Arrrgh! Can't get hydraulic filter off

[Homebrew]

Trying to do my first hydraulic filter change. I know there's not a lot of space in there, but surely there's a better place for the bleeder port and the hydraulic filter. This is ridiculous. I can't get a filter wrench or a filter strap in there to even come close getting off the original filter. Any ideas other than a screwdriver through the filter?

 

[Homebrew]

Well...the old leather belt off the waist saved the day.

 

[dcyrilc]

Well...the old leather belt off the waist saved the day.

Glad you got it off.

 

[SpringHollow]

I have a strap wrench that attaches to a socket set that works well and also a Rigid plumbing strap wrench with a wide belt and long handle. The little wimpy strap wrenches do not work for me. It amazes me how much i have to tighten the filter not to have air be sucked in.

Ken

 

[Homebrew]

It amazes me how much i have to tighten the filter not to have air be sucked in.

Ken

I used my belt to tighten up the filter a little also, but didn't want to go overboard. Should I be worried about getting air sucked in? Is it obvious when this is happening? Should I put some oil around the seal to check?

 

[ponytug]

Terry once made a comment to me to the effect that if the filter isn't tight, you'll get oil weeping out. (Perhaps from the oscillation in the pumping?)

Like Woodlandfarms, I use a strap that attaches to a 1/2" drive, and even then I have to use a 30" handle to get the filters off. I do put a 6"x10" drip pan under the filter to catch any of the inevitable oil dripping out around the filter.

I tighten the filter according to the specification on the filter, finger tight, plus 1/2 a rotation.

All the best,

Peter

I used my belt to tighten up the filter a little also, but didn't want to go overboard. Should I be worried about getting air sucked in? Is it obvious when this is happening? Should I put some oil around the seal to check?

 

[SpringHollow]

On mine, i disconnect the motor and purge. I keep retightening until no air comes out of the purge. I usually am staring to dent the can at this point. I REALLY have to tighten. It is scary. I am going to look at it with a mirror sometime as well as feel around and see if i can see what the problem is. I have a spare filter holder as well that i might swap in. (Ebay, $6 with filter plus shipping - i have been seeing them regularly).

Ken

 

[MossRoad]

Well...the old leather belt off the waist saved the day.

You must have a tiny waist! Mine's like, 38" or more, depending on lunch! :laughing:

Glad you got it removed. :thumbsup:

 

[kjm3232]

i have to use a chain wrench to get my hydraulic filter off on the 1430. the craftsman rubber strap wrench just wore out and cant do the job anymore. Also, as someone posted earlier, put a large plastic bag under the filter to catch the oil to minimize cleaning up the oil that falls in the tub.

 

[Bob999]

Terry once made a comment to me to the effect that if the filter isn't tight, you'll get oil weeping out. (Perhaps from the oscillation in the pumping?)

Like Woodlandfarms, I use a strap that attaches to a 1/2" drive, and even then I have to use a 30" handle to get the filters off. I do put a 6"x10" drip pan under the filter to catch any of the inevitable oil dripping out around the filter.

I tighten the filter according to the specification on the filter, finger tight, plus 1/2 a rotation.

All the best,

Peter

I am surprised at the difficulty you report in removing filters. I tighten as you say but I haven't found them particularly difficult to remove. Do you put oil on the mating surfaces before installing a new filter?

 

[SpringHollow]

I put oil on the surfaces. I should put a torque meter on when i am tightening. I have to use a huge amount of force. At one point, i thought i might try two gaskets but i felt that just gives more places for leaks. I will compare the new filter holder to the old one.

Ken

 

[BobRip]

I put oil on the surfaces. I should put a torque meter on when i am tightening. I have to use a huge amount of force. At one point, i thought i might try two gaskets but i felt that just gives more places for leaks. I will compare the new filter holder to the old one.

Ken

Don't use two gaskets. I am told that this will guarantee leaks big time.

