6th gen Stuck Oil Filter

O.K., so I'm doing a routine oil change, the oil is drained and the new filter(Wal-Mart Super Tech ST7317)is spinning on nicely.  I'm using the official Honda oil filter wrench/socket (P/N 07AAA-PLCA100) at $40.00 a pop   :fing02: .  I break out the torque wrench to torque it down to 20 ft./lbs per the manual and just before reaching the spec the Honda wrench/socket starts spinning.  I immediately think, "Oh crap, I've stripped the threads with my recently acquired HF torque wrench!"  A closer inspection reveals that the "hex" stamping indentations on the new Super Tech oil filter are so rounded off that the Honda filter wrench/socket won't work beyond maybe 15 ft./lbs., and it just spins in either direction, tightening or loosening.

Now, I can't get the filter to back off so that I can replace it with something more substantial.  I've tried a classic auto strap filter wrench and discovered there's not enough room to make that work as it should, and now I'm in a quandary.  Anyone have any thoughts on how to remove the cheesy Wal-Mart filter? Thanks in advance!

[image: View Post]dendron, on 19 November 2009 - 01:06 AM, said:

O.K., so I'm doing a routine oil change, the oil is drained and the new filter(Wal-Mart Super Tech ST7317)is spinning on nicely.  I'm using the official Honda oil filter wrench/socket (P/N 07AAA-PLCA100) at $40.00 a pop   :goofy: .  I break out the torque wrench to torque it down to 20 ft./lbs per the manual and just before reaching the spec the Honda wrench/socket starts spinning.  I immediately think, "Oh crap, I've stripped the threads with my recently acquired HF torque wrench!"  A closer inspection reveals that the "hex" stamping indentations on the new Super Tech oil filter are so rounded off that the Honda filter wrench/socket won't work beyond maybe 15 ft./lbs., and it just spins in either direction, tightening or loosening.

Now, I can't get the filter to back off so that I can replace it with something more substantial.  I've tried a classic auto strap filter wrench and discovered there's not enough room to make that work as it should, and now I'm in a quandary.  Anyone have any thoughts on how to remove the cheesy Wal-Mart filter? Thanks in advance!

Have you tried wrapping a rubber band around it and just using your hand? sounds silly but it may work--get the thick ones, the ones that hold the broccoli together. I've read in other threads that some people use the stabbing technique: stab with your favorite sharp screwdriver and unscrew. Replace with a better filter. And then go eat the broccoli, it's good for ya...   :ph34r:    :fing02:   

Good luck!
c

[image: View Post]dendron, on 19 November 2009 - 01:06 AM, said:

O.K., so I'm doing a routine oil change, the oil is drained and the new filter(Wal-Mart Super Tech ST7317)is spinning on nicely.  I'm using the official Honda oil filter wrench/socket (P/N 07AAA-PLCA100) at $40.00 a pop   :fing02: .  I break out the torque wrench to torque it down to 20 ft./lbs per the manual and just before reaching the spec the Honda wrench/socket starts spinning.  I immediately think, "Oh crap, I've stripped the threads with my recently acquired HF torque wrench!"  A closer inspection reveals that the "hex" stamping indentations on the new Super Tech oil filter are so rounded off that the Honda filter wrench/socket won't work beyond maybe 15 ft./lbs., and it just spins in either direction, tightening or loosening.

Now, I can't get the filter to back off so that I can replace it with something more substantial.  I've tried a classic auto strap filter wrench and discovered there's not enough room to make that work as it should, and now I'm in a quandary.  Anyone have any thoughts on how to remove the cheesy Wal-Mart filter? Thanks in advance!

The rubber band thing sounds like a good trick, I haven't tried it but it sure can't hurt to try..... But if it's on good enough that you can't get it off at this time.... Why not wait till you need to change your oil again, then worry about getting it off.... NOTE: although I don't know the quality of the filter, as far as how good it filters.

Large channel locks should work as well even if you crush the filter a bit. In the future never torque a oil filter. Hand tighten then another half turn at max!

