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The power of Street Knowledge - aka undoing oil filters

Started by SirDavidAlhambra, February 11, 2023, 06:44:19 AM

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February 11, 2023, 06:44:19 AM Last Edit: February 11, 2023, 06:49:04 AM by SirDavidAlhambra
Hi friends! I have a motor car (not Alhamb) where I tightened the metal oil filter can up too tightly using a socket set. Yes, yes, I know, always do them up hand tight. What was I thinking? I don't know. I had quite a few stressful things happening in my life at the time and I guess I was just distracted and not thinking properly. Either way, that little metal oil filter can got tightened up nice and tight using a socket set.

Now I have to get the bugger off though (excuse my French). I don't want to pay a garage £125 or so to do an oil change, but I've tried undoing it and almost broke my wrist trying. I'm accessing it from the underside of the motor car so access is limited and it's not easy to connect it to a 10ft breaker bar or suchlike. Heck, it's difficult enough to connect it to the 10 inch long socket wrench (I use a socket wrench with one of those oil filter cap tools).

Any tips for how I can get the bugger off? I have already tried traditional techniques such as screaming, rap music, swearing, WD-40, threatening the vehicle with the scrap yard, pleading, socket set with filter cap, etc.

Thank You
I drive a Seat Alhambra 1.9Tdi which has 115bhp and an automatic gearbox.

I am happy to help you with all your questions. I am not a qualified mechanic but seem to be better at fixing my car than even the most experienced garages.

I have lots of friends here and very much enjoy talking with you all. Always remember, a motor car is a serious tool and should be treated with respect. Put your safety first, always.

Attach the socket to a long-arm extension for the socket.
Then use a long-bar.
Gives you more space to manoeuvre.

Oil filter sockets can be a very sloppy fit, I've had them distort the can and spin
 so I'd use a chain or strap wrench.
Another tip is to try and tighten them a bit before undoing them as this sometimes
help break the grip.
A bigger lever is also an option.

"Another motor car"?
Why so vague? just say what car it is.


Thank you both, these are good ideas and I will give them a try.

The other car is a Ford Focus 1.6 Ti-VCT, 2005 model.

As you say, it does sometimes feel like the filter socket slips a bit so I will try a strap wrench... are there any you would recommend?

A friend of mine said to think about using an impact driver, what do you think about that?

Thank You
I drive a Seat Alhambra 1.9Tdi which has 115bhp and an automatic gearbox.

I am happy to help you with all your questions. I am not a qualified mechanic but seem to be better at fixing my car than even the most experienced garages.

I have lots of friends here and very much enjoy talking with you all. Always remember, a motor car is a serious tool and should be treated with respect. Put your safety first, always.

Old metal canisters that have been over tightened I find are best removed with some of these.
I have a trusty set of snap on ones I have had for years they have never failed to get one off.