How To Get Stuck Oil Filter Off

1 of the easiest service jobs you can carry out on your car is an oil modify. Simply sometimes the oil filter tin can become so stuck it can seem incommunicable to remove.

Then, how do you remove a stuck oil filter?

The safest and near effective way to remove a stuck oil filter is to heat the engine, spray the base of the filter with WD-twoscore and and so utilise a special oil filter tool to remove the filter.

At that place are a few other methods that work and choosing the right method depends on the location of the oil filter and the type of oil filter that is fitted to your vehicle. Here are a few tried and tested methods that the professionals utilize.

1. oil filter cap wrench with WD-twoscore Method

Sometimes the oil filter tin exist difficult to grip, especially if it'due south in a difficult to reach location. This is where an oil filter cap wrench can come in really handy.

In that location are two types of oil filter cap wrenches bachelor. The starting time blazon fits directly onto the elevation of the oil filter, gripping the filter then that it tin can be loosened.

The 2d type is for use with paper oil filters that are fitted within of an oil filter housing. The cap wrench is used to remove the lid from the housing. Both types of cap wrenches look the same, and are unlike sizes bachelor.

The secret to success with this method is to rut the engine, use WD-40 (or other pentrant spray) and make sure that you are using the correct size cap wrench.

To brainstorm, bulldoze the vehicle for 10-15 minutes to heat upwards the engine, this will brand the oil filter easier to remove.

If it's a screw on canister oil filter, spray the base of the oil filter with some WD-forty to help to loosen it. Wipe downward the filter with a rag (be careful not to burn yourself!) and fit the cap wrench to the top of the filter. Using a socket wrench, slowly turn the filter anti-clockwise to remove.

If its an oil filter housing that yous are trying to open, these are normally at the tiptop of the engine and are easier to admission. Using WD-40 is usually not an option in this instance, and so get ahead and fit the oil filter wrench directly to the elevation of the oil filter housing and slowly plough information technology anti-clockwise.

2. oil filter pliers or chain/strap method

This method but works with a screw on canister oil filter when you've got space around information technology to fit the wrench.

They cardinal to success with this method is to oestrus the engine and soak the base of operations of the oil filter with WD-40 or similar lubricant (try not to go the lubricant on surrounding engine parts).

Oil filter strap wrench attached to an oil filter

Showtime past wiping downward the oil filter to remove any oil or dirt so that the wrench has the best take chances of gripping. Refer to the instructions that come with the wrench that you lot are using and attach information technology to the oil filter as tight as you tin can. Slowly turn the wrench anti-clockwise to remove the filter. You may need to re-position the wrench on the filter as you loosen it.

Here's a video describing the various types of oil filter wrenches and how they work.

Tools oil filter wrench by froggy

3. Screwdriver Method

Personally, I don't similar using this method because it's messy and can go wrong very easily.

If you lot want to increment the chances of successfully removing a stuck oil filter with a screwdriver, rut upward the engine to operating temperature and spray the base of the filter with WD-twoscore, simply like the previous methods.

You lot'll likewise need to set up a basin or container to collect any oil that escapes from the oil filter. You also demand to accept intendance that you don't get covered in hot oil!

When everything is set, stab the side of the oil filter using a large flat bract screwdriver and slowly turn the oil filter counter clockwise. Hopefully, the oil filter turns and comes off in one slice.

This method should only be used equally a final resort. Information technology's messy and there is a danger of getting burnt by hot engine oil. The is also a strong risk that the oil filter will restriction autonomously, leaving the bottom threaded part still attached to the engine. If this happens then it's going to be even more difficult to remove.

5 Tips for removing a stuck oil filter

When it comes to successfully removing a stuck oil filter there are a few tips and tricks that yous tin use to aid y'all succeed. Here are my 5 summit tips that you lot may find useful adjacent fourth dimension y'all are trying to remove a stuck oil filter.

Tip 1: Always warm the engine before starting.

This will not only make the oil catamenia out easier only it tin can aid to break the seal between the oil filter and the engine block.

Tip 2: Soak the base of the oil filter with penetrant spray

Use plenty of WD-xl or similar penetrant spray and leave it to work for upward to an hour before attempting to plough the oil filter.

Tip iii: Use some coarse sandpaper to help grip the oil filter.

Wrapping some sandpaper around the oil filter before you adhere the oil filter wrench tin can increment your chances of success as it increases the grip of the oil filter wrench.

Tip 4: Use an exact fit cap wrench filter tool.

If you lot can become one, the all-time oil filter wrench tool is the cap tool that fits exactly over the pinnacle of the filter. Combine this with penetrant fluid and a warm engine, and that oil filter will come up right off commencement time.

Tip 5: Don't over-tighten the new oil filter.

Ok so this is a tip for next time you decide to do an oil change. When you are fitting the new oil filter, don't be tempted to use a tool to tighten it. You should e'er tighten a screw on canister oil filter with your manus. If it'southward in a tight infinite and yous can't become access with your manus than only use the tool to give information technology one terminal quarter turn after you've