Hi, folks.

Up to now, I have always taken my 87 GT to a local grease monkey to get the oil changed. They do a pretty good job, though it's funny to see a new guy open the front compartment to do it.

But, I've decided to do it myself this time to judge how difficult it will be, and to decide if I want to continue doing it.

Draining the oil was easy enough, but getting up to the oil filter was much more of a challenge. My oil filter wrench (the adjustable chain kind) just wouldn't easily fit in there. I was beginning to wonder how I was going to get the oil filter off, when I decided that I'd just reach up and see if I could loosen it by hand. And sure enough, with a rag, it was actually quite easy to remove.

So, I removed the filter, but a sheen of oil on the new filter's gasket, and tightened it up by hand... about 1/4 turn past snug.

Is this enough? I always used an oil filter wrench to tighten them, but it would appear that tightly hand-snug will work (as it appears that was all it had on the old filter).

If it is not enough in your opinion, what would you use to tighten it? Getting my wrench up there just isn't going to work.

I always hand tighten mine. I can normally get about 3/4 - 1 full turn after it is snug against teh block.

I haven't ever used more than my own strength to tighten my filters on any of my cars and I haven't blown off a filter yet I don't own a filter wrench... which as made filters difficult to get off when replaced by a shop...

quote Originally posted by topcat: I always hand tighten mine. I can normally get about 3/4 - 1 full turn after it is snug against teh block.

I do this too, you can get an adapter that will fit on a ratchet and get snug it up

You never want to use a wrench to tighten an oil filter. Spin it down until it seats, then snug it about 1/2 turn more. If you overtighten it, you can crush the gasket and cause it to leak. To take my filters off, I use a socket style wrench that fits over the end of the filter, then you put a ratchet handle in it and turn it off that way. Very easy, but they aren't adjustable, so you have to get one for each different size filter.

[This message has been edited by Formula88 (edited 01-16-2005).]

quote Originally posted by Formula88: You never want to use a wrench to tighten an oil filter. Spin it down until it seats, then snug it about 1/2 turn more. If you overtighten it, you can crush the gasket and cause it to leak. To take my filters off, I use a socket style wrench that fits over the end of the filter, then you put a ratchet handle in it and turn it off that way. Very easy, but they aren't adjustable, so you have to get one for each different size filter.

Here's a pic of the cup type wrench. Works great. I always hand tighten only.

[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 01-16-2005).]

Thanks, folks. I'm a lot more releived, now. Last thing I wanted was an oil leak (or oil loss)... especially right there near the catalytic converter.

I, indeed, went and bought one of the cup-type wrenches for when I need to remove it.

There is a company that makes a series of plastic cup wrench. You can get them at Walmart and other stores. These are not a universal fit product so if you change filter brands you could end up with more than one wrench even tho the filters are similar.

The plastic ones are nice for a couple reasons...
I usually try to do oil warm to hot so more of it will drain faster. Changing a hot filter isn't very pleasant. The plastic is a thermal insulator and makes this easier.
The plastic als makes the smaller filters easier to grip when tightening them. I still tighten by hand but you just get less sliding etc.

I have tried a couple of the universal fit plastic ones but they tend not to work very well.

I always tighten them as far as they will go by hand. Using a wrench or any other forcing of them can actually cause a leak as the base may distort from over tightening. If you have weak hands or can't reach them you may have to use a wrench but you have to be careful doing it.

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The only thing George Orwell got wrong was the year...

The Ogre's Fiero Cave (It's also at the top of every forum page...)

When I hand-tighten my oil filters, I can usually get them off without using a wrench. I do the typical "half turn past snug" deal; sometimes a bit more. Besides putting a little oil on the gasket, I usually put some on the threads as well, and that really seems to help this. No leaks, and the filter stays tight until I want it off.

I think I tried to use an oil filter wrench on the Escort ONCE. It's too big of a pain to get one down there, and I can unscrew it by hand anyway.

Same with the Fiero, except that I have to jack the rear end up to get at the Fiero's oil filter.

Ed

I'm usually not lucky enough to get them off without a wrench but I always tighten them by hand. 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn past first contact.

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RickN
White 88GT 5spd
White 85GT Auto

Except for once I've done every single oil change on my Fiero in the last 5 1/2 years myself. I've never lost a filter or had an oil leak (Be the only vehicle I've ever owned that didn't ). Anyway, I always hand tighten, and not excessively either. If I can't remove the filter by hand it's been over-tightened. As previously posted, the general rule is to go until it contacts the block, then 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn. Have to use your judgement. Same thing goes for your oil pan, don't over tighten the bolt because you can strip the threads right out of it.

quote Originally posted by topcat: I always hand tighten mine. I can normally get about 3/4 - 1 full turn after it is snug against teh block.

This is the correct way to do it. DO NOT TIGHTEN WITH A WRENCH.

[This message has been edited by NEPTUNE (edited 01-16-2005).]