[image: View Post]drb, on 19 November 2009 - 03:41 AM, said:

Large channel locks should work as well even if you crush the filter a bit. In the future never torque a oil filter. Hand tighten then another half turn at max!

:goofy: :blush:   

Funny thing, I use Honda filters and a cheap Walmart oil filter wrench!   :fing02: I only use the wrench to take the old filters off, the new ones get spun on & tightened by hand!   :ph34r:

Filter wrench???

I just use a metal band filter wrench.  Depending on the way you put it on, it either grips lefty-loosey or rightey-tightey and has some serious muscle.  There's room in there to use it too, so I'm not sure why you can't get a grip on it?

If you're using one of those fabric strap ones, they suck.

[image: View Post]kaldek, on 19 November 2009 - 06:32 AM, said:

Filter wrench???

I just use a metal band filter wrench.  Depending on the way you put it on, it either grips lefty-loosey or rightey-tightey and has some serious muscle.  There's room in there to use it too, so I'm not sure why you can't get a grip on it?

If you're using one of those fabric strap ones, they suck.

These are similar to what I have, which is very similar to the Honda tool. They work with a 3/8" ratchet + extension. $2-$5 at Walmart; take an old filter with you as there are different sizes to choose from.

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+1 on not using a torque wrench. I have always hand tightened oil filters on anything I change the oil on, and as a bike tech I've change a lot of oil. In my experience, oil filters have a tendency to tighten a bit over time, so I see no need to use any more force than necessary. I would also be a bit sceptical of the accuracy of a harbor freight torque wrench.

Those supertech filter do a pretty good job.  Check bobistheoilguy.com for a  review.  I've never used a torque wrech to tighen a oil filter.  I hand tight it.  Once the filter's o ring touches the engine block, turn the filter another 3/4 of a turn and you're done.  I do this to all my cars, bikes and friends cars.  NEVER a problem.

This is what I use to get off stubborn filters.  [image: Posted Image]

I use this bad boy here:
http://www.go-fast-p...om/5709429.html
Couldn't post image for some reason... :fing02:

It is about $6 and works beautifully.
As the effort increases, it tightens and bites into the filter more.
Also fits quite nicely between the pipes of the viffer.

And as the other have said, never use tools to tighten the filter.  Use hands and always wet the seal with oil.

This is your friend, buy one and never worry about getting an oil filter off again.


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If you're really looking for a cheap and quick way to get it off, take a Phillips screwdriver, put it somewhere near the end of the filter (so you don't hit the threads on the bike) and smack it with a rubber mallet to drive it through the diameter of the filter. You may have to do this a couple times to get it turned far enough, but it works in a pinch. I've had to do it several times. The filters are always tighter at the end of their life than when first installed. Hopefully some of the other suggestions work as this can be a bit messy, but if you need a last resort option...

I'm amazed at the variety of "better moustraps" out there!  All these cool wrenches and still no one has posted the one that I use most often.  Craftsman Universal Oil Filter Wrench.

I have some of those socket style wrenches posted up-thread, including the size that fits the Honda filter.  But they have to be so precise to work and not just round off the filter, that I end up reaching for this universal one with the fingers most often.

Plus the articulating fingers and their little gears please the gadget lover in me.   :fing02:

Wow, I can't even imagine torquing an oil filter and would never believe it would be a 20 ft lb spec!   :fing02:   Is it really?

I've never installed any oil filter with anything but my hand, unless I can't gat my hand on it, then it's just a lite snugging with a wrench.   :laugh:

Sorry your having an issue!  I've used nothing but the Wal-Mart Super Tech ST7317 filters on all my Honda's and have never had an issue. Their superior to the Honda piece according to several test, mostly because of their filter membrane. Made by Champion and inexpensive!   :laugh:

like a couple others have mentioned, just put it on hand tight. it's more than sufficient and you won't have to fight to get it off when the time comes.

i've never lost a drop of oil doing it this way.  it just doesn't need to be any tighter and will naturally tighten up slightly over it's life on the bike.

