stupid newb ?-can't get my oil filter off!!

Hi guys, I am in the process of changing my oil in my 94 Z for the 1st time (just got the car a little bit ago). The oil filter is on so tight and there is little clearance for leverage. have FLP long-tubes, so they are blocking qute a bit of usable space. I have tried cap wrenches to no avail and now, I have tried a risky yet has worked everytime before method. I took a screwdri:mad: ver jammed t through the filter and have tried to loosen the grip that way...well, so far that hasn't worked either. So, now i have a car that is practically immobilzed unless the screwdrver method comes through tomorrow. :mad: IS THERE ANY OTHER WAY!! If I can get the filter off then i will not have ths problem agan cuz I torque the hell out of the filter. Please chme n w/advice. BTW t is a Fram POS filter, with the bottom grip surface, whch i practically stripped off anyways. Thanks for the help in advance.

Put it on ramps, and crawl underneath it. That is almost the only way to get enough leverage to take it off. Mine was stuck on insanely tight also.

If I can get the filter off then i will not have ths problem agan cuz I torque the hell out of the filter.
Does that make sense? Or was that sarcasm?

Anyway...it seems like your problem is extremely rare because you seem to be going at it hard. Though, the screwdriver method may not have been the best idea if you had a good grip on it before and it wouldn't come off - I think you'll get it off either way and it's stupid to bring it into a shop for something like this.

Have you tried just a filter wrench - like one of those band wrenches? Do the cap wrenches just slip on the grip - is that the problem? Is there possibly a slightly smaller cap wrench that wont slip/strip the grip? Have you tried just wearing a nice glove and twisting hard? Are you turning it in the proper direction, ccw? If all else fails - you can always melt it off or blow it up.

Put it on ramps, and crawl underneath it. That is almost the only way to get enough leverage to take it off. Mine was stuck on insanely tight also.
:confused:

Are you assuming he is changing it from above or something impossible? Also - how can he get on ramps now with a hold in his filter?

:confused:

Are you assuming he is changing it from above or something impossible? Also - how can he get on ramps now with a hold in his filter?
Missed the part where it said he stuck a screw driver through it. In that case, just keep trying. Or get an actual filter wrench. There isn't much room for them, but it's possible.

I know what you're going thru, I too have FLP's. Unplug the O2 sensor and take it out, that will give you more room. Get a steel band wrench and tap it on past the collector. Put the band as high as you can, the closer to the treads the better. Afterwards use the K&N filter with the nut on the bottom. Good Luck.

are you turning it the right way?!!:eek: :D

Go to a auto parts store and get a belt oil filter wrench like this . work great
http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/kd3149.html

They also have a wrench that goes onto a socket. When you turn it to the left to loosen it it actually clamps down on the filter. Pretty handy piece, though I've never used it.

Does that make sense? Or was that sarcasm?

Anyway...it seems like your problem is extremely rare because you seem to be going at it hard. Though, the screwdriver method may not have been the best idea if you had a good grip on it before and it wouldn't come off - I think you'll get it off either way and it's stupid to bring it into a shop for something like this.

Have you tried just a filter wrench - like one of those band wrenches? Do the cap wrenches just slip on the grip - is that the problem? Is there possibly a slightly smaller cap wrench that wont slip/strip the grip? Have you tried just wearing a nice glove and twisting hard? Are you turning it in the proper direction, ccw? If all else fails - you can always melt it off or blow it up.

Sorry, I meant to say, that I WON'T torque it so tightly.

Put it on ramps, and crawl underneath it. That is almost the only way to get enough leverage to take it off. Mine was stuck on insanely tight also.

It is on ramps, and I have the driver's side jacked up a little higher.

