HELP! Can't remove oil filter from 1.8L engine!

[SuperVibeMan]

Hello fellow Vibe owners. Had a local shop perform what I thought would be a routine oil and filter change, however when I returned to pick up car they told be the canister style oil filter would not come out! So they changed the oil and not the filter. Manager told me one of his techs used to work at a Toyota dealership and this was a common occurrence on the 1.8L engines (mine is a '09 Vibe Base). They said the filter housing assembly would need to be replaced. This sounds bizarre to me as every canister filter I've ever changed was very simple once cap or cover removed filter simply pulled out. Has anyone here encountered this? I've yet to try it myself but still can't believe this is an issue. Any feedback would be appreciated.......thank you! Just called a local Valvoline oil change facility which said it's probably the plastic housing itself which most likely got "rounded" off. Will be crawling under the car this afternoon to see for myself.

[star_deceiver]

There were times when it was quite difficult to remove the canister cover but it was never impossible. If it's rounded off you simply need to use a good strap wrench, one where the rubber strap hasn't degraded. I've used a hammer and punch to get it off before, too, when it was extra stubborn.

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[Caretaker]

I think it is quite common on all new cars actually. I remember having a heck of a problem turning the housing for the first time 4 years ago. I really don't like the canister setup on the Corolla/Vibe. When you tighten it after replacing the new paper filter, you have to really tighten it firmly against the metal base or it will leak like crazy. I also remember my ET's filter being over torqued as I tried to remove it for the first time. If your mechanic/oil shop was expecting the Vibe's canister to gently turn counterclockwise like a normal oil filter, they may not be used to working on a Vibe. You would think that they would have given it the old college try, but I wouldn't surrender just yet. I use an oil filter cup and socket to remove my housing. I think you'll get it to come off. Best of luck.

[star_deceiver]

Remember to put the o-ring in the right spot....

[SuperVibeMan]

Thanks for the tips guys........I finally was able to get under the car and see for myself. My housing is a bit rounded, I'm told from someone not using the correct size wrench. It's a (removed) poor design in my opinion but then again I'm not a Japanese engineer! There are several style tools available on ebay and even the housing itself.....all for about half of what the dealer wants.