hig4s

Drained the oil last night and couldn't get the filter off. Don't remember what brand filter I bought last time but needed a different size wrench than the Bosch I usually get. tried the generic strap wrench and it just started to crush the filter. Had to have the car for work this morning so just stopped and put oil in.

I will need ramps or a lift to get far enough under to get the leverage needed to get the filter off, but wondered can the filter be changed without draining the oil? It looks like it is mounted high enough above the bottom of the oil pan that it might be possible.

Thanks.

Gman in NC

I would think so. I use M1 filters and it is different than the original too. I stick with that one knowing my wrench is good.

joeking

Yes you can remove the filter and will only lose the amount of oil in the filter. They can be tough to get loose sometimes even if they are only hand or finger tightened.

hisvett

I'm not a fan of the "Strap Wrench", I prefer the stamped out socket type that fit on the exposed end of the filter and use a 3/8" ratchet to drive it. http://www.walmart.com/ip/39577471?w...960048&veh=sem

scottaolsen

A big pair of channel locks will always get an oil filter off.

jrose7004

Be sure and fill the filter with oil before you install it. I've driven a screw driver into a oil filter to get leverage to turn it before.

SSWEET

Old School....

AORoads

Still, the issue isn't being able to get the filter off---mostly, it's about having the room to "leverage" it off with more strength. I've used the strap and seen it crush filters (on other cars), and also used the jrose screwdriver-thru-the-filter when all else failed (that I had readily available). Should come off with a little more room to work no matter what you use.

Mikado463

and don't forget to put a light coating of oil on the new filter gasket prior to installing.

Don-Vette

I always hammer a screwdriver through filter this will take any filter off. I had to do it to my son's girlfriends a brand new Nissan Altima. Since then i bought myself a quality oil filter wrench works on any size.

orca1946

And remember to check to see if a gasket is on the new filter, I had one that did not and turned the driveway into an Exxon valdese type of disaster cuz I did not check it!!

Bruze

Yup, I have various types of filter wrenches, but none of them would work with a Japanese truck I used to have. There was no room; you could barely see the filter.

So I bought the biggest set of channel locks they make. Worked good, although I still had to work nearly blind.

Seadawg

Try slowly turning the filter, keeping constant pressure on it. Most times, they will slooowwwwllllyyy creep loose, then you can remove it.

I use a pair of "filter pliers" that look like large channel locks to remove mine, here is a link with a pic.
And you can change it later, just fill with oil as also recommended above.

Don-Vette

Yep. Those are the ones I got at Advance auto!

HOXXOH

The screwdriver method has always worked for me. To avoid the oil dripping mess, I first poke a small hole near the bottom with an awl to let the filter drain. When it stops dripping, I thread a sheet metal screw in the hole before inserting the screwdriver part way up the side.

hig4s

Those look good, I'm ordering. Thanks don-vette, seadawg

Seadawg

Hoxxoh kept me honest, I do poke a hole in the bottom like he does, it makes for less mess when removing the filter

scottaolsen

Yea, those are ok, but they're only good on oil filers. A nice big pair of channel locks works on all kinds of stuff.

Dave S

Once you get the old filter off, think about using a K&N filter. They have a big hex nut welded to the bottom of the can that makes removal a cinch. Just don't use the hex to tighten the new filter....hand tight only. And as others have posted, be sure the old gasket comes off with the old filter & fill the canister with fresh oil before installation.

Red08

I had the same problem the first time I changed the oil on the used vette I bought. I tried 2 or 3 different style oil filter wrenches. What finally worked was a large channel-locks pliers. That did it.