[QUOTE=blackrat]They also have a wrench that goes onto a socket. When you turn it to the left to loosen it it actually clamps down on the filter. Pretty handy piece, though I've never used it.[/QUOTE

There are cam action wrenches that tighten as you turn and gve awesome grip, but i would have to order one from some place since no way n hell they are in the autopartsstores. The cap wrenches has a rachet connection and they stll don't work. I got one that tested on a new Fram filter and it fit perfectly, except i didn't have my ratchet on it. I have seen the strap wrench type tool, but idk if i can get it on, I can only go infrom 2 directions, down and behind the header.

are you turning it the right way?!!:eek: :D

yes:p

When you put this one on make sure you put some oil on the lip of the filter so it doesnt lock on there so tight the next time your trying to take it off

When you put this one on make sure you put some oil on the lip of the filter so it doesnt lock on there so tight the next time your trying to take it off

Yep, did that:cool:

They also have a wrench that goes onto a socket. When you turn it to the left to loosen it it actually clamps down on the filter. Pretty handy piece, though I've never used it.
I have a couple of those and I use them religously, they have never failed me yet.

Ok, got the filter off finally, with 2 screwdrivers!!! I screwed in my oil filter with my hand, so can get it off from now on. If somebody can inform me how to post pcs rght off of my computer instead of a hosting website then i'll post em'.
-Adam
Or, we could try a link..lemme know if it doesn't work
:death:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/meinstag84/album?.dir=c49fre2&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos

Or, we could try a link..lemme know if it doesn't work
:death:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/meinstag84/album?.dir=c49fre2&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos
"The File You Are Looking For Is Inaccessible"

.... If somebody can inform me how to post pcs rght off of my computer instead of a hosting website then i'll post em'...

Simple answer...... you can't

here is the beat up filter...i think its finally dead
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/9203/1002390xl7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/8207/1002391gj1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

yeah, that bad thing about those ones with the grip, it just means people can put them on tighter

craftsman screwdrivers- WMD's:metal:

Question to OP: Does your car have an oil cooler (RPO "KC4" in the glove box)?

I also have the FLP LT's, and I had to remove the factory oil cooler to gain clearance around the driver's side header collector. If you haven't already done this, it gives you a few more inches of clearance for the oil filter. The factory oil cooler is an extremely inefficient design -- I promise you wont miss it.

If you don't have an oil cooler, then disregard the above. :)


[Edit] holy table-breaking batman!

lol...yep looks like that was fun

I screwed in my oil filter with my hand, so can get it off from now on.

Um... what did you do before to put it on? lol.

Um... what did you do before to put it on? lol.
I think he just bought it

yeah, that bad thing about those ones with the grip, it just means people can put them on tighter
I agree, I have caught myself from doing that several times now.

http://www.knfilters.com/images/oilfiltercutout.jpg

hooray for K&N and the built in hex

boo for them being $12+

Question to OP: Does your car have an oil cooler (RPO "KC4" in the glove box)?

I also have the FLP LT's, and I had to remove the factory oil cooler to gain clearance around the driver's side header collector. If you haven't already done this, it gives you a few more inches of clearance for the oil filter. The factory oil cooler is an extremely inefficient design -- I promise you wont miss it.

If you don't have an oil cooler, then disregard the above. :)


[Edit] holy table-breaking batman!

I don't think i have one, the only thing in my way besides the header was an 02 sensor

http://www.knfilters.com/images/oilfiltercutout.jpg

hooray for K&N and the built in hex

boo for them being $12+

Ya, i might get them from now on, but if i tighten the filter myself, a cap wrench should be more than sufficient

Um... what did you do before to put it on? lol.

ya, the oil filter was on already when i bought it

next time just use a old leather belt. works like a frikken charm.

oh yeah don't buy FRAM. (i know it came on the car)

next time just use a old leather belt. works like a frikken charm.

oh yeah don't buy FRAM. (i know it came on the car)
oohh.....

12 bucks for the K&N filter huh? I bet its worth every penny though
Cost is a bit much - but I only change oil twice a year since I only drive it during summer and small parts of winter. Arguably one of the best filters - doesn't filter as small of particles as others like Mobil, however, the clearances in our engines wasily handle what it can't filter without any problems. (I don't know numbers off hand) -- but what it lacks in filtration it more than makes up in flow - which is more important anyway, especially since what it can't filter hurts nothing. At least, this is my understanding.

K&N's are $9 at Jeg's. Free shipping currently, buy a bunch.

The oil filter on my Z is always a pain to get off. I ended up going with a K&N Filter because it has a 1" nut at the end. Makes it easier to get off.