!$#%$** oil filter

N

nipper

God
Well, I tried to save some bucks this year and do an oil change on my 4.3 litre v6 mercruiser and it has turned into a nightmare. First, I could not get the darned extractor pump I bought from West Marine to suck out even a drop of oil. I then discovered a line leading from the oil pan that must be for a remote oil filter or something. Anyway, I removed the brass plug in the end of that line and drained the oil out through the bilge. So far so good other than having to return that piece of **** oil extractor. Now, while the engine is still warm, on to the oil filter.

Got a strap style wrench on it, it tightened around, I pull and nothing. So, I pull harder and oil (hot!) starts coming down on my hands, so I think I have loosened it enough to just reach down and do it by hand. Nothing. Will not budge an inch. So I get the wrench back on it, pull again, and more oil comes pouring out because I had now succeeded in thoroughly crushing the filter canister.

Long story short, I have used end cap filter wrenches, oil filter pliers, regular slip on strap wrenches (metal), a rubber strap wrench, large channel locks, and I cannot budge the danged thing. I am at my wits end. I would love to just jam a screwdriver through it and give that a try, but I just cannot get enough of a push to jam it through, and I cannot get a hammer down in there to tap/bang on the screwdriver. Help!! What do I try next other than taking it in for service.
 
I can't think of anything you haven't tried. I purchased the giant Channel Locks from Sears for just such an occasion but that was for my truck with good access. Try tapping on the filter housing with a hammer, curse a lot, have a sip or two of the beverage of your liking and then use the big channel locks, repeat as necessary. You can get it, hang in there.
 
Get the strap wrench up close to the top of the filter around were the rolled bead is. Its the strongest part of the filter and will not crush,then pull like heck while using a couple choice words to your liking. Another option is to get a strap wrench that can be used with a breaker bar and extension is necessary and try to get it from the top. A friend down here is having the same problem as we speak(or type)and may have to raise the engine to get it off. Have ya considered a remote filter set-up? Makes life a hell of a lot easier.
 
I saw a chain style wrench in Autozone which I might go buy and give it a try. I am all bruised on my chest and arms from the contorted positions I have been in to try to work on this thing!
 
Go to napa if ya can and get a better quality tool! Autozone,advanced and the like have junk. Don't waste your time,money and skin and blood.
 
Got a Napa close by. I will give it a shot. Going out there now to get the tool and get that sucker off. It is about 87 degrees with a thunderstorm threat, but I have to get this done! By the way, I called the dealer that did the last oil change and they said "oh, we always just put them on finger tight." Yeah, right. And no, even though the thought is constantly crossing my mind, I am not trying to tighten it, unless this danged thing is reverse threaded!
 
Oh, and have I mentioned that despite the variety of positions I have twisted my body into, I am doing this completely blind!! Definitely going to do the remote filter thing, BonitaDan!
 
Good luck man. I got a kit for $150 bucks from a place up by the great lakes. I'll try and find the receipt and get ya the name.
 
Fishers Marine. Erie,Michigan 734-848-6721
Didn't see a kit on their site but a phone call never hurt. Cheapest on e-bay was $219 from St.Clair marine. What model year is your engine?
 
hey nipper, welcome to my world, I'm beat up pretty good getting every ones boat running for the weekend, got one more day to go and a big bottle of asprin for tomorrow

Getting the wrench up to the top is the ticket, the rolled edge won't crush. If it slips, glue some sand paper inside the strap of the filter wrenchwrench. I've used a small pry bar to pry against the rolled edge to turn the filter, you may be able to do it witha screw driver, use teh bellhousing as a pivot point with a small prybar or screw driver, get the tip up against teh rolled edge and try to turn it. worse comes to worse, beat the rest of the filter off, then try a spanner wrench in the holes for the mounting flange of the filter
 
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All oil filters must be installed with some oil applied to the rubber seal if not it will bite on to the metal and give you you hell during removal. I am not sure if you have a large ring compressor slide it over the filter tighten it down then use a strap wrench. Good luck
 
Thanks twisted. I think I gave you my phone number in a previous PM. I would be so pleased if you could help. I have family coming in for the weekend and I may get a nephew or two under there to take a whack at it. I will be leaving work around noon today so I could hook up with you today or after you get off work tomorrow. Sunday I will be attending the greatest spectacle in racing--the one and only Indianapolis 500. Off Monday as well.

Again, thanks for your offer to help and I look forward to a chance to meet with you! With a name like slightlytwisted, I think you just may be the guy to twist that darned thing off!!
 
Finally got that sob off!! It took 2 guys, one on his back with head under the engine and another on top of engine reaching down to get the wrench on and hold it between turns, but it finally came off. Discovered the problem was that the danged thing had been put on at the factory with gasket sealant!! No wonder it was such a bear. Mercury shouldn't do that to a guy. The filter was an AC Delco, so it had probably been put on by Chevrolet which makes the block for Mercury. Either Mercury factory should have put a different one on, without gasket sealant, or the mechanic who installed the brand new motor for me should have taken that off and put on one with just the rubber gasket (this had both rubber gasket AND gasket sealant) before putting it in my boat. In fact, I talked with the mechanic about the problems I was having and he said something like "yeah, those factory filters can be really hard to get off with the factory paint all over them and such." So, he knew from experience that the thing was probably gasket sealed on and should have switched it out. Am I po'd? You bet. Relieved, but still po'd that I had to spend so many hours trying to wrench that thing off.

A shout out to Slightly Twisted who called to offer his help, but I had gotten it off about an hour before his call.
 
As soon as I saw this thread's title I knew exactly what you were going through, crushed filter and all. I had the exact same problem on a mercruiser 5.7. After spending a couple of hours trying oil filter wrenches, channel locks, and a screwdriver after I crushed the filter, all in 98 degree weather with 99 percent humidity, I had finally had it. Suddenly the voices of God, Jesus, my Forefathers, and my inner self said in unison, "Bradford.... You must focus your Chi". A calming breeze blew across the land as I walked back over to the boat with the thousand yard stare climbed over the gunnels and hung myself upside down into the engine compartment and gently turned the filter off with my BARE HANDS! :sun:

May the Force be with you.
 
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