Community Forums

DGBPokes · 10-22-2019, 06:28 PM

Every so often I change the oil and filters myself, mainly to check things myself. Today I decided to change the oil and filters, etc in our Nissan Frontier toad. The drain plug was in gorilla tight, but I got if off, and changed the oil. Oil filter would NOT come off. Worked on it for an hour, 2 band wrenches, 2 strap wrenches, a cap tool, finally a 14” pipe wrench. Was starting to crunch, and I said no...put the oil in, and drive down to the place that changed it last time. They put it on, way to tight, let them take it off. I was hot!

A pleasant surprise; no problem, they’d be glad to swap them, old for new. I ask,how much brand new oil am I going to loose? None!
They took a shop vac, opened the oil fill cap, a gal held the shop vac over the opening, while the guy below swapped the filters. Didn’t loose but a few drops of oil! I’ve never seen that done before.

1320Fastback · 10-22-2019, 06:40 PM

Is the oil filter inverted?

If the engine is off and once pressure is gone either inverted or not you shouldn't really lose more than the filter capacity.

I had a identical situation happen with my mom's Oldsmobuick. She always went to the dealer but one time I decided to do it for her after changing out a 02 sensor but couldn't get the filter off. If the car had been in my shop is stab a screwdriver though it, peel it open and chisels it loose via it's flange where all the little holes are but since I wasn't home I took it back to the dealer. Apparently Arnold also works there as well as your place. Lol

engine103 · 10-22-2019, 06:42 PM

Last month I installed a quick drain (not Fumoto) on my Monaco Signature ISM 500 with eleven gallons of oil in the pan. Did not lose a drop. Wife held ShopVac hose and I changed plug. Have also done this on my Duramax. A small one or two gallon vac will work.

WantAB · 10-22-2019, 06:46 PM

Drive a long screwdriver through the filter and turn the filter off.

theoldwizard · 10-22-2019, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WantAB

Drive a long screwdriver through the filter and turn the filter off.

When that does not work (shreds the housing) hammer and chisel on the remain base plate but BE CAREFUL NOT TO NICK THE MOUNTING SURFACE !

twinboat · 10-22-2019, 07:42 PM

You don't need a vacuum to change an oil filter. Its not going to pull the oil out of it. You would need to let air into the bottom of the filter by putting a hole in it.

When you started the engine, to take it back, you pushed the old oil, in the filter, thru the engine and mixed it with the new.

Then when they changed the filter, you lost a filters amount of oil OR the underneath guy dumped it into the new filter. Not the prescribed method.

The shop vac is used to swap leaking drain plugs. It puts the crankcase under negetive pressure so that oil don't drain out..

Dark Sky · 10-22-2019, 09:22 PM

Sort of on topic.... a couple of times I've encountered filters on so tight that a strap wrench wouldn't budge them. I put a piece of sandpaper, maybe 160 grit in between the wrench and filter and got it off. I've done the screwdriver thing but now I'll always try the sandpaper before resorting to that.

drdarrin · 10-22-2019, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark Sky

Sort of on topic.... a couple of times I've encountered filters on so tight that a strap wrench wouldn't budge them. I put a piece of sandpaper, maybe 160 grit in between the wrench and filter and got it off. I've done the screwdriver thing but now I'll always try the sandpaper before resorting to that.

Excellent idea. I hate when I allow someone else to change my filter. Always seems Magilla Gorilla screwed it down.