JPS

I have a narrow, but one car, I'm the only one holding the key, garage in Queens. I live in Manhattan.

Where do you keep your car? I'm up for a wrenching party if we can make a go of it. If nothing else, with that color combo we have to get together for pics. Wait...I just noticed the TT...stay away...that would be like crack even to see it.

JPS

That one? So you don't need to remove that line to drain additional oil...just to get at the filter if you can't get at it otherwise?

ppressle

Thats the tool. You can remove the line if you wish to drain the extra bit of oil, but with the amount of oil that is left in the oil cooler and lines, I don't believe it would be a significant benefit.

Amfab

Prollem with the three finger one is you can't use it to tighten the new one

JPS

Doesn't it just reverse for tightening? Besides, hand tighten really anyway, right?

ppressle

Yes, it reverses, but you don't want to nick or dent the filter. I have always just made it hand tight.

WHB Porsche

I've got a private, multi-car garage in my apartment building in Downtown Brooklyn, about 5 blocks from the Bklyn Bridge. There's a spot we can use that's deep enough for two cars and wide enough to have about four feet on either side of one of them at any time. If you're interested, PM me and I'd be more than happy to host you!

RallyJon

The problem is that "hand" tight in this case is "greasy fingertips, cramped, wedged and fully extended" tight if the oil line is still on. I do like putting the cup wrench on and giving it a nice smooth 10-15 ft-lbs with the ratchet.

Amfab

Exactly, almost impossible to get a decent grip to hand tighten like you normally would a filter–So I use the tool and end up over tightening a little I'm sure. I didn't know those reversed, I have a cheap version that doesn't.

ppressle

Using a tool for tightening would certainly make access easier. Old habits die hard I guess.

Robin 993DX

I always wear latex rubber clove when I work on cars, installing the filter is the only time I take my gloves off. Just so I can get a good grip and feel on the filter when I intall it.

jungleboy

The sears tool works great! I've used it a couple of times now and yes, you don't have to remove the oil line. I wouldn't recommend using it to tighten, as it may damage the filter. Hand tightening worked great for me... get a set of shop work glove if you're really worried about the grip. Which ever wrench you get your hands on, good luck and have fun on your DIY.

NYC 993

+1 for the craftsman self tightening tool. i just fought with the small filter using the cap type one for 45 mins before finally going out to sears for the other type. Had to put a 3ft breaker bar on the end of the socket to get it to budge. Feels like the dealer that did the last oil change used an impact wrench to install the old filter! finally done, need a beer now!

Don Plumley

Just hope your small oil filter isn't stuck. Here's the carnage from mine:



The three finger tool is a must - I wish I had it before I started to go animal on my filter.

NYC 993

that's almost exactly what mine looked like! no idea how they got it on so tight.