removing an oil filter that is frozen on solid

[txav8r]

How many times have you found your oil filter so tight you couldn't remove it? You new boat owners know what I am talking about! Shops are especially bad about overtightening them. I bought the 14 sided, correct metal filter wrench for the Yamaha filters, and it won't even hold tight to remove a filter if it is overtightened. The easy way to remove one of these is to just take a normal wide band oil filter strap style wrench, and put a piece of medium grit sand paper between the filter and the wrench band. You will need to fold the sand paper where it has grit on both sides...or next to both the band and the filter. It gives enough friction to hold while you loosen the filter!

 

[KXCam22]

An old trick my father taught me (but messy) is to punch a phillips screwdriver through the filter and the use it to turn the filter loose. Remove the screwdriver and wrap a band of tape around to reduce the mess while spinning it off. Cam.

 

[txav8r]

I have flat out twisted several filters in half using that method Cam...but they were severely overtightened. That is when I came up with the sandpaper under a band filter wrench and it works amazingly well without crushing or ripping it in half.

 

[ToddW850]

Good idea Mel.

I had to deal with a stuck oil filter when I did the oil and filter change this past winter. Couple friends told me about the methon @KXCam22 mentoned and it had worked for them. I was a little nervous about taking that route first.

Got another idea from someone on the other forum. So I used a large set of pipe pliers, squeezed down hard enough it started to crush the side of the filter As soon as the filter caved in a bit (must of given better grip and leverage) that sucker came off like it was nothing.

Just another trick in the bag to help out if the other methods above don't work.

 

[jawsf16]

I use a wrench style oil filter wrench which is great for removing, but has to be used with a rag for install otherwise it crushes the edges.

 

[KXCam22]

Yes True. I have destroyed them a couple of times, but not always. It's more of an emergency method if you don't have a strap wrench with you. The sandpaper works excellent. I use some grip tape (for stairs) on mine. I started with punching dimples on the strap with a center punch but it was only slightly more effective. Cam.

 

[txav8r]

I was helping a member do his annual service a year ago @BravoMike and my 14 sided filter wrench socket wouldn't budge them...as you said @KXCam22 ,frozen solid. So I grabbed my strap wrench and used my sandpaper technique and had zero issue. It is really about grip, they are never quite as frozen as they appear...unless they are rusted! Even then, the sandpaper seems to work well!

 

[Gym]

I've used the screw driver on car filters before and it was messy but worked well. When I did the first oil change on this boat the port engine filter wouldn't budge. I guess the previous owner wrenched it on. I didn't want to use the screw driver method and dump all that oil in the engine compartment so I heated it up using my wife's hair dryer. It came off with little effort. I'll try @txav8r sand paper trick next time to avoid the wife's drama.

 

[itsdgm]

I've also had a strap wrench that wouldn't have enough bite on the filter (like Mel described above). I've had success cleaning the filter, placing a latex/rubber glove around itr and then using the strap wrench to remove it. The glove gives better traction just like the sandpaper does.

 

[mmgg]

Putting valve grinding compound on anything that slips (wrenchs, screwdriver bits, ....) has all ways worked for me.

 

[KXCam22]

I used mels trick a week ago to remove my house water filter. Plastic housing was slippery and the rubber strap wrench wouldnt grab it. Luckily I have a couple of rolls of stickey sanded stair tread lying around. Cam.

 

[JC6275]

I also use the sticky safe-t step product. I apply it all the way around the inside if my band style filter wrench when I buy them. It's always there even if itsnit really needed.

 

[motorboater]

Sandpaper under the band is a good idea. This also makes short work of it: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NPR33O/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[tdonoughue]

I have used the sandpaper trick on mine.

In an extreme case of stick on a car once I used a screwdriver. Through the filter laterally. Can't recommend it but it worked.

 

[DoubleThrust]

An old trick my father taught me (but messy) is to punch a phillips screwdriver through the filter and the use it to turn the filter loose. Remove the screwdriver and wrap a band of tape around to reduce the mess while spinning it off. Cam.

Yep I end up doing this old school method more than I want LOL. Actually more oil changes than not it seems, truck or boat. I swear one day I'm going to get the special end cap wrench to replace the one I bought and lost 15 years ago.

Even with oil on the gasket for the new filter, I just don't want to under do it. I end up tightening and retightening it in and out about 4 times trying to feel it out every time LOL. No leaks, and I can always get it off even if it's not the clean way haha.

 

[latitudeadjuster]

Im so enjoying the oil filter on the top in the 1.8's.....I actually cant wait to change them!

I use these adjustable pliers for almost everything and a must on ALL oil filters.....never had one crush or damage/leak coming off.

 

[txav8r]

Let us know how those work on the on the yammi...it is more about who put the old ones on and how tight, than it is what you use to get them off.

 

[latitudeadjuster]

I usually put mine on snug so they don't leak, yammi and cars......and I still have to use these to get the filters off. I used these on my 06 with the filters down below. These are a dream and will get almost anything unstuck. I used them to unhook the heater when I had to replace in the hottub.

 

[steined]

Just yesterday my 2nd harbor freight "universal oil filter wrench" thing broke and rather than head to the store for the strap wrench I should have purchased in the first place, I used a pipe wrench. Worked perfectly on the 1.8s with the high up position. I may just stick with that method!

 

[Glassman]

How many times have you found your oil filter so tight you couldn't remove it? You new boat owners know what I am talking about! Shops are especially bad about overtightening them. I bought the 14 sided, correct metal filter wrench for the Yamaha filters, and it won't even hold tight to remove a filter if it is overtightened. The easy way to remove one of these is to just take a normal wide band oil filter strap style wrench, and put a piece of medium grit sand paper between the filter and the wrench band. You will need to fold the sand paper where it has grit on both sides...or next to both the band and the filter. It gives enough friction to hold while you loosen the filter!

That's exactly why I use K&N filters. I like the nuts on top!