Purolator Classic Gripe

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Gunatics_Adler

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Well I tried my first Purolator classic on one of our cars. I always used AC Delco PF 47 and PF 52 filters, but put on the Purolator PF52 equivalent.

Well yesterday to get it ready for winter I changed the oil and the filter cap wrench I always used and had work for my Delco and Wix filters would not work on the Purolator. Had to go buy a Lisle adjustable filter end wrench to get it off. The Purolator can seems to be just thin enough to not grip in my old ensemble of tools. The flutes match up fine, but when you go to put power to it, it slips.
 
Sorry to hear that. It is good to have an adjustable oil filter wrench anyway so not that big of deal IMO.
 
Might be a slightly slicker/narrower, put a thin rag/cloth or shop towel on the filter then use the cap. It's worked for me before. I agree on no biggie.
 
Though I can see it being a big annoyance for this particular oil change. Especially if you had already drained the oil. Extra annoying if you had already drained the oil and this is your only vehicle...
 
Originally Posted By: sayjac
Might be a slightly slicker/narrower, put a thin rag/cloth or shop towel on the filter then use the cap. It's worked for me before. I agree on no biggie.


I have done this as well, used some thin rubber shelf liner in the cap, worked like a charm.
 
Originally Posted By: Gunatics_Adler
....The flutes match up fine, but when you go to put power to it, it slips.


How sure of that are you?

The reason I ask is that I've been there/done that with the PF47 equivalent on my Malibu.

AC-Delco/ST filters have 15 flutes on the end. Purolator and its clones have 14. The cap wrench we had fit, but didn't do squat but slip off when torque was applied since the wrench really didn't fit despite appearances. I'd bet money that's what's going on with the PF52 equivalent.

Interestingly enough, the PF13/ST16/Purolator equivalents for my Dakota all have the number of flutes so one wrench in that size fit all.
 
Originally Posted By: HyperJinx
ok, who does not have half a dozen filter wrenches?


Me. I've got one, and don't have a car that takes the PF 47 anymore. Maybe now that the L10193 is a piece of junk, I should switch to a PF 1127 that might fit my socket. I can always hope they upgrade it to an Ecore before long.
 
So... it's Purolator's fault that the one cap wrench you own doesn't fit their filter? Stuff like that isn't standardized, my friend.

I have two cap wrenches for my Subaru: one that fits anything Purolator, and one that fits anything Champion Labs. What few filters I have that are not made by either company will still probably fit inside one of these.
 
One thing that I've learned over the years with oil filters is no matter how many end cap wrenches you own, every time you buy a different brand filter you'll probably need to add one more end wrench to your collection. I must have 6 to 8 different ones now. Going to use the PureONE in the future, and will probably only need hand power to install and remove them.
 
Originally Posted By: Bottom_Feeder
So... it's Purolator's fault that the one cap wrench you own doesn't fit their filter? Stuff like that isn't standardized, my friend.

I have two cap wrenches for my Subaru: one that fits anything Purolator, and one that fits anything Champion Labs. What few filters I have that are not made by either company will still probably fit inside one of these.


I went out and bought the socket for a WIX 57073....2 oil changes later they changed the can on me, now no socket fits it and I DO blame the company! :)
It's no big deal really, I only used them to take the filters off, always tighten by hand only. I use a strap wrench to take them off now.
 
Originally Posted By: Hitzy

I went out and bought the socket for a WIX 57073....2 oil changes later they changed the can on me, now no socket fits it and I DO blame the company! :)


I've seen this happen many times ... companies change the filter design all the time, and if the diameter is reduced slightly, or the flutes changes, then you need to go get another end wrench or use some kind of universal wrench.
 
And, the harder the filter is to reach, the more certain it is that I will grab the wrong cap wrench when I crawl under, and then I won't be able to find the right one because it will be in my other tool box that is back in the shed...
 
Guys just grab it with your hand and whip it off there like I do.
..Just remember to stick one foot in front of a tire to keep the car from spinning if the filter is on too tight.
 
I just use filter pliers if my cap wrenches or oil filter wrenches won't fit or get the filter loose. I own 3 different pair of filter pliers, about half a dozen various sized cap wrenches and 3 or 4 metal strap oil filter wrenches. Plus I have the Lisle filter remover wrench yuo use with a 3/8" ratchet. I bought all these tools back when I worked at a Chrysler/Jeep/Suzuki dealership. They don't all see much action now, but they come in handy when the filter is too tight.
 
If I can get a grip on it I can usually take it off with my hands, partially crushed some times, but it comes off. The problem is reaching some of these things and then getting a grip with oily hands. I second the use of PureOnes just for the grippy texture, which is very helpful. I wonder if there are any engineers at these companies with the job of trying to make sure things are easy to work on? Apparently not!
 
Try getting a filter off a late-model Subaru without a tool of some kind.
I have some cap wrenches, but the best for a filter that can only be grabbed from the top is the type that ratchets two or three jaws inward as you turn it counter-clockwise.
Never fails, and will fit any filter, unlike a cap wrench, and can be used where you can't get a grip from the side (Subaru, some Mecedes), unlike a strap wrench.
 
next time wrap duct tape around the the filter you want to remove--it makes it just a little larger circumfrance and is not as slippery as bare metal WLAC (works like a charm)



Steve
 
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