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Stuck oil filter HMMWV

4x4nutz

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Was using a tooth wrench to remove an oil filter on one of my humvees (a new purchase) and all the wrench does is poke holes in the filter. I know I can tear the filter apart and get it out that way. Anyone know an easier route? thanx.
Just answered my own question: Lol...just pounded a screw driver right through the side of the filter and out the other side and twisted it out....
 

gringeltaube

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I've resorted to the screwdriver trick a few times. It works, but is messy.
... But there is an "advanced" screwdriver trick - with absolute no mess at all!;)
Look in the scrap bin; all you need is a 5-6 ft leftover piece of PVC-insulated copper wire, something like a 2x4 mm² (12 AWG)

I learned this trick from an old ex-Navy mechanic who mostly had worked on the big Detroits: really a zero-cost, poor man's tool and still more effective than any filter wrench in the world; I guarantee...! Ever since I adopted it, I laugh about all those fancy inventions called Oil Filter Wrench...

Double that cable in the middle; wrap it around the object, twice (as pictured); stick a screwdriver/lever/small pry-bar in there and start turning while keeping some tension on the loose ends. Surfaces need to be clean (oil- & dust-free), that's the only requirement, really.

20200612_185625.jpg 20200612_184922.jpg 20200612_185028.jpg
 

gringeltaube

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... And to completely avoid such a "stuck filter" situation there is one more little trick (this one I learned by myself): every manufacturer in the world tells you to put (engine)oil on the seal before screwing on. Well, don't do that; use silicon grease (= dielectric grease), instead.
I bet you will notice the difference, next filter change! 2cents
 

papakb

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Get a large socket that will fit the oil filter adapter and remove the whole assembly then you can do this job on the workbench.
 

frank8003

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gringeltaube comments with the wire is good and the engine oil vs the silicon grease too. After changing hundreds of filters on jet engines {heats locks them up as per design} so I drove my square drive screwdriver thru the bottom or side {lowpoint] to drain and once thru both sides to get enough torque to unscrew them.
On my truck and all the cars I had a bunch of strap wrenches and other means, I tossed or sold all that old school stuff and in 2005 I finally bought a wrench, sort of like "Channel locks" and it has been used and used and used and has NOT failed to get a filter off of anything.
Everybody I have loaned it to, I standby when others use my tools so I get them back, Soon goes and buys one.
I paid big bucks as it just "came out" but now they are cheap and even at Wally World.
 

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Milcommoguy

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Oil 60 PSI on the very best of days. Not 500. Like when was the last time one fell off ?

Righty tighty... But NOT that tight. CAMO
 
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Karl kostman

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I have had 3 trucks that the military had changed the oil on and whoever put those filters on must have figured out a way to put a cheater bar on the filter wrench. I had two of them that I had to (like you) punch a screwdriver through and twist them that way, extremely messy PIA but I got the filters off!
 

gringeltaube

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...it has been used and used and used and has NOT failed to get a filter off of anything.
Don’t know about jet engines… but I have had cases where you simply don't have enough space all around- or sufficient free angle to comfortably turn a wrench, or pair of pliers.

Advantages of that improvised "cable"tool: a) there's only one handle/lever needed; b) it doesn’t have to go-on perpendicular to the rotation axis and c) it can be re-positioned indefinitely, mm by mm, if needed.
So it still does the job even if there was very limited room and the screwdriver could only be moved a few degrees, at a time.
Besides that, one and the same thing will work equally well with a wide range of diameters. Can't do that with regular "professional" wrenches...
 
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