Stuck oil filter - Help

[Briantime]

Hello,


Changing the oil on my LT and I cannot get the *&^*&^ filter to come off.

My filter wrench keeps slipping and I cannot get adequate torque to get it loose.

Any ideas???

[jzeiler]

Something I have done on autos was drive a screw driver through the filter. Not quite the right thing here. Could try two screw drivers driven up into the filter, one towards the front and one towards the rear. Then a third one to slip in between the two to provide some leverage. Remember righty tighty, lefty loosey. You are working upside down.

[Jabrown]

Hello,


Changing the oil on my LT and I cannot get the *&^*&^ filter to come off.

My filter wrench keeps slipping and I cannot get adequate torque to get it loose.

Any ideas???

My first oil change I also had some issues with the filter. I used one screwdriver driven through it (very carefully though) and managed to get it out. Good luck.

[rickym]

I had the same problem last year. I put a rag in the filter wrench and shoved it onto the filter. The next problem was getting the filter off the wrench, but I got it.

[katnapinn]

I had the same problem last year. I put a rag in the filter wrench and shoved it onto the filter. The next problem was getting the filter off the wrench, but I got it.
Same here the rag trick worked for me also :thumb:

[Briantime]

Same here the rag trick worked for me also :thumb:

Thank you all!


I used the rag trick and it worked fine. And I also then had trouble removing the filter from the wrench after getting it off :)

Nothing ever seems to go easily for me :o

[Jabrown]

Good to hear. Don't hesitate with any other questions.

[grantkapteyn]

A good tool is a metal filter wrench. Carquest part no. 54760 for $10 works great.

[MikeERideWNC]

Next time, once the filter starts to spin... REMOVE THE RAG! Then spin the filter off.
:rolleyes:

[jeffklt]

Now that you have it off BE SURE the gasket came off with it. DAMHIK

[Dick]

Thank you all!


I used the rag trick and it worked fine. And I also then had trouble removing the filter from the wrench after getting it off :)

Nothing ever seems to go easily for me :o
Had this event happen once before - actually think Igor, who doesn't know his own strength, installed the darn thang!! I worked and worked, trying to keep the wrench from slipping on the filter flutes. No joy. Got a one-watt bulb idea and tried 'tightening' the filter - felt it give a leetle and swear I heard a sigh - then it came right off. Haven't had a chance to try that method since. Had a leetle talk with Igor!! ;)

[RonKMiller]

Put those screwdrivers away before someone gets an eye poked out. :D

Pull out your metal working center punch and heavy hammer, put the metal filter wrench on an extended jaw of your vice.

With a heavy blow, strike the punch in the middle of each flute, you'll create a sharp "dimple" on the inside of each section that will score and grip the outside of the filter when you mount it. (obviously this won't work on a plastic wrench, you'll destroy it)

Gently tap the wrench in place over the filter. Like Dick said, work the filter forward and then back, using progressively more force each way until it breaks free. It can also help to heat the outside of the filter with an ELECTRIC heat gun on low - but be carefull since you don't want to ignite any remaining oil in the case! :brick: You may want to let it sit overnight and cold crank the engine several times to let ALL the oil drain out before attempting this.

To get the filter off the wrench mount it on your vice with the edges of the wrench supported by the jaws, filter hanging down. Insert a blunt rod or dowell through the hole in the wrench and give it a good whack with a hammer, the filter wil pop right out.

Feel free to curse Igor. ;)

[grifscoots]

Put those screwdrivers away before someone gets an eye poked out. :D

Pull out your metal working center punch and heavy hammer, put the metal filter wrench on an extended jaw of your vice.

With a heavy blow, strike the punch in the middle of each flute, you'll create a sharp "dimple" on the inside of each section that will score and grip the outside of the filter when you mount it. (obviously this won't work on a plastic wrench, you'll destroy it)

Gently tap the wrench in place over the filter. Like Dick said, work the filter forward and then back, using progressively more force each way until it breaks free. It can also help to heat the outside of the filter with an ELECTRIC heat gun on low - but be carefull since you don't want to ignite any remaining oil in the case! :brick: You may want to let it sit overnight and cold crank the engine several times to let ALL the oil drain out before attempting this.

To get the filter off the wrench mount it on your vice with the edges of the wrench supported by the jaws, filter hanging down. Insert a blunt rod or dowell through the hole in the wrench and give it a good whack with a hammer, the filter wil pop right out.

Feel free to curse Igor. ;)You DO know how to make love to a woman!

[RonKMiller]

You DO know how to make love to a woman!

True dat! ... but the question remains, does JOE know how to??? :lol8:

that should bring him out of hiding :crybaby:

[mwnahas]

My first oil change I also had some issues with the filter. I used one screwdriver driven through it (very carefully though) and managed to get it out. Good luck.

Just how did you use the screwdriver? The rag trick isn't working for me the dang wrench just spins around the filter, the filter doesn't move.

[kyrider]

Sandpaper inside the wrench works for me.

[Dick]

Just how did you use the screwdriver? The rag trick isn't working for me the dang wrench just spins around the filter, the filter doesn't move.
Michael - try this. A bit of a bear, butt worked for me on a friend's bike.

Stuff a rag up underneath the filter and sorta wipe off the oily stuff as much as you can reach. Take several (I think I used three) fairly wide rubber bands and work each one 'over' the filter wrench so that they crisscross the wrench's opening; encircling the outside and bottom of the wrench. Insert the wrench into the filter opening and work it onto the filter (takes a leetle twisting and pushing motion to seat the wrench onto the filter - it'll be snug). Then ratchet the filter off. Don't promise it'll work for you, butt did for me.

[mwnahas]

screw driver didn't work. what finally did work was a BWM filter wrench with a rag. whew.

[Undrtkr]

I had the same problem when I changed my oil first time. The BMW Hulk must have put that last one on. :mad: I even bought the BMW specific filter wrench but was so tight it still slipped on the flutes. I progressively added sheets of aluminum foil from the kitchen until I had built up the tension between the wrench and filter adequately. Made it tight enough and created enough friction between the two to allow me to break it loose. Worked great. Similar to Dick's idear with the rubber bands.

[sarafima]

well, I tried the various suggestions and Godzilla, who installed my filter, was not to be thwarted. However, and I can see my dad now (who is a m/c mechanic) going crazy - the sandpaper trick worked! Wrap a layer of sandpaper with about 1/2 inch sticking out all the way around the inside of the BMW filter wrench (I used medium grit) and tap it on with a hammer, and voila, with just 2000 foot pounds of torque, the filter slipped off.

Ha to Godzilla. I laugh at your feeble attempts. Thanks for the tip on the sandpaper, whew.

sarafima
K1200LT

[Fountain]

Lots of good tips for getting a stuck filter off, I hope I remember them.

To prevent it in the future just don't tighten the filter so much. One half turn after the gasket contacts the base is plenty.