The installation directions that come with the Toyota filter say to use a filter tool for a 3/4 turn after gasket contact, however funnily enough this can be achieved by hand
Stuck oil filter ... Camry 2AZ-FE
- Thread starter antik
- Start date
My Dad told me over 50 years ago that if I kept tightening my oil filters with the wrench I would have to buy a different removal wrench,learn how to use it,don't repeat the mistake again,read the installation directions,and start to listen to DAD!!!!!! I bought the Vise Grip brand,never used it for that.Started listening to the Dad I miss so much!
I carried the tool,similar to demarpaint's for years in my semi.This thread and the problems over tightening an oil filter causes should be a required read for those starting out at a quick lube garage or those at home.
Your dad was a smart man, may he rest in peace. I miss my father too, I learned a lot of different things from him as well.
I think the mention of "tool" use just prioritizing the ~3/4 turn after gasket contact guideline. Some folks hand torque-ability may be different than others. Either way, whoever did topic missed the mark. I did google the filter location, if what I saw accurate, it does appear a cap wrench of some type best suited for removal.
In my experience, it really doesn't take much to seal an oil filter. However, once I failed to properly tighten the filter on an Altima.
Glad you got it off
And yes, only tighten it by hand.
What kind of filter did you replace it with?
https://www.redtoolstore.com/products/milwaukee-48-22-3542-9-locking-chain-wrench
$27 + tax and postage
Or the cheap HF knockoff:
https://www.harborfreight.com/locking-chain-clamp-36813.html
+1 I don't get to use it much, but when I use it I say it was well worth the money and the space it takes up in the toolbox.
How did the threads look. If it was that overtightened then the threads could be stretched/damaged.
As for tightening i've seen oil filters say 1/2-3/4, 3/4-1. and 1-1/4 turns after touching but I always do 1 full turn on everything and never struggle removing them with the wrench. I could try with my wrist but my wrist is too old for that but I used to remove them by hand but it hurts.
Holy filter carnage Batman!!
Or from beavis and butthead, “this filter feels no pain. It cannot be reasoned with.”
I’ve had to do the screwdriver trick twice, both times with success. Someone with more experience (and room) demonstrated a torch and cold chisel, which was more talented than my method. That strap tool looks like it’s the bees knees!
Or from beavis and butthead, “this filter feels no pain. It cannot be reasoned with.”
I’ve had to do the screwdriver trick twice, both times with success. Someone with more experience (and room) demonstrated a torch and cold chisel, which was more talented than my method. That strap tool looks like it’s the bees knees!
Yup, decades ago, I used a filter cap to tighten an oil filter, couldn’t get it off the next OCI even though I lubed the gasket. Had to clean up, borrow my dads car to go buy the pliers type old filter wrench, drive back, change back into my dirty clothes, jack the 84 Pontiac fiero back up, and wrestle w the filter. Lesson learned, never did that again.
SammyChevelleTypeS3
$50 site donor 2023
That filter wrench and a strap wrench have been the two best I have ever found to deal with tough ones that do not want to come off.
SammyChevelleTypeS3
$50 site donor 2023
LoL.
Good one. I have one of those too in my collection of filter wrenches. I probably own nearly every one they ever sold until I learned. Hand tight is fine enough. In fact many manuals state "do not use wrench to tighten." Turn till first STOP and then 1/4 to 1/2 turn further is sufficient. Nephew does my oil changes. He hardly ever needs a tool to remove the filters. I am in and out of the garage where we park both cars several times a day. Out of habit every time I step in there I automatically look at the floor where the cars get parked to make sure there is no oil, coolant or any type of leaks... We have not had any oil leaks at all since he has been doing the hand tight only routine.In my humble opinion, it's odd how much people have to say about tightening oil filters.
Why don't people just mark the can's domed end. Make it a line from the center, straight out.
Then, when the oiled gasket contacts, just turn the filter 180 to 270 degrees.
Why don't people just mark the can's domed end. Make it a line from the center, straight out.
Then, when the oiled gasket contacts, just turn the filter 180 to 270 degrees.
Too much hassle. I just hand tighten as tight as I can. At my age, I can't overtighten that way!
Glad it's off finally. So no Cut and paste of the filter internals I presume? Too soon? 
In my humble opinion, it's odd people think/say/post things like this.
True story. My dad changed the oil on his Toyota Tercel. On the post change test drive, the oil light came on. His thinking: "I just changed the oil, there can't possibly be any problem with the oil". Low and behold, he didn't get the oil filter seated, and the engine puked all the oil out. And while he figured it was just a light malfunction, the engine was destroyed.
Dad had the engine rebuilt, and shortly thereafter, the car was donated to my younger brother, just entering college.
My bro is a thrasher when it comes to mechanical things. A couple of years passed, and I started bugging him about maintaining the Toyota. Eventually he conceded, and I directed him on what to do to perform an oil change. Come time to change the filter, and it was stuck fast. Strap wrench crushed the can, but it wouldn't loosen. That's when he called on me for help.
A screwdriver though the can just tore the can open. Grabbing the filter stem with pliers, cheesed it off. Last resort, a chisel on the periphery of what was left. Victory!
An examination of the remnants of the filter showed that dad used RTV on the filter seal. His thinking: "It couldn't possibly have been MY FAULT, when the filter puked out the oil, it MUST have been a faulty seal"...thus the RTV.
Dad was not shy about getting his hands dirty. God bless him. He did all kinds of home improvements, that as far as I know, were successful. An auto mechanic, however, he was not.
And the Tercel made it through several years thereafter.
The end.
Dad had the engine rebuilt, and shortly thereafter, the car was donated to my younger brother, just entering college.
My bro is a thrasher when it comes to mechanical things. A couple of years passed, and I started bugging him about maintaining the Toyota. Eventually he conceded, and I directed him on what to do to perform an oil change. Come time to change the filter, and it was stuck fast. Strap wrench crushed the can, but it wouldn't loosen. That's when he called on me for help.
A screwdriver though the can just tore the can open. Grabbing the filter stem with pliers, cheesed it off. Last resort, a chisel on the periphery of what was left. Victory!
An examination of the remnants of the filter showed that dad used RTV on the filter seal. His thinking: "It couldn't possibly have been MY FAULT, when the filter puked out the oil, it MUST have been a faulty seal"...thus the RTV.
Dad was not shy about getting his hands dirty. God bless him. He did all kinds of home improvements, that as far as I know, were successful. An auto mechanic, however, he was not.
And the Tercel made it through several years thereafter.
The end.
I use duct tape. Works every time.
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