Learned a valuable oil changing lesson today...

[Colt45ws]

I hardly ever bother to oil the gasket at home. Ive never seen a noticeable difference. I also dont wipe off the filter base either, though, so it gets oil that way. If I did wipe it or it was otherwise dry for some reason I probably would...
About 2/3s of the time the oil filter will come off no problem. The other 1/3 I will need help from a wrench and I will know it will before I even go to remove it because Ill remember from when I put it on that I overtightened it.

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Lately, I have been using my nylon oil filter cap to tighten my new oil filters. I don't crank them down hard with the cap/ratchet, just snug.


Those things are great, but the only problem is that certain manufacturer's filter cannisters do not have the 'scallops' on the side/bottom of the can for the cap type wrenches to grip, and are totally smooth.

(Are you listening Amsoil??)

 

[rpn453]

Originally Posted By: synthetic_crazy
Anybody have a similar learning experience?


Similar, but the opposite direction. My buddy dumped a bunch of oil on my driveway because he hadn't tightened the filter enough. He had been tightening it less so that it would be easier to remove and it either loosened off during driving or was simply never tight enough to seal properly. It was like that for at least the 300 mile round trip to my place and back. I wonder if oil pressure was down during that drive or if the oil level got dangerously low, as it seems he started experiencing high oil consumption shortly after that, though it may have been coincidental.

I always get it as tight as I can with one leather-gloved hand and use a band-style filter wrench to remove.

 

[HangerHarley]

GUYS! Oil Filters are only supposed to be 1/4 turn past Snug!

I hate it when i went to change my own Oil and i had to do 5 pull-ups on the thing because it felt like Hulk Hogan put it on while angry.

WHY over-tighten. heat tightens it up. If it drips, maybe mot tight enough.

Or 1/2 turn. That works too.

Anything past that.. Lord, have mercy.

 

[HangerHarley]

Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
I should admit that I have to use a normal end cap with the Subaru as its a bear to get to...

I wish it was still that new looking!

Umm. WTH is that thing around the Oil filter?

It looks like a Toilet.

 

[UncleS2]

I follow the directions on the oil filter box- 1/4 turn past contact, 1/3 turn, or 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, whatever it says. A filter wrench is sometimes needed for the last little bit. I've never had any trouble removing a filter I installed, by using nothing more than my old relible Lisle swivel handle strap wrench(for regular size filters), or an old el cheepo smaller version, for the coffee mug-size filters.

 

[garlicbreadman]

NEVER OVER TIGHTEN AMSOIL FILTERS. THE GASKET IS SUPER THICK.

 

[Thermo1223]

Originally Posted By: HangerHarley


It looks like a Toilet.


Exhaust with heat shields.

 

[fdcg27]

Just like our Forester.
I use an end wrench to loosen the Sube's oil filter, but I install the new one by hand.
You can get your fingers around the old filter for removal, but the knuckle burns are painful.
All in all, the Subie is high enough off the ground that an oil change is pretty easy.

 

[andyd]

I change the oil on the family fleet. Once in a great while, I have to resort to my filter wrenches. it has been ages since I have had to use a hammer and a screwdriver.

 

[Spyder7]

I just hand tighten til it feels snug (and oil the gasket seal first). Then start, confirm its not dripping, and good to go.

-Spyder

 

[ludey]

Originally Posted By: MrMeeks
Yes, filters should be tightened with one hand only-No wrench.

always inspect to see if the old filter gasket is not stuck to the engine,because this can occur.


It depends if it is required. My 92 Lexus SC400 required an oil wrench to tighten. It said so in the factory maintainence manual. I hand tightened and a friend said it was spraying oil when the throttle was applied. If I hand tightend it all the way tight until it couldn't turn. It wouldn't leak. Most but, not all cars can take the one and half hand turn tighten spec but, some are exceptions.

I had a '87 BMW 325I that was so tight. I had to take it to a local gas station to take it off because, I tried everything and even the screwdriver thru the oil filter which just ripped thru the filter. The next time it happened again from a mechanic working on my car. Then I just used a motorcycle chain attached to vice grips and loosened it up.

As for putting oil film on gasket. I usually do it or the filter's gasket gets stuck on the car when you are changing out filters. Then, you have a double gasket situation when installing the new filter. Also, it does help me taking the filter off.

 

[PandaBear]

The first time my dad did oil change he tighten it so much, that he have to drive the car to a mechanical to impact drive it off, and pay $10 for it (in 95).

 

[mjoekingz28]

Call me crazy but I get a sharpie and draw a 90 degree angle on the 'cup' of the filter. So when I turn it until the gasket touches, I note where the line behind is, then twist until the other line meets where the other line was.

3/4-1 is what the filter says tighten too, but if you plan on getting it off by hand then that is too tight. I tighten the full 3/4 then use a metal cup socket to loosen it.

If you want to use no tools for filter removal, then I suggest 1/2 turn past the gasket seating.



FWIW, I dont think the filter will loosen over time. When I first got my car the filter could have been removed with just two fingers. It was way loose....just the opposite of what the quick lubes usually do.


And please, whoever has the Subaru let your car cool down for an hour. The exhaust will cool down much quicker than your oil will, so you have nothing to lose.