How To Remove A Seized Up Oil Filter

One of the easiest service jobs you lot can acquit out on your motorcar is an oil change. But sometimes the oil filter tin go so stuck it tin seem impossible to remove.

So, how do you lot remove a stuck oil filter?

The safest and most constructive mode to remove a stuck oil filter is to heat the engine, spray the base of the filter with WD-forty and then use a special oil filter tool to remove the filter.

There are a few other methods that work and choosing the right method depends on the location of the oil filter and the type of oil filter that is fitted to your vehicle. Here are a few tried and tested methods that the professionals utilise.

1. oil filter cap wrench with WD-40 Method

Sometimes the oil filter can be difficult to grip, especially if information technology's in a difficult to reach location. This is where an oil filter cap wrench can come in really handy.

In that location are two types of oil filter cap wrenches bachelor. The first blazon fits straight onto the top of the oil filter, gripping the filter so that information technology can be loosened.

The 2d type is for utilise with paper oil filters that are fitted inside of an oil filter housing. The cap wrench is used to remove the lid from the housing. Both types of cap wrenches await the aforementioned, and are different sizes available.

The underground to success with this method is to rut the engine, use WD-twoscore (or other pentrant spray) and brand certain that you are using the correct size cap wrench.

To brainstorm, bulldoze the vehicle for 10-fifteen minutes to heat up the engine, this will make the oil filter easier to remove.

If it's a screw on canister oil filter, spray the base of operations of the oil filter with some WD-xl to help to loosen it. Wipe down the filter with a rag (be careful not to burn yourself!) and fit the cap wrench to the top of the filter. Using a socket wrench, slowly turn the filter anti-clockwise to remove.

If its an oil filter housing that yous are trying to open up, these are normally at the top of the engine and are easier to admission. Using WD-40 is usually not an pick in this example, so go ahead and fit the oil filter wrench straight to the top of the oil filter housing and slowly turn it anti-clockwise.

ii. oil filter pliers or chain/strap method

This method merely works with a screw on canister oil filter when yous've got space around it to fit the wrench.

They key to success with this method is to heat the engine and soak the base of the oil filter with WD-40 or like lubricant (try not to get the lubricant on surrounding engine parts).

Oil filter strap wrench attached to an oil filter

Start by wiping down the oil filter to remove whatsoever oil or clay so that the wrench has the best chance of gripping. Refer to the instructions that come with the wrench that you are using and attach it to the oil filter as tight as you can. Slowly turn the wrench anti-clockwise to remove the filter. You may need to re-position the wrench on the filter every bit you loosen information technology.

Here'southward a video describing the various types of oil filter wrenches and how they work.

Tools oil filter wrench by froggy

3. Screwdriver Method

Personally, I don't like using this method because it'southward messy and tin can become wrong very easily.

If you want to increase the chances of successfully removing a stuck oil filter with a screwdriver, rut up the engine to operating temperature and spray the base of the filter with WD-40, just similar the previous methods.

You'll also demand to set up a basin or container to collect any oil that escapes from the oil filter. Yous likewise need to take intendance that you don't get covered in hot oil!

When everything is prepare upwardly, stab the side of the oil filter using a big apartment blade screwdriver and slowly plow the oil filter counter clockwise. Hopefully, the oil filter turns and comes off in i piece.

This method should only be used equally a terminal resort. It's messy and at that place is a danger of getting burnt by hot engine oil. The is besides a strong chance that the oil filter will brake apart, leaving the bottom threaded function still attached to the engine. If this happens then information technology's going to be even more difficult to remove.

5 Tips for removing a stuck oil filter

When it comes to successfully removing a stuck oil filter at that place are a few tips and tricks that you lot can use to assistance you succeed. Here are my five elevation tips that you may find useful next time yous are trying to remove a stuck oil filter.

Tip 1: E'er warm the engine before starting.

This volition not merely make the oil flow out easier simply it can help to interruption the seal between the oil filter and the engine cake.

Tip 2: Soak the base of operations of the oil filter with penetrant spray

Use plenty of WD-40 or like penetrant spray and exit it to piece of work for up to an hour before attempting to plough the oil filter.

Tip 3: Use some coarse sandpaper to help grip the oil filter.

Wrapping some sandpaper around the oil filter before you adhere the oil filter wrench can increment your chances of success as it increases the grip of the oil filter wrench.

Tip 4: Use an exact fit cap wrench filter tool.

If yous can get ane, the best oil filter wrench tool is the cap tool that fits exactly over the top of the filter. Combine this with penetrant fluid and a warm engine, and that oil filter will come right off first time.

Tip 5: Don't over-tighten the new oil filter.

Ok so this is a tip for adjacent time y'all decide to do an oil change. When you lot are plumbing equipment the new oil filter, don't be tempted to apply a tool to tighten it. You should e'er tighten a screw on canister oil filter with your hand. If information technology's in a tight infinite and you can't get access with your paw than only use the tool to give it one final quarter plough after you've