Removing a Mutilated PF47...

[gradymotorco]

I really need some help, guys. I got the Intake back together this morning , and so far, everything seems peachy. Before I start her up, I decide to go ahead and change the oil. Everything goes fine while draining the oil, but when it comes time to change the filter, it won't budge with my strap wrench.

After fiddling with the strap wrench for about 45 minutes (and taking out the plastic inner wheelwell to gain additional leverage), I decide to go with the tried and true, and stick my Craftsman flathead 4" screwdriver through it. I still could barely budge it, but it did move a slight amount. But, I ended up ripping out the bottom of the oil filter in the process .

Now, I'm stuck with some shards of metal attached to the end plate, and that's it. How do I proceed now? I am at a loss folks, and I really hate to have a car towed in just to have the oil filter pulled off.

Dave

 

[c3po]

After this is done get yourself a cap wrench, Let me see what I would do, do you have any channel locks or large vise grips, if this does not work you may need to use 1 of those sawzalls, basically it has a blade on it and it cuts, you might need to go higher up on the filter, and if you can spray something like WD-40 on the threads where the oil filter screws on, what kind of car is this, my Mom's car has the PF-47 so I no it is a small filter, before you do any of the above most auto parts stores sell a claw type oil filter wrench that you attach to a ratchet, they give a pretty good grip, if this does not work you may need to cut the filter in half meaning cutting up to wear the filter gasket is, these are just my thoughts.

 

[Bill in Utah]

CAREFULLY get some vice grips and bend the plate to a 90 degree and then use them to twist off the base plate.

Had to do that once. Got lucky.

When done,check the gasket surface carefully for ANY burrs.

Bill

 

[c3po]

Good point, if he can get the vise grip on there he may be able to take it off, or should I say twist it off.

 

[Jimmy9190]

Maybe use a hammer and a brass chisel or punch if you have room and if the vise grips don't do the trick.

 

[Chris71]

Clamp down on a good piece with a pair of Channel-Locks or vise-grips and slowly turn it off. Channel-Locks are good for removing just about any filter. The PF-47 should usually come off fresh with a metal filter cup and ratchet.

 

[sciphi]

^^^ What he said about the filter cup and ratchet. Usually falls right off that way after a light touch on the ratchet. Harbor Freight has a good set of filter cups for $10.

 

[c3po]

It does fall off sometimes but you have 1 hand on the ratchet and the other hand holding the filter cup, he has not posted back he must be busy trying to take off that oil filter.

 

[sciphi]

The HF ones I have usually get wedged on pretty tightly, especially to the PF47. Other brands with different cans, not so much.

Hopefully some pictures of the carnage will be linked!

 

[gradymotorco]

Unfortuantly, my digital camera is MIA, so I can't get any pics up, but I can say that, although I tried every suggestion offered here, I just can't get it off.

So, It looks like time to pull the oil filter adapter. Any advice or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Dave

 

[Bill Plock]

You could try a vise grip chain wrench.. put it on around the base plate.

I've used this on stubborn filters and it has always worked

A large pipe wrench may also work if you have room to get it on

 

[ThirdeYe]

Yeah I would say using a pipe wrench might work, and I also recommend using a Lisle Filter Wrench. It hooks to the end of a socket wrench and actually tightens onto the filter as you turn and digs into the metal so that you can take it off really easy. I've never met a filter it couldn't get off. It works great! But keep in mind there are different sizes. The one I have is for small to mid-sized oil filters and won't work on large filters like say the Fram PH8A, etc. but it will work great on smaller filters like the Fram PH3593A, PH6607, PH3387, etc. They have a larger size for bigger filters too!

I think you can get them at Carquest if you have those around, but I'd call first. I got mine from Auto Barn/Amazon.

 

[mrsilv04]

For starters, I wouldn't let whoever put that filter on, to ever touch my car again...

 

[Pete C.]

If you have truly moved the whole filter, and not just spun the can in the doubleseam, and if you have enough room. Remove as much of the can and the element as you can to expose the baseplate. using a cold chisel or stout pin punch and hammer, put the punch/chisel into one of the oil holes, as flat as you can and beat away in a counterclockwise direction.

What is most likley holding the filter on is a "cooked" in place gasket, unless it is crossthreaded. Sometimes the prudent application of a propane tourch will aid the process. Try heating the baseplate where the gasket is, to char the surface of the gasket. This usually breaks the adhesive bond between the gasket and the baseplate.

PLEASE BE EXTREAMLY CAREFUL USING THIS METHOD!!!

Good luck, and remember to lube those new gaskets from now on. And tighten with your hand only, 1/2 to 1 turn AFTER initial gasket contact.

 

[gradymotorco]

Well, I'll give the new methods a try, but it really looks like removing the oil filter adapter is going to be the only way to resolve this problem.

As far as who installed this filter, don't worry, I will not let them within a mile of any of my cars again. I had let my grandmother borrow the car a few months ago (I was repairing her's), and she saw the "change oil soon" light come on (I forgot to reset it at the last oil change), so she took it to a local GM dealership with a Quick Lube lane. I've never really felt comfortable with anything claiming to do a maintenence service quickly, so I've always steered clear of such gimmicks. Now I see why it can be a problem.

Dave

 

[Drew99GT]

If there is enough can left right at the base plate where it's screwed onto the engine, I'd get the strap wrench on there good and tight. Then, find a piece of plastic or metal pipe that will fit around the handle to give you extra leverage.

If that doesn't work, I agree with thirdye - go buy a monster sized vise grips or channel lock wrench - get it around the filter base with all your might, then strike the handle with a mallet holding on to the wrench securely. I've used that method many times to unstuck sized bolts and such.

Good Luck

 

[severach]

Two techniques that are as effective as they are dangerous: air hammer with chisel bit and a die grinder with a cutoff wheel. Not much can stand up to those including things you don't want to destroy.

 

[c3po]

Have you tried a Dremel Tool with a mini circular grinding wheel, this is small and compact and it is like a spinning saw blade, you basically now need to cut this thing apart from the base, splitting it in half, if you go this route make sure you use some safety googles.

 

[another Todd]

How about a pin spanner in the baseplate holes? Or what Pete C says.

 

[wantin150]

Originally Posted By: c3po
Have you tried a Dremel Tool with a mini circular grinding wheel, this is small and compact and it is like a spinning saw blade, you basically now need to cut this thing apart from the base, splitting it in half, if you go this route make sure you use some safety googles.


Like this idea. Just have to be very careful not to cut the threads.