No filter wrench, filter removal: Ford 5.4L

[OVERKILL]

Well, that was fun.

It's -8C, I'm out changing the oil in the Expedition and can't get the filter off. I go try and find my filter wrench.... can't find it. Figure my dad borrowed it, I give him a call, he thinks he did, but can't find it either. It is now dark outside, so I go out for one more go at it....

Yelling "Thunder, thunder, thunder cats, HOOOO!!!!" I give it a mighty reef and it breaks free

Seriously though, I laid on my back, reaching up between the steering box and the front axle with my right hand and just applied as much pressure as I possibly could. I felt it turn a tiny bit. Adjusted my grip, again some tiny movement. This went on for a few minutes before it finally broke free and spun the rest of the way off.

Not really an enjoyable experience. I'm going to make it a point to find my filter wrench tomorrow

 

[dave1251]

I have used my belt to gain "more" torque if I can not find my filter wrench with varying degrees of success.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: dave1251
I have used my belt to gain "more" torque if I can not find my filter wrench with varying degrees of success.


That's a very good idea, I'll file that one in the back of my head, thanks

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Well, that was fun.

It's -8C, I'm out changing the oil in the Expedition and can't get the filter off. I go try and find my filter wrench.... can't find it. Figure my dad borrowed it, I give him a call, he thinks he did, but can't find it either. It is now dark outside, so I go out for one more go at it....

Yelling "Thunder, thunder, thunder cats, HOOOO!!!!" I give it a mighty reef and it breaks free

Seriously though, I laid on my back, reaching up between the steering box and the front axle with my right hand and just applied as much pressure as I possibly could. I felt it turn a tiny bit. Adjusted my grip, again some tiny movement. This went on for a few minutes before it finally broke free and spun the rest of the way off.

Not really an enjoyable experience. I'm going to make it a point to find my filter wrench tomorrow

If you did this everyday, you would develop muscles in that area and next oil change it would unscrew easily.

What is this "oil filter wrench"? Who tosses an oil filter wrench when they sell the car? Its oil filter "wrenches". I have everyone I have bought, along with the [censored] HF collection, and a bunch I got from my Dad.

And I have a few more cars to go in my lifetime!

 

[simple_gifts]

What OCI? I would have just changed the oil then waited until i had a wrench for the filter, maybe 100km and +20C later. How important is it really? That would kill most bitog'rs. I don't do winter filter changes; slap a M1 in Oct-Nov and then ride the next 6 months....

Sux nonetheless

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Well, that was fun.

It's -8C, I'm out changing the oil in the Expedition and can't get the filter off. I go try and find my filter wrench.... can't find it. Figure my dad borrowed it, I give him a call, he thinks he did, but can't find it either. It is now dark outside, so I go out for one more go at it....

Yelling "Thunder, thunder, thunder cats, HOOOO!!!!" I give it a mighty reef and it breaks free

Seriously though, I laid on my back, reaching up between the steering box and the front axle with my right hand and just applied as much pressure as I possibly could. I felt it turn a tiny bit. Adjusted my grip, again some tiny movement. This went on for a few minutes before it finally broke free and spun the rest of the way off.

Not really an enjoyable experience. I'm going to make it a point to find my filter wrench tomorrow

If you did this everyday, you would develop muscles in that area and next oil change it would unscrew easily.

What is this "oil filter wrench"? Who tosses an oil filter wrench when they sell the car? Its oil filter "wrenches". I have everyone I have bought, along with the [censored] HF collection, and a bunch I got from my Dad.

And I have a few more cars to go in my lifetime!


It's a metal band-style wrench that has fit every Ford I've ever owned, LOL! I've never needed another one. The BMW's take a big socket.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
What OCI? I would have just changed the oil then waited until i had a wrench for the filter, maybe 100km and +20C later. How important is it really? That would kill most bitog'rs. I don't do winter filter changes; slap a M1 in Oct-Nov and then ride the next 6 months....

Sux nonetheless





Just over 10,000 miles, I wasn't comfortable leaving it on.

 

[fdcg27]

The answer, of course, is to have more than one filter wrench.
Sometimes you can improve your grip with a damp rag or paper towel or a piece of sandpaper.
At least you ulitmately suceeded.
Imagine how frustrating it would have been to have failed.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
The answer, of course, is to have more than one filter wrench.
Sometimes you can improve your grip with a damp rag or paper towel or a piece of sandpaper.
At least you ulitmately suceeded.
Imagine how frustrating it would have been to have failed.


