Exactly how to tighten the oil filter?

[hate2work]

I searched for the answer, got nothing.

One site tells me to tighten it with the oil filter wrench.. could that be right?

I've always just tightened it by hand until it got tight, is there a better/more accurate way to do this?

TIA~

 

[KA426]

Mine go on at a 45* angle so I 3/4 fill the filter with oil and put it on hand tight.

 

[tropic]

You've already mastered oil filter installation. Don't shoot yourself in the foot by measuring rotation after gasket contact or ft/lbs.

 

[03Marauder]

^+1. Hand tight is fine. If you used the wrench I would think you would overtighten, and possibly rupture the filter.

 

[01rangerxl]

Hand tightening is fine. I would avoid using a wrench. You don't want it to be on there too tight.

 

[TallPaul]

Here is the Filter Council TSB on installing spin on filters:
http://www.filtercouncil.org/techdata/tsbs/93-3R1.html

Well, guess that wasn't much help, but I'll leave it for what it's wort.

 

[Drivebelt]

I hand tighten. Then 1/4 more turn with a filter wrench. Perfect every time.

 

[Yuk]

My Mazda 6 states on the cartridge filter cap to tighten to 30-35 N-m. (22.2-25.8 ft-lbf). I think this is why many Mazdas end up with twisted cartridges, with crushed peats. Even with the twist, the filters seem to work well though.

 

[wcbcruzer]

Don't use a wrench. I hand tighten it as much as I can.

 

[ThirdeYe]

Originally Posted By: wcbcruzer
Don't use a wrench. I hand tighten it as much as I can.

Ditto, I just turn them by hand until I can't turn them anymore without a great amount of force. Never had a filter leak.

 

[crinkles]

hand tighten my pureone... and after several highway runs have not had a problem. Previous OCI the dealer used OEM and I could unscrew with my bare hands, so was probably hand tightened there too.

 

[Merkava_4]

I either set it hand tight with a PVC glove for grip or I'll use a cup wrench with an 8 inch long ratchet. The main thing is not to over tighten it because you'll split the seal if you do.

 

[ZZman]

Hand tighten is the way to go. Twist until tight but don't strain to get it tight.

 

[02zx9r]

Originally Posted By: Drivebelt
I hand tighten. Then 1/4 more turn with a filter wrench. Perfect every time.


X2, have always done it that way, with no issues either!

 

[demarpaint]

Get it tight by hand, then give it 1/4 turn with a filter wrench. I've never had one leak and was always able to get them off.

Frank D

 

[TallPaul]

Use two hands!

 

[zulu]

By hand only, as tight as I can turn it. Never had one leak, and also never had one too tight to get off. The only time I have issues is when I get it changed at the dealer, but I suspect they use a wrench. The filter has scars on it that indicate they do.

 

[buickmaster]

definitely hand tight. especially if its in a hard spot. never had leaks. the glove for grip i'm gonna have to try, good idea.

 

[ChiTDI]

Hand tighten for sure. No leaks is one issue, the other is an internally crushed filter with flow disruption. Not good.

 

[hate2work]

Thanks for the answers guys, I think I'll just keep tightening by hand since that seems to be the concensus here.

KA426 said something interesting. He fills the filter 3/4 full of oil before he puts it on? Is that some kind of Jedi Master trick that I missed during my training? lol