HELP, I have a filter, AND I CAN'T GET IT OFF!!!

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joe_it

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Oct 15, 2011
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WI, USA
Hello Everyone, first time poster and long time lurker! My wife drives a 2005 Toyota Camry with the 3.0 L V6 engine. I run Amsoil 0w30 signature series in her car and change the oil at 15,000 mile intervals. I am using up some MANN filters that I have for that vehicle for her 7500 mile filter change and I can't get the filter off. I took it to a quicklube for the full oil change and I don't know if they put it on too tight, or if the angle that the filter is at just sucks that I can't get a good grip. I went to my local wally world and bought a plastic wrench cover last night, but that seems to slip and not grip well. I found this three-point grip available on Amazon World Best Oil Filter Wrench , as well as this Lisle Wide Range filter wrench. I am wondering if anyone has any experience with either of these and which one I should pick up? My last resort is to take it back to the quicklube that originally changed the oil. I am looking for any suggestions, thanks for your help! Joe
 
You can find the same type of filter wrench/adapter at sears and kmart under craftsman brand.I am not sure if they would work.I was not able to successfully use them on our Hyundai. Have you tried wrapping a clean cotton cloth around the filter?
 
I've always had good luck with a good old fashioned strap wrench and throw an extension or two on there long enough to access it from a remote area to torque it off.
 
If the case of the Mann is smooth at the top like the ones I have, yes you may have to destroy the filter to remove it. In the future if you think the filter wrench isn't as tight as it could be, jam it on over a cloth rag to give it some "traction".
 
Originally Posted By: joe_it
I went to my local wally world and bought a plastic wrench cover last night, but that seems to slip and not grip well. I found this three-point grip available on Amazon World Best Oil Filter Wrench , as well as this Lisle Wide Range filter wrench. I am wondering if anyone has any experience with either of these and which one I should pick up? Joe
Joe I've used both and the 3 prog one is garbage. The lisle is the one I've got and use. Here is a previous thread on same subject with photos. Bill
 
I had to call a mechanic to my house one time after I boogered up the oil filter really good. I was not home at the time, but after the mechanic got it off, he told my wife how to avoid this problem in the future. When she relayed the advice to me, I said "yeah that's what the instructions on the side of the oil filter box say".
 
If I get a stuck one on a buddy's car I get out the filter pliers.. they do destroy the filter though.(you can tell how thick the oil filter is by how much you annihilate them) Usually Sandpaper and rubber gripped gloves is enough for 99% of filters.. I have also duct taped filters in the past for extra traction Used to change a 2001 tracker about once a month.. I never tightened it excessively .. but it was always welded on. and above a cv axle.. next to a hose.. below a.... ya a pita.
 
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Thanks for the feedback guys. With the 2005 Camry, they left enough room for a child to get his//her arm in there and not much more. I can get a strap wrench around the thing, but I can't hold the strap tight and have only a few inches of room to pull on it. I tried a cloth with gripped gloves and sandpaper, no luck. I have not tried oil filter pliers, I didn't even know they EXISTED!! I'm concerned if I can't get the wrench in there very well that I won't be able to get the filter pliers in there either. Joe
 
You have to be creative...Ive done thousands of oil changes and some filters are a PITA to get off, I always use filter pliers to get them though. They are the best IMO worst case scenario i would hammer a screwdriver in it and turn that way. I guess though you could take it a quicklube place, but then youa re probably gonna be faced with the same issue again enxt time. See if you can find someone near you that can give youa hand I am sure youll be able to get of off of there.
 
Originally Posted By: Scorch
I've always had good luck with a good old fashioned strap wrench and throw an extension or two on there long enough to access it from a remote area to torque it off.
+1. A strap wrench works every time, but it can be problematic the way they bury the filter on some modern vehicles.
 
Originally Posted By: crw
None of the links in this thread are for wrenches! (Well, none that I have clicked!) These are for some lame grabbing device. I think my own hand would apply stronger torque... This is a wrench (grabbing the first thing I see on google...): http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/tools/...CFSkBQAodu3UXMg
Useless is most apps these days. You can NOT get around the filter. End access only. Far from "lame". Bill
 
I had a thread here a few months back, I had a stuck filter on a 'new to me' Matrix. I suggest, in the first round, Glue the plastic wrench cap on the filter (Epoxy or Goop works well)
 
Bill and everyone who recommend the Lisle in the link from Amazon are right, it is an excellent tool. I have never been let down. I have almost given up sometimes but I get 'em. Keep trying in the meantime. I have honestly been to the point where I was going to take my car to the shop and I tried one more time and got it off. Good Luck BTW: Welcome to BITOG!! Forget the strap wrenches because most of the vehicles built today have the filter in a difficult to reach place and the filters are small. The Strap Wrench is great for a large filter that is easier to reach, not your case.
 
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Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
Originally Posted By: crw
None of the links in this thread are for wrenches! (Well, none that I have clicked!) These are for some lame grabbing device. I think my own hand would apply stronger torque... This is a wrench (grabbing the first thing I see on google...): http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/tools/...CFSkBQAodu3UXMg
Useless is most apps these days. You can NOT get around the filter. End access only. Far from "lame". Bill
I have to agree with Bill...when I worked at a lube shop, we had a version of the three fingered unit, a little beefier and longer "fingers" than that one. I you apply enough torque with the rachet, it will crush the filter down and rip the can if it doesn't turn. Never had a car in that this wouldn't remove the filter from, although a few were not very pretty when I was done. expat's idea sounds like it may be a winner!!
 
I've never seen one that the strap filter cannot be used in some form. It might come off one millimeter at a time, but once you get it started... Also, there are different sizes of strap wrenches. I have one large and one small. They take care of it all.
 
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