Oil filter - keeps loosening

[Learjet]

I have been changing my own oil for about 40 years now so I am not new to this but what is new to me is this truck and the terrible design of where the filter is . I use only Fleetguard filters, I always confirm the old gasket came off with the filter, and I prelube the new filter with Rotella T6 before I install them. I honestly think I am not tightening them up enough with the ratchet and the cup style filter wrench. There is barely enough room to turn the ratchet because it rubs on the metal below the filter. I think I am going to get a different type of filter wrench and start using it and see if that helps. I was curious of others were having this same issue. I appreciate all the questions and suggestions.

I use a ratchet with a pivoting head tilted up one click and the end cap tool...to avoid the issues with clearance you are having.

 

[OLEJOE]

This is what I use but it might not suit everyone. Had to have it to change the fuel filter on my tractor and it’s just the right size for this.
And what is the plastic tray for under the oil filter? Does it serve a different purpose other than catching oil from the filter or a splash gaurd for the turbo? If it was out you could probably go underneath.

 

[SnoKing]

I have had three RAM trucks and 2 4BT150's in a boat. I always have tightened the filters really hand tight, note I have strong hands, and have never had an issue other than the one time I had someone else change the oil once in the 2001.5. I ask the kid if he was sure that the old seal was not still on the truck, and he said yes. I said show me the old filter, and he did, showing me a filter with no seal/gasket! So he removed the new filter, then the old seal, and reinstalled the new filter. He did not charge me the quoted cost to change the oil and filter that I provided at that point.

I have always done the three RAMs for the top. The two 4BT150s were a braille project reaching around from behind the engine. Filters were hanging down between the block and a cooling line/pipe that ran outside of the filters. Starboard engine had a 100 gal fuel tank just outboard of the engine and was a double braille endeavor.

 

[Cummins2014]

View attachment 116976 View attachment 116975 This is what I use but it might not suit everyone. Had to have it to change the fuel filter on my tractor and it’s just the right size for this.
And what is the plastic tray for under the oil filter? Does it serve a different purpose other than catching oil from the filter or a splash gaurd for the turbo? If it was out you could probably go underneath.

I have ,and used that style, also the socket style on a ratchet, both work. I prefer the socket.

I assume that tray is to catch ,and drain the oil out of the filter. I use an aluminum cap, I stuff an old towel in the cavity below the filter ,drop the filter onto that, and screw on the filter cap, and pull the filter out, no spilling, and no leaning over the fender

 

[seafish]

...The oil is about ready to be changed and I will give it a good inspection when I take off the filter just to make sure the surface is clean and no old gaskets stuck up there. Thanks for all the suggestions.

OP, please DO try to post back what you find or see...not only will you make all us armchair mechanics feel pretty good about ourselves (JK/LOL) but it might well also help somebody else having the same problem down the road !!

 

[Wayne M.]

3/4 turn after the oil wet gasket touches- either by hand or wrench. I think if I had one of these, I’d do the up top approach.

 

[gsbrockman]

I assume that tray is to catch ,and drain the oil out of the filter. I use an aluminum cap, I stuff an old towel in the cavity below the filter ,drop the filter onto that, and screw on the filter cap, and pull the filter out, no spilling, and no leaning over the fender

.....and that’s exactly the purpose of the plastic within that section of the frame rail....for redirecting any lost oil whilst removing the oil filter.

Not an issue for me, as I always went in from the top on my 2013 and 2014 3500’s.

 

[Cummins12V98]

.....and that’s exactly the purpose of the plastic within that section of the frame rail....for redirecting any lost oil whilst removing the oil filter.

Not an issue for me, as I always went in from the top on my 2013 and 2014 3500’s.

Holy crap!!! That’s news to me.

 

[Wiredawg]

I always have tightened the filters really hand tight, note I have strong hands

You MUST have very strong DBs to not have to use a tool. That work for removing too?

Cheers, Ron

 

[SnoKing]

You MUST have very strong DBs to not have to use a tool. That work for removing too?

Cheers, Ron

Nope! Strap wrench to remove, and they come off almost as hard as the original Dodge RAM "Gorilla" installed ones.

 

[Wiredawg]

I have an old Cummins top end tune up toolkit that has a band oil filter wrench that a socket extension fits on, a long extension, barring tool, a couple wrenches, and sockets and instructions for adjusting valves on a 12Vavlve Cummins. Paid about $40 back in 2000.

Us C&C guys can do our our filter changes from the bottom.

Cheers, Ron