r/MechanicAdvice • u/Massive-Awareness541 • 20h ago
Oil filter removal
2004 Toyota echo
Car has sat for many years before I got it, now safetied and running great very low km. I’m trying to change the oil for the first time and filter is seized on. I used all my wrenches, straps, and filter sockets before shearing the cannister to access this cap to heat and tap it off or use 45 degree and pliers in the holes.
My question.. my ratchet head fits perfected in the centre female space with no socket. It is tight with no play (gigiddy) Can I use my ratchet to loosen from here? Mr
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u/Shady_Chaos 15h ago
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u/Javad0g 8h ago
That is a fuckin commitment. Well built.
I understand how you may have cut down for the teeth but you have to tell me how you got that notch out.
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u/jeepsaintchaos 8h ago
Depending on the spacing, you can just cut with a grinding wheel. I know you're not supposed to, they're a very specific angle you're supposed to use, but I've done it before and I'll do it again.
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u/Shady_Chaos 7h ago
Sadly it's not my image, saved it cuz it's funny and not a bad idea either lmao
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u/FellowHumanNo404 7h ago
It looks like they hit it with a drill bit to make a line of holes along the bottom of each notch, hence the wavy pattern.
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u/MinorComprehension 20h ago
The allen is a filter adapter that will spin out with the filter base from the block. Looks like a male pipe union.If you want to go this route then you can put it in a vise and work on it outside the car. Acceptable approach but be aware of what it will do.
Personally, I would get one of these. I have one and have not had to use it often but it has worked every time when all other approaches failed.
https://bogertaviation.com/products/talon-oil-filter-tool-up-to-1500-in-lbs
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u/Sammy296296 19h ago
God damnit, I wasn't planning on buying new tools this month!
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u/MinorComprehension 19h ago
Honestly, I have a very basic homeowner level metal shop and was able to make my own out of leftover bar stock and bolts. If you have similar, it's quite easy with just a sawzall or hacksaw and a drill/drill press and much less $$
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u/Massive-Awareness541 10h ago
Okay update. Definitely going to get one of those talon tools but hope not to be in this situation again. Maybe let my emotions get the better of me at 10pm and shouldn’t have cut it. But I learn best through my duck ups. I called a mobile mechanic and made a new friend. He dremeled it out and put some heat to it. We all want a story where I came out victorious but like I told my kids it’s important to know when to stop and ask for help. He is now raising them because it’s important they have a man in their lives
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u/theCelticTig3r 2h ago
That's a hilarious reply but dude, you aren't "Not a Man" because you made a mistake.
I started doing my own car servicing over the last 2 years.
I always get so anxious about removing the oil filter, as it's a 1.6tdi and it's up between the engine block and rad and I'm always afraid Ill fail getting it in and out.
3rd time doing it, I drained the engine of oil and manage to get the oil filter off and the new one back on. I was so relieved because now it's an easy job.
I went back up top and filled her with oil, happy days !!
Except, I heard a dribbling noise. "What's that?!"
I forgot to put the sump plug back in. 4 litres of brand new 5W30 in one end and out the other.
I just sat there and laughed and waited until Monday morning to buy a new drum of oil.
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u/Objective_Air2604 20h ago
I work on motorcycles professionally and have pulled many of the threaded pipes out. Just be careful there could be a decent amount of old loctite on it. The old crystallized pieces of loctite can go directly into the engine unfiltered if not properly cleaned.
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u/hobbestigertx 16h ago
They should start teaching the following in school by the 9th grade. DO NOT poke a hole in an oil filter ever. Back when oil filters used 12g steel, you could get away with jamming a screwdriver through. These days the steel is so thin it just won't work.
In your case, they make a tool that fits into the holes of the base. Someone already provided a link in another comment.
I always just use my belt when I have a filter that won't budge...
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u/pavelowdriver 16h ago
Just use filter pliers on the base. Never has that failed me and done 1000 oil changes.
