Can't remove stuck oil filter, help!

[banzai_dan]

Hi there,
I know this sounds like the simplest of questions, but I've come a cropper trying to remove the oil filter from a Ford Sierra 1.8 CVH.
My oil filter wrench keeps sliping of the filter after starting to cruch the case.
I've hammered a screwdriver through it, but the previous owner had it on so tight that I've literally broken the screwdriver.
Any Ideas?
Thans in advance.

[MrFlibbles]

Lefty loosey, righty tighty!

[Zad]

Put a sturdy flat bladed screwdriver against the edge of the case and hammer it off? Sounds a bit of a nightmare!

[GreenV8S]

That must have been a pretty poor quality screwdriver. Get a decent quality one, or any decent bit of steel bar about the right size and shape, and shove that through. (At least you haven't ripped the cannister apart; that would make it rather awkward to unscrew.)

You can also try drifting it off by punching a notch into the rim and then hammering sideways on that with a drift, but if it distorts it might make it even harder to get off.

I've never yet had one fail to come off with a decent size screwdriver bashed through it.

[Sam_68]

GreenV8S said:

I've never yet had one fail to come off with a decent size screwdriver bashed through it.

Neither have I, but I've had 'em so tight that the screwdriver simply tears the metal of the filter casing to shreds.

Still, a decent screwdriver is still your best bet, and if it does shred the casing, you can usually get a grip on what's left with a pair of mole grips to get it off.

[ridds]

I have yet to find a filter that this thing will fail to undo.



After years of screwdrivers through, and getting covered in oil I'd have enough.

[Mr2Mike]

ridds said:

I have yet to find a filter that this thing will fail to undo.

That would have failed on several of the cars I have owned simply due to insufficient access!

[DaveL485]

Never looked back since buying these....no mess, no fuss.

Edited by DaveL485 on Monday 21st September 21:39

[ridds]

Mr2Mike said:

ridds said:

I have yet to find a filter that this thing will fail to undo.

That would have failed on several of the cars I have owned simply due to insufficient access!

You'd be surprised just where it can fit.

[ridds]

Also if you can;t fit that, you're never gonna get a screwdriver in instead.

[GreenV8S]

DaveL485 said:

Never looked back since buying these....no mess, no fuss.

Could you explain what we're looking at? I can see a three-legged gripper, are those round things some sort of rubber grippy thing to go over the filter to increase grip?

[ridds]

They're pressed steel cups that fit over the end of the filter can and locate on the pressings on the filter to allow you to undo it.

[GreenV8S]

ridds said:

They're pressed steel cups that fit over the end of the filter can and locate on the pressings on the filter to allow you to undo it.

Aha, I see. So you just stick the 1/2" drive (or whatever) in the end of the cup and turn it directly? How neat! Haven't seen those before, were they expensive?

[DaveL485]

Think of it as a socket set, for oil filters. Each one has different diameters and fittings to fit various types and sizes. They fit perfectly over filters with a 3/8ths drive fitting. Even tight access is relatively easy....definately worth the investment if you work on a few different motors.
Think I paid sub-£40, if I remember.

[Steve6]

Warm up the filter with a heat gun (the wife's hair drier might work). It's usually the rubber ring that seals the filter body to the engine that stops the fliter turning and by heating it up helps break the seal.