[image: View Post]superchode, on 19 November 2009 - 11:06 AM, said:

like a couple others have mentioned, just put it on hand tight. it's more than sufficient and you won't have to fight to get it off when the time comes.

i've never lost a drop of oil doing it this way.  it just doesn't need to be any tighter and will naturally tighten up slightly over it's life on the bike.

The VFR's filters work this way, since they have o-ring seals with a round cross section.  Some other bikes use filters whose o-ring seals have a square cross section, and those need to be tightened further, with a wrench.  Suzuki is fond of these.

[image: View Post]Baileyrock, on 19 November 2009 - 11:00 AM, said:

Wow, I can't even imagine torquing an oil filter and would never believe it would be a 20 ft lb spec!   :fing02:   Is it really?

I've never installed any oil filter with anything but my hand, unless I can't gat my hand on it, then it's just a lite snugging with a wrench.   :laugh:

Sorry your having an issue!  I've used nothing but the Wal-Mart Super Tech ST7317 filters on all my Honda's and have never had an issue. Their superior to the Honda piece according to several test, mostly because of their filter membrane. Made by Champion and inexpensive!   :laugh:
Never torqued one either, but 20ft/lbs did sound a bit high to me too. :wub:

[image: View Post]elizilla, on 19 November 2009 - 11:09 AM, said:

The VFR's filters work this way, since they have o-ring seals with a round cross section.  Some other bikes use filters whose o-ring seals have a square cross section, and those need to be tightened further, with a wrench.  Suzuki is fond of these.

good info. i've never seen anything but the o-ring seal on any of the cars or bikes i've owned (yamaha and honda for bikes). we did my buddy's porsche the other day, it was an o-ring filter and mounted vertically, so it drains itself and comes off empty at replacement time, genius!

I've never used a torque wrench installing an oil filter.  I spin it on all the way, then tighten another 1/4 to 1/2 turn.

I've used the Honda oil filter socket before, but it seems like every time I do, the dang filter gets stuck on the socket and it's a pain to get it off the old filter.

Last time I had a filter stuck I used one of those rubber jar opener pads, a cirle about the size of a pancake, to get a better grip on the filter to unseat it.  Almost had to resort to the screwdriver method that time, but it finally popped off.

[image: View Post]MotoDG, on 19 November 2009 - 10:11 AM, said:

If you're really looking for a cheap and quick way to get it off, take a Phillips screwdriver, put it somewhere near the end of the filter (so you don't hit the threads on the bike) and smack it with a rubber mallet to drive it through the diameter of the filter. You may have to do this a couple times to get it turned far enough, but it works in a pinch. I've had to do it several times. The filters are always tighter at the end of their life than when first installed. Hopefully some of the other suggestions work as this can be a bit messy, but if you need a last resort option...


That's what I would do - stab it baby!!

[image: View Post]radar, on 19 November 2009 - 09:39 AM, said:

This is your friend, buy one and never worry about getting an oil filter off again.


[image: Posted Image]

Echoing Radar, here's Lilse Tools version of this wrench. It should be available at most auto parts places. Before you start stabbing the filter or getting more frustrated, go get one. In 20 years, I have never,  NEVER, found a filter that could defeat this puppy. Plus, there's no mess.


http://www.lislecorp...cfm?detail=1224

Spin them on by hand, then another half turn with a wrench and an oil filter socket from Advance Auto.  For peace of mind, I safety wire my filter also.

20 in pounds maybe, I never used a wrench to put one on. The filter will tighten itself w/ the heat cycles so hand tight has always been golden. If all else fails stab that beotch.

Below is my most reliable filter wrench - just sneak it in over the filter, snap on a rachet with a 3" extension and your good to go. The more you pull on it the tighter it graps the filter. Its never let met down.

