I have never had this problem before. I did the last oil change myself so it's not like some grease monkey at the Jiffy Lube got carried away with the filter wrench. I always only hand tighten the filter, but I can't get the GD thing off!!

What am I doing wrong? Righty tighty, lefty loosey...right?

Oh course there is very little room to work, so getting a filter wrench in there is next to impossilbe. I've got the thing squished and mangled. I've tried driving a srew driver through it to use that to turn it but that's not working.

What next? I'm at my wits end right now.

Thanks,
Dave

I have had good luck with those filter wrenches that look like giant pliers....they sell them at Canuck Tire....

If you are completely stuck - use an old serpentine belt wrapped around the filter - tighten it with a pair of pliers and give it a twist....

Worse case scenario - take the whole housing off - it is held on with that gigantic nut...

Hey Dave. Wash your hands....and arm lol and go inside and get a cup of coffee. It sucks when things like this happen. This is what I have to do before I get too upset and start throwing stuff around and swearing!
I'ts funny how things can change after taking a bit of a break.

At this point of your battle, make sure the filter is as clean as you can get it and keep trying....

Good luck man.

I had this happen to me on my last oil change. I wrapped a strap around it and had someone stand over the truck and pull up while I use a pry bar on the bottom.

Just so I know I'm not fighting a loosing battle here. The threads aren't reversed or anything are they? I've got the big plier filter wrench. I might have to get a strap type and see if that is going to help me.

Dave

They are right-handed threads....righty-tighty, lefty-loosey...

I usually lean over the driver's side fender put the pliers on the filter with the handles straddling the steering shaft IIRC....try turning the pliers upside down to get a different angle...

Okay thanks. I'll keep at it. I just wanted to make sure I was at least turning the right way. Usually it's a no brainer.

Dave

I always do it from underneath, the same thing happened to me and finally it got so bent and dented the wrench caught on one of the high spots and spun off, if you get a good amount of force on one twist try and hold it there, the constant torque helps some.

I finally got it! All I can say is UNBELIEVEABLE!! I've never had a problem like that before.

Thanks for the help and support guys.

Dave

Here are a couple of pics of the little SOB that caused me all the grief. I have never had so much trouble doing anything on a vehicle. Not that I've torn motors apart or anything, but I've done a few fair size jobs.

I also attempted to install my new Derale cooling tube tranny pan, except it didn't fit! There wasn't enough clearance between the top of the "tubes" and the filter. I had another member PM me about this because he had the same problem. I know other guys have installed them without issues. I'm not sure what gives with that. I'll have to contact the company to see if they have an explaination. Anyone want to buy a Derale pan that may or may not fit. :D

Dave

hahaha...

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=35857&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1173996508 (http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=35857&d=1173996508) Friends don't let Friends use Fram!!!!!!!:)

Dude you KILLED that filter, lmao!

Wow. That is MANGLED. Is that a Fram HP4, or another model of filter?

Sincerely,

Rob :)

Damn!!! I just bought a fram 2 days ago to do change oil this week end. I should have gone with my usual PURFLUX :mad:

wow man!! Are all Fram filters this weak? My AC-Delco never look that battered up...glad you got the sucker off. :)

so much for the fram sure grip filter....

There for minute I thought that was a Fram filter.

It "was" a FRAM filter. PH5 I believe is the model. I've used FRAM filters before and never had a problem, not sure what went wrong this time, but just based on the headache, I'll never use one again! It was pretty weak. It didn't take much to crush it and when I hammered the screwdriver through it, it just tore open.

There is a Valvoline longlife on there now. It was on sale at Crappy Tire.

Dave

It "was" a FRAM filter. PH5 I believe is the model. I've used FRAM filters before and never had a problem, not sure what went wrong this time, but just based on the headache, I'll never use one again! It was pretty weak. It didn't take much to crush it and when I hammered the screwdriver through it, it just tore open.

There is a Valvoline longlife on there now. It was on sale at Crappy Tire.

Dave

Dave,

Take a look at the HP4 from Fram. I am NOT a big fan of the regular Fram filters, but the HP4, which is around $10-12/each (yikes!) is pretty beefy. It has a REALLY thick gasket (I'm thinking it's probably 3/8"), and I've never had any problems taking them off. I am assuming that the big gasket may have a lot to do with that. Also, it does the best job I have ever seen in keeping the soot down in the oil. Before, even with the AC Delco filters (around $6), the soot was clearly apparent on the dipstick. The HP4 seems to do a very tolerable job of trapping the particles.

Sincerely,

Rob :)

Rob,

I've read about the HP4 but I've never seen it in any of the auto parts stores around here.

I'll have a little closer look before my next oil change.

Thanks,

Dave

davie you did wipe some oil on the gasket last time before you installed that poor fram filter right??:D
nick

davie you did wipe some oil on the gasket last time before you installed that poor fram filter right??:D
nick

Yep, always. I dip my finger in the old oil and run it around the seal. Wait a second, there was that tube of super glue I was sniffing at the same time......hmmm what did I put on the seal, oil.....super glue....oil....super glue? :D

All I can say is I hope I never have to go through that again.

Dave

I know this... Hulk Hogan is going to have to get out of the Jiffy Lube grease pit!!!! I had the exact same thing happen to me... I took off the whole housing and put the filter in a vise... The big *** nut is 1 7/16th size... I had to buy the socket to fit it too... If you do this, you better check the o ring on the housing and if its squished look into replacing it or you will most definetly get an oil leak.... Ive been through it all... 1 7/16ths and a 6inch extension works just great... Oh yeah, the bolt also has holes in it, after you get it so far out it will drain out the oil so you wont get soaked in the face... good luck