Oil Filter Removal

/ Oil Filter Removal #1  

bobholland

Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2004
Messages
45
Location
Willamette Valley, Oregon
Tractor
Mahindra 26xlHST, JD 870
New 26xlMax owner here. Trying to do the 50hr oil and filter change. I cannot for the life of me get the oil filter off! Whatever gorilla at the factory put that thing on tight. I am unable to get a conventional filter wrench on it due to the limited space and can only get one hand on it to try the manual method. My JD 870 is a piece of cake compared to this thing. HELP!
 
/ Oil Filter Removal #2  
Do you have room to drive a screwdriver thru the end of the filter and use that for leverage. The first filters (installed by the factory gorilla) are always the hardest to get off.
 
/ Oil Filter Removal #3  
Can you send a picture of the space? Which conventional filter wrench type did you try? The type with a strap that tightens around the filter or the type that is like a giant socket? If there isn't room for one there may be room for the other.

I had space problems with my Kioti as well. There is no way it was tightened by hand. I did end up getting a strap type filter wrench on it but really had to mess with a radiator hose more than I would like to do on a routine basis. I'll probably buy a socket type filter wrench for future oil changes. In my situation, the socket type will slip right on and have plenty of room to turn.
 
/ Oil Filter Removal #4  
New 26xlMax owner here. Trying to do the 50hr oil and filter change. I cannot for the life of me get the oil filter off! Whatever gorilla at the factory put that thing on tight. I am unable to get a conventional filter wrench on it due to the limited space and can only get one hand on it to try the manual method. My JD 870 is a piece of cake compared to this thing. HELP!
Go get a 3/8 drive oil filter wrench from an auto zone or someone like that. It will fit over end of filter on that weird angle and you will be able to spin it off without a mess.
 
/ Oil Filter Removal #5  
once had a car filter stuck like that. I had a band and a socket type filter remover, neither would do the job. Drove a screw driver through it and it tore the filter to pieces. finely took a long flat tip screw driver and hammer, placed the tip of screw driver on the ring of the filter where it contacts filter base and and after a few whacks the thing loosen up.
 
/ Oil Filter Removal #6  
once had a car filter stuck like that. I had a band and a socket type filter remover, neither would do the job. Drove a screw driver through it and it tore the filter to pieces. finely took a long flat tip screw driver and hammer, placed the tip of screw driver on the ring of the filter where it contacts filter base and and after a few whacks the thing loosen up.

Had the same on a 1979 Chrysler New Yorker of my dads!...It took a long time and alot of tapping!
 
/ Oil Filter Removal #7  
New 26xlMax owner here. Trying to do the 50hr oil and filter change. I cannot for the life of me get the oil filter off! Whatever gorilla at the factory put that thing on tight. I am unable to get a conventional filter wrench on it due to the limited space and can only get one hand on it to try the manual method. My JD 870 is a piece of cake compared to this thing. HELP!
get one of those plier filter wrenches, they will grab a hold of anything.
 
/ Oil Filter Removal #8  
Go get a 3/8 drive oil filter wrench from an auto zone or someone like that. It will fit over end of filter on that weird angle and you will be able to spin it off without a mess.

That in addition to a socket extension should get you there.
 
/ Oil Filter Removal #9  
One of the most important things to check for when buying a tractor/car/pickup, is where's the the oil filter, but we all forget that and just focus on motor size, cup holders and the WOW factor, a 5 YEAR warranty!!!. I lucked out I guess, the oil filter on my L3400 is easy peasy.......
 
/ Oil Filter Removal #10  
For tight locations, I like the Harbor Freight filter pliers. I have multiples of the end socket type but most filters don't give you room to put them on. If possible, that is my first choice, then the band type of wrenches and finally the pliers if all else fails. The pliers will crush and or puncture the filter if not used at the top end but I have never had a filter that the pliers wouldn't remove.
 
/ Oil Filter Removal #11  
New 26xlMax owner here. Trying to do the 50hr oil and filter change. I cannot for the life of me get the oil filter off! Whatever gorilla at the factory put that thing on tight. I am unable to get a conventional filter wrench on it due to the limited space and can only get one hand on it to try the manual method. My JD 870 is a piece of cake compared to this thing. HELP!

