Unable to loosen the oil filter

yasir · 08-14-2005, 03:52 PM

Drained the oil in my Camry but unable to take the oil filter off.The filter cap seems tad bit bigger when i slip it over the filter and i have no room to stick a screw driver in either.Tomorrow i am going to check with Toyota to see if they have the right size filter cap and if not what else can i do ? I hand tightened the filter and then using the cap that i have,i tightened it half more turn and now the same filter cap seems bit too big ?
One possibility is to fill her up and let a mechanic change the filter for me but would i need to replace the oil again ?

Aurel · Aurel's Garage

Try the old technique of nailing a big screwdriver through the body of the oil filter, and then use the handle of the screwdriver as a lever to unscrew the filter. The more you pull the screwdriver out, the more torque you get. Works great on 911s. I have never tried it on a Camry though.

Aurel

curiousone940 · curiousone940's Garage

Both Toyota and Lexus locate the oil filter in a most awkward position, however, I've usually been able to get a plier type oil filter tool and get them loose. Even with the right size socket type cap on the filter, you'll still have a problem getting a rachet on the cap itself. Makes a Porsche oil filter seem like child's play!!

Jesset100 · Jesset100's Garage

You might have to go from the underneath. You have to take off the plastic cover that covers the front half of the engine. I have a 96 Toyota Corolla and I do the oil changes. I hand tighten only. (If you grunt when tightening the filter, it's too tight!) When it comes time to change the filter I try to go from the top first and usually comes off. But then their are times I have to go from underneath. By the way my Corolla has 301,800 miles. I'm hoping to go 500,000 miles and get this, it has the orginal timing belt.
oooooooyeeeeeaaaaa!

randywebb · 08-14-2005, 04:34 PM

just wati for a monthly discount from the dealer for oil chg service and then take it in - let them deal with it

Aurel · Aurel's Garage

Ooops sorry. I read too fast and did not see you have no room for the screwdriver trick.

Aurel

DW SD · 08-14-2005, 04:36 PM

You may purchase a strap wrench, too. I have one that attaches to a 1/2" drive socket. Easy to generate a lot of torque in odd locations.

Doug

yasir · 08-14-2005, 04:58 PM

Thanks for the responses fellas and strap wrench sounds promising so might try that tomorrow.
Any way one question still remains unanswered,if i fill her up and have the filter changed at a service station would i need to change the oil too ? If it wasn't for Mobil-1 i won't have cared for the oil either but i am not in a mood to waste approx 6 q Mobil-1.

Aurel · Aurel's Garage

I doubt they can change the filter without empting the oil. I would buy some inexpensive dino oil for the interim, and keep the Mobil1 for the next time.

Aurel

Eagledriver · 08-14-2005, 06:47 PM

On most engines you can change the filter without changing the oil. If the filter is below the level of the oil in the pan then you might have oil run out with the filter off but otherwise no problem. Just have to add a 1/2 quart or so after changing the filter.

-Andy

Wavey · 08-15-2005, 04:24 AM

There's also a filter wrench available that has 3 prongs which are hinged to a flat plate - they grip tighter as you turn counter-clockwise (make sense?)

sammyg2 · 08-15-2005, 07:42 AM

The tool I use is a spring loaded device that fits over the end and it driven by a 3/8" ratchet or breaker bar. It expands to fit any size filter and then tightens as you turn it. couldn't be easier or faster. I have never had a single bit of trouble getting a filter off with this tool.
I bought it at a FLAPS for around $12, no one should be without one.

randywebb · 08-15-2005, 12:57 PM

somebody got a pic to post of that one for him...

it has 3 'gripper' prongs on it - they are the things that are spring loaded

sammyg2 · 08-15-2005, 02:31 PM

The one I have isn't a three prong deal, but here's a picture of it and the description I found on the McMaster Carr web page www.mcmaster.com

.

Socket-Drive Style— These wrenches require a 3/8" square drive socket wrench for use as the handle. Ideal for tight spots since they work from the top of the filter.

It's pretty heave duty, I can't imagine breaking it.
Price is around 11 bucks form McMaster carr, found on page 2046 on the website and catalog (I'm using edidion 111).

yasir · 08-15-2005, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sammyg2
The one I have isn't a three prong deal, but here's a picture of it and the description I found on the McMaster Carr web page www.mcmaster.com

.

Socket-Drive Style— These wrenches require a 3/8" square drive socket wrench for use as the handle. Ideal for tight spots since they work from the top of the filter.

It's pretty heave duty, I can't imagine breaking it.
Price is around 11 bucks form McMaster carr, found on page 2046 on the website and catalog (I'm using edidion 111).

This is exactly what the Toyota master Mechanic used earlier today to loosen the filter

Any way the problem is fixed,you guys rock.

MotoSook · 08-15-2005, 02:36 PM

I've got one fo those 3-prong deals and I love it! The stubborn filters just about crush in that tool...but it gets them off everytime. One of the the more handy tools you can have w/o making it.

I'm so paranoid of losing a filter that I make mine pretty tight, not Kung Fu grip tight, but more than the typical 3/4 turn after seal contact. I say an oil filter ont he road once, and my stomach jsut turned thinking of the poor soul that dropped it on the road.

jakermc · 08-16-2005, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sammyg2
The one I have isn't a three prong deal, but here's a picture of it and the description I found on the McMaster Carr web page www.mcmaster.com

.

Socket-Drive Style— These wrenches require a 3/8" square drive socket wrench for use as the handle. Ideal for tight spots since they work from the top of the filter.

It's pretty heave duty, I can't imagine breaking it.
Price is around 11 bucks form McMaster carr, found on page 2046 on the website and catalog (I'm using edidion 111).

Which is the correct size? What is the diameter of the filter on the 911?

randywebb · 08-16-2005, 10:34 AM

- the pronged ones adjust to fit a wide variety of sizes

note the 2 pronged one has cupped prongs to fit the filter - looks better than 3 prongs, but just get whatever is cheap and at the closest auto parts store

gatotom · 08-16-2005, 12:53 PM

ever try channel locks, the big kind, they always work.

ruf-porsche · ruf-porsche's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by randywebb
just wati for a monthly discount from the dealer for oil chg service and then take it in - let them deal with it

They normally deal with a struck oil filter by leaving it in and letting the next guy deal with it.

Don't ask me how I know?