HELP PLEASE - can't get oil filter off!

HotButteredLBZ · Jul 27, 2013

Performing oil change on my relatively new to me LBZ this morning. Whoever put the oil filter on last must have been a gorilla. I can't get the oil filter off -- any advice?

I am turning it left (lefty loosy). I used a Fram "band" type oil filter wrench and it folded over handle. The other Fram "claw" or "wrench" type oil filter isn't working and can't get a grip on the filter -- scratching off the paint and denting the filter.

Truck is on level ground, so I don't have as much leverage as possible but I'm giving it all I've got and it isn't budging.

I'm thinking I'm going to have to take wife's car to Sears and get a heavier duty oil wrench.

Oh, I also tried putting a leather chamois between the band on the filter wrench and the filter and that didn't work either. ARRRRRRGGGGHHHHH!

JC1843 · Jul 27, 2013

I have a BIG channel lock type plier wrench that I have used for the same problem. The jaws are big enough to grip the housing and the long handles provide enough leverage to remove them. They are also handy to push caliber pistons back when doing brake work.

wq93 · Jul 27, 2013

I bought one like this when I bought my first Duramax and had to deal with the factory tightened filter: 2" to 4-1/4" Oil Filter Wrench

They work perfectly.

BKDespain · Jul 27, 2013

Use a pipe wrench. I put mine on hand tight and it gets gorilla tight too.

Tom S. · Jul 27, 2013

As suggested, large channel locks, pipe wrench or even a strap wrench should do the job. After all, you don't care what it does to the old filter. I've even driven a large screw driver through one and then used the handle and protruding shank to get one off.

rjprell · Jul 27, 2013

x2 on either the GIANT channel locks or strap wrench. Had the same problem this spring after a long winter without the need for an oil change. I do my own oil changes and know when I put the filter on back in November it was hand tight, when I tried to take it off in April after 5000 miles I broke 2 self adjusting filter wrenches and a rubber strap wrench. Ended up buying a strap wrench designed to connect to a ratchet. Hooked up my torque wrench to figure out how tight it actually was. It was a tight fit and the filter housing actually began twisting itself before it finally broke free. From what I could see I was applying close to 150 ft/lbs before it broke loose. Here is what the filter looked like when I finally got it off. By the way, I always lube the gasket prior to installation:

HotButteredLBZ · Jul 27, 2013

rjprell said:
x2 on either the GIANT channel locks or strap wrench. Had the same problem this spring after a long winter without the need for an oil change. I do my own oil changes and know when I put the filter on back in November it was hand tight, when I tried to take it off in April after 5000 miles I broke 2 self adjusting filter wrenches and a rubber strap wrench. Ended up buying a strap wrench designed to connect to a ratchet. Hooked up my torque wrench to figure out how tight it actually was. It was a tight fit and the filter housing actually began twisting itself before it finally broke free. From what I could see I was applying close to 150 ft/lbs before it broke loose. Here is what the filter looked like when I finally got it off. By the way, I always lube the gasket prior to installation:
View attachment 148922

Whew! You put a beat down on that filter!!!

HotButteredLBZ · Jul 27, 2013

Well, finally, SUCCESS!!! Thank God.

What was suppose to be a 30 minute driveway oil change turned in to a 5 hour ordeal. I can't say for a fact but I think it was WAY over tightened by the dealership who sold me the vehicle. 4+ hours of my life gone.

I went to Sears and bought all the ammunition I could find -- wasn't going to run around all over town. A Craftsman oil wrench (I had my doubts given the performance of the Fram), a breaker bar and self adjusting wrench (see pic below -- never used it but wonder if it would work). I thought about a strap wrench but the guy that said if I was applying that much pressure it would snap the strap wrench so I passed. Guy there told me about the screwdriver method -- was praying it wouldn't come to that!

Anyway, got home, cleaned the inside of the freshly opened Craftsman wrench and the outside of the blankety blank oil filter with Windex, gave it my all and saw it move -- woohoo!!! I was off to the finish line of the job -- amen.

Pics of the Fram tools below -- the bent wrench (guess it won't be fitting in the original package!!!) and the "claw" type that didn't do jack squat. Both are going back to Walmart where I picked them up this morning trying to kill two birds w/ one stone -- oil change tools and groceries for dinner.

Thanks guys for chiming in and helping me at the very least confirm I wasn't crazy!

By the way, the old oil looked good --- black, still slippery to the finger, no brown whatsoever. Was pleasantly surprised that the 2.5 gal jug of Rotella T was absolutely spot on the exact amount needed for the job according to the dipstick.

rob1 · Jul 27, 2013

I work in a dealer and I have a wrench that I use on the duramaxes quite often - it looks alot like your 3rd pic... Usually put my 3 foot breaker bar on it and it mangles them beyond recognition.

