Stuck oil filter ... Camry 2AZ-FE

[Kira]

The "screwdriver through it" method is overstated.
It's messy and frequently ineffective. The filter tears apart, leaving the serviceman to trim to the base and continue from there.
Best not done.

 

[PF52]

^^^^ If this Lisle wrench won't remove it, you'll need to use dynamite!
View attachment 267529

That's what I use. I've had it forever!

 

[Speedy3861]

Perhaps a large pair of channel lock pliers up near or on the base plate? Preferably a newer pair with sharp teeth.

 

[Sayjac]

Fwiw, I own the Lisle cam action wrench shown, and in many cases it 'might' solve the OP's issue. That said, 'if' it gets to the point where can is crushed to minimum wrench opening size, 'then' another option will be required. The link in my previous post is a good resource imo because the OP there went through many of the options mentioned before arriving at a solution. Good follow up comments too.

 

[Elkins45]

You need one of these large nylon strap wrenches. I've had mine for almost 30 years and she's undefeated. This type will allow you to get a grip near the filter base, and using a 1/2-inch drive ratchet it'll loosen with no issue.

https://www.amazon.com/Tools-3149-Nylon-Strap-Wrnch/dp/B0002SR4MM/ref=sr_1_8?crid=37F19PY06Q58Z&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.V4pgdHM2rpFMQ3QxXivng4sv8o_3XOzDyC_Cf-b8jemlGmbl40f6ZEzpxXrV8gQH0EowlcAfdU1dKeRX33N7i5zkipkYHiKstKmLJqotE0Sme4LAKsMKwKkx9dzD2QK5lQSrH1Q3kLYoP8MyRwbzkQox0Aj7v6zeB5YxvOkAAZ9BbTgomBUj6XrcuqTK88CVlnNg0AjpUeEYs3tyT0qHQ2IuTrpGGvFHaMb_dJS0FSO3HvFpwp0-Iu0qyqR-ZxjLV-lZ4IpvXsF0MZMm9cBYoholM-nyeRiPyWd4qfWk1s--p4h-Nq1pLchS1wxvHH6M3_nHMTmyubfDHxzQFcnxoedMeeGFrddI8HNRWWjmAkAwWeeya71V5-jpWumPpBLQjUhZaRP3x3OtnReU5n2Lvs7F0yoWDIQZ5d5KMvBGzhh11efzCPuE6jCZieBtoLVZ.PDRA8kTNyzWasZaGd9JA2tf7KWtuv48B1PRyYC9Ww1g&dib_tag=se&keywords=strap+oil+filter+removal+tool&qid=1741702818&sprefix=strap+oil+filter+,aps,227&sr=8-8

I once improvised something similar using a loop of nylon rope. It worked when everything else failed.

 

[cjcride]

Keep us posted.
Eager to see what worked

 

[wemay]

Keep us posted.
Eager to see what worked

Yes, agreed!

 

[Egg_Head]

Who was the gorilla that put the offending filter on in the first place?

 

[PontiacHO]

Big channel lock pliers. Even if it smashes it flat you’ve got long handles for leverage.

 

[Kira]

FYI (everybody's)

Don't forget the trick of haphazardly wrapping masking tape around a filter you can get some-kind-of-grip on.
Flip the tape every which way -GO CRAZY- and you'll get sticky power you didn't know was there.
Seriously.

 

[crashz]

Hmm -the tape thin is interesting. I suppose it needs to be clean though. An oily filter makes this even harder.

OP - I have had the best luck with a huge set of channel locks in similar situations. Don't do the screwdriver trick. It just shreds the filter and you will have a messy hazard there. My friend cut a tendon on his hand doing this.

 

[D60]

I once improvised something similar using a loop of nylon rope. It worked when everything else failed.

My buddy uses old seat belts. He swears by it

 

[D60]

Fwiw, I own the Lisle cam action wrench shown, and in many cases it 'might' solve the OP's issue. That said, 'if' it gets to the point where can is crushed to minimum wrench opening size, 'then' another option will be required. The link in my previous post is a good resource imo because the OP there went through many of the options mentioned before arriving at a solution. Good follow up comments too.

Exactly my thought. The Lisle will still crush the can and if it crushes too much you wind up similar to where OP started with his pic in Post #1

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Get a screwdriver, preferably a flathead with a long handle, and hammer it in! Then, turn it so the filter goes counterclockwise and loosens.

Turn it 1/4 turn (if you can, 1 half turn), enough for the filter to visibly loosen, then remove the screwdriver and continue to loosen it by hand.

And when you install the new filter, ONLY turn it by hand! DO NOT use any tools to screw on the new filter! Also, make sure you spread some oil on the gasket before installation.

You don't need to rotate it 360 deg with the screwdriver, just enough to break seal and let it start spinning. If you can fit your hand in there with a strap wrench, you should have enough room.

This. It looks like you can do at least 1/4 possibly even 1/2 a turn with a screwdriver, which is enough.

 

[Nukeman7]

The "screwdriver through it" method is overstated.
It's messy and frequently ineffective. The filter tears apart, leaving the serviceman to trim to the base and continue from there.
Best not done.

It won't hurt to try the screwdriver method as a last resort, but my experience is that the thin can will get shredded and leave a mess of jagged oily metal. If you can get a chisel on the rim of the oil filter's baseplate, try chiseling with a 3 lb. sledgehammer in the counter-clockwise direction. Better yet, a pneumatic air chisel would make quick work of it. Once it moves ~10mm, you will be home free.

 

[JohnnyG]

No, he's turning it the correct direction.

 

[football]

I have the Lisle tools wrench in post 20 and have used it THOUSANDS of times and it has never failed once. Even used it many a time when someone else couldn’t get a filter off and it zipped them right off effortlessly. Every toolbox should have this oil filter wrench.

 

[Pterostylis]

I use filter pliers from Supercheap but similar is also available from Bunnings for a bit less. When really stuck I have dribbled some wd-40 on the o-ring/sealing area, waited 10 minutes, dribbled some more wd-40 on the o-ring area. Made sure the filter can was clean and then used the pliers.

 

[Ursatdx]

Two filter wrenches. One band style wrench at the top on the base plate only. You need to utilize the structural integrity of the base plate as it will not crush.
2nd wrench. Preferably one for a smaller diameter filter or the above mentioned strap wrench positioned just below the
1st wrench. May require 4 hands. A rag under the 2nd wrench can help with gripping the distorted portion of the filter
Slow and Ez or Urgent Care will profit. Been there done that. 25 year quick lube owner.
Is that a dealer/OEM filter? Oh the humanity......

 

[tblt44]

^^^^ If this Lisle wrench won't remove it, you'll need to use dynamite!
View attachment 267529

These are the best and they only work in the correct direction, th tighter it is the more they clamp down