frexe

I hand tighten my oil filters all the time. But sadly, today when i checked my dipstick for fun the oil was on low. I was wondering why.. but whatever i seafoamed the crankcase and got some lucas oil stabilizer. After I drained the oil I went ahead to remove the oil filter.. Owwie! this thing was loose! I usually tighten the oilfiters by hand with all my might, but i guess on the 85.5 afters theres that powersteering hose in the way makes it kind of hard to tighten the darn filter.
Anywho lesson learned, and now I will checkup on the tightness of the oilfilter every so often.
Just thought Id share my story and see how many pp have strong hand muscles (no pun intended).

Spidey944

I hand tighten only, been doing it that way for 12 years, no problems.

genikz

The problem with hand tightening is there is no gauge for how tight is tight enough. After a few times though, you get a feel for how tight it needs to be so it wont leak without being overly tough to get off.

For the record, I hand tighten pretty tight, but still need an oil filter wrench to get my filters off...

Rock

Theres another way to do it besides hand tighten it?

sharky47

The way I was taught a long time ago with aircraft was lube the gasket with oil, spin it down until it just makes contact, then go one revolution more.

Been working for me for years on aircraft and cars......

Spidey944

I guess if you could get a filter strap or a filter cup on it you could do it that way. But any other way besides hand tightening can damage the filter. Just dont be a pu$$y and get it tight the first time!

Bri Bro

Some people put it on with a oil filter wrench. I found that if you lub the seal and use a rag to get a good grip, it doesn't come off. I have the theory that the oil filter swells with use and that is why it is so hard to remove. That is also why you don't want to put it on too tight.

bearone

been doing 'em hand tight for 40+ years.

87951

yellowline

Install and remove by hand, no problems. Oil spillage is another story, though.

AR10

Been changing filters on everything with wheels or wings for 50+ years, hand tighten only!
about 1 turn from gasget contact.

frexe

yep normally do that with my 85.1 No tools needed to perform an oil change, I got one of those fancy drain plugs. Just weird on this 85.5 as there is a hose from the powersteering in the way, only allows me to get my fingers and part of my hand on the filter.

dv8nxs944

I used those plugs i think your talking about when i worked at valvoline, i never trusted them then, and i still dont trust them

KLR

Hand tighten with all my might, scrunching up my face as I do it.

I've never had a problem with one loosening in service and they definitely require a filter wrench to remove by the next change.

Catfood

hand tighten. my dad has been doing it for 30 years. no matter how hard I try to out tighten him he can always get almost a half turn tighter than me. I have so much to learn!!!

Vjgtrybno1

Tightening by hand since '73