Oil filter stuck

[Francoc]

The oil filter that’s currently on won’t move. I have a filter wrench, the kind that’s basically a dish to match the faces on the filter. When I turn the wrench, if I apply enough force, it skips but the son of a b**** filter won’t turn. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

[SGKent]

square bladed screwdriver with a pan under it to catch the oil that will leak. Stick the screwdriver thru the middle of it and use it as a lever.. Or get an old leather belt and wrap it around the filter, use a pair of vice grips to grab and turn like an oil strap wrench - which will also work quite well. I keep a couple of them around for moments like you are having. You can also hit the base with a chisel and hammer. That method will destroy the mount if you slip or are not careful. We used to have to unspin the fiat 124 spider and coupe filters from above with a long screwdriver that way.
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[Wildthings]

Have you tried a higher quality filter wrench, they are much more sturdier than the junky stuff you get from Wally World.

Yes you may have to do the screwdriver method that SG Kent mentions, not desirable to do, but sometimes necessary.

Filters don't need to be all that super tight either, most will specify how far to turn them past contact. 3/4 of a turn is typical.

If you don't travel off road and don't have a lowered bus, then next time use a Motorcraft FL-1a filter or equivalent, it is a bit longer and makes removal easier.

[hazetguy]

-are you trying to turn it the proper direction?

-get a big pair of channel-lock pliers to turn it (that's how i've done it since i can't evern remember how long, and it's been even longer since i've owned a "true" oil filter wrench). you're not trying to save it, so it really doesn't matter if you dent/crimp the bottom of the filter while removing it.
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[airschooled]

[timvw7476]

all for puncturing it, but there was a steel oil filter wrench that was sold
a decade ago (seems they are all hard plastic with a partial claw these days)
this older wrench came with a continuous steel strap, so it fully wrapped
around the filter body, so more tug equaled more bite on the body, I loved
it to death, ended up tweaking the joint where the handle met the strap.
but it worked where other filter wrenches slipped/ failed.

[orwell84]

[Francoc]

Below is a picture of my DIY solution: drill two holes on the side of the dish. Put the dish against the filter. Drill two small holes on the filter. Wait for gallons of oil to pour out, even though the engine has already been emptied. Screw in two small screws. Turn dish with wrench without it slipping. Win.

[busdaddy]

[Volswagon]

What's elegant about the F-word on the filter? Finger tight means just that. Any more potentially damages the filter parts, constricting the bypass circuit.
Have used the screwdriver method in a jam.
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'75 Bus https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=697183&highlight=

[Tcash]

First time I seen that one, that'll work.
punch a hole in the bottom of the filter and drain it first, that way it won't be so messy.

[60vwnewengland]

[udidwht]

And steer clear of Fram filters. 100% pure crap.
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[SGKent]

I tired to find an oil filter video as a gag but everyone of them was 5 minutes or more. Off to bed, good night. BTW, anyone know how to care for a sick alligator lizard the dog tossed around? The vet was out and everyone else said let it die. Can't do that. I'll probably dream Godzilla is chasing me now and the Alligator Lizard that I was nice to drives up in my VW bus and rescues me before Godzilla tries to kill me.

Use a screwdriver next time. If not then use 3 screws to get the best bite in case one breaks.
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[aeromech]

My Mom used to pay me 10 cents for every lizard I shot with my BB gun. Made enough to pay my way through college.
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[Volswagon]

[hazetguy]

[SGKent]

[airschooled]

The tool in the post above mine is available with a pivoting handle so it can angle down and spare your knuckles a high-speed visit into the fan shroud.

Robbie
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[jtauxe]