I went to change my oil and can't get the filter off. Used a filter wrench, the wrench bent before the filter ever moved. Any ideas?? I have heard of jamming a screwdriver through it but i'm afraid i will just end up with a stuck filter with a hole in it.

i sometimes use the strap wrench...you can get a bit breaker bar on it...the filter will turn:D

I just changed mine yesterday for the first time since I've had it, and the chain style wrench I have for that size filter ended up crunching it pretty good as well. Was able to get it off using a collapseable lug wrench as a cheater bar on it.

Strap wrenches work well on tempermental filters though. The screw driver trick does work too, but it's messy as heck, and it depends on being able to have enough room to turn the screwdriver after ripping the filter enough for the wrecked shell to support the weight you put on it. Just make sure you're low enough on the filter to not hit the threads on the mount.

chain wrench....

Ive used the screwdriver method when mine was stuck and had no problem getting it off. The filter is no good anyway and thats why you are changing it. Dont worry about a hole in it.

this is a common problem, wrap filter with 1/4 rubber so you dont penetrate the filter , then use a chain pipe wrench and a 2' extention. make sure you are turning it in the correct direction.

good luck

drive safe

if you need to use a pair of big channel locks, be sure to grab closer to the base of the filter. the base will be a little stiffer than in the middle, making it easier to squeeze. good luck.

Busdriver is 100% on the mark. That's how I got the factory filter off that I couldn't budge with a strap wrench. As he says, grap as close to the base of the filter as you can because the filter is strongest there.

Sears(craftsman) makes a sweet chain wrench with a forged handle I guarantee you won't bend. Put it as high up on the filter as possible and let 'er rip. If you read the new filter installation procedure it's different than gas engines, tighter. Most others say "when the gasket makes contact to turn it 3/4 of a turn more". Delco filters say" turn 1-1/4 turns more". I think this is because you get much greater oil pressure at cold temps. they don't want the gasket/ seal blowing out. But, it makes the filter harder to remove.

Did you change it hot?

I had a hard time getting mine off, when I change it hot, I can take it off by hand. Now it is the only way I change the filter.

MoEngineer

The rubber gaskets swell in the presence of the hot oil which is why they can come off hard .. to get them off easier next time … when installing a new filter remove the gasket/o-ring and coat both surfaces with a little silicone grease (don't need much) .. re-insert the gasket and install the filter as usual (1 turn after contact)

That big gorilia had a hold of yours too. :eek: Like the other guys said try a wrench that can get some grip on it. The filter is less likely to collapse near the base. The screw driver might be the last resort, because once you puncture it then you know you have to get it off then.

DMax21....see this thread (http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=180404&highlight=filter+wrench).

Thanks for all the input, sounds like a chain wrench or channel locks are the way to go. Thought I was the only one with this problem...thanks again.

I've got an adjustable filter wrench like the one below. In the 20 years I have had it, I have not found a filter that it will not remove. The can will only crush so much, since there is usually a filter cartridge inside.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h248/gc427/hazet2172wrench.jpg

if you need to use a pair of big channel locks, be sure to grab closer to the base of the filter. the base will be a little stiffer than in the middle, making it easier to squeeze. good luck.

X2 on a big A$$ pair of channel locks. 20" work well

One time I had to use a pipe wrench on my car to get the filter loose, I also have driven a screwdriver thru the filter but that is messy.

Channel locks will work better than a screwdriver in the filter. While I have done that before I've never had a pair of the channel lock type not work.

I also vote for the channel lock. I have used it for many stubborn things.

best filter wrench i have found so far is the ones designed like this
http://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/08/88/22768808.jpg
sure beats driving a screwdriver thru the filter and turning it like i have done before:cool:

The rubber gaskets swell in the presence of the hot oil which is why they can come off hard .. to get them off easier next time … when installing a new filter remove the gasket/o-ring and coat both surfaces with a little silicone grease (don't need much) .. re-insert the gasket and install the filter as usual (1 turn after contact)


X2

I just dip my finger in the new oil container and wipe it all over the gasket. :) I always change my oil after the engine is hot, maybe this is another reason for easy removal of the filter. Who knows.

Here's what I've been using for the last 27 years. Never failed me yet.

Did you change it hot?

I had a hard time getting mine off, when I change it hot, I can take it off by hand. Now it is the only way I change the filter.

MoEngineer

As you're supposed to do anyway.

As you're supposed to do anyway.

Elucidate yourself. :D I always try to change mine cold so all the oil and sediment has drained to the oil pan.

Elucidate yourself. :D I always try to change mine cold so all the oil and sediment has drained to the oil pan.

I only went to the School of Hard and Harder Knocks,so you might have to explain that big fancy word there Tom,although I'm thinking maybe I did that already this morning---just not sure.:DA-N-Y-W-A-Y-----to each their own, but the proper way of draining any oil or lube of ANY kind is when it is thoroughly warmed up so that any and all contamination will be in suspension and drain out as fast as possible.If it's cold,the oil is thicker and you will not get all the contaminants out.

i'm with tuney on this one. i change my oil after its warm. doesn't take as long to drain after its warm either...

I've got an adjustable filter wrench like the one below. In the 20 years I have had it, I have not found a filter that it will not remove. The can will only crush so much, since there is usually a filter cartridge inside.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h248/gc427/hazet2172wrench.jpg

That is a neat looking wrench. Does it fit onto the fuel filter? Who makes it?

Best investment I ever made was buying the "giant socket" that your rachet wrench fits onto.

Wost case scenerio for me was the first oil change on my 8.1. You Dmax owners should go see where they hid that thing, talk about inaccessible!!!!! You couldn't use any of the strap wrenches, no room. Anyway, slapped the socket on and it actually started crushing the bottom of the filter when I tried to turn it. I then layed a rag inside the socket and hammered it back onto the bottom of the filter for an extreme tight fit. Then used my long handled breaker bar and put slowly increased pressure until it started turning.

The bugger was getting the socket back off the old filter afterwards