oil filter problem (first change)

[David Oxland]

Holidaying in Mesa AZ and took the '04 in for it's first change to a Walmart (they had Delo 400)



Watched while a frustrated and increasingly angry young man struggled with the filter. Went away for a few minutes to take the pressure off of him. When I came back the manager said that they had changed the oil but could not get the filter off. (Terrible tight and poor access. ) I sort of understood; I had a good battle with the '99 on it's first removal.



Does anyone know the name of some Dodge/Cummins savy person in the Mesa area that might be able to get this filter off for me? I've got the replacement in hand ready to go on.

Thanks

David

1-480-830-7481

 

[mconstable]

I hate to give these guys any credit because their sales dept. are vultures, but their service guys are great from the limited experience I've had with them, but give Earnhardt Dodge a call.

 

[GerryDrake]

On my 2003, and presumably on your 2004, the oil filter has to be reached from beneath. I believe this is a change beginning with the 2003's. At any rate, make doubly certain that the filter installed (presumably the one you have in hand) has the flats on the end for the end cap type wrench to grab from beneath. It is my understanding that the ones prior to 2003 didn't have such flats, and were removed from above by removing the air cleaner. If you put one on that doesn't have the flats, it could be an interesting project to get it off next time. The DC # for the 2003 is 0508328AA and I am told the Fleetguard # is LF3972, but I haven't double checked it.

So they changed your oil, and you have 11 quarts of new oil and one quart of old oil?..... Don't know if I would have paid for that without raising bit of a fuss, unless they asked first.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I wouldn't be overly concerned about the one quart of unchanged oil - or leaving the filter on for another few thousand miles - just be prepared next time with a good sturdy strap type filter wrench - and maybe an extension for more leverage if you have room for it - difficult-to-remove filters from the factory are a standard joke here - and I'm not certain the thinness of the filter itself would stand up to the torque needed for a first time removal using the filter-body flats and wrench...

 

[ThomasLawrence]

I did my fourth filter change last night. The first one was on very tight. This last one was also very tight - probably due in part to the bath it took in battery acid (but that's a whole other thread).



The filter wrench kept slipping off the filter as I tried turning it. I wound up using a safety stand underneath the ratchet to press it up towards the filter. This prevents the filter wrench from moving down off the filter and slipping. You can do the same with a floor jack, a block of wood, and a socket (to sit between the wood block and the head of the ratchet). You want to prevent the ratchet/filter assembly from popping off the filter.



Alternatively, if you have a strap-type oil filter wrench, just remove the air box. You can then access the filter from up top. At worst, the old "screwdriver through the side of the filter" technique should give you the leverage you need - just prepare for the mess it's going to make if you puncture the filter.



-Tom

 

[Prairie Dog]

Use a socket type wrench from under the truck and it comes off easy. Geno's sells them but I got mine at a local auto parts joint for $5.

 

[AHann]

Chapman Dodge has treated me well... . you may also want to try the Jiffy Lube at Scottsdale and Shea... . may be a jaunt for you, however they know what to do for these trucks... . I know they have Rotella, however I do not know if they have Delo 400...

 

[jray]

I found a strap type filter wrench at a discount automotive store in Oregon. This particular wrench has a handle that pivots up and down to accommodate tight clearence problems. I found that I was able to access the filter with this wrench through the wheel well area above the frame. I've used the Geno's socket type wrench and it works great provided the filter isn't welded in place. For those really tough ones try to find a strap type wrench with a flex handle. FWIW









2000 SLT CC 3500 305/555 48RE GED ER DUN

 

[doldenburg]

remove the top of the air box and pipe to turbo-very easy to get at filter from top. use a strap tool with 1/2 in. drive extention and ratchet-all filters will work-no mess. i have always done this way on my other trucks also.

 

[JHayward]

Anybody notice how much easier it would be to change the filter if DC took a couple inches off of the inner fender liner?

 

[PNeuzil]

I would highly recommend Dave Kinnison at Ultimate Imports. 480-425-0875 SW corner of McClintock (Hayden) and McKellips. Across the street from that big drive-in theater.



Very honest no BS guy. I take everything to him, including Motorcycles.

 

[SSage]

Its not a big deal, I change my own oil. Just buy the proper belt type filter wrench that any shade tree mechanic should have anyway. My first filter was very tight and took some extra effort. Any garage that can't take an oil filter off would never touch my truck ever again!



After you break it loose you can use a cap style filter wrench, the Walmarts usually have a universal plastic one. Maybe the Walmart lube guys should look in their own automotive department.

 

[David Oxland]

Thanks Gary - KJ6Q



I was pretty well prepared to leave it until I get home seeing as the new oil is in.



On the '99 I had to use a chisel on the rolled edge to get it moving the first time out of the factory.



I kind of feel sory for the kid trying to do the job



Thanks very much gentle men

David

 

[FlyFisha']

I couldn't get the first one off for the life of me... with filter wrench or rubber straps. So I drove a screw driver into so that I could get it started. You'd want to do this over some gravel or cardboard to make sure and not stain you ground/driveway.



Jeff

 

[Dean Upson]

Jeff Hardwick makes a great wrench, it's in the classifieds. The filter can be changed from the top, but it is pretty easy to get from underneath if you use a good filter socket.



Dean

 

[EB]

I agree with doldenberg, take the tube from the air box to the turbo off and everything is right out in the open. After the first change, which was very tight, I now take them off by hand and put them back on hand tight. They don't need to be that tight.

 

[gsbrockman]

Originally posted by SSage

Maybe the Walmart lube guys should look in their own automotive department.

:-laf :-laf :-laf :-laf :-laf :-laf

 

[bodacious]

This won,t help in removing the factory installed filter but if you install a filter it helps after oiling the gasket when tighting it by hand to back off 1/4 to 1/2 turn 2 or 3 times. then tighten it with wrench. The reason for this that as you tighten it wipes the oil off the gasket. This we,ll make a lot easier to remove the nest time

 

[BSkinner]

When changing spin on filters on airplanes, we coated the rubber gasket with Dow Corning DC4 instead of oil. We never had a problem with stuck filters. I don't think the DC "cooked off" like oil might. Anyway, it's cheap and it worked.



Bob

 

[RJOL]

This thread brings back fond memories of the first time I removed my oil filter on my "then" new Ram.



Couldn't get it off with a normal wrench, a strap, or by using a chisel on the rim to try and start it turning.



Finally took a large screw driver and punched it through the filter housing and was able to wrench it off (don't think this will work on the 2003+ as there is little room to work). After I punched it, I was thinking how much it would cost to tow it to the dealer if I couldn't get it off...



No problems with any filter change since.



You'd think that Dodge would get this problem fixed after all these years, but I guess it's their way to make sure you have to go back to the dealer for your first oil change...