Oil filter tools

[lustyd]

Hi all, for those with more experience than me, what's your favoured tool for removing oil filters? There's a cup wrench set on amazon which looks like it should work better than a rubber band type, but obviously less flexible as a tool generally. Then there are the ones with moving jaws. Any thoughts?

 

[RJJ]

I have a draper "moving jaw" variety and it works well.

 

[penberth3]

Assuming you have socket set extension bars etc, these are my favourites, and can be useful for other things e.g. filler caps.

 

[Poignard]

A Boa Constrictor

 

[doug748]

I use one of these Draper tools:



It lives in the galley and is also useful for taking the tops of foodstuff and half forgotten jars of varnish etc. Oil filters done up hand tight often come off easily as long as the access is good

 

[KevinV]

I use an old side handle from a drill for my motorbike - the strap is narrow, which is great for the limited space available. Small filter though, it doesn't work on bigger ones

 

[lustyd]

haha so zero votes for the cup wrenches so far ? simple tools seem to be the winner

 

[Daydream believer]

The solution that I have is to cut a slot in the end of a bolt with an angle grinder. Through this I pass a piece of webbing ( sail tie) which goes around the filter. Rotating the bolt with a socket with a ratchet, will cause the bolt to tighten the webbing, so it grips, then rotates the filter.
In an emergency one could use a piece of broom stick gripped with some mole grips. The webbing , once wrapped around the stick will stop it from splitting. In fact one could probably get away with a piece of hardwood batten for a one off if the filter is not overly tight


I have done it with a stick & a piece of cord. Tie the string to the end of the batten then neatly wind it round the filter 5-6 times, with the batten positioned right angles to the filter & where it has room to rotate with the filter. When the string has been pulled tight & wound round the filter, the batten is laid over the string to help stop it slipping. One can grip the free end to help as well. Then lever on the end of the batten to apply rotation & it should free the filter.

 

[lustyd]

Thanks Daydream Believer, I am happy to buy a tool just curious which one was considered best or easiest

 

[penberth3]

The solution that I have is to cut a slot in the end of a bolt with an angle grinder. Through this I pass a piece of webbing ( sail tie) which goes around the filter. Rotating the bolt with a socket with a ratchet, will cause the bolt to tighten the webbing, so it grips, then rotates the filter.
In an emergency one could use a piece of broom stick gripped with some mole grips. The webbing , once wrapped around the stick will stop it from splitting. In fact one could probably get away with a piece of hardwood batten for a one off if the filter is not overly tight

View attachment 136056
I have done it with a stick & a piece of cord. Tie the string to the end of the batten then neatly wind it round the filter 5-6 times, with the batten positioned right angles to the filter & where it has room to rotate with the filter. When the string has been pulled tight & wound round the filter, the batten is laid over the string to help stop it slipping. One can grip the free end to help as well. Then lever on the end of the batten to apply rotation & it should free the filter.

May I suggest you refer to my Post #3 and spend £5?

 

[lustyd]

May I suggest you refer to my Post #3 and spend £5?

Do you have a link for those tools?

 

[Rappey]

I have probably bought every type of oil filter wrench as each filter I tackle has reasons why my latest wrench won't fit. I've concluded there is no wrench that does all.
Oil filter surrounded by engine eliminates all but a cup wrench. Has to be the easiest to use.

 

[Daydream believer]

Thanks Daydream Believer, I am happy to buy a tool just curious which one was considered best or easiest

Then the strap version in post 3 is the most powerful. Plus you can put an extension on it to get room for the ratchet. I have been upside down in the mud trying to get a filter of a digger before now & without doubt that version works the best. Even better than a screw driver hammered through the filter in desperation.
I have several filter removers & my weapon of choice on my boat is the bolt that I describe above. Not affected by rust , cheap, small & works. PBO paid me £50 for the article about it a few years ago, so it actually is much cheaper than anything I can buy, being £50 to the plus before one even starts to look at alternatives

 

[Poignard]

And if you don't have a special tool to hand, punch a large screwdriver diametrically through the filter and use that as a handle.

 

[Daydream believer]

And if you don't have a special tool to hand, punch a large screwdriver diametrically through the filter and use that as a handle.

Now why did I not think of that in post#13 immediately before yours? good idea.

 

[LittleSister]

From the deluge of answers it seems that perhaps what's most needed is some gadget to prevent people from over-tightening filters when they fit them!

 

[Daydream believer]

From the deluge of answers it seems that perhaps what's most needed is some gadget to prevent people from over-tightening filters when they fit them!

Yes there are. They are called instructions. But very difficult to use in a male dominated world ( not a sexist comment was it )

 

[Martin_J]

And if you don't have a special tool to hand, punch a large screwdriver diametrically through the filter and use that as a handle.

Just remember that as the screwdriver goes into the side, oil comes out and it will (if you warmed the engine up) be very hot.

Keep something underneath to catch the drips and wear gloves..

 

[Poignard]

Now why did I not think of that in post#13 immediately before yours? good idea.

I am ashamed.

You have done me the great courtesy of reading my post but I have not reciprocated by reading yours.

 

[Daydream believer]

I am ashamed.

You have done me the great courtesy of reading my post but I have not reciprocated by reading yours.

Ignore me. It was a friendly wind up ?