Oil filter is stuck

[Langwilliams]

I ran into this on the first oil change on the ranger. I picked up the 3 arm one from harbor freight. Walmart here carries them too.

I saw a thread on a motorcycle forum where a guy had one so stuck he ended up putting the cap style filter wrench on an driving a few self tapping screws through it into the filter to get it off.

I did the screwdriver technique once many years ago an I remember it making an big mess, but it worked.

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[JimG_AZ]

Did the OP get the stuck oil filter off?

 

[WhyNot21]

Yeah this style isn’t working for me… have some pliers coming in soon so I’m gonna try those

That linked socket filter adapter is what wasn't working for me, either. It was rounding the filter's edge. Using this 3 pronged adapter with an extension worked perfectly.

 

[Trustable]

Did you end up getting it out? Really with all you have tried the screwdriver stab is gonna be your best bet. I did that on my focus as I had one that would just refuse to move. Honestly poking a hole first makes the cleanup a lot easier to!

 

[Big Blue]

That linked socket filter adapter is what wasn't working for me, either. It was rounding the filter's edge. Using this 3 pronged adapter with an extension worked perfectly.

That's what I use, never had an issue. The factory one was tight like most people have said. Been doing this for a while, always clean the mating surface throughly and oil the seal well. Tighten hand tight, never ever use a wrench to tighten the filter.

The OP hasn't been back since yesterday morning. Hope he went to HF and got one like above. With a long extention. That pliers he's waiting won't be much help. Just crush the filer so nothing fits it.

 

[The_Stranger_Ranger]

This! I just went through the same thing a few weeks ago. I normally do oil changes with the truck on the ground, but needed to jack up the left front tire to get enough leverage to get it off. I used a 12" extension with the 3 arm universal oil filter adapter. Worked like a charm! I was sure not to over tighten it this time.

unfortunately the ranger oil filters just get really tight over time on their own i put mine on hand tight 20k miles ago and went to take it off and it was seemly welded to the engine lol. However i guess this is the price you pay for a small little efficient engine.

 

[Trustable]

unfortunately the ranger oil filters just get really tight over time on their own i put mine on hand tight 20k miles ago and went to take it off and it was seemly welded to the engine lol. However i guess this is the price you pay for a small little efficient engine.

20k miles??

 

[The_Stranger_Ranger]

20k miles??

wait that was a typo i mean 10k i didn't proof read my post lol

 

[Trustable]

wait that was a typo i mean 10k i didn't proof read my post lol

Haha I figured I was thinking after 20k I bet it’s stuck on!

 

[The_Stranger_Ranger]

Haha I figured I was thinking after 20k I bet it’s stuck on!

yea lol! I think a stuck oil filter would be the least of my worries.

 

[21rangerCactus]

unfortunately the ranger oil filters just get really tight over time on their own i put mine on hand tight 20k miles ago and went to take it off and it was seemly welded to the engine lol. However i guess this is the price you pay for a small little efficient engine.

It's not a ranger thing. Oil filters of any make/model tighten a bit over time.

To be "welded to the engine" means two things.
1. You over tightened it.

2. You didn't coat the gasket with enough oil.


Some oil change write ups will say apply a "light coat". I put a good bit of oil on that gasket and make sure it's absorbed in.

 

[The_Stranger_Ranger]

It's not a ranger thing. Oil filters of any make/model tighten a bit over time.

To be "welded to the engine" means two things.
1. You over tightened it.

2. You didn't coat the gasket with enough oil.


Some oil change write ups will say apply a "light coat". I put a good bit of oil on that gasket and make sure it's absorbed in.
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i know its not a ranger thing that was sarcasm... I assume I didn't coat it enough because it was really stuck on there. And as i said in my previous post it was on there hand tight so i doubt it was on there too tight. Thank you for your meaningful response...

 

[got3fords]

I have watched those videos where an old vehicle is recovered from storage or even the woods and the filter comes right off.

 

[The_Stranger_Ranger]

I have watched those videos where an old vehicle is recovered from storage or even the woods and the filter comes right off.

crazy wizardry they are using

 

[Burnt Money]

I’ve removed filters off of engines laying outside for over a decade and not had much issue. The worse oil filters I’ve ever dealt with are on boat motors that are used in salt water (almost every boat here is used in salt)and have been sitting for years and not ran. Those can be anywhere from not to bad to the filter breaks in half and your stuck with only the threaded part of the filter stuck on the engine? I agree lubing the o ring helps a lot!

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