Cannot Remove !#*#@$ factory oil filter!

[twowheels]

I've spent the last 2.5 hours trying to remove the stupid factory installed oil filter from my '09 and can't! I've been to three auto parts stores and Wal-Mart with no luck! I cannot find a filter wrench that will fit the stupid thing! I tried a bigger wrench with rubber wrapped around it and it also won't work, nor will my rubber strap wrench.

Help! I need to drive the car > 200 miles tomorrow and I'm afraid that the dents that I put into the can might cause a leak if they're too sharp!! Any advice?

[dvlnblkdrs]

what i found that works well is the filter wrench that looks like a crescent.... my ex just used that on my car last week and it worked well...




$15 at kragen

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Use a filter cap. If it's slipping, soap/wash rag the oil filter, apply 2-3 layers of masking tape around the tip, circumnavigating it, and then put the cap on and twist off. That's how I've been doing it.

[twowheels]

Originally Posted by dvlnblkdrs

what i found that works well is the filter wrench that looks like a crescent.... my ex just used that on my car last week and it worked well...




$15 at kragen

I tried a wrench that looked almost exactly like that. It would barely fit between the engine block and the filter at the angle that was necessary to be able to rotate it. It's also the one that dented up my can making me afraid to just refill it and change the filter later.

[dvlnblkdrs]

hmm then maybe u should think about having someone else do ur oil? we had no problems.. iv even used a slip wrench on it once and it worked..

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Jack up the car too, gives you more space to get under, which gives you more leverage.

[twowheels]

I've done many oil changes in the past and never had this problem... not sure why I'd expect to have to get somebody else to do it.

I finally got it off by going to buy the biggest pair of slip joint pliers that I could find... that thing was stubborn.

Now the problem is that I can barely read the dipstick since the oil is so clean. I put in the expected amount of oil and it's really hard to see where the oil ends on the stick. I'm accustomed to much dirtier engines!

[dvlnblkdrs]

lol well glad u were finally able to get it...

[SilverGlow]

It's not so hard...jees us! Just puncture it with a philips screw driver and hammer then turn the damned thing to loosen, then hand turn it off....all this in 1 minute....2.5 hours?!? WOW!

[rningonfumes]

Jill, or others:

With new cars, they (manufacturers) tend to screw the filters in really tight. When I bought my car, they gave me a voucher for a free change, I applied it for the very first change. Other cars I've had, the filters were on really tight.

Back to the subject. When I had a Tacoma, my first oil change consisted of a worn oil cap and lots of elbow grease plus hot crafts glue.
1. The cap was gone, it would not work again
2. I hot glued the inside of the cap and stuck it onto the oil filter.
3. Worked---FINALLY.

Other options, more messy:

1. Punch a screw driver right into the side of it, right through the filter.
2. Twist off with the screw driver.

Gooogle for more possiblilities...EVERY FORUM has a thread on how to get a stuck filter off.

Edit: This the exact reason why I advise hand tight when you put on the new one back in my "how to" write up--As in don't worry about torque specs.

[dvlnblkdrs]

hah good one Dave i was gonna do it myself.. then i couldnt get my oil drain plug off.. good thing i had my tool aka ex boyfriend there.. he did all the work.. but i bought the oil! hey. i bought his too.. gotta give the evo a drink once in a while, evolynn gets thirsty too...

[twowheels]

I'd considered the screwdriver through the side of the filter, but if that'd failed I'd have been left having to have it towed so that was a very last resort!

[rningonfumes]

Honestly, it's a tin can, just do it already. You're looking for that extra leverage. Put your hands evenly, with equal pressure and twist.

[Red Horse]

I use this cup wrench the smallest size and a picture from the DIY

[mikenacarato]

i had the same issue doing the 1st change on my car as well. they put it on really tight from the factory. now that the first one is done all the others have been a breeze. :)

[id3379]

Originally Posted by mikenacarato

i had the same issue doing the 1st change on my car as well. they put it on really tight from the factory. now that the first one is done all the others have been a breeze. :)

so did i, i think how close the filter is to the block is one of the stupidest idea's ever, i don't have problems getting mine off but it is so dam close, what were they thinking ??

[nemelek]

Originally Posted by id3379

so did i, i think how close the filter is to the block is one of the stupidest idea's ever, i don't have problems getting mine off but it is so dam close, what were they thinking ??

I have had cars with a lot worse placements for oil filters than the Yaris. On an 88 Toyota truck I had a side mount filter and always spilt oil on the engine block while changing.

[CTScott]

I did my 1st oil change on my 09 last weekend. Mine wasn't torqued bad at all. I used an "F" oil filter socket, which fit the OEM filter perfectly. After hearing of the issues that so many have had with the factory filter, I thought I was going to have issues with the socket slipping, but mine came off with very little force.

The "F" socket is the type that Redhorse has a picture of above. I have various ones from over the years, and they all have a letter to denote the size. I think I bought the "F" back when my wife had a Civic wagon.