Changing oil filter Grrr
Discussion
You would thing a simple thing like changing an oil filter could cause no problem , for once , for the life of me I can’t see how to unscrew the filter on my Mk 2.5 Sport , almost totally inaccessible.
Youtube is not much help , bit like the Haynes Manual , simply ……….
I can get fingers on it from below , remove the crossbrace and I can touch from above .
Using a strap wrench I can get on the filter but I cant turn it ,
So what is the trick to getting the filter off .
Its not as though I have no mechanical knowledge .Used to prepare and rally a Mk1 Mexico
Youtube is not much help , bit like the Haynes Manual , simply ……….
I can get fingers on it from below , remove the crossbrace and I can touch from above .
Using a strap wrench I can get on the filter but I cant turn it ,
So what is the trick to getting the filter off .
Its not as though I have no mechanical knowledge .Used to prepare and rally a Mk1 Mexico
MXRod said:
Have you got a link for this,ta
That was a random picture... If you search Ebay on "oil filter socket kit" or "oil filter socket set" loads will come up. good luck.I once had to remove an engine to get an oil filter off that someone had butchered with a screw driver trying to remove an awkward filter... these filter sockets are great, and also good for me to nip (only gently though!) the filter back up as my hands are not as strong as they used to be :-(
What type of oil filter removal tool are you using? Granted mine is an NA so maybe there's more in an NB's engine bay but with one of these I'm just about able to tighten it onto the filter and turn it enough to get it going. Once it's a bit loose, I can just about get my hand in there to undo it the rest of the way. Get a rag underneath the filter as oil will drip down.
My removal tool is exactly like this one. At its tightest, it just about grips the tiny MX5 filter enough to undo it...
https://www.toolspecialist.nl/adjustable-oil-filte...
My removal tool is exactly like this one. At its tightest, it just about grips the tiny MX5 filter enough to undo it...
https://www.toolspecialist.nl/adjustable-oil-filte...
The cup type is the best way to go .you can buy a single cup for the correct size. using a 1/4 or 3/8 ratchet you just need to brake the seal then turn of by hand. be careful putting the new filter back on as your nearly doing it blind take care not to catch the oring on the the projecting thread.
KASSL said:
The cup type is the best way to go .you can buy a single cup for the correct size. using a 1/4 or 3/8 ratchet you just need to brake the seal then turn of by hand. be careful putting the new filter back on as your nearly doing it blind take care not to catch the oring on the the projecting thread.
yep, you can buy a single socket, but I find different filter manufactures use different sizes for the same car, which is a pain. My old corolla needed three different sockets, depending on where I bought the filter from!I recently changed the filter on an engine in a barge... none of my sockets would fit... the filter was right down in the bottom of the boat, and the filter difficult to reach. I almost resorted to the screw driver method... but the problem is, once you have distorted the filter there is no going back.
In the end, I got one of my sockets that was just too big, and covered the inside with some cling film. I them smeared it with some body filler and pushed it on to the filter, and waited until it had gone off. It worked a treat!
LeoZwalf said:
What type of oil filter removal tool are you using? Granted mine is an NA so maybe there's more in an NB's engine bay but with one of these I'm just about able to tighten it onto the filter and turn it enough to get it going. Once it's a bit loose, I can just about get my hand in there to undo it the rest of the way. Get a rag underneath the filter as oil will drip down.
My removal tool is exactly like this one. At its tightest, it just about grips the tiny MX5 filter enough to undo it...
https://www.toolspecialist.nl/adjustable-oil-filte...
I am trying with a strap wrench , but am having trouble getting it to stay in position , as you need to wind the tension up so it grips , difficult one handed My removal tool is exactly like this one. At its tightest, it just about grips the tiny MX5 filter enough to undo it...
https://www.toolspecialist.nl/adjustable-oil-filte...
Access is also a serious issue , the car is a Mk2.5 sport , so has a factory fitted strut brace , with the accompanying mounting struts ,and may also have other components not on other variants this just about blocks any access from above , I did release the brace but that was not a lot of help , the plan next w/e is to remove the brace and the turrets , and with my sons help , one above and one below, try again .
All the youtube videos are either US LHD cars where the steering column is the other sides, or cars with a different engine layout , so not a lot of help .
