Jean-Paul Lanaux

I am attempting my first oil filter change in my 04 Wrangler. Luckily I
have a spare auto. I crushed the filter, the factory spun the filter on
too tight. Does any reader out there have any magic tricks for this
unlucky guy on how to best remove the filter? I scowered the net using
google and was surprised to see that there is no info on this topic.

Two ideas:

a) multiple wrenches,

b) someone suggested a screwdriver with a hammer, tapping the
screwdriver blade into the lip which would dig in and cause it to turn
at the same time.

Fred W.

"Jean-Paul Lanaux" <jpl@jplanaux.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1b050a564d5c9fe3989688@netnews.worldnet.a tt.net...
> I am attempting my first oil filter change in my 04 Wrangler. Luckily I
> have a spare auto. I crushed the filter, the factory spun the filter on
> too tight. Does any reader out there have any magic tricks for this
> unlucky guy on how to best remove the filter? I scowered the net using
> google and was surprised to see that there is no info on this topic.
>
> Two ideas:
>
> a) multiple wrenches,
>
> b) someone suggested a screwdriver with a hammer, tapping the
> screwdriver blade into the lip which would dig in and cause it to turn
> at the same time.

What kind of filter wrench are you using? I use the type that is a flat
steel band with a handle on the ends. When oriented in the right direction,
yanking on the handle tightens the band around the filter. More yanking,
more tightening. I can't imagine there is a filter that is stuck too much
for this kind of wrench to get it off, though I did break the spot welds off
on the metal strap once. Replaced the welds with some screws and nuts and
it is now better than new.

I'd avoid the "whack it with a screwdriver" technique in case you go through
and score the gasket surface.

I doubt the factory spun it on too tight, the gasket is probably just stuck
after sitting (transport and waiting to be sold) for a long time.

-Fred W

Fred W.

"Jean-Paul Lanaux" <jpl@jplanaux.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1b050a564d5c9fe3989688@netnews.worldnet.a tt.net...
> I am attempting my first oil filter change in my 04 Wrangler. Luckily I
> have a spare auto. I crushed the filter, the factory spun the filter on
> too tight. Does any reader out there have any magic tricks for this
> unlucky guy on how to best remove the filter? I scowered the net using
> google and was surprised to see that there is no info on this topic.
>
> Two ideas:
>
> a) multiple wrenches,
>
> b) someone suggested a screwdriver with a hammer, tapping the
> screwdriver blade into the lip which would dig in and cause it to turn
> at the same time.

What kind of filter wrench are you using? I use the type that is a flat
steel band with a handle on the ends. When oriented in the right direction,
yanking on the handle tightens the band around the filter. More yanking,
more tightening. I can't imagine there is a filter that is stuck too much
for this kind of wrench to get it off, though I did break the spot welds off
on the metal strap once. Replaced the welds with some screws and nuts and
it is now better than new.

I'd avoid the "whack it with a screwdriver" technique in case you go through
and score the gasket surface.

I doubt the factory spun it on too tight, the gasket is probably just stuck
after sitting (transport and waiting to be sold) for a long time.

-Fred W

Fred W.

"Jean-Paul Lanaux" <jpl@jplanaux.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1b050a564d5c9fe3989688@netnews.worldnet.a tt.net...
> I am attempting my first oil filter change in my 04 Wrangler. Luckily I
> have a spare auto. I crushed the filter, the factory spun the filter on
> too tight. Does any reader out there have any magic tricks for this
> unlucky guy on how to best remove the filter? I scowered the net using
> google and was surprised to see that there is no info on this topic.
>
> Two ideas:
>
> a) multiple wrenches,
>
> b) someone suggested a screwdriver with a hammer, tapping the
> screwdriver blade into the lip which would dig in and cause it to turn
> at the same time.

What kind of filter wrench are you using? I use the type that is a flat
steel band with a handle on the ends. When oriented in the right direction,
yanking on the handle tightens the band around the filter. More yanking,
more tightening. I can't imagine there is a filter that is stuck too much
for this kind of wrench to get it off, though I did break the spot welds off
on the metal strap once. Replaced the welds with some screws and nuts and
it is now better than new.

I'd avoid the "whack it with a screwdriver" technique in case you go through
and score the gasket surface.

I doubt the factory spun it on too tight, the gasket is probably just stuck
after sitting (transport and waiting to be sold) for a long time.

-Fred W

Fred W.

"Jean-Paul Lanaux" <jpl@jplanaux.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1b050a564d5c9fe3989688@netnews.worldnet.a tt.net...
> I am attempting my first oil filter change in my 04 Wrangler. Luckily I
> have a spare auto. I crushed the filter, the factory spun the filter on
> too tight. Does any reader out there have any magic tricks for this
> unlucky guy on how to best remove the filter? I scowered the net using
> google and was surprised to see that there is no info on this topic.
>
> Two ideas:
>
> a) multiple wrenches,
>
> b) someone suggested a screwdriver with a hammer, tapping the
> screwdriver blade into the lip which would dig in and cause it to turn
> at the same time.

