Need help in removing Oil Filter - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

catsgrave · 02-25-2007, 03:12 PM

Hi guys,

I just acquired a used 91 Camry 3SFE about a mnth ago

I want to change my oil filter. It has not been changed since 2001 ! I bought all the necessary tools. But i still cant get the damn thing out. Its too tight.

I have a oil filter remover ( its like a clamp with 3 claws) but the damn thing slips when i try to use a 3/8 " drive

Any suggestions?

I am such an absolute newbie and idiot. I bought about more than $100 worth of parts and tools and it seems useless. arrghh

thanks

fredk · 02-25-2007, 03:18 PM

2 things you can get, the cup that fits the end or the 2 grip type, they also make a bar that fits on a ratchet with a piece of a seat belt on it that will take anything off

atobe · 02-25-2007, 04:04 PM

worst case stab it with a screw driver sideways and turn it

aussie_gen1 · 02-25-2007, 06:09 PM

are you turning it the right way? try anti-clockwise

66conv6 · 02-25-2007, 06:12 PM

My experience with stabbing a filter is it tears the filter and makes a mess and doesn't necessairly come off. Use a Filter socket-- 5-10usd.

catsgrave · 02-26-2007, 01:22 AM

thanks for the reply guys,

I bought 2 types of filter removal.. n i still cant get it done. i am bringin my car to the mechanics and get them to do a major service. I might get 1 of them to show me how to get that bloody thing out.

monito · 02-26-2007, 03:55 AM

by one of those cheap oil filter wrench bands
bond it to the oil filter [glue, rubber cement etc]

and force it off... also try PB Blaster or similar pentetrant. it's possible the gasket's completely gone, and the metal filter bonded w/ the body.

timebuilder · 02-26-2007, 08:22 AM

Fredk mentioned the fix.

Find the "strap" type of filter wrench. Generally, it's a piece of square tube with a strong nylon strap captured in a groove on the side. The more you turn the square tube the tighter the strap becomes. I used to place an extra piece of metal under the area where the box channel presses against the side of the filter, to prevent the box from distorting the side of the filter. When the filter starts to "give" there, you are no longer exerting turning force.

Place the strap wrench as close to the bottom of the filter as possible, near to where the filter contacts the block. You want to be trying to turn the filter in the opposite direction of the hands of a clock, therefore the term "counterclockwise" or "anticlockwise."

I have removed the most difficult filters used on everything from Kawasaki lawn mower engines to tractor trailer engines (Caterpillar, Cummins, Detroit, International) by using the same strap wrench. I only bring it out for the bad ones.

If you properly install the new filter, the Toyota cup wrench will work fine from now on.

Doctor J · 02-26-2007, 08:55 AM

The strap and similar wrenches are difficult to use on 3SFE due to the limited space.
If filter is standard size use cup wrench. You may also slightly bump it in to make sure it seating tight on the filter.
Spray the area near the filter base with penetrating oil. After 30 minutes, start the engine and let it warm (1/4 scale on the gage), then shut it off .Proceed with filter removal.

***HomeGrown*** · 02-26-2007, 11:55 AM

In situations like this, it's usually the rubber seal that has absolutely bonded itself to the face that it seals against. The best-case senerio is that you can get it off with some type of wrench. If that doesn't work, you usually have to use a destructive method to remove it. 66conv6 is right, I've never had much luck with the screwdriver-stab method. The can material is usually too weak to allow any kind of torque to be applied to it, although it has worked once for me.

BTW: 2001 was the last filter change?? How many miles has it been?

Oh, and welcome to the forum!!

car_boy_16 · 02-26-2007, 01:46 PM

...time to get out the sawzall!! Tear that bastard up, then get a wrench and rip that damn filter off. Cap it off, refill oil, wash your hands, get a beer.... and you're

fredk · 02-26-2007, 08:44 PM

u betcha, that will make a big mess though, the strap will whoop its ass

***HomeGrown*** · 02-26-2007, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by car_boy_16

...time to get out the sawzall!! Tear that bastard up, then get a wrench and rip that damn filter off. Cap it off, refill oil, wash your hands, get a beer.... and you're

Nope. Drink a beer first, then open another beer and grab the strap wrench. Remove & replace filter, wash hands, drink remaining beer.

BTW: "... slower than a school bus"

I like that. Sad, though...

ozzi · 02-28-2007, 08:30 AM

Try using a piece of the urethane tool drawer liner that feels sticky.
Put around filter.
Use a belt or strap and go around the liner and filter and the end of a long socket extension placed down the side of the filter.
Wrap sos the strap chokes the filter in the undo direction when you tighten the strap with the extension.
Attach rachet to extension and hold strap as you twist.

ozzi