[burd]

Originally Posted by GT182

Rob, I'm not trying to be a smartass but this is just a reminder. Make sure you're turning it the right way to get it off. I've done it on more than oil just filters that are upside down.

In Australia is opposite and upside down. So turn it .......hmmm

[GT182]

Damitall Burd, I forgot all about that. For you guys down under, just flip your car, or truck, over on it's top and you'll be sitting pretty much the same as us up here. LOL

[rsavage]

Originally Posted by Chris65LeMans

For the last few years, I've been using sandpaper: Put it over your hand, reach up, and turn. Works better than the screwdriver method even - I wish I had thought of it 20 years earlier.

Used this method today at my son's house. Worked very well. I have 3 different cap type wrenches, a strap wrench, and a three jaw type. Unfortunately, they are all 700 miles away and I wanted to change my oil before heading back home. Great idea Chris.

[lust4speed]

The screwdriver would probably not work on a properly applied filter. It makes a great can opener on the very thin metal of the filter. I would bet that whoever started that suggestion probably never tried it out themselves.

[Squidward]

Filter wrench?!!! Real man don't need no filter wrench!

[zeebo]

Originally Posted by lust4speed

The screwdriver would probably not work on a properly applied filter. It makes a great can opener on the very thin metal of the filter. I would bet that whoever started that suggestion probably never tried it out themselves.

the large screwdriver did work once for me on an olds engine back in the day. made a mess big time, but I got the filter off. those metal cups that fit on the filter work great. I just don't know why people install them like head bolts. 1 full turn after gasket seat is all I ever do and have never had an issue.

[ta6point6]

I have always used the wrench pictured below and has not failed but once. I have used the screwdriver before and it tore up the filter when I poked it to low. The key is to get it higher and if that fails you can use the below wrench at top of filter with a little sandpaper sandwiched between filter and wrench for more bite. Like zeebo said when putting filter back on there is no reason to over tighten with wrench or pliers. Let the filter make contact and turn by hand 3/4 turn or 1 full turn.

[TedRamAirII]

This has taken every oil filter off that has attempted to stay on. http://www.lislecorp.com/divisions/p...n=1&category=9

[1965gp]

I've never seen that- pretty cool

[geeteeohguy]

I have used a Hazet three fingered gear activated 'claw' for the past 30 or so years. Gets every stuck filter off with ease. Mentioned earlier in one of the posts. The harder you pull on it, the tighter it grips, and it presses flutes in the side of the filter and does not slip off.

[linden_gto]

Originally Posted by ta6point6

I have always used the wrench pictured below and has not failed but once. I have used the screwdriver before and it tore up the filter when I poked it to low. The key is to get it higher and if that fails you can use the below wrench at top of filter with a little sandpaper sandwiched between filter and wrench for more bite. Like zeebo said when putting filter back on there is no reason to over tighten with wrench or pliers. Let the filter make contact and turn by hand 3/4 turn or 1 full turn.

this type of oil wrench has never failed me either. with enough clearance to apply appropriate pressure, you should easily be able to get it off with one of these.

[Sirrotica]

The strap wrenches will eventually collapse and tear the sheetmetal just above the base plate on really stubborn spin on filters. The only alternative at that point is to use a hammer and chisel to start the base plate moving.

Most people reading this won't ever encounter a filter that tight, it does happen occasionally, especially with large diameter canister hydraulic filters. The hydraulic filter on my wrecker had been on there who knows how long and it collapsed and I had to remove it with a hammer and chisel. I've had a few oil filters in my years as a mechanic that could only be removed in this manner too. They were usually installed by the factory and of course the genius putting the oil filter on at the factory, will never have to remove it.

[cdrookie]

i stopped in at the Eastwood Company today and saw this:
http://search.eastwood.com/search?w=...20wrench%20set
it was almost too good to pass up.

[David Jones]

I bought an 83 VW GTI Rabbit new. Great car and a hoot to drive.
I did the first oil change myself and the car ended up going back to Roy Bridges VW on a wrecker on VW's dime after the filter collapsed as I attempted to turn it. I figured explaining this over the phone was going to be all ****s and giggles but the service folks were very responsive. I found out later that VW had had an issue with someone putting them on dry at the factory and this wasn't the first one they'd dealt with.

[GT182]

David was that a VW filter.. or whatever they use at the dealer? When I change my oil I always add oil to the filter before I put it on. Unless it goes on sideways so you can't add oil to it. Like on my Kubota G2000 where the filter screws on horizontally.

I only use Wix, Purolator, and when in a bind.... Fram.

[Bob with the 66]

Originally Posted by TedRamAirII

This has taken every oil filter off that has attempted to stay on. http://www.lislecorp.com/divisions/p...n=1&category=9

I use this on my oil filter due to the headers getting in the way, I have never had a filter that I could not get off with this wrench. Yes some have been crushed, but they did come off.

I have had to use a another wrench to hold the metal body from spinning while I used a 1/2" ratchet to tighten the strap around the filter.

The other trick is to put a zip lock bag around the loose filter, spin it off and let it fall into the bag, wait on minute to let oil drain from engine into bag, zip bag closed and remove. No oil covered headers!

Someone on PY posted this and it works great.