Spin On Filters

[Gary Fowler]

New cars and trucks are even worse to access. I think the auto manufacturers purposely design them that way so the average weekend mechanic will take them back to the dealers for even the most routine servicing.

Very true, I helped my neighbor change the oil in his new to him Jeep with 5.7L engine. No way to get any kind of wrench on it from top or bottom due to it having some kind of protector/ oil drip pan covering bottom half of filter. Had to remove that then could get band strap on it but only move it about 1/8 turn at a time. Luckily it was not on tight like they are when new. Then after getting the filter off, I had to find a place where I could get the old filter out of the engine bay. Finally found a hole that I could turn it about to get it out but had to dump all the oil out in the process. His replacement filter is a K&N filter which has a nut welded on the end which will make taking the filter off next time very easy except for the finagling it around to get it thru the small opening available to remove it from the engine bay.

As for most filters, I have found that if the strap wrench wont work, a pair of Harbor Freight oil filter pliers will work very well and they are priced very reasonable.

 

[Gaowlpoop]

Here's the deal...First...I would never drive a screwdriver thru a filter...(what if you wear out the filter and still not break it free)...Here's the real thing...no matter which filter (excluding the fuel filter), start the tractor and get it up to operating temp before you try and un-screw it..Not so much needed for gasoline engines but first time on diesels, its about mandatory. This will expand the junction of the filter and the engine..then strap wrench it. I had this issue with my 6000 back in '03. Just don't re tighten the new one past "hand tight". BobG in VA

I tried BobG's suggestion today. I had been running the tractor for about two hours when I parked it. I got the idea that this might be a good time to try the filter since everything was hot. I got my oil filter wrench (the metal band type) and managed to slip it almost all the way up to the gasket end of the filter. I gave it a pull and it slipped, repositioned and tried it again and the filter turned just a little. I left it right there (thought about leaving the wrench on it also but didn't). I will get it into my shop and finish the job.

I am not sure if the heat had anything to do with it coming loose easily or not but I am sure it didn't hurt anything. Thanks BobG!