The removal kit looks interesting , and I may look some more to see if I can get a single wrench
The view from above
caelite said:
Bit more 'Haggard Garage' style than the above but, you can get a sharp screwdriver, or blade, punch it through the filter then lever it off using that
You can... and it often works. the problems start when it doesn't... and you are unable to remove the jagged mess you have just created. you are then stuck! As I said above I have had to remove an engine once when someone tried this and it was so tight it couldn't be removed. Once out, I had to chisel the filer base around, which I couldn't do in the car.I used to remove mine by hand, from the top - a bit of sandpaper cupped around my hand if it was tight.
Granted it was a bit tight for space but you must have gorilla arms or something.
Try changing a Daihatsu Copen oil filter, as on my OH's car. You have to fit your hand through an engine mount bracket and turn it 90 degrees to grab onto it to unwind- I still manage it though!
Granted it was a bit tight for space but you must have gorilla arms or something.
Try changing a Daihatsu Copen oil filter, as on my OH's car. You have to fit your hand through an engine mount bracket and turn it 90 degrees to grab onto it to unwind- I still manage it though!
Edited by seany87 on Wednesday 31st May 23:15
Meant to say, K&N do a filter with a 1" (F-in SAE) nut on the the top, costs a hair more than a genuine filter but should be of equal quality, Just put one in mine and it looks like an absolute life saver, particularly in the mk2.5 where you can't just remove the charcoal cylinder without it throwing up codes.
Just got to mind that it must be HAND tight, some horror stories about that look like a result of folk overtorqueing these filters.
EDIT: if you are still struggling OP, have you tried taking the strut brace off? I knifed mine off (letting my inner 'weegie out) but just looking at it now it looks easy to pop off and would allow much easier access.
Just got to mind that it must be HAND tight, some horror stories about that look like a result of folk overtorqueing these filters.
EDIT: if you are still struggling OP, have you tried taking the strut brace off? I knifed mine off (letting my inner 'weegie out) but just looking at it now it looks easy to pop off and would allow much easier access.
Edited by caelite on Thursday 1st June 17:49
Another vote for strut brace off here. Be prepared for scratches and gouges on your arms. I try to remember to reach in and crack it loose and then re-tweak while it's cold and then warm it up before draining the oil.
Unless you have forearms like fivearms you should be ok. I like the idea above about holding sandpaper, that's one I'll try too.
As said, never over tighten the new one or you'll curse yourself the next time.
Good luck.
Unless you have forearms like fivearms you should be ok. I like the idea above about holding sandpaper, that's one I'll try too.
As said, never over tighten the new one or you'll curse yourself the next time.
Good luck.
gforceg said:
Another vote for strut brace off here. Be prepared for scratches and gouges on your arms. I try to remember to reach in and crack it loose and then re-tweak while it's cold and then warm it up before draining the oil.
Unless you have forearms like fivearms you should be ok. I like the idea above about holding sandpaper, that's one I'll try too.
As said, never over tighten the new one or you'll curse yourself the next time.
Good luck.
Aye the sandpaper idea sounds pretty smart. As long as your not wearing a T-shirt (or topless, I don't know you Unless you have forearms like fivearms you should be ok. I like the idea above about holding sandpaper, that's one I'll try too.
As said, never over tighten the new one or you'll curse yourself the next time.
Good luck.
) I don't see how you could get scratched up too badly, personally I'm a fan of popping the drain plug off well hot and leaving it off overnight then change the filter & refill the oil in the morning. I also leave the car with its left front wheel up on a ~10cm ramp with the right wheel on the ground. Seems the best bet to get as much oil out as possible, especially if you have used some form of flushing agent. I have the same car and I've changed the oil filter a few times from above.
Yes you have to take the strut brace off.
It's certainly awkward, especially as it can only really be done left handed and I'm right handed.
You'll have to get all "James Herriot" on it, so take off your watch and don't use long sleeves.
I can just about reach down and get a purchase on it. Since I've done it before, it's only on hand tight, as it should be, so it's not too bad.
It still scratches up my forearm a bit, but it doesn't take long to do.
The 1.6 litre has more room around it I hear, so it's not as tricky.
Yes you have to take the strut brace off.
It's certainly awkward, especially as it can only really be done left handed and I'm right handed.
You'll have to get all "James Herriot" on it, so take off your watch and don't use long sleeves.
I can just about reach down and get a purchase on it. Since I've done it before, it's only on hand tight, as it should be, so it's not too bad.
It still scratches up my forearm a bit, but it doesn't take long to do.
The 1.6 litre has more room around it I hear, so it's not as tricky.
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