Oil filter removal!!

[Lance]

I feel a bit silly asking a question like this as I removed my driveshafts and cleaned and re greased them BUT I come to do a routine oil change (first one, only had car couple months) it's a 2.5 16v but the oil filter although teasingly accessible I can't seem to get in to twist it, doesn't seem enough room either side it's just awkward, I bought a K&N oil filter which has the nut on top so next time easy peasy! How do I remove the old one, is there a special tool I can buy, i don't really want to take my car to the garage just for an oil change!

 

[edh]

Lots of tools out there for this job

I use Something like this

Just be careful not to snag any coolant hoses or wires

oh - and watch out for the gush of oil as you lift the filter off....you can catch most of it with strategically placed rags I'm told, but I never seem to be completely successful

 

[Lance]

Thanks, just what I was hoping for and thanks for the tip!

 

[tref]

Punching a hole in the top of the old filter first allows the oil contained to drain back down to the sump, considerably reducing the amount which needs to be cleaned up/caught.

 

[kdp]

If you do decide to punch a hole in it I would make sure you are able to loosen it first for obvious reasons.

 

[T3rra]

Stab a screw driver though it and use that the undo it. Put a bucket on the engine ready to drop it in too

 

[supersport]

ORIGINAL: edh


oh - and watch out for the gush of oil as you lift the filter off....you can catch most of it with strategically placed rags I'm told, but I never seem to be completely successful

Me either []

 

[Mike_Pollock]

I do it with a large cardboard box flattened underneath and just clear up after.

6 years, twice a year and always some escapes my best efforts

 

[robdimond]

This is what I use:
http://www.northwalestools.co.uk/laser-3117---oil-filter-wrench----76mm-x-14-flutes-96598-p.asp

and I manage to spill oil everywhere as well!

With the 16V cars the heater valve is in the way which makes it even harder to get in.

 

[Neil Haughey]

I have one of those Laser oil filter sockets as well. They sell em in Halfords. Definitely the easiest way to get the filter off. I have tried putting a plastic bag underneath the filter to catch the oil but nothing seems foolproof, I think there will always be some amount of clean up.

 

[colin944]

I managed to change the oil filter on my car with out spilling any oil.

This is how I did it.

1 remove engine from car

2 mount engine on an engine stand.

3 remove sump plug and drain oil.

4 Leave engine on stand for a few days/ months to allow the oil to drain.

5 Turn engine upside down on stand

6 remove oil filter

7 hey presto no drips

Easy [][][]

 

[tref]

Oh, one thing that does help... put the headlights up - it gives you just a little bit more room to get the oil filter out!

 

[Lance]

Thanks for all the tips guys! I've done it! I bought a strap with a side mounted socket did the trick, the new one has a nut on top so next time will be easy! Oh and yes I got oil on the drive despite my best efforts!

 

[ChasR]

I on this 944 managed to reduce the oil spillage, but surely there has to be a tidier way (any one here wish to share?).

On mine besides stuffing rags around the filter I also covered the PAS pump in rags too which seems to be the first victim in getting covered in oil. This time around there was no oil on the drive .