Alright guys,

Decided this year to do my first full service of my own car, with today being the due date. Everything went swimmingly until it came to removing the oil filter.

According to the Haynes manual this should only be screwed on hand tight, however could i heck shift it. Had a chain type oil filter wrench lying about, tried that but due to the cramped position of the oil filter on the MkI VRS couldn't really get adequate access.

Did a quick google and found that a 76mm 14 Flute socket would do the trick, so duly popped to Halfords, new OEM filter in hand, checked that socket out on the new filter, fitted like a glove, all is looking well.

Got back to the workshop and went to use the socket to remove the old filter only to find it wasn't fitting properly - argh!

The filter that is on doesn't appear to be an OEM one, however I can see no markings to determine whether it is MANN, Mahle, Febi etc, I have measured the old filter and it is 76mm just like the new one.

As such was wondering if anyone knew what sort of tool may be needed, ideally another socket based one.

Cheers

Used a chain on mine from below without any problems, tempted to say stab it with a screwdriver, but I'm not sure how far it goes inside so you may damage it! lol

Sent from my Galaxy S2 not a Crapple!

Got to love people when they don't oil the seal and over tighten them.

Used a chain on mine from below without any problems, tempted to say stab it with a screwdriver, but I'm not sure how far it goes inside so you may damage it! lol

Sent from my Galaxy S2 not a Crapple!

Considered that idea but knowing my luck thus far on the matter would probably only make things worse!

Tried using a pair of rubber gloves? Sounds silly I know but I use an industrial pair to twist mine off. Admit though I fit it back each year not too right and oil the seal.

Theres one you can get that sits on top of the filter. All you we need is a long bar and a ratchet and off it should come.

lol mmm

i have a claw type remover as the angle the filter is is a pain.

cant believe so many would be mechs screw things up.

hope its sorted

+1 for stabbing it - when all else fails, that filter has to come off. Never a nice task to carry out but it's the only way sometimes : )

+1 for the attack from below as per Raf.

I have one of those belt yokes (sorry to get technical!) and couldn't get enough leverage from above so went at it from below and happy days.

Best of luck with yours.

If you are stabbing it though - be ridiculously careful!

I've got a claw style oil filter wrench, teeth dig in to the metal body... Et voila!

I have one like this, it's ace:

Robs type above is pretty useful (I certainly do have one, in fact, I have about 6 different types of filter wrench, and probably about 12 in all), but the ultimate in fiddly areas is always a cheap oil filter strap wrench.

http://www.amazon.co...c_df_B0001K9PF0

That one will always give you results, just wrap it around, pull it snug, and pop your ratchet (and in most cases an extension) in and twist, whereas other types just don't fit in some applications. However, the three clawed one should be just fine on an Octy.

That's the one I got. They are perfect as they tighten up the more you undo so either way it won't slip. Best type to have .

I have one like this, it's ace:

yep the one i use...works very well.

Doing filters up hand tight normally means by the time you come to remove, you will not just remove with hands as the heat will make an effect on the tightness of seal, even so should be easy with a chain.

I would just put screwdriver into side and turn it. You won't damage anything as the filter is one piece and nothing from car hangs down into filter

In the end, out of sheer necessity of needing to drive the car, we ended up just leaving the filter in place and doing an oil change. Its only done about 7000miles and the intention is to change the oil again in another 6 months which should see no more than 4000-5000 more miles done on the car.

Having had a poke about today i can see that it is a Coopers Fiaam oil filter, personally ive never head of them. Having checked their website their part number for their OEM replacement is FT5891 the physical dimensions seem the same as the OEM, so the only thing i can think of is that it has more flutes than the OEM

As i said above i bought the 76mm 14flute cup socket filter tool and it fits the new OEM VW filter perfoectly, but not so the old one. From reading the comments above, it looks like i would be best off investing on one of the strap wrench tools as they seem applicable to just about everything by their design right?

Cheers for your help guys!

Strap wrenches can be a bugger though, I personally wouldn't get one but that's me!

Yup they work on just about anything that's what I ment when I said I have one. Chain type socket, plus I have the fabric strap socket. Both work with a 1/2 inch drive

Sent from my Galaxy S2 not a Crapple!

I've only ever used the chain type or strap type (if not enough clearance for chain), and had success with both

+1 for the claw type, works very well, managed to borrow one of these last service

Facom automatic filter wrench, great bit of kit, tad pricey though

In the end, out of sheer necessity of needing to drive the car, we ended up just leaving the filter in place and doing an oil change. Its only done about 7000miles and the intention is to change the oil again in another 6 months which should see no more than 4000-5000 more miles done on the car.

Having had a poke about today i can see that it is a Coopers Fiaam oil filter, personally ive never head of them. Having checked their website their part number for their OEM replacement is FT5891 the physical dimensions seem the same as the OEM, so the only thing i can think of is that it has more flutes than the OEM

As i said above i bought the 76mm 14flute cup socket filter tool and it fits the new OEM VW filter perfoectly, but not so the old one. From reading the comments above, it looks like i would be best off investing on one of the strap wrench tools as they seem applicable to just about everything by their design right?

Cheers for your help guys!

supprised the socket filter can't be made to fit as mine locks down a lot tighter than the OEM filter if needed.

You can also get filters now with a hex end that a std socket can used on

As an aside, the more i think abut it the more I dislike the idea of leaving the old filter on for another six months

As such i was thinking that when i get the strap wrench in the mail i would get the old one off and put the new filter on.

I just want to check that i am right in thinking that given the position of the filter, when I take the old one out it wont cause all of the new oil to piddle out everywhere just whatever has been retained by the filter? I just don't want to end up having to do another full oil change having just spent £25 a week or so ago on the new oil which will have only been in the car a couple of days.

Cheers

Edited 5 August, 201213 yr by BigJakk

Yeah that's right. Although your new oil will have been through the old filter and mixed with the old oil left in it.

I've heard of Coopers filters when I used to work in a motor factors. They are ok

As an aside, the more i think abut it the more I dislike the idea of leaving the old filter on for another six months

As such i was thinking that when i get the strap wrench in the mail i would get the old one off and put the new filter on.

I just want to check that i am right in thinking that given the position of the filter, when I take the old one out it wont cause all of the new oil to piddle out everywhere just whatever has been retained by the filter? I just don't want to end up having to do another full oil change having just spent £25 a week or so ago on the new oil which will have only been in the car a couple of days.

Cheers

You will have to be quick with the exchange as you will loose oil. The filter can hold up to 500ml so is a fair ammout to loose.

I would prime/fill new filter 3/4 full to compensate(always best to prime filter anyway) and swap over.

I would not attempt a quick swap, has big messy disaster written all over it imo.

I would not worry if you are changing the oil again within 6 months, the filter will be well up to the job, & so you have a bit of old oil mixed in with the new, no big deal (again imo)