These days, provided I have fitted them, they usually come off by hand. A chain wrench is usually the weapon of choice on if required though. Worst effort was for my first change on my first BX TD, when I wasn't that well endowed with tools:
1. Get SWMBO obeyed to procure washing up bowl to drain oil into.
2. Get it on high get under it - huh, square hole in plug, special spanner required.
3. Out of high, and drive down to Halfords, purchse multi tool "Fits all cars". In moment of inspiration, also buy nylon type strap wrench for filter.
4. Back home, back on high, get under it. Tool "fits all cars" except BX. Knowing halfords had nothing else, spend 1 hour filing down part of spanner to make it fit (without decent file, workbench or vice).
5. Try plug. Won't shift. Requires use of hammer on spanner to shift it. Oil now draining - good oh.
6. Try filter. Won't shift. Try various lines of attack / tools on the nylon strap - nada.
7. Cycle to Halfords (no oil in car by now...), purchase chain wrench.
8. Cycle home, fight with chain wrench for 1/2 hour, eventually free filter. Spill oil everywhere (anyone who's changed an XUD oil filter will understand!).
9. Reassamble and start up.
10. Shake head at 3 hours it has taken to complete oil change and rue not taking it somewhere!
Subsequent changes on XUD engined cars have been easier - although the current HDi requires the removal of the engine undertray to complete the task.
|
|
|
Or a claw wrench
This 'bionic' hand makes easy work of oil filter removal.
tinyurl.com/5ulbbu
|
|
Has anyone tried getting near an oil filter on a Pug 306 2.0 16v with aircon? Nigh on impossible with grips, chain tool etc. The only way I found after much cursing is the old screwdriver method - ideal if space is at a premium.
|
|
|
The worst tool I ever used was a Draper chain-type oil removal tool. Not only did it fail to remove the filter, but the plastic handle came apart from the metal base of the tool during use, causing my hand to shoot off towards something metal and very hard. That was painful and put me off of using filter removal tools.
I solved the stuck filter problem with a screwdriver and hammer with good results. Ever since, the filter has come off using just two hands to turn it, because I always oil the rubber seal and never overtighten it.
|
When I did the job on the Scenic, I was pleasantly surprised to find the filter came undone by hand. Where I struggled was working out how to get the thing out of the engine compartment. You wouldn't believe the route I had to take, threading the (full) filter upwards, around various hoses and wires, and emerging under the bonnet. Never seen this before.
I have a pair of oil filter pliers with a serrated jaws which grip the filter. These haven't failed me yet, but access could be an issue on some cars. Generally though it only needs to make the first half turn, and hand pressure can take over.
Have used the screwdriver method as well in the past with 100% (if messy) success. Never had a car I've serviced last need any more than firm hand pressure inside a clean rag to undo the filter.
cheers
DP
|
|
What I used to find DP, was that the French seemed to go out of their way to make cars as difficult as possible to work on, stupid I know but that was how it seemed me, in fact I used to dread having to work on a French car, and that includes Pug's as well, when they were made "over there"
|
|
I have a chain socket that always works when needed. But if I have put the filter on myself I can usually loosen it by hand. The job is very awkward in my present car without a pit though. I did in the past discover the screwdriver method for myself. Sure, it's messy, but just try changing an oil filter without making some sort of mess.
|
|
Once helped friend in France to fix a loose exhaust clamp. Really could have been a lot easier with a pit as his car was rather low slung. Brainwave solution was to find a particularly deep pothole and crawl under to do the job. Would have thought there were plenty of those in the metropolis Lud ? Trouble is I suppose that they would tow you away before you could get the job done ? !
|
Trouble with metropolitan potholes is that they tend to be in the carriageway... Used sometimes to put two wheels on a high kerb and lie in the gutter, but I never enjoyed it much and really hate it now. Changed the clutch in a Lada once like that.
Tend to use the country these days. Mud is vastly preferable to dog excrement as a hair gel.
|
I've tried a few over the years, but settled with a sykes pickavant (IIRC) chain with socket fitting, always works as long as there's room.
I may link into this with a new thread if anyone's interested, but has anybody seen or tried a 'Fumoto' quick oil change valve.
I've bought one for the hilux, with a nipple end, so you can connect a pipe to the drain valve. Had to get it sent from USA believe it or not, the Americans believe in oil changes too, its a very high quality fitting too.
I'm yet to fit it, no point until the next oil change comes round, wont be long.
I know some BR's wouldn't want one, as their sump is a sealed for life affair..:)
If only they did a oil filter quick change thingy too.
Edited by gordonbennet on 18/06/2008 at 23:57
|
|
|
Tend to use the country these days. Mud is vastly preferable to dog excrement as a hair gel.
and a well deserved pat on the back too i imagine
|
"I may link into this with a new thread if anyone's interested, but has anybody seen or tried a 'Fumoto' quick oil change valve."
GB,I use a Vacuum device, but the valve sounds less fiddly. looking forward to your review of it. (don`t let me miss it)
Cheers
Edited by oilrag on 19/06/2008 at 08:43
|
|
With my particulars car and bikes, I find the three fingered claw thing mentioned some way above works well in the space available. Can be fitted and used single handedly.
|
|
A long piece of rope, just under 1cm diam. Clean oil off filter casing. Wind neatly round and round and round.....starting from bottom working up to where attached. Pull hard - if you get enough coils on it won't slip. If it does, sand-paper it and try again.
|
Skoda Octavia 1600 8V, after several fruitless attempts at removal with several types of bought tool, I ended up using 2 x 24 inch long pieces of Dexion angle iron, a length of threaded bar and 2 nuts. Assembled like a large nut cracker, the sides of the filter soon had flats on, the nuts continually adjusted to compensate and it still took 10 minutes of heaving before it let go :o(
|
JCB use a similar type oil drain valve which you screw of the safety cap ,then screw on drain hose which starts oil flow ,quick and no mess and just the same size as an ordinary sump plug.
about the only snap on tool I would recommend is the filter strap ,works every time and not guilty of slipping
|
|
|
|
|
|
