pro auto mechanics. why the tight oil filters?

[vash]

i have yet in my relatively young life come across an oil filter i can take off easily after a visit to a shop. if i do the oil change, i can take it off by hand with a big square of that fabric i line my shelves with (anti skid stuff, under rugs).

i had to do the subaru oil change this past weekend. i looked and the last change was done by an indie shop when the car had to go in for major surgery. sure enough, the filter was unturnable by hand. i had to resort to a big pair of slip joint pliers.

do pro mechanics simply have stronger hands than me? or are they using a wrench? i kinda spin them on and do the 3/4 turn thing and look for leaks after a refill and motor start. i never leak at the filter.

[1990C4S]

They typically use the adapter that drives the end of the filter I think. Or the wrap around clamp.

Better for them to go too tight and not leak. Odds are someone else is removing it.

[oldE]

Never underestimate the torque generating ability of an azhole.

Best
Les

[kach22i]

Same with lug nuts, always too tight.

[Baz]

Who doesn't change their own oil?

That's asking for trouble....

[rockfan4]

If you've never seen a filter gasket get pushed out by thick oil on a -10 degree morning, then you've never had a too loose filter. On the other hand, I had a Audi spring leaks from pinholes in the case caused by the dealer installing it with a wrench.

[Joe Bob]

On a cross country trip from CA to FL, I forgot my oil wrench and took it to Wally World for an oil change prior to the return trip. Hey, I had a coupon....It leaked over night and was a Fram (as we all know Fram sucks), contrary to my request. They re-installed the right filter......cranked it down.

Back home after 3K miles I changed it myself and it took awhile to get it off, Fortunately it was on my Honduh, so no loss. Complaints to WW got no joy. Never again.....

[fastfredracing]

Some of them are just some *****es. I only hand tighten, 3/4 turn, and I have had my own filters come back and struggled to get if off.
That being said, some guys are just freakin' He man and crank them down TIGHT. Most of of us have king kong grip from years of twisting wrenches

[9dreizig]

under tight and pay for an engine that blows up if it works it's way off.. simple

[widgeon13]

I change oil on my Pcar and my plane. On the car it is hand tightened and on the plane it is set at a specific torque setting (w/ a calibrated tool)and then safety wired. I can't hand remove either one after they have been run for the usual change oil cycle.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by vash

do pro mechanics simply have stronger hands than me? or are they using a wrench? i kinda spin them on and do the 3/4 turn thing and look for leaks after a refill and motor start. i never leak at the filter.

It might be the experience and stronger hands. If you're working for money you lose time wrestling an overtight filter off, so there is no advantage to cranking it down too tight if you ever expect to see the car again.

[Hugh R]

On the 911 the first thing I did when I got it 12 years ago was oil and trannie fluids and all filters. The trannie fill plug was so tight, I rounded off the sucker trying to get it off. I used a clench wrench to finally get it off, but it destroyed the plug.

Learned long ago, you always pull the fill plug first, not the drain plug.

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

On the 911 the first thing I did when I got it 12 years ago was oil and trannie fluids and all filters. The trannie fill plug was so tight, I rounded off the sucker trying to get it off. I used a clench wrench to finally get it off, but it destroyed the plug.

Learned long ago, you always pull the fill plug first, not the drain plug.

^ Good advice.

What's a clench wrench? You mean a nipple extractor, like a plumber uses? I can't get the transaxle plug out of the 911. That thing is just hopeless. I change oil by removing the access cover, what a PITA.

Vash,

I have the socket oil filter wrench for all of my vehicles. That's also a PITA too because every car seems to use a different socket tool, and the Cayman needed a Hazet oil filter wrench which wasn't cheap.

[Hugh R]

Like this, Craftsman - 37002 - 2-pack Ratcheting Clench Wrench | Sears Outlet

You can get much cheaper, on my 911 trannie fill plug there was just enough threaded metal to use one of these. It will destroy the plug, but at least you can get it out.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Like this, Craftsman - 37002 - 2-pack Ratcheting Clench Wrench | Sears Outlet

You can get much cheaper, on my 911 trannie fill plug there was just enough threaded metal to use one of these. It will destroy the plug, but at least you can get it out.

Thanks for the info on this wrench, Hugh. I just bought the same set by Craftsman from eBay ~$20 incl. shipping - will be here on Friday.

[Geary]

I had a shop change my trans oil once. Never again. They torqued the oil add plug to 100+ lbs, when it called for 15. These days I use teflon tape. Never had a problem. With oil filters, I typically tighten a second time, after a few hours running.

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by Geary

I had a shop change my trans oil once. Never again. They torqued the oil add plug to 100+ lbs, when it called for 15. These days I use teflon tape. Never had a problem. With oil filters, I typically tighten a second time, after a few hours running.

You mean, silicone right?

I kid, I kid.

[masraum]

I'm voting laziness and incompetence.

I doubt if they lube the gasket before they install. I always do/did.

I suspect they just crank it down with their hand because they are in a big hurry.

Originally Posted by Baz

Who doesn't change their own oil?

That's asking for trouble....

People with no place to do it.

[manbridge 74]

Meh... never had a filter I couldn't get off quickly. I do use the specific optimol grease on the filter cup o-ring. In my experience filters don't seem to just come loose. Problems occur because they weren't ever tightened at all.

But drain plugs, man I've seen some tight ones.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by Geary

I had a shop change my trans oil once. Never again. They torqued the oil add plug to 100+ lbs, when it called for 15. These days I use teflon tape. Never had a problem. With oil filters, I typically tighten a second time, after a few hours running.

You mean teflon tape on the plug? It's okay on a transmission plug, I would never use on engine plug. Teflon paste is much safer.