Oil filter tools

[Poignard]

Ignore me. It was a friendly wind up ?

No, you were quite right to have a dig.

I have a bad habit of responding to the OP and not paying sufficient attention to others' answers.

I will try to do better. ?

 

[LadyInBed]

Whichever tool you fancy, first check access, 1 to fit the tool and 2 to rotate it.

 

[Poignard]

Whichever tool you fancy, first check access, 1 to fit the tool and 2 to rotate it.

Also choose an engine where the filter I not mounted upside down; as it is, annoyingly, on my otherwise excellent BUKH DV10. ?

 

[wombat88]

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.

Don't do this. If still can't get it off you are engineless. No need to ask me how I know...

 

[Bran]

Assuming you have socket set extension bars etc, these are my favourites, and can be useful for other things e.g. filler caps.
View attachment 136051View attachment 136052

I always prefer the chain type if you have enough clearance for the thickness of the chain around the filter as previously mentioned. Over the years I have had a few filters that were really tight and the chain type was the only one that would grip and be strong enough.

 

[Praxinoscope]

This is my preferred oil filter removal tool, it has a 3/8“ drive , can be used in tight spaces and grips the filter without damaging it.

 

[jwfrary]

Filter pliers for all small filters. Couple of quid in Halfords!

Large filters found on Cat MTU and Cummins then a beta tools chain wrench, expensive but there's nothing better.

 

[Skylark]

I use one of these Draper tools:

View attachment 136053

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

I’ve owned and/or used many versions of oil filter removers over many years playing with car and boat engines. The above rubber strap type is top of my preference list, providing that there is access to turn the handle.

 

[Dellquay13]

Also choose an engine where the filter I not mounted upside down; as it is, annoyingly, on my otherwise excellent BUKH DV10. ?

at least the used oil doesn't spill as you remove it. A small mercy

 

[colind3782]

This is the only one that will work with the access I have and I've tried the rest.
Metal Oil Fuel Filter Adjustable Removal Strap Wrench Steel Tool 60 - 105mm UK | eBay

 

[Jamie Dundee]

I use one of these, which are also a cracking way of getting an impeller into the raw water pump.

 

[Boater Sam]

Fit it properly and you never need a wrench of any sort.

Oil the rubber seal.
Screw on hand tight, not thread stripping tight, with you non dominant hand.
Slacken it by 12th of a turn, approx.
Run a leak check, it won't be leaking.

Next time it will come off with your dominant hand without any problem.

 

[Mistroma]

I use one of these, which are also a cracking way of getting an impeller into the raw water pump.

View attachment 136074

I had a chain type but it would sometimes slip off the clip point. I bought "better design" from e-Bay but it wouldn't grip very well. Then I came across the version you mention and it's been perfect in car an boat. Grips well, easy to adjust and works in a reasonably tight space.

I saw it in a supermarket in Spain (prob. Carrefour) in 2015 and bought 3 as they were stupidly cheap at around 1.89 euro each if memory serves. One on the boat one in the garage and a third for a friend.

 

[Halo]

Unless you are servicing other peoples boats I can’t see why you need a special tool at all. First time use a screwdriver to get it off and after that don’t overtighten it so you can undo it by hand.

 

[RJJ]

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..

Punch the screwdriver into the top. Oil only comes out when you start rotating it...with your placky bag in place.

There's no harm in waiting for it to cool down a bit. You deserve a beer after all the pumping!

 

[ChromeDome]

Also choose an engine where the filter I not mounted upside down; as it is, annoyingly, on my otherwise excellent BUKH DV10. ?

My Nanni 4.380's have the filter upside down. High on the engine, easy to get to. Never spills anything, even after having run to heat the oil at bit before changing, - maybe something with design or filter type?

 

[PetiteFleur]

I use the rubber band type type. And have one at home for tight jam jar lids...

 

[Daydream believer]

Next time it will come off with your dominant hand without any problem.

That would be the wife's right then

 

[lustyd]

Unless you are servicing other peoples boats I can’t see why you need a special tool at all. First time use a screwdriver to get it off and after that don’t overtighten it so you can undo it by hand.

The right tool for the job always makes life easier and usually results in a better job. Jabbing a screwdriver through an oil filter is not a good approach and can easily lead to more problems than it solves. Sure, it'll work most of the time, but then occasionally it'll leave you with jagged metal and a disabled engine. I get that sometimes people are in a pinch and don't have a proper tool, but this whole thread is about planning to do a job well and getting the best tool for the job so I don't have to bodge anything.

 

[Malish]

and establish the direction of rotation before applying force....