What kind of filter wrench are you using? I use the type that is a flat
steel band with a handle on the ends. When oriented in the right direction,
yanking on the handle tightens the band around the filter. More yanking,
more tightening. I can't imagine there is a filter that is stuck too much
for this kind of wrench to get it off, though I did break the spot welds off
on the metal strap once. Replaced the welds with some screws and nuts and
it is now better than new.

I'd avoid the "whack it with a screwdriver" technique in case you go through
and score the gasket surface.

I doubt the factory spun it on too tight, the gasket is probably just stuck
after sitting (transport and waiting to be sold) for a long time.

-Fred W

mike92105

I think my dad used to use his belt as an oil wrench, seemed to work fine
back then.

"Jean-Paul Lanaux" <jpl@jplanaux.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1b050a564d5c9fe3989688@netnews.worldnet.a tt.net...
> I am attempting my first oil filter change in my 04 Wrangler. Luckily I
> have a spare auto. I crushed the filter, the factory spun the filter on
> too tight. Does any reader out there have any magic tricks for this
> unlucky guy on how to best remove the filter? I scowered the net using
> google and was surprised to see that there is no info on this topic.
>
> Two ideas:
>
> a) multiple wrenches,
>
> b) someone suggested a screwdriver with a hammer, tapping the
> screwdriver blade into the lip which would dig in and cause it to turn
> at the same time.

mike92105

I think my dad used to use his belt as an oil wrench, seemed to work fine
back then.

"Jean-Paul Lanaux" <jpl@jplanaux.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1b050a564d5c9fe3989688@netnews.worldnet.a tt.net...
> I am attempting my first oil filter change in my 04 Wrangler. Luckily I
> have a spare auto. I crushed the filter, the factory spun the filter on
> too tight. Does any reader out there have any magic tricks for this
> unlucky guy on how to best remove the filter? I scowered the net using
> google and was surprised to see that there is no info on this topic.
>
> Two ideas:
>
> a) multiple wrenches,
>
> b) someone suggested a screwdriver with a hammer, tapping the
> screwdriver blade into the lip which would dig in and cause it to turn
> at the same time.

mike92105

I think my dad used to use his belt as an oil wrench, seemed to work fine
back then.

"Jean-Paul Lanaux" <jpl@jplanaux.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1b050a564d5c9fe3989688@netnews.worldnet.a tt.net...
> I am attempting my first oil filter change in my 04 Wrangler. Luckily I
> have a spare auto. I crushed the filter, the factory spun the filter on
> too tight. Does any reader out there have any magic tricks for this
> unlucky guy on how to best remove the filter? I scowered the net using
> google and was surprised to see that there is no info on this topic.
>
> Two ideas:
>
> a) multiple wrenches,
>
> b) someone suggested a screwdriver with a hammer, tapping the
> screwdriver blade into the lip which would dig in and cause it to turn
> at the same time.

mike92105

I think my dad used to use his belt as an oil wrench, seemed to work fine
back then.

"Jean-Paul Lanaux" <jpl@jplanaux.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1b050a564d5c9fe3989688@netnews.worldnet.a tt.net...
> I am attempting my first oil filter change in my 04 Wrangler. Luckily I
> have a spare auto. I crushed the filter, the factory spun the filter on
> too tight. Does any reader out there have any magic tricks for this
> unlucky guy on how to best remove the filter? I scowered the net using
> google and was surprised to see that there is no info on this topic.
>
> Two ideas:
>
> a) multiple wrenches,
>
> b) someone suggested a screwdriver with a hammer, tapping the
> screwdriver blade into the lip which would dig in and cause it to turn
> at the same time.

Jeff Lowe

"Jean-Paul Lanaux" <jpl@jplanaux.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1b050a564d5c9fe3989688@netnews.worldnet.a tt.net...
> I am attempting my first oil filter change in my 04 Wrangler. Luckily I
> have a spare auto. I crushed the filter, the factory spun the filter on
> too tight. Does any reader out there have any magic tricks for this
> unlucky guy on how to best remove the filter? I scowered the net using
> google and was surprised to see that there is no info on this topic.
> Two ideas:
> a) multiple wrenches,
> b) someone suggested a screwdriver with a hammer, tapping the
> screwdriver blade into the lip which would dig in and cause it to turn
> at the same time.

Last resort: Punch a pry bar through the filter and use that to lever it
loose.

Been there, done that, got the greasy T-shirt.

Jeff