BY BLAIR LAMPE / ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED AUGUST 28, 2019 / NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE PARTS ASSOCIATION / Changing your oil filter (and oil, of course) is the cornerstone&hellip;{"id":11451,"date":"2019-09-11T14:20:46","date_gmt":"2019-09-11T21:20:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/?p=11451"},"modified":"2019-09-11T14:20:46","modified_gmt":"2019-09-11T21:20:46","slug":"how-to-remove-a-stuck-oil-filter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/2019\/09\/11\/how-to-remove-a-stuck-oil-filter\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Remove a Stuck Oil Filter: Tricks of the Trade"},"content":{"rendered":"<h5><span style=\"color: #000000;\">BY BLAIR LAMPE \/ ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED AUGUST 28, 2019 \/<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.napaonline.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE PARTS ASSOCIATION<\/a>\u00a0<span style=\"color: #000000;\">\/<\/span><\/h5>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Changing your oil filter<\/span> (<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/knowhow.napaonline.com\/changing-your-oil-the-essentials\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">and oil<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, of course) is the cornerstone of responsible engine maintenance. But what happens when you go to do the thing and your oil filter is uncooperative? If you know how to remove a stuck oil filter you can get back to taking care of your car to keep it running smoothly.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Frozen TurmOIL<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It\u2019s easy to know when your oil filter is stuck because it seems like even super-human strength will not dislodge it. But before we begin to remove it, we have to ask ourselves how we got here. Likely, the last person to change the filter didn\u2019t follow the cardinal rule of installation: oil the gasket and don\u2019t over-tighten. Running an oiled finger along the rim over the gasket and then hand-tightening (snug plus a quarter turn) the filter to the engine will save you from ending up here again. I\u2019ve seen even seasoned mechanics use a wrench to install a filter. Don\u2019t be that person. It\u2019s not necessary and it will come back to bite you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">But let\u2019s say that\u2019s where you\u2019ve landed and you need to get it off. The following tools and tricks are listed in order of ease, with the final one being a last resort. If the method listed is going to damage the filter body, move to the next option. Squeezing too hard on the filter will damage it, causing a mess or weakening any potential leverage points. And remember that counterclockwise is loosening.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-11453\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Oil-Filter-Gasket.jpg?resize=400%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Oil Filter Gasket\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Oil-Filter-Gasket.jpg?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Oil-Filter-Gasket.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/p>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Engine-Specific Wrenches<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some manufacturers design systems that require a specific oil filter wrench. Check your owner\u2019s manual and if it calls for one, use it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Adjustable Oil Wrench Pliers<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This tool is nice because<\/span><strong>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.napaonline.com\/en\/p\/SER773369?cid=social_blog_082019_oil_filter_wrench\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">it\u2019s adjustable<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, so it can be helpful for different sized filters. Unfortunately, the grip isn\u2019t always the best, and it can be difficult to maneuver in tight spaces in an engine compartment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Chain Wrenches<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">These are likewise adjustable, but get a better grip than pliers. They are also prone to damage the filter though, so take care and note that if they have oil on the surface, they can be slippery.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Band Wrenches<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">These are specific to the circumference of the filter and have a relatively low profile compared to other types. You can wrench on these a little harder without damaging the filter, but it is still possible. Pro-tip: for better grip, line the inside of the band with sandpaper, (grit contacting the filter)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Jaw Wrenches<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">These grip onto the bottom of the filter for maximum torque and clamp down the harder you turn on multiple points of contact. They are usually adapters that connect to a standard ratchet.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Cavemaning<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This is the last resort because of the inevitable mess it will produce, plus an increased risk of component and knuckle damage. But if all else fails, try driving a screwdriver through the body of the filter and spinning it off that way. Likely it will just rip the filter apart, but it will expose the ring of holes around the top of the filter where you can try to use a chisel and hammer to force it off.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Whichever method you use, always install the new filter with a light coat of oil on the gasket, and don\u2019t over tighten. You\u2019re hero enough for just changing the oil.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Check out all the<\/span>\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.napaonline.com\/en\/c\/filters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">maintenance parts<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<span style=\"color: #000000;\">available on<\/span>\u00a0<strong><a title=\"Click to open in a new window or tab https:\/\/www.napaonline.com\/\" href=\"https:\/\/www.napaonline.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NAPA Online<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> or trust one of their 17,000<\/span> <strong><a title=\"Click to open in a new window or tab http:\/\/www.napaautocare.com\/store-finder.aspx\" href=\"http:\/\/www.napaautocare.com\/store-finder.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NAPA AutoCare locations<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<span style=\"color: #000000;\">for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on how to remove a stuck oil filter, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your<\/span>\u00a0<strong><a title=\"Click to open in a new window or tab https:\/\/www.napaonline.com\/en\/store-locator\" href=\"https:\/\/www.napaonline.com\/en\/store-locator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">local NAPA AUTO PARTS store<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Photos courtesy of Blair Lampe.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This article has been reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder, National Automotive Parts Association. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Click here for more<\/span>\u00a0<\/em><strong><em><a href=\"http:\/\/knowhow.napaonline.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">automotive tips and stories<\/a><\/em><\/strong><em>\u00a0<span style=\"color: #000000;\">from NAPA, or here for more information on<\/span>\u00a0<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/event-info\/car-show-hours-dates\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the next Pomona Swap Meet &amp; Classic Car Show<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":null,"protected":false},"author":98,"featured_media":11454,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"cos_headline_score":0,"cos_seo_score":0,"cos_headline_text":"","cos_headline_has_been_analyzed":false,"cos_last_analyzed_headline":[],"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[805],"tags":[7241,4152,7242,7239,7248,7243,3491,3037,3026,3730,4446,7246,7238,7240,7244,7245,7247,4390,7237],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Oil-Pliers.jpg?fit=1144%2C599&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9nnZN-2YH","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11451"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/98"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11451"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11451\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11457,"href":"https:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11451\/revisions\/11457"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11454"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11451"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11451"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11451"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}