Changing a %^$&* Dodge Oil Filter

[KPhillips]

Well yesterday, I went and bought some oil and a filter to perform the first oil change on my Dodge diesel since I bought it (I bought it used and it has 55k on it).



Well I got home and crawled underneath and drained the oil, and then popped the hood and preceeded to remove the filter, well at least I tried... . I couldn't get it off.



The filter wrench I had was too small, so I tried a nylon tool belt I had, I've used nylon straps or leather belts with good success in the past,,,,no luck.



Well I was stranded and couldn't do anything til my wife got home so I could go get a new bigger wrench. .



I had found a bigger one that I had, but broke it, trying to loosen this filter... The stealership apparently tightened the filter really good, and I think they may not have oiled the seal first either... . needless to say I was really mad and frustrated that I couldn't get something as simple as a filter off.



My wife finally got home and I went up to Walmart,,,,well no surprise, they didn't have ***** for filter wrenches,,,,so I walked around and was thinking of buying a nylon strap down to use, when I came upon a center isle display. I normally don't fall for the stuff you see thats says "as seen on TV".



It was made by the same guy that sells the Oxy Clean product and what it is, is a strap wrench that uses a piece of rubber for the strap and you can adjust it to any size to open jars, hold PVC while you screw something to it, etc. It came with two; a large and a small for $17.



So I said what the hay and bought it... . Git home and try a it out, but the dang filter is still too tight, this thing won't budge it, but it gripped really well and was trying, there was just no breaking this filter loose... so unfortunately I had to result to using a screwdriver and a hammer and chiseling the top edge of the filter moving a little at a time til it finall came loose.



But I do like the strap wrench set I bought and think it will work well for future oil changes on any vehicle, especially with two different sizes,,,,,I think it was a good overall investment. . I hope anyway... .



kerryp

Bastrop, Texas

 

[RJOL]

Kerry... Don't get discouraged... This is a common problem with the first oil change in a new Ram... Must be put on by a "Mr. Olympus" filter installing machine. Had to do the same thing you did (hammer / large screw driver / pound on the rim) to get mine off the first time...

 

[KPhillips]

I'm not discouraged, it will take more than a stubborn filter to do that to me , thing that frustrated me was that this was not the first oil change (or better not have been ). I bought the truck used, it has 56k on it and the stealership supposedly changed the oil during the prep when I bought it, they tightened the dickens outta that thing, but I was just venting and telling about the strap wrench that I think will help with future oil changes, at least til I put on a remote bypass. .



kerryp

Bastrop, Texas

 

[LSMITH]

Kerry, I put on my oil filters by hand, I turn them 1/4-1/3 of a turn after gasket contact. I have never had a leak and all I need for a filter wrench are the leather gloves in the door pocket. I have had one change done by someone other than myself, it was a dealer and it took me nearly an hour to get the filter off. Same thing for the plug in the oil pan. It took nearly 15 minutes to get off, I ended up with a 3 foot pipe on the ratchet to get it loose. When I do the change I just snug the plug up too, all by feel or it is a nightmare to get out. Hope this helps.

 

[Joe G.]

Kerry,



I don't use a filter wrench of any kind. Here is the way I do it. First remove the air cleaner box and hose to the turbo. It's in the way. Then get a large screw driver and a hammer. Use the screw driver like a chizel on the upper rim of the filter. Just hit it in the direction to unscrew the filter. It may take a few hits to get it loose if it's tight but it will come loose. Then just spin it off with your hands.

 

[tgbol]

I just had the same problem with the drain plug. I broke an adapter and a 3/8 impact wouldn't break it loose. Finally a big cheater bar got it loose. The filter was a piece of cake.

 

[KPhillips]

I do the same you guys do, I used a screwdriver and hammer to get the stubborn one off, and on the new one, i tightened it by hand and then went another 1/4 turn or so... .



actually I have a question, now that I think about it,,,,I got my oil filter at the dealership and they gave me a Fleetguard 3349, which I thought was for the 12 valve engine... . I onfronted them on that and they told me they use the 3349 for both the 12 and the 24, I put it on, but I just wanna be sure its ok, cuz I thought the 3959 or 3894 were specifically for the 24 valver's like I got.



I checked the chart on issue 36 page 12 and theres not much difference, but I wanna hear from the experts here to make me feel more comfy, if its an issue I can just do a filter replacement and add 2 quarts...



kerryp

 

[Joe G.]

There are three filters that work: the standard cellous (3959), micro glass (3552), and stratapore (3894). I use the stratapore which is supposed to be the best filter.

 

[work2muchplay2little]

I hadn't seen my method mentioned, so I'll throw it in. I use a giant pair of channel lock pliers to grasp the base of the filter from above and 3-4 twists and it's loose. I also use the 1 gallon zip lock bag under the filter method - no drips. Gotta be careful of the alternator battery terminal on the back though - had to replace the 140 amp fuse once - stealer only item at $6. 50

 

[BK]

there is a filter "strap" wrench out there that has a real wide band and a square tube that it's on. You 1/2 drive snaps into the square tube.

