GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I went to change my oil today and I could not remove the oil filter. It wouldn't budge by hand or with a wrench. Stupid monkeys at the dealership either put it on way too tight or didn't put any oil on the ring. It's got an AC Delco filter which is smooth and almost completely round, so nothing to really grip on to.Any suggestions for getting it off next time?

I use a plastic socket that fits the indentations on the very bottom of the filter. Are you saying that the Delco filter doesn't have these?

The ones it has are very slight. It is almost smooth all the way around. The plastic cap that I have bends before I can apply enough force to move the filter.

it's not the cleanest, or most fun way to do it, but i got one off of a friends old nissan once by stabbing a screwdriver all the way through the filter to make a handle.

Had a similar issue with mine. Ended up using a large channel locks to get it broke loose.

I'D MAKE THE DEALER DO IT FOR FREE. BRING YOUR OIL AND FILTER.

The dealer is an interesting option. They have this policy where if they don't look at all the lights, fluids etc. when you check it in, they will give you a free oil change. They've never done that for me.With the oil filter located where it is and my big hands, I don't see any way where I could get a screwdriver into it.

Quote, originally posted by NewNeptune »I went to change my oil today and I could not remove the oil filter. It wouldn't budge by hand or with a wrench. Stupid monkeys at the dealership either put it on way too tight or didn't put any oil on the ring. It's got an AC Delco filter which is smooth and almost completely round, so nothing to really grip on to.Any suggestions for getting it off next time?Man, do I hate to hear this one. I've have heard about this 300lb Gorilla tightens them up at the factory so I had the Stealership do my first oil change. I told them that I wanted the secretary to hand tighten the filter after they wrench the old one off. Well, I guess they had Big Bad Bertha install the new filter, 'cause the replacement filter was NOT what I would call "Hand Tightened". I used a metal oil cup that fit on the Delco Filter to finally get the filter off. I have never had a problem getting the filters off since I've been hand tightening the filters myself.

I have done the stab and twist before. I looked good covered in black used oil. Go to the parts store and tell them you need a filter wrench to fit yours. I would say a metal end cap, chain or strap filter wrench would work best. The best one I got is a "U" type clamping wrench that squeezes the filter. Bad thing is it did not fit ours. not sure if they make that time as small as we need.

Is there room to get a punch in there? I was working on a Ford van that had King Kong at Wal Mart put the filter on. I tried an air hammer with a punch--that was not enough. The screwdriver and a filter wrenches (nylon strap and metal U) ended up making the filter look like a pretzel. Last resort was a handheld sledge hammer and a punch at the base of the filter. I haven't changed my oil yet (2400 miles since last change and waiting to hit 45k), but I will get my punch ready for when I do.

This was my solution:Use one of those oil filter remover plastic caps (the ones that never really fit your filter). Pre drill two holes (see picture below).Place cap over oil filter and "jab" two screws into it.Unscrew cap using square head ratchet.

That's a good idea! My original filter was a bear to get off. I used a large set of channel locks. I pretty much crushed the filter, but it came off.

i had the same problem with the toyota OEM filter the dealership put on, i ended up using the above picture end cap 65mm (smallest one on the rack) and an extention on the ratchet. that finally did it, i never thought of using screws, it's really messy down there.

Same problem here too. I ended up taking off the rock guard to get more room to play with, and more leverage, and slipping a strip of rubber inbetween my filter and my wrench to get more grip on the filter. After that, it came right off.

I might try the screw trick. What are the chances that it will mutilate the filter instead of taking it off?