Oil Change

Last weekend I decided to change the oil on the '04. I warmed it up a bit and then let it cool some. I could not for the life of me get the filter off. It is the K&N with the 17mm nut on the end. After I stripped the nut, I tried to get a filter wrench on it to no avail. I had to leave the old filter on and just replace the fluid. Any suggestions? What is the best filter wrench? Why did Honda put the hoses right in front of the filter? I have owned quite a few bikes and this one by far is worst to do simple maintenance on. I am half thinking of trying to get my '95 CB1000 back. Any help on this would be appreciated.

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m317/bluespecv03/Random%20Pics/oilfilterwrench.jpg

Just a few bucks at any auto parts store... Ive NEVER not had a filter come off with this.

There is whole thread on this exact topic last week, do a search. The filter was over tightened, thats all. It's reall not hard to change the oil and filter.

You can also take off those hoses with canister in frt. of the filter. There is a how to if you search.

I cant believe you stripped the end off the K@N filter. You either have the wrong size socket or the filter was installed way, way, too tight.

And like they said in the other thread, drive a big fat screw driver through the thing and turn it off. Might be easier when it's cold too.

Yep same question 2 weeks ago. Here are 2 pages of info. I say dont over tightn it.



STUCK OIL FILTER THREAD

[image: View Post]Shooter, on Mar 1 2009, 01:50 PM, said:

Last weekend I decided to change the oil on the '04. I warmed it up a bit and then let it cool some. I could not for the life of me get the filter off. It is the K&N with the 17mm nut on the end. After I stripped the nut, I tried to get a filter wrench on it to no avail. I had to leave the old filter on and just replace the fluid. Any suggestions? What is the best filter wrench? Why did Honda put the hoses right in front of the filter? I have owned quite a few bikes and this one by far is worst to do simple maintenance on. I am half thinking of trying to get my '95 CB1000 back. Any help on this would be appreciated.

Ok Shooter hold on a minute. I found myself in the same predicament last year. Now before you go and harpoon the filter with a screwdriver and make a mess - try this little trick.

Get a standard automotive hose clamp. The worm gear type that tightens with a slotted hex head is what I used. If you are not sure what I am talking about just goolgle �hose clamp� under images. Tighten the hose clamp around the base of the filter with the hex head in a position such that you can get a socket and extender on it and tap the end of the extender with a hammer or mallet. Be sure to tap in the right direction to loosen the filter. Several taps and you should feel the filter starting to turn.

One reason the filter could be so tight is someone forgot to lubricate the rubber seal with oil when it was installed.

Let me know if this works for you.

Good luck

While I'm not exactly happy with the oil filter situation on my 6th gen VFR, it's a lot better than my last bike; Suzuki GS500 with a Vance & Hines full exhaust system. Designed so poorly that to remove & reinstall the filter, the V&H header has to come free of the head. Thought I was loosing my mind, researched it, found out that this is a known problem with that now out of production exhaust from the fine folks at Vance & Hines.

Thankfully I owned that bike long enough to do just two oil changes before I got rid of it for my VFR.

just go buy a channel lock, oil filter pliers about $12 at home depot no filter stands a chance.

proper tools make life easy and the results good,

ps the new honda filter for the fifth gen will stick if your not careful!

1/4 TURN PAST TIGHT---EVERYONE FORGETS THAT PART OF THE DIRECTIONS :)

Thanks for all of the input. I really don't think I over-tightened it when I put it on (maybe I ate too much wheaties that day), I always lube the seal, and definetly had the correct sized socket on the 17mm head. JONEILL, I really like your suggestion about using the hose clamp. I will go and buy the adjustable filter wrench first, if that doesn't work I will go the hose clamp route. If that still doesn't work, I'm stabbing away with a screw driver. Thanks again, you all are great.

I don't know if it is the case here, but I think that having that nut at the end of some filters tempts some owners to use it and end up overtightening on the filter when they put a wrench on it when they put it on.
I always just use my hands to install the filter using just feel to figure if it's tight enough. The quarter turn beyond first seating generally works, but I go just a little beyond it just to make sure and I never had a problem of the filter ever coming loose or getting stuck.

Beck
95 VFR

the exact fit filter wrenches, = no pain

i always put my filters on by hand... and tight as i can get it by hand. this works out to something approaching 1/4 turn past tight (usually a little less), with the gasket lubed with oil.

usually comes off by hand as well. and doesn't leak a drop.

I priced the "official" Honda filter wrench at my local stealership...$39.95!! :ohmy:

[image: View Post]dendron, on Mar 1 2009, 05:30 PM, said:

I priced the "official" Honda filter wrench at my local stealership...$39.95!! :ohmy:


$2.99 at autozone