Epic Ed

'96 Tacoma 2.7L 4 cyl.

It was supposed to be a simple oil change but I've now turned it into a 6+ hour project because I can't get the damn oil filter off. As a last resort I decided to drive a screw driver through it to try to use it as leverage to get it off. I now have a mangled oil filter that is still stuck on the vehicle. I only have a crappy, standard oil filter wrench:

(similar to this) http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...110944&ci_sku=

... which is virtually useless in the space I'm working in trying to get this damn thing off. If I went out and bought one of the end cap wrench's (similar to this)

http://www.toolfetch.com/oil-filter-kdt3860.shtml

...I'm afraid it wouldn't work because the filter is now so perforated from the screw driver that it would probably just rotate the bottom off of the filter and rip it off the body.

So, now I'm left with trying to find some option that is small enough and maneuverable enough for me to get in there and grip the top part of the filter with enough torque to be able to get this damn thing off.

Any suggestions?

Brad.

Large pair of channel locks?

Epic Ed

I'm probably going to have to buy something like this tomorrow:



...but I'm concerned that I won't have enough room to manipulate the tool to get it to work.

mightymouse

iTrader: (6)

try a leather belt wrapped around and back through the buckle. Pull tight and wrap it around couple times. Use the force of the belt trying to unwind to turn the filter off. I've done this several times in a pinch.

scuba

I've never had an issue using one of those on my 2.7 Tacoma.

Don't tighten the oil filter so tight next time. It only needs to be a little more than hand tight.

westjohns yota

for real dude, superman powers not needed, good luck

Epic Ed

I bought it in March. This is the first time I've changed the oil. The shop the previous owner had it done at must have put it on with an air wrench.

DirtyOregonKid

You need a medium sized clean dry towel. wrap the long edge as much under the filter as you can. bring the ends together and twist. if it won't grab use an adhesive.

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

Spend the money buy a strap wrench you should have enough room to get it on.

I am talking about a nylon strap wraps around the filter uses a 1/2" ratchet the more tension the harder it grips .

It is all I use on stubborn oil filters.

I put all my filters on hand tight and they can be a bugger to get off on the bigger trucks.

gary_the_4runner

find a big dude with a small hand?
lefty loosey righty tighty...

someone installed it by hand, you should be able to remove it too.
im assuming your engine was probably warm when the oil was professionally changed (30 mins or less type deal). now the engine is cold and contracted around the threads. not to mention sucking that rubber gasket tight to the block and filter housing creating tons of friction.

bend, maim and mangle that thing enough to try to get at that gasket to try to remove it. other wise squeeze it enough to get a pair of channel locks or pipe wrench in there and crank it. next time try to at least "break" the threads while the motor is a little warm

SoCal

X2 on the strap wrench and use it right at the Base of the filter.

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

6 months later and just now changing the oil?

bob200587

I always use one of those. They work, it's tough in such tight spaces, but all it takes is a little at a time.

TheDurk

I'm guessing PO or whomever did not lube up the filter gasket with oil when he put it on. I only put mine on hand tight and I've never had a problem in 12 years and 137k miles. I'd still try the end cap even with the perforations. If the body is going to rip off, it will likely rip off no matter what you use on it, so you really have nothing to lose. Be aware that stock, NAPA/Wix, and Purolator are all three different sizes of end caps for the V6 filter. So make sure you are sizing to the correct brand when you buy an end-cap wrench. I have accumulated a total of seven from my various cars.

4x4climber

I am wondering one thing... Why did it take 6 months to change your oil?

I always use the oil filter pliers in the picture... But on other vehicles have had to use a strap wrench. Both work great...

GV27

I use a big pair of v-jaw ChannelLock pliers like this. More versatile than dedicated filter pliers but work great for the filter:



I also saw these when searching for that picture. For filters and PVC pipe. Look pretty sweet.

skjos

This works for me with a nice long extension. Even removed one I mangled before I bought it.

http://www.harborfreight.com/univers...nch-99629.html

IanB

X3 on the strap wrench, it was the only thing that I could get to work on the seized filter on my 1KZ-TE when I did my 1st oil change. It was the 3rd style oil filter wrench I tried, and the only one I would recomend.

JLee

Yeah i always hand tighten mine and I've never had a leak. I have a rubber strap wrench that works pretty well if you could get it on there. If you want to do the free way you can always stab the side of the filter with a screwdriver.

ZUK

iTrader: (1)

Epic ED---Did you get that thing off?

I see you're in Phoenix...I'm near Ray/Arizona....