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 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. 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.

 

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.

 

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?!!

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

yes

 

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