alahol2
Well-Known Member
I usually end up using a pair of waterpump pliers (slip joint pliers).
Oil filter tools
- Thread starter lustyd
- Start date
penberth3
Well-Known Member
Agreed 100%. If it's more than hand tight, a screwdriver is likely to crumple up the filter body and cause more problems. Some people are born bodgers and just can't stop themselves.
I can't remember ever having to bodge a filter change, but if I If I really had to I might use a chisel to carefully tap the rim of the filter in the unscrew direction.
Moodysailor
Well-Known Member
I am very wary of those who say you can always remove an oil filter by hand. Having changed thousands of filters over the years on all sorts of engines from little o/b's to 64ltr diesels I can safely say that a filter you can spin off by hand wasn't tight enough in the first place and it is only luck that is stopping it leaking.
I'm also in agreement with the comment that punching a screwdriver through is not a good method as this is probably the worst thing you can do - for starters it's really messy, most oil filters have a non-return valve in them to stop them dumping the contents out - why anyone would want to drive a hole through and have dirty oil everywhere when perfectly suitable non-destructive tools exist is beyond me. I have also been called out to my fair share of 'rescues' where the filter has been destroyed using this method and left the tapping plate on the filter head. That's not a quick fix from there...
I have a number of tools as I worked on many different engines, so the tool I would recommend primarily is the one that fits and works on your engine, there have been many good suggestions in this thread. One of my personal favourites that has lasted many years and has spun off more filters than I can remember, is quick, adjustable, and has more than one use is a large vise-grip. The Irwin one shown is a good brand and can be had for about £20 so is good value for money. This lives in my toolbox permamnently.
I tried the rubber-band type, they are useless. Strap wrenches (either metal band or fabric) also work well but can have trouble where access is tight on some engines. If getting a strap wrench, the fabric ones with both 3/8" and 1/2" sockets is a great tool - provided you have access there isn't much it won't shift. I've also used those to lock a propshaft whist tightening coupling bolts!
I'm also in agreement with the comment that punching a screwdriver through is not a good method as this is probably the worst thing you can do - for starters it's really messy, most oil filters have a non-return valve in them to stop them dumping the contents out - why anyone would want to drive a hole through and have dirty oil everywhere when perfectly suitable non-destructive tools exist is beyond me. I have also been called out to my fair share of 'rescues' where the filter has been destroyed using this method and left the tapping plate on the filter head. That's not a quick fix from there...
I have a number of tools as I worked on many different engines, so the tool I would recommend primarily is the one that fits and works on your engine, there have been many good suggestions in this thread. One of my personal favourites that has lasted many years and has spun off more filters than I can remember, is quick, adjustable, and has more than one use is a large vise-grip. The Irwin one shown is a good brand and can be had for about £20 so is good value for money. This lives in my toolbox permamnently.
I tried the rubber-band type, they are useless. Strap wrenches (either metal band or fabric) also work well but can have trouble where access is tight on some engines. If getting a strap wrench, the fabric ones with both 3/8" and 1/2" sockets is a great tool - provided you have access there isn't much it won't shift. I've also used those to lock a propshaft whist tightening coupling bolts!
Praxinoscope
Well-Known Member
I have over the years used the chain strap wrench type, the fabric strap type, and water pump pliers. Never resorted to the screwdriver through the filter housing, seems to me if this fails you are worse off than not replacing the filter at all.
I like the tool shown in MoodySailors post #43, but it relies upon there being sufficient space around the filter to use it, a lot of installations don’t have this amount of free access and this is where the device I described in #26, if used with a ratchet drive it will grip and turn the filter needing only one or two ‘clicks’ on the ratchet at a time to work even in the most confined space.
There are later versions which are slightly smaller which if I was buying one now I would consider, but this one has done sterling service on my various Boat and car oil/fuel filters.
I like the tool shown in MoodySailors post #43, but it relies upon there being sufficient space around the filter to use it, a lot of installations don’t have this amount of free access and this is where the device I described in #26, if used with a ratchet drive it will grip and turn the filter needing only one or two ‘clicks’ on the ratchet at a time to work even in the most confined space.
There are later versions which are slightly smaller which if I was buying one now I would consider, but this one has done sterling service on my various Boat and car oil/fuel filters.
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Moodysailor
Well-Known Member
I like the look of that tool, never owned or used one though. The reason I would avoid is that it is too specific for me. Personal preference but my vise-grips have also served in many other areas so have earned their place in the toolkit (at the cost of a few other tools). It does look unweildy and as if you need lots of space but actually I have had success with that where a fabric strap wrench wouldn't fit. It can be oriented in any direction and is about 12" long so is a big lever - I have gripped some smaller, difficult to access filters with the tips only.
There are many choices though - I used to service the boat where the owner simply had a knotted loop of 25mm webbing and used a screwdriver to create a tourniquet round the filter if he needed to spin it off at sea -simple but effective!
Praxinoscope
Well-Known Member
The tool I have shown is quite an old one, the later ones are smaller, I use it with a small ‘universal joint’ ratchet drive.
Not enough room or visibility around my fuel filter to show tool in action , , so have shown it on the oil filter which is easily accessible and doesn’t usually need any tool to remove it.
Second image gives an idea of the actual size of the tool,
Not enough room or visibility around my fuel filter to show tool in action , , so have shown it on the oil filter which is easily accessible and doesn’t usually need any tool to remove it.
Second image gives an idea of the actual size of the tool,
gordmac
Well-Known Member
The filter does need to be reasonably tight, friend had one slacken on his rally car with resulting bearing and crank damage.
I find a chain one is more effective than a strap type. Screwdriver through the filter is very much last resort, a chisel (or screwdriver) and hammer tapping it round is a better option.
I had one on a car that just wouldn't move, I cracked the bit it was attached to with the torque applied to the filter. That wasn't an easy job!
I find a chain one is more effective than a strap type. Screwdriver through the filter is very much last resort, a chisel (or screwdriver) and hammer tapping it round is a better option.
I had one on a car that just wouldn't move, I cracked the bit it was attached to with the torque applied to the filter. That wasn't an easy job!