Can't get oil filter off...ideas?

[rickhow]

New 07 Corolla. Due for its first oil change. Bought my 5 qts (know I only need 4.2) of synthetic oil and my fram filter. Crawled under car...slipped on my filter "socket", inserted socket wrench...can't get the darn thing to budge at all. It is like it is soldered in place. Like all car companies they didn't put the filter in the easiest spot to get at..but I just can't get it to budge. I think the killer is it is at a slight angle, and when you insert socket wrench extension it is hard to turn it at an angle..so little room. Any ideas on how to get this off...or am I stuck returning the oil/filter and going to Jiffy or Toyota dealer and paying through the nose for them to do it? Thanks (ps. I also have an 07 HHR..what a breeze..the filter is on the top of the engine..you just open a screw on cap, pull out the filter, push in new, screw back on cap...come on Toyota, get with it! ).

[Nutter]

Well, in the past, when I've had an oil filter i couldn't remove, i just jam a screwdriver through the side of it and use that; however, once you do that, you're committed to getting it off yourself because you can't drive it anywhere.

[freakinbox]

try using the strap style filter remover, they are pretty handy!, if the one your using has the jaws I find they are more of a pain then anything

[daniel2002p]

mine came off with a lot of budging just dont give up and eventually it wil come of

D

[mikered30]

Originally Posted by rickhow

New 07 Corolla. Due for its first oil change. Bought my 5 qts (know I only need 4.2) of synthetic oil and my fram filter. Crawled under car...slipped on my filter "socket", inserted socket wrench...can't get the darn thing to budge at all. It is like it is soldered in place. Like all car companies they didn't put the filter in the easiest spot to get at..but I just can't get it to budge. I think the killer is it is at a slight angle, and when you insert socket wrench extension it is hard to turn it at an angle..so little room. Any ideas on how to get this off...or am I stuck returning the oil/filter and going to Jiffy or Toyota dealer and paying through the nose for them to do it? Thanks (ps. I also have an 07 HHR..what a breeze..the filter is on the top of the engine..you just open a screw on cap, pull out the filter, push in new, screw back on cap...come on Toyota, get with it! ).

Fram filters, AKA orange can of death, suck, they are horrible. OEM, WIX/NAPA Gold or P1 work much better than the Fram.

[daniel2002p]

yea i heard fram sux too... maybe someone can explain as to why I NEVER use them... but im sure they suck at filtering lol

D

[sponger]

Do 50 push ups a day for 3-4 weeks and try again. J/K. I had a tough time with mine too and I bench about 230.

[rice]

trust me, been there, done that.

[touringcamry]

Is the filter turning at all or is the cap wrench just slipping off every time you try to turn it?

The original filter on my 07 Camry was very difficult to remove. I first tried a cap/socket wrench but the when I turned, the cap would just rotate off the filter. The filter is located on the passenger side and recessed so that it can only be removed from the bottom unless the wheel and plastic splash panel is removed.

I ended up tearing up the box for the new filter and sticking strips of the paperboard in the cap to take up space so that it couldn't just slip off the filter. It took a lot of force, but it came off. Then I had the problem of getting the filter out of the cap which was another chore.

[REN69]

use the oil filter strap wrench, I tried them all on my 89 GTS and the strap was the only one that worked for me in that tight space. It's basically a long metal bar with a square shaped end that plugs into your ratchet (kinda like a socket) and you wrap it around the filter and put it to work.

[rickhow]

You hit the nail right on the head..I turn with all my force and it turns the cap wrench right off the filter eventually...I will try your cardboard trick..and then if that fails I'll look for a strap style that might work. THANKS for all the hints!

[caddymac]

You can go at the filter by reaching down the front of the engine from above. I'd try the strap style wrench, but be warned that it will probably crush your filter like a little girly man.

[AE92_GTS88]

I use something called gorilla grip from my gym when I lift weights. You can get it at ballys total fitness.

[retiredat44]

Originally Posted by caddymac

You can go at the filter by reaching down the front of the engine from above. I'd try the strap style wrench, but be warned that it will probably crush your filter like a little girly man.

a long time ago, the trick was to punch through it with a long skinny screw driver and use it like a t handly to sunscrew it. But, beware, I have recently heard that some people have has the threaded part break off and stay on the engine block. I have never seen that happen, but last time I did that it was with a big block engine. They dirtbags at the factory seem to get their jolly by putting these parts, that they know you must get at, in the worst places. I think they are trying to get even for WWII.

[whatproblems]

yea, breaking it off at the threaded part is horrible... had that happen and had to chisel it out as well as use bolt cutters...