Why can't I keep the old filter?
The oil in a car engine is changed every 10-15 thousand kilometers or once a year. When using a vehicle in difficult conditions, the replacement interval for consumables will be shorter. Oil service life depends on the specific brand of fluid and the vehicle. It is necessary to change the oil filter when changing consumables.
The motor is the main unit of the machine, which is subject to rapid wear during operation because it operates under high loads. Over time, foreign substances begin to appear in the lubricant, which negatively affect the functionality of the internal combustion engine. To prevent their impact on the power unit, an oil filter is used. The higher the wear of the device, the lower the quality of the oil, and this will sooner or later affect the operation of the internal combustion engine.
Moreover, it will not be possible to determine the suitability of the filter element visually, nor will it be possible to draw conclusions about the need for replacement based on mileage alone. The lubricant cleaning device always works, including when the engine is idling. Its wear is determined not by the mileage of the car, but by the number of engine hours worked. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s a VAZ 2109, 2110 or a foreign car.
What types of pullers are there?
Each car has an individual principle of mounting the oil filter. At the same time, what remains common to all is the lack of space around them and this is due to the layout of the power units. It is usually so compacted that it is almost impossible to reach the place where the oil cup is screwed together. The situation is further aggravated by the fact that rubber seals may stick to the metal. Accordingly, we can conclude that a specific motor requires its own device or a universal type puller. Therefore, when developing your own design, you need to focus on analogs produced from the factory that are sold in car stores. Covers of different shapes require individual means for their removal. Typically, the casings of such tools are made of durable material, and their surface is treated with special coatings. Some cups have plastic trim pieces that make removing the oil filters much easier. In industry, only the following types of oil filters are produced:
- devices with circuits;
- in which the main element is the belt;
- belt pullers and pullers with grips;
- pullers in the form of crab claws.
These devices cannot be called universal, since they cannot be used for all modifications of cars.
How and with what can this be done?
We suggest you familiarize yourself with the main methods that will allow you to dismantle the filter device with your own hands.
User Andrey Florida in his video explained how to replace the oil filter and what options are available for dismantling it.
Can you twist it by hand?
There are special tools for dismantling the filter device. But you can also unscrew it yourself. If the sticking of the device is strong, a tool or improvised devices will be required for dismantling.
Which way should I unscrew?
The filter is dismantled by turning its housing counterclockwise.
Special key
You can use a special key to unscrew it. This is an effective method, but to implement it you will need to purchase a tool. You will find several key options on sale:
- chain;
- clamping tool;
- tape;
- screw puller.
How to use it correctly?
To unscrew it with a chain or other special wrench, hook the filter device with a tool, securely fix it and remove it by turning it counterclockwise.
Chain type removal tool Special wrench with clamp for filter removal
Rope (belt) and screwdriver
To remove the device without a tool, use a belt or rope with a screwdriver:
- A screwdriver is used to pierce the body of the filter device, as a result of which the tool is used as a lever. When using a screwdriver, you need to pierce the element right through, this will make twisting more effective.
- When using a belt or rope, the dismantling method simulates the use of a special key. The strap should be wide and made of leather or leatherette. A loop is made, after which it is tightened on the device itself counterclockwise. For quick dismantling, give a sharp tug on the rope or strap. The removal process may be difficult due to the strap slipping. Then insert a piece of sandpaper into the loop itself and perform the described steps again.
Hammer and long screwdriver
This method of unscrewing a part is similar to the screwdriver method. Its implementation is relevant if you pierced the filter, but could not move it from its place. Then dismantling the device is possible by applying force from blows with a hammer to the screwdriver handle.
Hammer and chisel
If these dismantling methods do not help or the housing of the filter device is damaged, then use a chisel instead of a screwdriver. Make a small notch on the part for the chisel to rest against. We begin to hit the instrument with a hammer. This usually helps to quickly unscrew the filter.
Homemade instrument
You can change the filter and dismantle the device with a homemade puller. The operating principle of such a tool is identical to a special key.
You will learn about making your own dismantling tool from the video. The material was filmed and made public by the kv3st channel.
You need to build such a device yourself:
- You will need a bicycle chain, or rather a section of it. When dismantling the filter in domestically produced VAZ cars, the optimal chain size is 30 links.
- The chain is connected into a ring; a lock or rivet is used for fixation.
- You will need an unnecessary head from a 19 or 22 socket wrench. You need to make a cut in it that matches the size of the bicycle chain.
- Install the extension into the connecting square hole on the head. Use an awl or ratchet. For reliable fixation, the diameter of the extension must be equal to the size of the hole.
- Unscrew the filter device by turning it counterclockwise.
Gas key
The use of this method is relevant if there is free space around the device. Hook the oil filter housing with the tool and use its handles as a lever. Be careful not to damage other powertrain components. Be careful as some oil will come out of the filter when removing it.
Video “Filter puller”
Watch this video about how you can easily and very quickly make our spare part for removing the filter with your own hands.
When we change the oil in a car, we always change the oil filter, but in order to unscrew it, you need to make a simple key with your own hands that would easily unscrew it. You can, of course, not bother, but just go to the store and buy, but this is not our direction, we will of course do it ourselves.
So let's look at three ways to make this key.
Method 1: We make a VAZ 2106 internal combustion engine chain
There is nothing special to describe here, I think that is already clear from the photographs. We cut off a piece of chain slightly larger than the filter and weld it to a round or other blank. I welded it to the round one, then welded another nut to screw in the lever. And just in case, I sharpened the edge at the end, making it turnkey. That is, now you can unscrew it in two ways, whichever is more convenient. And twist it too.
2 way;
We weld a nut with a bolt through and through and a handle to the ring. We put the ring on the filter, tighten the bolt and calmly unscrew the oil filter. Simple and convenient.