 

[PILOON]

My Mitsubishi has the filter in a very akward location for most filter tools.
My solution is a length of old seat belt and a pair of vice grips.
The seat belt can just slip around the end of the filter can and clamping with the vice grips allows me to lever and unscrew the filter.

I tried the old mechanics trick of poking a large screwdriver thru the filter but besides the mess it basically tore the filter can to bits.

Note, when I install I only hand tighted 'snuggly' but somehow the same hands can't remouve the filter.

 

[Homebrew]

You must have a tiny waist! Mine's like, 38" or more, depending on lunch! :laughing:
QUOTE]

LOL. Well, each year I'm able to handle bigger and bigger filters. I'm blaming the PT. All the digging and wheelbarrowing is no longer done by hand. It certainly can't be the beer and deep fried buffalo chicken wings...

Anyway, in my particular case, I think the filter wasn't necessarily super tight. Both the filter wrench and strap wrench I tried had long handles such that when I had them on the filter there just wasn't much travel and I couldn't get much push on them. The leather belt was flexible enough that I wrapped it around and was able to pull from the other side of the tractor. I didn't throw my back out either...it came off easy enough once I had the leverage.

 

[MossRoad]

You must have a tiny waist! Mine's like, 38" or more, depending on lunch! :laughing:
QUOTE]

LOL. Well, each year I'm able to handle bigger and bigger filters. I'm blaming the PT. All the digging and wheelbarrowing is no longer done by hand. It certainly can't be the beer and deep fried buffalo chicken wings...

Anyway, in my particular case, I think the filter wasn't necessarily super tight. Both the filter wrench and strap wrench I tried had long handles such that when I had them on the filter there just wasn't much travel and I couldn't get much push on them. The leather belt was flexible enough that I wrapped it around and was able to pull from the other side of the tractor. I didn't throw my back out either...it came off easy enough once I had the leverage.

Yeah, I've had to go back to a garden cart, shovel and rake to get some exercise, too. :laughing: I only use the PT to mow and for really large jobs, now.

 

[ponytug]

Yes. I go by the book, or in this case, the oil filter.
Apply oil to gasket.
Hand tighten
Tighten 1/2 turn farther, using alignment marks on filter.

I'm at 280 hours in three years, so it may be more of a time issue.

With the strap wrench, it comes off easily, but nothing short of the strap wrench worked. I could probably do it with a smaller 1/2" drive handle. I'll try next time to see.

All the best,

Peter

I am surprised at the difficulty you report in removing filters. I tighten as you say but I haven't found them particularly difficult to remove. Do you put oil on the mating surfaces before installing a new filter?

 

[woodlandfarms]

You want sucky filters, try a mazda cx-7 Nearly as bad as an old porsche, but you don't have to lift the engine out.

That said, Ken, I think you have a problem. No, you do not want 2 gaskets. Virtually impossible to seal up.

There is either a defect or more likely something jammed up in your filter holder lip.

Hugs

Carl

 

[SpringHollow]

Maybe there is an old gasket stuck up there. Time for an oil change - will check then.

Ken

 

[MuncyBob]

Absolutely don't use 2 gaskets!! I did not notice the old gasket remaining on my old Chevy during an oil change and installed the new filter w/gasket onto the old gasket...instant mess!

 

[jaquetarr]

Not a timely addition, but I got a filter strap wrench from NAPA that works with a 1/2" drive. Slip the loop on and turn the right way and I've had no problem.
Once loose, slip a gallon ziplock over the filter (rag below) to catch drips. Loosen by hand (wish I could find some good oil grip gloves) and when the filter drops off, it goes into the bag.

To install, start filter on threads dry. Let it catch a couple rounds and use a funnel with a plastic hose to fill the filter. The end of the plastic hose will squish in the space between the filter & housing permiting a low drip fill. Once the oil is in sight (filter full) tighten up and do the purge thing.
Good to go with minimum air in system and minimum oil spillage (refer to BP for adverese effects)
tim