Civic Filter Wrench?

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What do you use on these Civic filters? I have tried the caps that fit over the end and use a ratchet but they hop off no matter how hard you try to hold it on. There is no other size that fits. It doesn!t look like much room there to use a strap filter. Do you have to buy something from Honda to get the filter off. I don!t know if it is only the factory filters or the replacements too but I have never had this problem with any other car.
 
What engine? My R18 (07 Civic) takes the Honda A01/A02 filter (Wix 1356). I got metal cap wrench from Autozone that works just fine. Have you tried going to the store, getting whatever filter the car takes and trying all the sizes of cap wrenches they have to see which one is the most snug?
 
It's probably the A01/A02 that he is using. I would highly recommend a Lisle Import Oil Filter wrench. It tightens as you try to turn and digs into the filter quite nicely to get it off. I've never had a filter I couldn't get off (provided it's within the size specification of the wrench), if it's larger than the Lisle I use my large oil filter pliers. If you are talking about an older civic where the oil filter is above the axle then it may be tough to reach with a pair of pliers so I would recommend the Lisle. You can find it on Amazon or another auto parts website. Oh, and also another tip: If you have one of those rubber pickle jar openers sometimes that will help you get enough grip on the filter to help turn it better as well.
 
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It is the A02 Filter at least the one I bought at the dealer to put on is. I bought the smallest cap they had I believe it was a 65/67 I guess it is supposed to fit two sizes. Nothing else comes close. After the first did not fit I went to Advance Auto Parts and bought the second one that is metal because I figured maybe the hard plastic or whatever was giving but it still kept hopping off. It is a 2008 Civic and it hangs straight down in front of the oil pan. It is really on there tight. I figure a strap will do the job if I can fit it in and still turn it. I will look into that other one mentioned here also and I will try the jar opener too but I think it is too tight. This is the first oil change and on a previous car I had a tough job because I think it was painted on and I had to break the paint seal but at least the cap wrench fit great. Thanks foir the responses.

I hope this is not an omen. I went to the dealer and bought the filter this morning and went to change oil and tried the filter first. Nothing I had would fit so I went WalMart and bought a cap which was hard plastic or something like it. I also opened the new filter and realized it had grease on it in the crack that goes around the inside above the holes and also I guess some glue sticking out too. It also had pieces of something in the holes and stains on the metal. I will bring it back and never buy another Honda filter. I bought a PureOne by Purolator and will use that, it is much cheaper too.
 
I had a stubborn A02 on my RSX last year. The wrench just kept slipping, almost as if the flutes were rounded off; I finally got it off by wrapping the filter in skater grip tape to get some friction on it. At least the filter is easier to get to on the R engines.

Honda does sell a filter wrench, seems to be better built than the stamped steel or thermoplastic cup wrenches at the auto part stores. A good source is H&A, http://www.handa-accessories.com/civmaint06.html

I guess if you're going to get under a bunch of Hondas and have a big enough toolbox for single-use tools it might be worth it.
 
Since you said the oil filter is hanging down right by the oil pan then I would recommend using oil filter pliers since you have room for them.
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Thanks for all the tips. I went to Auto Zone early this morning and they sell the cap wrenches a brand called OEM and it is one size and fit really good and I got it off.
 
Now that you have gotten the factory filter off, read the shop manual where it says how tight the filter should be on. I never put it on tigher than hand tight. And don't forget to lube up the gasket with fresh oil before installation.
 
Originally Posted By: blueiedgod
Now that you have gotten the factory filter off, read the shop manual where it says how tight the filter should be on. I never put it on tigher than hand tight. And don't forget to lube up the gasket with fresh oil before installation.


The official quote is 7/8 of a turn for the larger filter or 5/6 of a turn for the smaller one. Start counting when the rubber gasket first start "touching" the block, or when it stopped free wheeling along the thread. Or the old tradition of all other cars are 3/4 of a turn since rubber touches the block.
 
when I've had problems loosening my oil filter, I have always been told to poke a screw driver through the filter and use the leverage to crank the filter off. Only done it once though.

Just be sure to do it over an oil collection tray because it can get messy.
 
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