[image: Posted Image]

MD

[image: View Post]MotoDG, on 19 November 2009 - 10:11 AM, said:

If you're really looking for a cheap and quick way to get it off, take a Phillips screwdriver, put it somewhere near the end of the filter (so you don't hit the threads on the bike) and smack it with a rubber mallet to drive it through the diameter of the filter. You may have to do this a couple times to get it turned far enough, but it works in a pinch. I've had to do it several times. The filters are always tighter at the end of their life than when first installed. Hopefully some of the other suggestions work as this can be a bit messy, but if you need a last resort option...

That has worked for me more than once over the years, with cars and bikes :fing02:

I forgot, when I did my first oil change on my 6gen I found the filter had been put on too tight from the factory, I did the screwdriver trick then.

My emergency filter removal tool is a KBar knife or a screwdriver.  Cuts thru the casing and you just turn.  A little messy!!!

I hand tighten oil filters.

[image: View Post]radar, on 19 November 2009 - 09:39 AM, said:

This is your friend, buy one and never worry about getting an oil filter off again.


[image: Posted Image]

I use this one.. looks similar to Radar's... never had a problem...

Attached Images

• [image: 41tAzvNnLkL__SS500_.jpg]

[image: View Post]dendron, on 19 November 2009 - 01:06 AM, said:

O.K., so I'm doing a routine oil change, the oil is drained and the new filter(Wal-Mart Super Tech ST7317)is spinning on nicely.  I'm using the official Honda oil filter wrench/socket (P/N 07AAA-PLCA100) at $40.00 a pop   :fing02: .  I break out the torque wrench to torque it down to 20 ft./lbs per the manual and just before reaching the spec the Honda wrench/socket starts spinning.  I immediately think, "Oh crap, I've stripped the threads with my recently acquired HF torque wrench!"  A closer inspection reveals that the "hex" stamping indentations on the new Super Tech oil filter are so rounded off that the Honda filter wrench/socket won't work beyond maybe 15 ft./lbs., and it just spins in either direction, tightening or loosening.

Now, I can't get the filter to back off so that I can replace it with something more substantial.  I've tried a classic auto strap filter wrench and discovered there's not enough room to make that work as it should, and now I'm in a quandary.  Anyone have any thoughts on how to remove the cheesy Wal-Mart filter? Thanks in advance!

An easy way to remove a stuck filter is to use a worm gear hose clamp and tighen it at the base of the filter.  Using the socket and extension you used to tighten the clamp, use a hammer to tap it and the filter will start to to turn.  This will get a stuck filter off with deforming it with channel lock pliers or spearing it with a screwdriver.

Good Luck

Wow, thanks for all the great feedback, folks!!  I had no idea there were so many "better mousetraps" (regards to Katherine} available, lots of good ideas here.  And what a great filter tool collection!   :laugh:     For the record, there really is an official Honda torque spec for the oil filter cartridge.  From the '02 service manual, p. 120:

TORQUE VALUES

Oil cooler boss

                      

See page 1-15

Oil pump assembly bolt

              

12 Nm (1.2 kgfm, 9 lbf.ft)

    

Oil pump driven sprocket bolt/washer

18 Nm (1.8 kgf-m, 13 lbf.ft)

  

Oil pressure switch

                  

12 Nm (1.2 kgfm, 9 lbfft)

      

Engine oil filter cartridge

          

26 Nm (2.7 kgfm, 20 Ibf.ft)   :fing02:

Engine oil drain bolt

                

29 Nm (3.0 kgfm, 22 lbf.ft)

Nonetheless, I won't be able to fool with this again until Saturday.  The Super Tech is already beyond hand tight from my initial torque application, so I may just dump some oil (Rotella T synth this time} into it and check the filter seal for weeping after it sits for a bit.  After soaking in all of this cumulative experience I feel a lot better, and I'm sure this filter will work fine after all.  Good posts all!   :beer:

The walmart filters are highly rated on the oil filter test that most refer to. What kind of torque wrench are you using? At low numbers, any inaccuracies can be fatal.