My old oil filter wrench is obsolete

[Selmorides]

My 74mm oil filter wrench always worked on whatever filter I used on my Saturn. First AC Delco PF61, then Wix 51522. Last Wix filters I got looked different top to bottom, like somebody else makes them now. They had 14 flutes/flat spots, the ones before had 15. Now my wrench won’t fit. I just got AC Delco UPF61R thinking they may still have 15. They have 14 also. When did this change?

 

[joekingcorvette]

Might be time to buy a new brand that is universal and works on all of your vehicles. I have 3 different ones and none of them are made for a specific oil filter.

 

[bugeye]

The channel lock type pliers from Harbor Fright works well if access permits. Wrap around strap type tend to slip.
Maybe time to buy a new old car where the filter wrench fits, ha ha

 

[ZeeOSix]

You got way more mileage out of your filter end cap wrench than many of mine. I must have 10 different ones now, as the filters they worked on seemed to change along the way. Finally got a 3-jaw removal tool (only meant for removal because is smokes the can) in case they can't be removed by hand.

 

[Selmorides]

I had one that fit 2 different sizes years ago. I just haven’t found it. I haven’t needed it for years until now. I was surprised that the tool I have been using all these years on these 2 brands no longer works. I have a Snap On heavy duty universal strap that will work. I used it to remove the last filter. I also use it on the occasional racing filter like Fram HP4 that doesn’t have flutes.

 

[rijndael]

I use filter pliers. It doesn't care about the number of hex flats.

 

[Patman]

I was annoyed recently when none of the 5-6 different sizes of oil filter cap wrenches would fit the Carquest Premium filter on my Corvette. And it’s a really tight squeeze in there so I’m really not sure if I’m going to be able to take it off on my next oil change. I bought an adjustable removal tool but won’t know if it fits until I get the car up on my ramps. Worst case scenario I leave the filter on for a second OCI (or just slightly longer until I find the right tool to remove it)

 

[Selmorides]

I got one of these after I borrowed one.

 

[The_Jeff]

Get the style that's three fingers that tighten when you torque ccw.

 

[cheech279]

That OF17W is a weird looking tool.

 

[Selmorides]

I had it probably 30 years or more. I think I bought it at Trak Auto. Remember them? I have the same tool for the larger filters like PF35/PF1218. I think dealer techs use them. Not weird. Maybe just don’t see them in stores anymore. Like timing lights.

 

[sw91]

I was annoyed recently when none of the 5-6 different sizes of oil filter cap wrenches would fit the Carquest Premium filter on my Corvette. And it’s a really tight squeeze in there so I’m really not sure if I’m going to be able to take it off on my next oil change. I bought an adjustable removal tool but won’t know if it fits until I get the car up on my ramps. Worst case scenario I leave the filter on for a second OCI (or just slightly longer until I find the right tool to remove it)

One of these worked on my C7.
https://www.harborfreight.com/universal-3-jaw-adjustable-oil-filter-wrench-59175.html

 

[Patman]

One of these worked on my C7.
https://www.harborfreight.com/universal-3-jaw-adjustable-oil-filter-wrench-59175.html

I have one that’s similar to that which I picked up at Walmart so I’m hoping it can squeeze into that tight spot

 

[MetalSlug]

some one recommended me this over 10 years ago, because I was having stuck oil filter, and I still using this til this day, work on all kind of oil filter.

 

[KenshinHimura]

I have the Channellock 212 and 209. The lisle 63250 also works well. Had one shop i worked at order me a set of channelock 215s for lube oil filter changes on our Acme Grindleys. those are my go tos

 

[RyanY]

@Randy_R I'm sure some brand of filter still uses 15 flutes for that size; after all, most 75/76 mm cap wrenches have 15. Unless, of course, all of the filters are produced by the same 2 or 3 companies...

Obviously Champ has moved to 14 as described in the first post, and Fram usually adds the nonslip coating and doesn't fit most cap wrenches. Maybe check the Bosch 3423 (?) If you find one, buy a whole case of them.

 

[Sayjac]

I can't recall ever seeing a fitted cap wrench like that before. Excuse my ignorance but is that flat bar piece welded to the cap? As for fitted cap wrench, I have a couple for 7317/6607 size. I also own a Lisle cam action cap wrench, comes in two sizes, I have the smaller one. As for when number of flutes changed, no idea.

 

[Kira]

Your old oil filter wrench isn't obsolete. You just don't have a use for it now or in the near future.

 

[Selmorides]

I'm sure some brand of filter still uses 15 flutes for that size; after all, most 75/76 mm cap wrenches have 15. Unless, of course, all of the filters are produced by the same 2 or 3 companies...

Obviously Champ has moved to 14 as described in the first post, and Fram usually adds the nonslip coating and doesn't fit most cap wrenches. Maybe check the Bosch 3423 (?) If you find one, buy a whole case of them.

I have enough filters. The Wix 51522 I installed last spring and removed in the fall had 15. The one I installed this fall had 14. I tightened it by hand. I bought the UPF61R because it looked like the filters I used to buy. It has 14. I’m not going to buy another tool. I have the Snap On tool pictured in earlier post, see above. It works just fine. I’m not looking anymore.

 

[Selmorides]

I can't recall ever seeing a fitted cap wrench like that before. Excuse my ignorance but is that flat bar piece welded to the cap? As for fitted cap wrench, I have a couple for 7317/6607 size. I also own a Lisle cam action cap wrench, comes in two sizes, I have the smaller one. As for when number of flutes changed, no idea.

Yes, welded. Have bigger one for PF35L filters and similar like Wix 51060, 51061, 51069, for small block Chevys I have. Works on big blocks too. Same filter.