I usually hand tighten then tighten a little more with a tool. Well I just got one of those new mobil 1 filters that is made in South Korea. my tool didn't fit and I only hand tightened it. does anyone else only hand tighten? do you think ill have a leak or will it be okay. I took it for a drive and it didn't leak but hoping it will stay that way. thank you for your answers in advance
oil filter tightness question
- Thread starter mco30mco
- Start date
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
Hand!
Never seen a filter maker, engine maker, or vehicle maker That recommended anything other than “hand tight”.
Depends on what the turn distance was after the base gasket first made contact. If it's 2/3 turn or more you'll be good.
Use a Sharpie Marker and put a reference line on the filter.
If it loosens, you will know right away.
If it loosens, you will know right away.
One turn past contact.
Only hand
Only hand. But that might change if I am still changing oil & filter at 80 years old.
Hand tighten for over 50 years and still surprised by the torque needed with end cap tool/socket wrench to remove.No way I could use my grip to remove by hand.
That would be about 1.5 + turns past the gasket contact point. I've never seen a recommendation for that. Or, did you mean "by hand until the gasket touches , then 3/4 turn with a tool"?
Don't forget another recent similar thread: a few filters are very tight at 1/2 turn and it's near impossible to go more. And, I have a few filters that are very easy to go 1+ full turn past the gasket touching. Thus, leaving the OP in his original quandary.
All of mine are hand tightened. But, at 10 months away from age 70, my declining hand strength might affect future work, God willing.
Um, I meant hand tight plus 3/4. Maybe it's only a 1/2 turn after hand tight. That is in my RAV4. My Camry has that canister thing. I tighten that until it stops then don't go any further.
This is a thing. Some people don't have hand strength. Assuming you do, hand tight is fine. Otherwise, use a tool.
Thats incredible hulk level there.. might want to back it down a notch
Fram says 3/4-1turn after gasket contact and to lubricate the gasket. Its tight by half a turn but a few grunts and I can make it to 3/4
it can vary by filter part number, some get tight earlier than others.. I've never seen one that wasnt fully tight by 1 turn.
Repeated extreme overtightening can cause issues with the oil filter mount threads.. and even leaks.
f355spider
$50 Site Donor 2025
Ferrari does for all their cars with spin on filters. It varies with the filter, but this example is 30NM made by Purflux.
https://www.ricambiamerica.com/218429-oil-filter.html
Earlier Ferraris use UFI oil filters. Not printed on the can, but the tightening torque is in the workshop manual. 25NM is typical.
On Ferrari forums, there are examples of people just doing hand tight, and get leaks. Oil pressures can be pretty high after a cold start and if you don't keep the revs below 4,000 until fully up to temperature.
Mainly based on the thread pitch. A finer thread pitch needs more rotation to move the filter base closer to the filter seat the same distance.