Grip wasn't the issue, it was leverage. But yes, eventually got it at least. I can't imagine not being able to get it off.

 

[tig1]

As many years as I have been changing oil(started in the early 60s)I have accuminated oil filter wrenches for about every situation.

 

[simple_gifts]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
What OCI? I would have just changed the oil then waited until i had a wrench for the filter, maybe 100km and +20C later. How important is it really? That would kill most bitog'rs. I don't do winter filter changes; slap a M1 in Oct-Nov and then ride the next 6 months....

Sux nonetheless





Just over 10,000 miles, I wasn't comfortable leaving it on.


I see what group you're in. 8)

 

[cchase]

Big pair of slip-joint pliers? Screwdriver punched through?

The problem with just waiting until later to do the change is, at least when I change the oil, I open the drain plug, let it empty, THEN go to the filter. At that point you're pretty committed.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: cchase
Big pair of slip-joint pliers? Screwdriver punched through?

The problem with just waiting until later to do the change is, at least when I change the oil, I open the drain plug, let it empty, THEN go to the filter. At that point you're pretty committed.


That's how I do it too. My channel locks won't fit over an FL-820S filter (yes, they aren't a big pair) and I was hesitant to do the screwdriver trick unless I KNEW I wasn't able to get it off with my hands.

 

[fdcg27]

You could always run the filter a second time.
I don't, but many do, and Honda even recommends it for my '12.

 

[fdcg27]

+1
In 35+ years of changing oil in our many different cars, I've driven a scredriver through oil filters 2-3X at most.
The problem with this method is that while you might run an oil fiter through two oil changes (although I never have), once you drive a screwdriver through that can, you must then get that filter off.
We've all read here of cases where this failed to happen.
I'd not enjoy this on a pleasant day in May, although one would find a way.
I'd like it a lot less on a late December day with temperatures of 18F or so.
My experience has been that there is a proper wrench for every oil filter installation.
Of course, if you can't find that wrench in your garage, it won't help to own one.

 

[KD0AXS]

One size fits all:

Can be kind of a PITA to use, but it's never failed me whwn I haven't had the right size filter wrench or couldn't get the filter off for whatever reason. It'll fit on anything you can get the strap around, including things other than oil filters.

 

[dnewton3]

Overkill -

Been there, done that. Exactly that. Used to have a 2002 "special services" Expedition with the 5.4L and all the coolers.

The ONLY way to get at that filter is from the direct axial line of sight approach. Sucks in so many ways. And if you don't have a filter wrench, nearly impossible.

That you had success without the aid of the cup wrench says a LOT about your grip, sir!

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: dnewton3
Overkill -

Been there, done that. Exactly that. Used to have a 2002 "special services" Expedition with the 5.4L and all the coolers.

The ONLY way to get at that filter is from the direct axial line of sight approach. Sucks in so many ways. And if you don't have a filter wrench, nearly impossible.

That you had success without the aid of the cup wrench says a LOT about your grip, sir!


Thank you for the compliment

 

[bigjl]

I got a nice set of special sockets for removing for removing the insert type filters covers a while ago.

Very handy.

I also broke my favourite filter tool recently aswell, it was the kind with a metal band fixed to a one end that has a turn screw in the handle so you twist to tighten or loosen.

Need to buy another as I hate using the one with three legs on it that you use with a ratchet and extension bar and the one similar to the picture Bove but with chain instead of fabric can be a bit of a pain in a confined space.

I think Sealey do one, I bought the one I broke in France for €10 and it lasted nigh on 5/6 yrs!

Glad you got yours off Overkill.

Nothing worse than a job half done.

 

[chad8]

Originally Posted By: cchase
Big pair of slip-joint pliers? Screwdriver punched through?

The problem with just waiting until later to do the change is, at least when I change the oil, I open the drain plug, let it empty, THEN go to the filter. At that point you're pretty committed.


In high school we used to pull up the field behind the Junior high and change the oil. Screwdriver through the filter for removal and drain it on the ground.
We never knew it was wrong . All the roads had oil on them too.
The hard part was crawling under to put the plug back in.