I don't think the wrench is the problem. I use them all of time to tighten the filter. I just only tighten it 3/4-1 turn after contact. I hand spin it then use the wrench. I've never had a leak in 250,000 years.

TK dittio and ive been doing filter changes for years with NO problems..

lol to the rest of you though..

pc..

Sorry... Many people, including many book authors, say by hand only.

Allot of vehicles you have to use a wrench to tighten. You just can't reach into many to get ahold of the thing to get it by hand very well if at all. Fiero L4 is a good example. (excluding 88 with the pan filter) You have to reach all the way under the manifold or up from the bottom. Neither is an easy grip to make. The FWD setups with that engine are even worse to get at. I often use a ratchet on the above mentioned cup wrench. If my hands aren't hurting I'll just use the cup to get a grip that is less prone to slipping. I've seen other vehicles where you reached in thru the wheel well with a 2-3 foot extension on a cup wrench to reach the filter. What a pain in the ass those were. You had to be really careful starting the new filter on.

The key is not over tightening the thing. When you use a wrench you don't lean on it. If you turn it X amount after contact with a wrench or by hand it doesn't matter. It is the X amount of rotation that determins the seal. I have seen guys that can over torque them by hand if they aren't paying attention. It is actually easier to turn that X amount with the wrench since you can use the wrench handle as a reference even when you can't see the filter or even the wrench. You can make 3/4 turn in one pull or with 3 1/4 turn pulls. Heck you can even count clicks if you know your wrench and space is tight.

And the spec is X amount after gasket CONTACT with the flange. Not that much more after it starts feeling snug. I would bet that no matter how careful we all are that many filters are at least a little over/under tight because they often are so hard to reach. It is amazing how tolerant that the filters are when it comes to sealing.

Even GM has said use a wrench if needed...

quote Installation Instructions On 75 mm Oil Filter Bulletin Number: 89-6-47A Reference Number: 906104R Publish Date: 3/90 Subject: PROPER INSTALLATION OF 75 MM OIL FILTER Models Affected: 1980-89 ALL MODELS WITH 75 MM FILTERS This bulletin cancels and replaces bulletin 89-6-47 issued 5/89. This bulletin is being revised to update Oil Filter Installation Instructions. To prevent leakage of small 75 mm oil filters such as PF-40, PF-45, PF-47, PF-51, etc., it is very important that the installation instructions listed below are closely followed. Remove old filter by turning counter clockwise. Clean gasket sealing area on Engine Oil Filter Mounting Surface. (If engine has an adapter base, make sure threaded nipple or bolt is properly torqued.) Lightly oil gasket with clean oil and install filter. After the oil filter gasket contacts the oil filter adapter base, tighten 3/4 to 1 full turn. When necessary, use a cap-type wrench, AC Delco OF17W or equivalent, or strap type wrench with swivel handle to insure proper installation. With engine oil at proper level, run engine three minutes and thoroughly check filter area for leaks. IMPORTANT: Be certain to follow replacement oil filter usage applications.

You don't need to oil filter threads as the fitting on the engine nearly always has some oil on it. You should oil the seal a bit. The oil helps you get it tight and keeps it from bonding to the flange. Many filters also have anti stick coating like Teflon on the seals.

been working at jiffy lube for 2 years now. i hand tighten about 20 filters a day. there is no need to use a wrench, especially that "filter cup" design that is for internal canaster oil filters. the V6 fiero oil filter is in a perfect location to get more than enough leverage and torque on it. if you did use a wrench use a band wrench considering it is less likely to do any crushing or damage to the filter.

quote Originally posted by TK: I don't think the wrench is the problem. I use them all of time to tighten the filter. I just only tighten it 3/4-1 turn after contact. I hand spin it then use the wrench. I've never had a leak in 250,000 years.

250,000 YEARS??? WHAT KIND OF OIL DO YOU USE?? man I need some of that!!!

J/K LOL I know you meant "miles"...

Ed

quote Originally posted by edhering: 250,000 YEARS??? WHAT KIND OF OIL DO YOU USE?? man I need some of that!!! J/K LOL I know you meant "miles"... Ed

Lol, no I meant years. A bit of sacrastic humor. I figured no one would check my claim beyond about a 100 years back!

When I was younger I would crank a bolt down until it snapped and then back off one turn. I learned (the hard way) to pay attention. I use a filter wrench all of the time and just pay attention to the number of turns after it seats. Telling people to never use a wrench on a filter can be better said with "pay attention". Wrench don't kill filters, people kill filters. Don't blame the wrench. The wrench is innocent.

On the otherhand, if I can get a clean grip on the filter, I won't dig out the wrench just so I can use it. There are all kinds of thing I can do without a tool. <insert your joke here>

[This message has been edited by TK (edited 01-17-2005).]

When I got my latest vette, the oil filter was so tight it had to be chiseled off in pieces. All my different style removal tools just twisted the canister around. WHY the heck do people think they have to be so tite.