come off after impaling then you are stranded.

 

[KICK]

My only oil filter wrench is a pair of channellocks. My right hand is the tightener. Haven't found a piece of equipment it hasn't worked on yet.

thats fine if you were the person to install it previously.. but you aint getting some filters off with a channelocks after the factory King Kong put em on dry and they get heat welded on there. LOL

 

[grsthegreat]

All i ever use.... strap wrench

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BK_7769017?cid=paidsearch_shopping_dcoe_google&campaign=GSC-Filtration&campaign_id=6478904302&adgroup_id=121544424384&adtype=pla_with_promotion&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6Jimzu3o8QIVQQnnCh1SDghFEAQYASABEgIbXPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&

 

[Grumpycat]

I have quite a few oil filter wrenches but like using the ones shown in post 26. I did not have one for the filter on the Kawasaki Mule and tried channel locks. Started to crush the filter and backed off. Ordered the "socket" style for $10 from Amazon and had it in a couple of days. Had to beat it on a bit as I had damaged the filter with the channel locks but it worked.

So what if you were crushing an oil filter that you are going to throw away?

We commonly used to change oil filters with a Craftsman screwdriver. Pound it through the filter with the palm of your hand then lever the filter off. Use the center of the filter as a fulcrum.

 

[Grumpycat]

What is really so sad is at one time WIX filters had a hex plate on bottom you could put a wrench on.... It went away with to concept of saving money, but it gave birth of to the "filter wrench market".....

BUT K&N seems to have the concept, and IF you can find K&N filter the fits your needs....

K&N got that from HiFlo Filtro who used to be K&N's OEM before they decided Chinese manufacturers would do it for less.

Then K&N had a major recall because the Chinese manufacturer's welds on the sheet metal "nut" were weak and tore the filter case if the nut was used to install the filter. Too often the filter waited to leak until after one was on the road.

 

[shooterdon]

So what if you were crushing an oil filter that you are going to throw away?

We commonly used to change oil filters with a Craftsman screwdriver. Pound it through the filter with the palm of your hand then lever the filter off. Use the center of the filter as a fulcrum.

I have done that. I have also had filters in such cramped places that the "universal Craftsman tool" would be a lot more difficult than using the proper wrench.

I remember one filter that gave me a bit of a pucker. This was when I was poor and used the Craftsman method to take it off. It was on really tight and would not come off. I had mangled up the filter very badly and it still held firm. Luckily if finally let lose. That was the last time I used that method.

I must be rich or stupid (or both?). I must have about $100 invested in various oil filter wrenches and some are over 50 years old.

 

[Grumpycat]

I have done that. I have also had filters in such cramped places that the "universal Craftsman tool" would be a lot more difficult than using the proper wrench.

I remember one filter that gave me a bit of a pucker. This was when I was poor and used the Craftsman method to take it off. It was on really tight and would not come off. I had mangled up the filter very badly and it still held firm. Luckily if finally let lose. That was the last time I used that method.

I must be rich or stupid (or both?). I must have about $100 invested in various oil filter wrenches and some are over 50 years old.

I once peeled a filter off some gorilla had installed. Nothing would grip it. The screwdriver tore the can. Finally with pliers and visegrips disassembled the filter in place until only the baseplate was remaining. Visegrips managed to get a bite to bend the baseplate which freed it to unscrew.

 

[ray66v]

I once peeled a filter off some gorilla had installed. Nothing would grip it. The screwdriver tore the can. Finally with pliers and visegrips disassembled the filter in place until only the baseplate was remaining. Visegrips managed to get a bite to bend the baseplate which freed it to unscrew.

I finally used an air chisel to unscrew the base plate, while doing the first oil change on a 1976 Nova. All other attempts failed.

 

[mguitas]

i had to use a claw wrench on my 1423, the strap wrench just could not get it.

 

[Dmacleo]

I finally used an air chisel to unscrew the base plate, while doing the first oil change on a 1976 Nova. All other attempts failed.

Been there. Sucks when doing that when the filter base breaks and comes off leaving the thread boss itself still on block.