You put the band around the filter and twist the band around the square tube to take up the slack of the band thats around the filter (in the direction you need to turn the filter to get it off). Then you keep turning it it gets the most stuborn filter off. As you turn it will tighten, if the filter crushes,, the slack is taken up on the band and it just keeps tightening as you turn. Whats real nice is that the square tube is parrallel to the filter. . so with an extension on the drive, your above the valve cover for as much twisting room as you need.



Before I spin off the filter, I put a large zip lock bag around it to catch any oil that will spill. One hand holds the zip lock, the other spins off the filter. . and I let the filter drop into the bag and just lift the bag out.



I put the filter on by hand and use a latex glove for added grip for the final 1/3 turn.



I have two marks on the filter mount. After I install the filter I use a permant marker and put to marks on the filter that line up with the two on the filter mount. It's never turned on me yet.





I started to loose my stock drain plug. It was starting to round out. I ordered one of the big hunker drain plugs from Genos... much better.

 

[Koa Man]

I also use the giant water pump plier method for oil filters with the plastic bag. I used to use ziplocs, now I go the cheaper route and double up the bags stores use to put the stuff you buy in. I was throwing away half of them so I figured save a few cents and quit using the ziplocs.

 

[illflem]

I also use large water pump pliers, gets 'em every time. Found that if I leave the oil drain overnight that the filter is only half full of oil and no bag is necessary.

 

[TPCDrafting]

I do as LSmith does, hand on, hand off. I have seen guys get a big screw driver, hammer it all the way through the side. It makes a "t" out of it and then you have two handles to pull/push on. It makes a really big mess, but it works as a last resort.

 

[Briar Hopper]

You guys are too much. Having been warned by previous threads just like this one, it was much, much more fun for me to take the truck to the Valvoline Instant Oil Change in town, for it's very first oil change, worth the $30 to watch them trying to get the filter off. :-laf

That was two years ago, and they still talk about it. (it's a small town)

 

[Sregorb]

For those reading about this for the first time and for those who have been initiated already. Backup info:



http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/filter/oil_filter.htm

http://home.austin.rr.com/murdocks/oil.htm



Second one is quite entertaining (and right on).

Brian

 

[dremelts]

Originally posted by Joe G.

Kerry,



I don't use a filter wrench of any kind. Here is the way I do it. First remove the air cleaner box and hose to the turbo. It's in the way. Then get a large screw driver and a hammer. Use the screw driver like a chizel on the upper rim of the filter. Just hit it in the direction to unscrew the filter. It may take a few hits to get it loose if it's tight but it will come loose. Then just spin it off with your hands.

Joe, I have the greatest respect and admiration for your expertise on the Cummins (really appreciated your directions when I did the KDP tab fix), but MAN that seems like a lot of work just to change the filter. I use the strap wrench that BK mentioned and it's really a piece-of-cake to remove the filter from the top without removing any other engine components and without spilling a drop (don't even need a plastic bag).

 

[10-G]

I came across a neat tool after having a few fun experiences like Im reading about here.



I purchased a plier type filter wrench at Pep boys. It was about $7. The handles are long so you dont have to reach very far and it gives you good leverage. Reach it in there and crank once or twice to break it loose. It has little teeth on the extra large jaws for good gripping. Tighten new one by hand. Add a quick drain plug and you can be done in thirty minutes.

 

[Joe G.]

Dave,



Actually, it's easier to do it the way I do. I take the air filter box off because I always check the turbo for dirt and play in the rotor as well as to give me more room to work. The air filter is really easy to get off since it just sits on three plastic studs. A 5/16" socket on my battery powered drill and zip the clamp is loose. Jerk the air filter box up and it's off. Ten seconds at the most. I always let my truck sit over night before service so the oil is down in the oil filter. No need for a bag and no mess. I can get the oil filter loose with a screw driver and hammer in less time than you can get a strap wrench on it. About three hits on the rim and it's loose. The rim of the oil filter is easy to get to from the top.

 

[BK]

I also remove the air tube... just gives me a bit more elbo room that I need to get my arms in there without pushing stuff around.

It takes only 30 seconds. I find it's easier for me to get the filter on with a bit more room.



dremelts , you lucky not to need the bag. I've tried the syphon trick and allow time for the oil to drain. But it doesnt always work for me and I still get oil out when I remove the filter... about 70 % of the time.

That strap is great. . I've tried every tool made for taking off the filters... IMHO, the strap is the easiest tool I've used for it.

 

[PMalin]

Yea, I remember the day, I used one of the Strap Wrenches, long extension, 1/2 inch drive, and a length of pipe for a cheater bar, to get that factory filter loose. Bent the old filter can a bit while at it. Also a note, be careful with tools around your alternator connections, when changing filters.