Oil change headaches

[tommygunn]

No you really don't want to service cars with the K&N filter and I'll tell you why. I've seen plenty of people use that nut to put it ON the car, so tight it almost (or has) deformed the filter can.

Course if you put it on yourself, great! But chances are if you put it on and you're not a gorilla you won't need the nut!

 

[MinamiKotaro]

The only time I've had real trouble was when I changed the oil and filter in my Grandmother's '91 Century in 2008. The factory filter and factory oil fill had never been changed.

I had to cut the can off and split the base plate with a cutting wheel to remove the filter.

The oil had become a black sludge akin to roofing tar. It would barely drain. I had to pour gasoline into the oil filler to thin the gunk enough to drain freely.

I filled it with cheap oil and MMO, drove it until the engine was hot, and drained it again. More horrible sludge came out. Then I did it again.

Then engine went from barely running to running like brand new. Oil pressure went from about "L" on the gauge to about 3/4 of the way to "H". (No numbers.)

I also put on new tires, changed the fuel and air filters, changed the ATF, the spark plugs, all that great stuff. It was the first time the car had ever been maintenanced in any way. I'm amazed it even ran.

 

[HTSS_TR]

17 years without an oil and filter change and the engine was running, even barely, is amazing.

 

[addyguy]

OC before last I took my Tribute to a shop, and had a LOF done as part of an inspection for work I was having done.

Filter was very, very hard to get off on the next change...it isn't when I do it!

This won't change, 'industry' is so scared of leaks and blown engines from loose filters that this 'insurance' is a fact of life....

 

[larryinnewyork]

Hello all.

After I install my oil filter, I will paint a 'stripe' (contrasting color) down the length of filter.
I worry it may come loose.
If it did loosen, I can tell just by looking.

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: LineArrayNut
Removing FF from the '11, had to pound prybar through filter case. Alternative was to remove belly pan - 14 bolts/screws that I saw before I gave up. I'm 6'3" 245# and ex-tower builder, I believe I have enough hand strength to get off most tight OF's. It was like it was welded on. No problems since then - of course it was I doing the OC's...did a Fumoto as well.


FF=Factory filter?

If so, get used to it. I have changed oil on numerous new vehicles, and the oil filter is always screwed on too tightly. I guess it isn't preventable.

However, there is no reason someone should ever tighten a filter like that.


The other problem I deal with is where the filter is a little tighter than normal, but the filter is in a stupid location! That limits my tool selection and causes me headaches. Ever change an oil filter on a Nissan 240SX? That is extremely annoying.

 

[InvalidUserID]

Any time I do the oil change on my parent's cars and they tell me that they took it in between the last time I did it, I just know I'm in for wrestling around with the drain plug and oil filter.

I think it's a combo of the shop wanting them to have to come back (as someone mentioned, discouraging DIY) and them wanting to make sure it doesn't leak. They probably figure better to just tighten the heck out of it than to just hand tighten it properly.