Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2000 07:27:47 -0800
Reply-To: Brent Christensen <bpchristensen1@HOME.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Brent Christensen <bpchristensen1@HOME.COM>
Subject: Re: HELP! oil filter stuck
In-Reply-To: <200003120819_MC2-9CBA-59C0@compuserve.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Woody:
This is exactly why I have a selection of about 6 different types of
wrenches in my toolbox! :-)
The strap wrench is the way to go, IMHO - try wrapping a *dry* towel/rag
around the filter and then carefully apply the strap wrench (this makes the
filter "bigger" and the strap wrench will have less play).
Hold the strap on the filter while you push the handle into it as far back
as possible to take up the slack. Then hold it in place to keep it from
slipping back while you start cranking down on it. This method works every
time for me.
Let's hope you don't have to resort to the dreaded "jamb a screwdriver
through it and bang with a hammer" trick...
Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy "Klaus"
Santa Barbara, CA
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of Woody Halsey
Sent: Sunday, March 12, 2000 5:19 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: HELP! oil filter stuck
Dear List,
After all the encouragement to develop an even deeper bond with my most
demanding family member, I decided yesterday to abandon a principle I have
respected since 1976 and change my own oil. How hard can it be, I reasoned,
to unscrew two things, wait a few minutes while something drains out,
screw two things back in place, and pour five bottles of liquid back in?
Will I ever learn? The V'gon has defied reasonable expectations more than
once. And it did again last night. After getting filthy, cold, wet, late
and annoyed, I ended up driving the Jetta to dinner!
I hadn't reckoned with the handy placement of the filter on the w'boxer.
The cap style "wrench" that slips on the end of the filter and is designed
to be turned with a 3/8" ratchet is no good because the ratchet doesn't fit
between the end of the filter and the exhaust pipe; I couldn't for the life
of me make a chain-style wrench work (maybe it was too big); and the
smaller, band wrench won't grab. I couldn't tell for sure in the gathering
gloom and cold last night whether or not I had broken the filter with the
chain (it did grab once), but apparently I did, because now the filter is
slippery with oil.
The Haynes and the guy at the FLAPS both said that the filter should be
only hand tightened. Obviously the mechanic who installed this one really
cranked it down. Any suggestions on how to get it off now will be greatly
appreciated. I am going to wait an hour or so before I attack the project
again, in hopes that the freezing rain will stop and the sun will come out.
I am thinking that perhaps the band wrench will hold, if I wrap the filter
in a clean rag before putting the wrench on it ...
TIA,
Woody
