Hi,

Sorry, but I just have to vent over my futile efforts to remove the engine oil filter on my 1995 C2 over a total of probably 4 hours now. It will NOT budge no matter what I try. I followed the instructions on p-car to the T (i.e. remove oil return line). I also took off the clutch vent hose to gain additional clearance.

Here are the tools I tried:

* Porsche OEM oil filter wrench (lent by a very generous fellow Rennlister) - it SLIPS, even with 2 layers of aluminum foil lining it
* Lisle "strap-type" filter wrench - I can't seem to gain the leverage to tighten the strap fully

I checked to make sure that the currently installed filter was the correct p/n - it is the OEM Porsche part.

I double and triple-checked to make sure I am attempting to LOOSEN, not tighten the filter.

That filter is on SOMETHING CRAZY TIGHT.

The PO had been kind enough to give me an apparently complete set of service records, and I see that the oil was last changed by an independent specializing in P-cars - they should know not to overtighten, right?

At this point what do you think are my options? From (limited) past experience I have learned that nothing good comes (for me) when I get destructive with car parts trying to solve the problem.

Has anybody had any success with HEATING the filter with a heat gun. I guess I don't know why that would help, but I thought it might worth asking.

Many thanks

/alex

 

HTH....

https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...uck+oil+filter

 

I dont feel heating it would do anything. Most likely the rubber seal is welded to both the filter and the mating sealing surface. Puncturing it will probably not get you anywhere, other than an oily forearm Plus the filter will start tearing and become weak leaving you even less to grab ahold of.

I would try the Porsche tool again. Clean both the filter and the tool REALLY good. Get some 3M 77 spray adhesive and thin sandpaper. I say thin because you need to fit this between the tool and the filter. Cut the sand paper so a strip will fit into the filter socket and spray adhesive onto the back of the sand paper (you may wish to trial fit this first). Apply the sand paper strip neatly to the oil filter socket and let it set-up for a few minutes.

You may have to tap the socket onto the filter. Just make sure the flats are aligned.

Sorry this procedure is a little over kill, but at this point, I am sure you are ready to try anything.

 

spray a little PB blaster up in the seal area, aim carefully. Clean the filter and wrench with acetone/brake cleaner, let dry. then as chris said try sandpaper underneath either the OEM tool or the strap wrench. I've personally had better luck with a quick, forceful push on the wrench as opposed to steady increasing pressure. good luck!

 

Snap-On sells a three-prong filter wrench that will get just about any stuck filter, and it fits right into the space around the engine oil filter without removing anything, including the oil line. It is about $30 from the Snap-On truck, or you can go to Sears and get the same thing for about $12. The harder you turn this wrench, the tighter it clamps onto the filter.

The cup-type wrenches that slip onto the end of the filter just don't do the job when a filter is too tight.

 

Alex,

Go to your local PepBoys or Autozone and get the kind that fits on a 3/8" drive ratchet and grabs the end of the filter. As opposed to a fluted wrench that can slip if the filter is gorilla tight, these universal type wrenches bite into the filter body, and grip tightens as you apply torque. These types have gotten me out of many a jamb with others' cars that have experienced ape-style oil changes from local grease monkeys. I think this'll do it for you.

Edward

 

I don't think Alex has said the wrench is slipping so one of the three prongs (which I use) may only damage the filter. I would try the pb blaster method first to see if that will loosen it up.

Just off the cuff, what about a cylinder filter w/a low-pressure impact gun. don't know if the filter housing will crush under the impact gun but it might just be enough to break it loose. You could also try an manual impact driver that Craftsman sells for about $30. Hit it (or tap it) with a hammer to jar it loose. Just try not to damage the filter so if all else fails you will be able to drive it to the dealer instead of having to flatbed it over.

 

I'd be scared to try a real impact gun on the oil filter, I'd bet the can would just rip right off the base and then you'd be really stuck. But I hadn't ever though to use my manual impact, I'll have to give that a try next time I get a stuck one.

 

That is my concern as well, which is why I would set the impact at a very low setting, maybe start at 10 psi and move up. If you start to see damage and no movement, STOP and put the car up for sale! :-)

 

Ooooo, I would NOT even consider using an impact wrench. Impact wrenches work by "snapping blows" which is very effective in loosening tough fasteners. You don't want this kind of force applied to an oil filter which is just a wimpy tin case over a steel base ...guess which is going to give way first? You are better off with the steady pressure of a hand tool and the aforementioned "grabbing-style" filter wrench. A 1/2" breaker bar applied to the end of the wrench might help you apply slow, steady torque to ease out that filter in once piece. Give it a try.

Edward

 

maybe something like this?

 

Lefty loosie???

 

Alex,

I had same problem the very first time I changed the oil. If you have cup wrench made out of cast aluminum or metal, do the followings:
- drill 2-4 small holes on bottom of the cup wrench
- place wrench on filter and tap it up firmly against filter
- drive 2-4 screws so wrench and filter attach together tightly
- use rachet (and breaker bar if you have one) and break it loose.

Worked like a charm for me!

-Pguy

 

pguy sounds like he may have the right idea. I just did my first DIY oil change not long ago and had a similar problem. Followed the p-car DIY, took the new filter to the auto parts store and picked up the correct size filter cap wrench, and the sucker would not come off. It actual twisted and bent the end of the filter!

I ended up finding a pair of large pliers, got a good (crushing) hold of the filter halfway up, and slowy turned it off. Trashed the filter, got an oil shower, but got the dang thing off!

Also, I didn't have to disconnect the oil line.

Good luck...
--Aaron

 

A small shaped charge would do the trick but the mess would be hell to clean up.......just a poor attempt at levity......

When I was just a wee lad learning mechanics from my dad, he showed me that a cheap screwdriver with the tip ground into a point could be gently tapped (pound it right in the heart) through the oil filter until the handle was against the filter thereby allowing you to apply a lot of torque and spin the thing off

Good Luck with your problem..........ZP44