Trick to changine oil filter on a 4.3 gm engine?

[ryan_289]

I went to change the oil for the first time today on my 98 Chaparral with a 4.3 Volvo Penta engine. I warmed it up and finally got all of the oil out (I think) using a drill pump. I cant get the dang oil filter off. Its in the back on the drivers side of the engine tucked in pretty tight. I cant get both hands down there to get good force on it. I broke a small rubber strap wrench but it was the only one that would fit down there. Any tricks for getting the filter off?

 

[GasCan II]

Re: Trick to changine oil filter on a 4.3 gm engine?

If you have room,drive a screwdriver through it at an angle to allow you to get it started. Before tou put the new one on put a little oil or thin coat of grease on the rubber O ring.
Good Luck !

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Trick to changine oil filter on a 4.3 gm engine?

Common problem...They make a socket type of oil filter that works well. On a 4.3 the oil filter needs to be hand tightened...no gorillia grip.

 

[Jonnybbad]

Re: Trick to changine oil filter on a 4.3 gm engine?

I once drove a screwdriver throgh a filter and tried turning it loose in desperation. I just tore it to shreds. Go with the deal above. Those things work well.

 

[Volphin]

Re: Trick to changine oil filter on a 4.3 gm engine?

Tail Gunner is absolutely correct. Snug is fine for this engine. And I curse every year at the "idiot" that put mine on too tight! LOL
Also consider a Fumoto valve for your oil pan drain plug. That way it's faster to drain the oil out with clear tubing routed out of your drain plug hole and into a suitable container.

 

[ryan_289]

Re: Trick to changine oil filter on a 4.3 gm engine?

Well I got the filter changed. I picked up a metal band strap wrench and actually got it off with no problems. Amazing what the right tool can do!

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Trick to changine oil filter on a 4.3 gm engine?

Just put it back on hand tight, no wrench......

 

[aerobat]

Re: Trick to changine oil filter on a 4.3 gm engine?

i feel your pain - i had to use a pipe wrench on mine . we have one at the marina , it has the size as it would be used normally on oil rigs :joyous:

the screw driver just slashed the metal of the filter instead of unsrew it.

than i inatslled the new filter only hand tight and hopefully will not have the same problems a second time.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Trick to changine oil filter on a 4.3 gm engine?

The cap wrenches work well if it fits the filter right, there is another trick I came up with many years ago:
with the strap wrench, take a piece of sand paper and fold it in half, then slip it between the filter and the strap so the rough side is out on both sides. That will give the strap the traction you need to get it off. There are also the ones that have jaws that grip the filter from the bottom. 41 years of changing oil and filters and I have never had to drive a screwdriver through a filter.
Mine's not too bad, I just remove the rear seat on that side and slide the battery back to get at it.