It not that they put it on so tight it's because the idiots put the filters on then they spray paint the entire engine, including the engine wiring, alternator and even the fan belt. It's a really stupid practice if you ask me. It's the stinkin paint that makes it so hard to get off. I crushed mine getting it off. It's also real nice that they paint over the part numbers since they don't give you any in the manuals. There was just barely enough space to get a band type wrench on mine. I was about ready to drive a screwdriver through it but that makes a real mess. My fuel filters weren't much easier due to space constraints. I had to use a strap wrench on the 2nd fuel filter. There was just enough space to work the strap around it as there was not nearly enough room for a filter wrench.
 
/ Oil Filter Removal
  • Thread Starter
#12  
I'll be heading to Harbor Freight today for some filter pliers and then to Auto Zone for a "loaner filter wrench". I do have some monster channel locks as well if it comes to that! My Mahindra tractor is at my "mountain retreat" about 100 miles away so the mechanical logistics are kind of a PITA. Thanks to all for the suggestions!!
 
/ Oil Filter Removal #13  
It's my opinion that the factory installs filters dry. New clean O-ring tightened against new clean metal. Disaster. When replacing filters never repeat that disaster. Oil the O-ring liberally.

Someone mentioned serviceability. Township bought a new JD grader 5 years ago. I do all the service myself. First thing I noticed, with a huge grin on my face, was location of filters. :D



4 (120x90).jpg
 
/ Oil Filter Removal #14  
It's my opinion that the factory installs filters dry. New clean O-ring tightened against new clean metal. Disaster. When replacing filters never repeat that disaster. Oil the O-ring liberally.

Someone mentioned serviceability. Township bought a new JD grader 5 years ago. I do all the service myself. First thing I noticed, with a huge grin on my face, was location of filters. :D



View attachment 487890

You got it!!!! I was going to post the same thing....brand new neoprem plastic on fresh new metal....Then add heat!!!....Now that puppy is solid...
 
/ Oil Filter Removal #15  
I had a nasty removal once and found a metal band style filter wrench that had a handle that would rotate and swivel in multiple directions. It was enough to get the filter off. I think I got the wrench at Advance Auto but it could have been WalMart. The swivel handle allowed me to force the wrench onto the filter and then use a giant screwdriver to lever the handle enough to turn.


oil_filter_wrench.jpg

It sort of looked like this.
 
/ Oil Filter Removal #16  
Sometimes turning ever so slightly it in the direction to tighten will break it loose.
 
/ Oil Filter Removal #17  
I'm guessing you already know this, but you need to get the engine up to normal op. temp. before trying to take off the filter...the coef. of expansion is your friend, in this instance..BobG in VA
 
/ Oil Filter Removal #18  
I had a nasty removal once and found a metal band style filter wrench that had a handle that would rotate and swivel in multiple directions. It was enough to get the filter off. I think I got the wrench at Advance Auto but it could have been WalMart. The swivel handle allowed me to force the wrench onto the filter and then use a giant screwdriver to lever the handle enough to turn.


View attachment 487897

It sort of looked like this.

I busted one like that on mine.
 
/ Oil Filter Removal #19  
The socket type filter wrench would be my first choice. The torque is applied on the centerline of the filter and you can usually get to the very end of the filter. Don't be afraid to use a long extension and really lean into the filter if needed.

If you can get a rope around it, sometimes that works really well. Put several turns around the filter and pull in the appropriate direction. I've done that when there was no room for the handle of a strap type wrench and I didn't have the correct socket type wrench.

The screwdriver through the filter usually works as a last resort.

I once had to chisel the base plate of the filter off of a engine block after destroying the filter body. (1980 VW Diesel) That was the worst one I ever had but the good news is that it was far easier once all of that mangled sheet metal was gone !

People are often reluctant to drive a screwdriver through the filer because once you do that, you're committed. However, that method almost always works and if it fails you will be well motivated to finish what you started !!

Go Big or Go Home.

Good Luck !
 

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