Stuck oil filter - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

mr_tyrone · 05-01-2009, 11:06 AM

Does anyone know how to remove a stuck oil filter? the black rubber coating in fram filter melted, so the socket i'm using doesnt work anymore. and can i remove the filter without removing the oil?

Cman46290 · 05-01-2009, 01:47 PM

Some oil will come out when removing the filter... but not all... you will need to top off the oil after taking the filter off.... as far as getting it off.... just use a gorilla grip with your hands and turn it off... or take a pair of oil filter pliers and get it off....

mikered30 · 05-01-2009, 01:50 PM

Strap wrench.

johnoh · 05-01-2009, 02:39 PM

punch a long screwdriver through it laterally near the bottom. Then just turn the screwdriver

adrianm413 · 05-02-2009, 12:14 AM

strap wrench works wonders

bbsgarage · 05-04-2009, 11:59 AM

I wouldnt use the screw driver through the filter trick, because if it is really stuck, you will simply tear up the filter and then you are really screwed.

Use a strap or clamp-on type of wrench.

02zx9r · 05-13-2009, 07:06 AM

I have had to use the screwdriver/hammer method around 4 times in my lifetime, It has worked for me every time.

But like bbs said, you potentially can really screw yourself *IF* it doesnt work.

rsirois · 05-13-2009, 07:31 AM

I've had the screwdrive/hammer method fail on my 86 Dodge Colt. I tore it in half with the screwdriver. The cure was to remove most of the front bumper and grill so I could use a pipe wrench on the thick metal piece at the bottom. It was a 16 hour day and I think it would be worse on a Corolla as the filter is in an inaccessible place.

Spend a few bucks on a strap wrench and only hand tighten when putting it on so you can remove by hand the next time. After my incident I stopped having the oil done because oil change places put them on too tight.

What happened to cook off the Fram coating? I've used them since they came out because the filter is much easier to remove. I've never had one melt.