3 way;
Well, the last one, a little labor-intensive compared to the above methods, but maybe someone will consider this method the best for themselves. So;
We find a blank or hexagon, it just fits the 17 or 19 key. Cut off 15 centimeters, then make a slot in the middle with a grinder (5-6 centimeters)
We drill two or three holes, diameter 5.5 centimeters, so that we can then cut M6 threads into them
Then we take some kind of belt, in my case I took it from a seat belt, cut off a piece 50-55 centimeters long. We fold it into twos and insert it into the slot of the workpiece.
Then we heat a nail or an awl and burn holes in the belt aligned with the holes in the workpiece. Then we take a hammer and flatten the workpiece a little, thereby clamping the belt. We screw in three bolts and the key is ready.
We put the belt over the oil filter and wrap the belt around the hexagon, then take the wrench and tighten it with the wrench until the filter comes off. We do the same when tightening the filter, but you need to wind the belt in the other direction.
Good luck to everyone.
Popular;
This replaceable element has to be changed on the car engine every 7-15 thousand kilometers along with the next engine oil change. It is usually attached to the engine at the bottom, and is not easy to get to, and even more difficult to unscrew, since you cannot grab it with both hands.
In addition, during the time from replacement to replacement, the filter housing becomes covered with dust, dirt, various oily deposits, and your hands, not finding the necessary grip, slide along the surface of the part. What to do if you couldn’t unscrew this replacement product with just your hands?
You should use the following simple, but quite convenient and effective devices.
What to do next?
Before screwing in the new device, the installation site should be wiped with a rag. Otherwise, dirt or foreign components will get into the motor fluid, which will affect its quality.
Screw in the new filter without a key
The installation process is as follows:
- The seat of the device is cleaned of dirt.
- About 150 grams of motor fluid is poured into the oil filter. This is done to lubricate the rubberized gasket on the device, as well as to prevent the filter element from sticking in the future.
- A new filter is being installed. It must be carefully placed on the thread so as not to damage it.
- The device twists without any effort. There is no need to use a puller during installation, otherwise dismantling during the next replacement will cause difficulties.
- After installation, start the engine and warm it up to operating temperature. Assess the condition of the filter device and make sure that no oil is coming out from under the part. Fluid leaks are associated with a faulty filter or poor installation. In the first case, the part must be replaced, in the second, it must be tightened.
Having decided to change the oil in their car themselves, many car owners are faced with an unexpected obstacle - the oil filter does not want to be unscrewed by hand.
Everything is complicated by the round shape of the filter element housing, which is impossible to grasp properly. It’s good if there is a car store nearby that sells special pullers of different types (they are chain, screw, end, belt, etc.), but what if there is no way to purchase a key, but you desperately need to remove the filter?
In fact, everything is much simpler than it might seem at first glance: there are several simple ways to remove the oil filter without a key
. We will talk about them in detail in this article.
Types of chain pullers
Manufacturers offer two options for chain pullers:
- With a handle. Depending on the diameter of the filter, the length of the tool chain is adjusted.
- Turnkey/head. The size of the puller is adjusted automatically as it rotates.
On the handle of the first type of chain filter puller wrenches there are several protrusions designed to secure the loop of a single-link or two-link chain. There is no need to select free play, since the flap begins immediately after applying force.
Method 1: Using a strong, sharp screwdriver and hammer
This is the simplest of all possible options. The principle is as follows:
- Take a large flat screwdriver and use it to punch a through hole in the filter housing (the metal is thin, so this can be done with almost one blow).
- Next, you need to grab the handle of the screwdriver and apply force in a counterclockwise direction. Due to the increase in the force arm, the filter breaks off quite easily, after which it can be unscrewed by hand.
Please note that the oil can remain hot for a long time, so safety precautions must be observed.
How to unscrew an oil filter without a key: 4 proven methods
Screwdriver . This method is perhaps the most popular among all; it can be used in any case, even when it is impossible to get to it with a regular key. The principle is simple: take a powerful screwdriver, thicker and longer, and use it to punch a hole through the filter, after which, using the screwdriver as a shoulder, a force is exerted on the filter. Due to the increase in the force arm, the filter is very easily torn off, after which it can be continued to be unscrewed by hand.
Important: It is necessary to pierce the oil filter housing right through, breaking through only one wall; after trying to unscrew it, you can literally cut or tear the filter housing. In the end, you will only complicate your life. Also keep in mind that the oil can be hot, and even a few drops on the skin can cause burns, so prepare suitable clothing, goggles and gloves in advance.
Leather belt . The second option, if done correctly, is no less effective and allows you to unscrew the filter without a key. Moreover, this option can be safely considered an analogue of a special wrench for removing the oil filter. The principle is this: take a wide leather belt or a similar piece of leather, make a loop around the filter housing and tighten it counterclockwise. After this, we use the formed end as a lever and try to unscrew the oil filter.
Important: The filter housing must be clean to prevent the belt from slipping. During all the manipulations described above, you can experiment with different knots and the number of loops. Sometimes “your” version paired with the “grandfather’s” gives a very good result. You can use sandpaper as a “cure” for slippage. If you don’t have a belt or a piece of leather, you can try using a rope paired with sandpaper.
Gas key . If there is enough space in the engine compartment, then you can safely use the so-called “gas key” as a key. A large gas wrench is used to grab the filter housing, after which it is unscrewed. Due to the long handle and the ability to clamp the body, unscrewing is very easy.
Important: When using this method, be careful; due to strong pressure on the housing, it may burst, as a result, you risk crushing the filter and dousing yourself with hot oil.
Hammer and chisel . Well, everything is simple here, “our brother” has these two tools embedded in the brain at the genetic level.