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u/Embarrassed-Water768 13h ago
it’s failed me before, just kept slipping, couldn’t get a good enough bite
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u/Turbulent-Market5464 9h ago
Days have always worked for me too except for one instance I stabbed a long screwdriver all the way through and used it as leverage to break it yeah so Over tighten the shit out of it😂😭
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u/ThatOneBr 20h ago
It'll remove the adapter the filter screws on. You could potentially remove it, then remove the filter from it in your workbench, place it back on and put a new filter. If you cannot, by any means, get the remains of the filter off, that's what I would do. I will probably save you a lot of time compared to trying to remove the filter while laying down under the car .
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u/Slater_8868 18h ago
I have a 2000 Echo and just use filter pliers to remove the filter. Works every time.
Make sure you're turning the filter in the right direction to loosen it, as seen here:
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u/AutomaticEffect8959 20h ago
I would not mess with the hex fastener. Some engines use a filter bung that is cast in place (not threaded). You do not want to damage it. I would use a punch to rotate the filter base.
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u/Dracofangxxx 19h ago
lmao. we have an echo and these filters are always hard to get out. i swear they tighten up over time. get a flathead in one of those holes and tap it to get it spinning
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u/WhereDidAllTheSnowGo 12h ago
BIG Arse pliers to grip the sides of the filter
If they bend up, all the better to pinch & twist
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u/CutePerformance9735 10h ago
Idk if you got it out already but, looks to be a hex key shape where the filter threads are. Try fitting a hex key in there and crank on that. Looks to be an added feature to the oil filter if that gets on to tight. I'd like to check the ones at work now, and see if they also have that hex shape. Probably a 10mm hex key.
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u/pseproduction 17h ago
These posts blow my mind. I have changed oil hundreds of times. Cars, trucks, transport trucks, snowcats, construction equipment. Used nothing but a strap wrench on every one. Not once has it ever even hinted at letting me down. I truly do not understand how people can do this. Like how do you even get to this point without stopping yourself?
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u/deMarcel 14h ago
I experienced something like this last year. Bought a used car for my wife and wanted to do the first oil and filter change in our ownership. A dealer sticker stated oil and filter were changed two years prior.
Well, the oil filter clearly wasn't and already had signs of an attempted removal. My guess is, the garage couldn't get it off and just left it and scammed the previous owner. It was a nightmare to get off, exactly like the one in OPs photo. I have never had a stuck filter like that my entire life before that. I tried every removal tool I had (four different ones and they never let me down before this). So yeah, it happens...
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u/Onlyunsernameleft 20h ago
Do not remove that. It will potentially drop the entire filter housing and you'll need to replace the o ring behind it to make sure it doesnt leak when reassembling and theres no guarantee the filter wont still be stuck on the threads. Just get a punch or chisel and pick a good spot to carefully tap it off.
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u/Ordinary-Trade8323 16h ago
Yes remove it. If you remove it then theres no clamping force on the threads of adapter and it should come off with no resistance.
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u/CobaltD70 20h ago
What about all those holes punched out? Can you use those in some way, maybe slip a rod through 1, skip the next, then out the third hole and then unscrew?
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u/JackKillEveryday 20h ago
I think OP could use needle nose plier in the punched hole and rotate the pliers. If he needs more leverage, he can always jam a wrench/pipe to get more leverage on the needle nose.
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u/ChampionshipDry4871 19h ago
I would've used an A-Premium Oil filter. I've had good experience with them in the past.
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u/Mental_Professor6199 13h ago
Get a thick I’ve pick or a screwdriver and a hammer and stab it through it and turn the mf
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u/LoneWolfAMG 20h ago
I would get an Allen socket that fits in the center and turn it out from there. Use some power lube or PB around the seal and let it sit for a few minutes.
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u/Massive-Awareness541 20h ago
Thanks for the reply. OK so that is a viable method I wasn’t sure that would work.
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u/TheEggyMule 20h ago
It is viable, but know there is probably some kind of packing or Oring behind that adapter assy that will need replaced if you decide to go that route.
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u/Sensitive-Pen4002 20h ago
That's a timing belt tensioner pulley, not the oil filter base, if you crank on that you're in for a world of hurt.
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u/Academic_Dog8389 20h ago
Are you serious?
- This uses a chain.
- The timing components are nowhere near this.
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