Stuck Oil Filter

[Kvou812]

I bought my boat used late last summer. I'm changing the oil and the oil filter is stuck. I've tried a strap wrench and 2 or 3 other filter wrenches and its still there with some dents in it. I even tried heating it up with a hair dryer on high for 15min (a tip I read) with no luck. I'm thinking about leaving it and just changing the oil...let the shop figure out how to get it off in the fall. I've already decided this is the last time I'm fooling with changing the oil in it anyway. Do you think it will hurt to just leave the filter the way it is until the fall?

 

[CHEVYJEFF]

Re: Stuck Oil Filter

they sell filter pliers which are the best for stuck filters, or do the phillips head screwdriver trick where you poke the screw driver thru the filter and turn it that way. make sure you get the rubber gasket off the housing because it probably wont come off w/ the filter

 

[BRG25]

Re: Stuck Oil Filter

Try wrapping the filter with sand paper first.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Stuck Oil Filter

Yes, change it. It will come off, get a real oil filter wrench. You may need a pipe for extra torque to get it broken loose. Make sure you're turning the right way.If you just bought the boat and have never had any maintence done, it would be in your best interest to take it to the shop or get manual and do it yourself. there's more to it than just changing the oil.

 

[vipzach]

Re: Stuck Oil Filter

Yes, definatley change the filter, you should do that with every oil change. It maybe a little messy, but I have always had success when I had to go with the screwdriver through the filter. Like J.kopec said get a manuel and get the other maintence stuff taken care of before you begin using the boat.

 

[MH9371B]

Re: Stuck Oil Filter

I know from experience that you'd better make sure you check to see if the gasket from that filter is burned onto the engine block at all. If it is, scrape off the old gasket residue with a razor blade. Otherwise, you will be fighting a good oil leak like I was for a while!

 

[Kvou812]

Re: Stuck Oil Filter

I know there is more to it than oil changes. I had it winterized in the fall, and I just finished having it summerized. The boat runs fine, and I've changed the fuel filter and removed the oil, I'm just trying to get the friggin filter off! I've tried a strap wrench, a regular oil filter wrench, and one of those that fits over the end and uses a ratchet to turn it with....plus I've tried heating it up with a hair dryer....no luck. I've been turning it the right way...counter clock-wise!

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Stuck Oil Filter

K812,DONT stick the screwdriver through it.That will take you past the point of no return and quite frankly,it dont work that well.I would recommend using a regular metal strap type and the type that covers the end of the filter IF it has a wrench grip end on it.Make sure the strap type is as wide as you can find and use an old bicycle tire tube to wrap around the filter first.Make sure the wrench is as close to the block as you can get it.That is the strongest part of the filter.at the same time put the end cap wrench on and connect the longest rachet you can find .Make sure you are attempting to turn it counter clockwise(always confuses me when the filter is upsidedown) and do both wrenches at the same time.Get someone else to help with the other wrench so you both have good leverage.If this fails,and it shouldnt,And you decide to leave the filter in place then I would change the oil twice.Run the motor in between to get the dirty oil in the filter mixed with the fresh oil.Been there-done that Charlie

 

[Kvou812]

Re: Stuck Oil Filter

Well, the end cover type won't work, already tried it and it just slips. I tried with the regular filter wrench and now the wrench is bent and the filter is still there, although one side of is flat now. I've changed a lot of oil filters in my time, but I've never had one like this...I can't imagine why it won't budge. I thought about running and getting one of those filter plier things, but on the 4.3 the filter is kinda tucked into this corner and I don't think I could get it around the filter. With one side flat now, I wonder if the filter would even work right if I just left it. I guess my boating days are over unless by some miracle this damn things lets loose!

 

[trog100]

Re: Stuck Oil Filter

chisel it off if u have to.. fit the new one on by hand dont use a wrench to tighten it.. <br /><br />be brutal getting the old one off.. it has to come off.. just dont damage the engine flange.. <br /><br />trog100..

 

[Kvou812]

Re: Stuck Oil Filter

I want to thank everyone who replied, and I feel very fortunate that I was FINALLY able to get the filter off. I went to Autozone and picked up this thing call a "standard strap filter wrench". Basically, its a seatbelt type belt loop attachet to a square hollow metal shaft. You put the belt around the filter, and roll the shaft until its tight, then use either a 1/2 rachet or a 3/4 open wrench to turn the thing. The rachet only caused a crease for me, but the open wrench finally and slowly turned the filter. The gasket was in one piece and came off with the filter, so I have no idea why it was so hard to get off other than some one tightened it too tight. Thanks again!

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Stuck Oil Filter

I have had to twist the steel canister off and remove the rest with a hammer and punch. if you have already crushed it your about at the no return point anyway. try the two filter wrench trick. buy the good quality wrenchs with a wide band as well. just remember that on the block mounted chevy filters start with the wrench handle towards the transom and pull away from the transom towards the bow.

 

[Don S]

Re: Stuck Oil Filter

Glad to hear you was able to get it off. One point when installing the new one, use some oil on the gasket, not grease. Grease acts like glue, then tighten it by hand and call er good.

 

[marinemech1]

Re: Stuck Oil Filter

there is a three jawed filter wrench avaiable from snap-on or auto parts stores. as you turn it the jaws tighten until the filter finally comes off.<br />i've bent 2 ratches using it but never failed to remove filter

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Stuck Oil Filter

Can anyone tell me why filters are installed so tight? Seriously, do people think that the engine will fly out of the boat if that filter isn't torqued to 100ft/lbs? Or do they think there is 500psi of pressure & it'll leak? <br />Oil on the gasket, tighten by HAND. If it leaks, there is sonmething else wrong, and wrench tightening isn't the solution!

 

[Laddies]

Re: Stuck Oil Filter

Tilliam, I can even anwser that. You just can't fix stupid Bob

 

[beezee28]

Re: Stuck Oil Filter

Had the same problem not too long ago. Must have the smae tech working on the boat.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Stuck Oil Filter

I hate fram filters for lack of quality but you gotta give them credit when it is due.The new black grip that they put on the top of the filter allows you to get it plenty tight by hand and you can usually get it off by hand as well.Charlie

 

[Kvou812]

Re: Stuck Oil Filter

I didn't get the jawed filter wrench because on the 4.3, the filter sits back in the corner, and I didn't feel like I had enough room to get that tool around it or have enough room to work it as space is tight in that area. For reference, the filter was a pennzoil pz-29 filter....replaced with a VP filter that was of course put on hand tight!