We're made to torque the filter & plug on diesels to the spec and I still use the 3 foot bar almost weekly.

HotButteredLBZ · Jul 27, 2013

rob1 said:
I work in a dealer and I have a wrench that I use on the duramaxes quite often - it looks alot like your 3rd pic... Usually put my 3 foot breaker bar on it and it mangles them beyond recognition.

We're made to torque the filter & plug on diesels to the spec and I still use the 3 foot bar almost weekly.

I understand -- gotta do what the boss man says.

dwrat · Jul 28, 2013

The next time you take it off I bet its super tight again.
At least mine always is.

HotButteredLBZ · Jul 28, 2013

dwrat said:
The next time you take it off I bet its super tight again.
At least mine always is.

Say it isn't so!

skmct · Aug 4, 2013

Murphy's law strikes again!!! I read this thread a few days ago and today when I go to change my oil I can't get the filter off. I tried the same wrench I have been using on this truck for at least the last 6 or 8 oil changes. All I managed to do was crush the filter until the wrench only slipped. So I pulled out this old pipe wrench I bought at a swap meet for five bucks. I keep it in the truck for changing hitch balls. It took a while I didn't think is was going to work then it turned about an 1/8 of an inch then I regripped the wrench and got a little more after several times getting maybe a 1/4 of an inch each time I was able to turn it with the old wrench and then by hand. Why do these things get so tight. I have been installing the filter based on the instructions one turn after it touches by hand only. What can you do if you leave them to loose they leak. I have seen a filter with a small hex on the bottom that you can put a socket on. Who makes them and are they any good ? That might be the way to go. I am starting to get worried out the next oil change. How much work is it to get that filter adapter off if you can't get the filter off.

boothybunch · Aug 4, 2013

skmct said:
Murphy's law strikes again!!! I read this thread a few days ago and today when I go to change my oil I can't get the filter off. I tried the same wrench I have been using on this truck for at least the last 6 or 8 oil changes. All I managed to do was crush the filter until the wrench only slipped. So I pulled out this old pipe wrench I bought at a swap meet for five bucks. I keep it in the truck for changing hitch balls. It took a while I didn't think is was going to work then it turned about an 1/8 of an inch then I regripped the wrench and got a little more after several times getting maybe a 1/4 of an inch each time I was able to turn it with the old wrench and then by hand. Why do these things get so tight. I have been installing the filter based on the instructions one turn after it touches by hand only. What can you do if you leave them to loose they leak. I have seen a filter with a small hex on the bottom that you can put a socket on. Who makes them and are they any good ? That might be the way to go. I am starting to get worried out the next oil change. How much work is it to get that filter adapter off if you can't get the filter off.

K&N make the filter with the hex on the bottom.

I have got a snap on 3 legged filter wrench that will grab the filter and either remove it or crush it. Never failed me yet.

The only reason I can think that ANY oil filter grabbing like that is the o ring must swell due to oil getting on it or temp cycles as you can't blame anyone else for over torquing your filters if you do it yourself

skmct · Aug 4, 2013

Its an K&N HP-3003 now to find some spec on it.

boothybunch · Aug 4, 2013

Part HP-3003 Product Specifications
Product Style: Oil Filters
Anti Drain Back Valve: Yes
Bypass Valve: Yes
Filter Material: High Flow Premium Media
Gasket Material: Nitrile Rubber
Height: 5.875 in (149 mm)
Outside Diameter: 3.688 in (94 mm)
PSI Relief Valve: 11-17
Smallest Particle Filtered: 10 microns
Maximum Burst Pressure (psi): 550 psi
Removal Nut: Yes
Style: Canister
Thread Specification: 13/16 In. - 16
Removal Nut Size: 1 inch
Weight: 1.3 lb (0.6 kg)
Product Box Length: 3.81 in (97 mm)
Product Box Width: 3.81 in (97 mm)
Product Box Height: 6 in (152 mm)

skmct · Aug 4, 2013

thanks for the spec. It's not as good as the mobil M1-303 that I have been using so I guess it's time for a new filter wrench. Boothy would you have a part number for that Snap on Wrench?

boothybunch · Aug 4, 2013

snap on :- FWA62121A

FWA62121A, Wrench, Oil Filter, Cup, 62 mm to 121 mm

99% sure that's the one

skmct · Aug 4, 2013

Thanks guy. I will be getting one soon !!!

HotButteredLBZ · Aug 4, 2013

skmct said:
Thanks guy. I will be getting one soon !!!

Check out 3rd pic in post #8 of this thread -- looks like Craftsman makes one too. And if I recall correctly, it is about $13.

HELP PLEASE - can't get oil filter off!

HotButteredLBZ

JC1843

wq93

BKDespain

Tom S.

rjprell

HotButteredLBZ

HotButteredLBZ

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