Best oil filter removal tool?

[Froggy porker]

Was doing a favour today and giving a Honda CRV a quick service. Could I get the oil filter off from it's bd awkward location on the back of the block under the inlet manifold - could I fk!

Was using my trusty old nylon webbing loop on a socket extension and you need to get two hands into the work zone so that you can keep tension in the strap as you rachet back to give it more welly. With the limited range of movement available I couldn't budge the filter.

Put it up on ramps and tried from below, insulting Honda design engineers as I did so. Same problem as from above so had to give in and just change the oil and the air filter, leaving the old oil filter in place.

The old technique of a pointy screw driver and a hammer might have worked, but didn't want to try because if it fails you're stuck......

So what oil filter removal tool should I have been using? I obviously need to add something better than the old webbing loop tool to the arsenal in the garage!

[stevieturbo]

Without seeing access, impossible to say. But there are various tools out there. From straps, to pliers to cups for specific sizes, and some for flexible sizes.

[Simon says]

Use one like this all the time on those http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/... however do the filter up tight with your hand only preferably with a fresh latex glove on so you get more purchase in that confined area

Edited by Simon says on Sunday 26th June 10:42

[tr7v8]

Simon says said:

Use one like this all the time on those http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/... however do the filter up tight with your hand only preferably with a fresh latex glove on so you get more purchase in that confined area

Edited by Simon says on Sunday 26th June 10:42

Yup the pliers type as above best for this. I have a selection of filter removal tools, including a cap thing for the 944 which is virtually upside down.

[m8rky]

You dont say the age or how many miles the filter has been on for but i would advise changing it ASAP as the paper element can break up with prolonged use and start blocking oilways.Saw it happen on a Polo that had been skimped on its servicing.

[ridds]

Never gotten on with the webbing tools.

These on the other hand are brilliant.

[Froggy porker]

Thanks for the replies - when I googled it I discovered what a huge range of possibilities there are! Already have a boa constrictor but find that it only takes limited loads before the end of the rubber strap deforms and escapes the handle. Also, for the filter in question I'll need something that allows me to apply the load from on the end of the filter with a short extension, so the pliers might not do the trick either.

Like the Sealey cap type adaptor kit on the site below though it is pricey - has anyone tried the design with the 3 ratcheting claws as that looks like a good design to cope with multiple filter sizes?


http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/Tool-Shop/Oil-Filter-...

[taz turbo]

I used to use one of these Clicky for getting the filter of a Lotus 912 engine, again a PITA and best accessed from the end of the can as you say yours is.

Chris.

[PhillipM]

Never had any trouble with a hammer and chisel tbh!

[Simon says]

PhillipM said:

Never had any trouble with a hammer and chisel tbh!

To messy

[russell_ram]

"has anyone tried the design with the 3 ratcheting claws as that looks like a good design to cope with multiple filter sizes?"


I have used one of these for many years, very effective : occasionally a little awkward to get it into place but once installed will remove the most stubborn / overtightened filter.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&t...

n.b Other brands are available

Russ

[Simon says]

russell_ram said:

"has anyone tried the design with the 3 ratcheting claws as that looks like a good design to cope with multiple filter sizes?"


I have used one of these for many years, very effective : occasionally a little awkward to get it into place but once installed will remove the most stubborn / overtightened filter.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&t...

n.b Other brands are available

Russ

Yep me too,I agree very awkward in restricted area's hence why I have various types/brands

[Maz_uk]

It's easy when done from a lift, we've sold two Honda this last week with the 2.0l engine in it.

Once it was up on the ramp, I (mechanic on holiday ) got underneath and used my 3 arm filter remover and a breaker bar to get the reach and it came out easy enough.

Edited by Maz_uk on Saturday 8th October 11:20

[DaveL485]

I have these-



Sockets for oil filters. Brilliantly simple....no more swearing or smashed knuckles or holed, dripping filters for me!

[robmlufc]

PhillipM said:

Never had any trouble with a hammer and chisel tbh!

Thats a bit crude.


I prefer a 4lb'er and a screwdriver

[warch]

robmlufc said:

Thats a bit crude.


I prefer a 4lb'er and a screwdriver

+1 Ah yes, the old traditional, especially when you mangle the old one to get it off then realise you've bought the wrong filter to replace it.

[Kitchski]

tr7v8 said:

Simon says said:

Use one like this all the time on those http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/... however do the filter up tight with your hand only preferably with a fresh latex glove on so you get more purchase in that confined area

Edited by Simon says on Sunday 26th June 10:42

Yup the pliers type as above best for this. I have a selection of filter removal tools, including a cap thing for the 944 which is virtually upside down.

Another vote for the pliers here.

[Froggy porker]

Seeings as the thread still lives, here's the end of the story. I bought a 3 swivel pronged filter tool AND a screw tightened steel strap (the Sealey tool shown by Ridds above) in preparation for the father-in-law's next visit.

The steel strap tool couldn't be got into location, so it'll sit on the shelf waiting for another job I guess. The 3 swivel pronged filter tool turned out to have too large a gape for the rinky-dinky little jap filter. Arggghhhhh!!!



I built up the ends of the prongs with electrician's tape, topped off with a layer of coarse sand paper for improved grip.

Finally got the bd off - damn it was tight. Victory!!!


For what it's worth, the pliers shown above would not have done the trick either. Dream tool would have been the filter socket set.....

[Glade]

taz turbo said:

I used to use one of these Clicky for getting the filter of a Lotus 912 engine, again a PITA and best accessed from the end of the can as you say yours is.

Chris.

I've got one of those things, and I hate it with a passion.

You have to wrap it round itself on the filter, hold it to the side maintaining tension on the chain, and then rotate, loosen get the sweet spot again, then rotate. The rotation is off axis too so in a confined space its a bh.

(Worked ok on the Clio, and my bike but on the Passat its hell)