Thanks for all the replies guys. I got some sleep last night. I couldn't find anything about getting only 1/2 turn from an oil filter on the internet but you guys helped out. Thanks again.
Originally Posted By: Olas
If it was definitely the right filter then hand tight will be fine.
...Double check your filter is the correct one, and that it’s not double gasketted. If that’s the case you're good to go!
I had the VIN and check through the computer and Napa to make sure it was the corrrect filter. Even check to make sure it was new and undamaged. I even checked it against the oil Champ filter and have the same base, just a bit shorter like most downsized shop filter. I also double checked the oil gasket was not stuck on the engine and still on the oil filter.
Originally Posted By: marc1
...all specify 3/4 turn on the filter housings (AC or Motorcraft)... I could not tighten any of these filters to 3/4 without "reefing" on them way more than I was comfortable. They were all sufficiently tight at 1/2 plus a little tweak. Never lost a filter and in fact sometimes they are too tight to remove anyway on the next oil change even though I was nowhere near the 3/4. My rule now is hand tight and then a very slight oil filter wrench assisted tweak regardless of the canister recommendation. Ends up being 1/2 plus a tiny bit in my experience.
I haven’t worked on many GM vehicles. It’s mostly Toyotas, Nissans, and Fords that creep up on me. On the Nissans I can get a full turn before it feels tight. It was a bit odd that I could only get half a turn on this truck but it’s nice to know I’m not the only one.
Originally Posted By: hemitom
I have put many oil filters on a lot of different makes and models, and I’m very anal about the oil filter leaking, most only go on half a turn for me, and the funny thing is when taking these filters off more often than not I need a wrench to get them off. I have on my own cars put filters on until gasket contact and quarter turn or less to see if they would leak on start up and they never did, but i also never had the nerve to leave them at a quarter turn either I would always snug them up before dropping the car.
The old Champ filter came off by hand with quite a bit of effort. The drain plug on the other hand required help from the boot to come off but that's for another story. I would have been comfortable at 2/3 turn like the old AC Delco filter suggested but 1/2 is all it gave. I wouldn't leave it at 1/4 turn either.
Originally Posted By: ecotourist
I seem to have a lot of difficulty telling when the gasket first makes contact (seems they're often a long reach or awkward in some way)...
Ecotourist
I judge gasket contact by feeling how much the oil filter "rocks" or is loose on the treads of housing as I spin it on. When the rocking stop with the no increase in twisting effort, I marked and turn the filter to spec.
Originally Posted By: Olas
If it was definitely the right filter then hand tight will be fine.
...Double check your filter is the correct one, and that it’s not double gasketted. If that’s the case you're good to go!
I had the VIN and check through the computer and Napa to make sure it was the corrrect filter. Even check to make sure it was new and undamaged. I even checked it against the oil Champ filter and have the same base, just a bit shorter like most downsized shop filter. I also double checked the oil gasket was not stuck on the engine and still on the oil filter.
Originally Posted By: marc1
...all specify 3/4 turn on the filter housings (AC or Motorcraft)... I could not tighten any of these filters to 3/4 without "reefing" on them way more than I was comfortable. They were all sufficiently tight at 1/2 plus a little tweak. Never lost a filter and in fact sometimes they are too tight to remove anyway on the next oil change even though I was nowhere near the 3/4. My rule now is hand tight and then a very slight oil filter wrench assisted tweak regardless of the canister recommendation. Ends up being 1/2 plus a tiny bit in my experience.
I haven’t worked on many GM vehicles. It’s mostly Toyotas, Nissans, and Fords that creep up on me. On the Nissans I can get a full turn before it feels tight. It was a bit odd that I could only get half a turn on this truck but it’s nice to know I’m not the only one.
Originally Posted By: hemitom
I have put many oil filters on a lot of different makes and models, and I’m very anal about the oil filter leaking, most only go on half a turn for me, and the funny thing is when taking these filters off more often than not I need a wrench to get them off. I have on my own cars put filters on until gasket contact and quarter turn or less to see if they would leak on start up and they never did, but i also never had the nerve to leave them at a quarter turn either I would always snug them up before dropping the car.
The old Champ filter came off by hand with quite a bit of effort. The drain plug on the other hand required help from the boot to come off but that's for another story. I would have been comfortable at 2/3 turn like the old AC Delco filter suggested but 1/2 is all it gave. I wouldn't leave it at 1/4 turn either.
Originally Posted By: ecotourist
I seem to have a lot of difficulty telling when the gasket first makes contact (seems they're often a long reach or awkward in some way)...
Ecotourist
I judge gasket contact by feeling how much the oil filter "rocks" or is loose on the treads of housing as I spin it on. When the rocking stop with the no increase in twisting effort, I marked and turn the filter to spec.
