Oil filter socket question

[Quinten]

I've got one of these (32mm)

 

 

can I safely replace my oil filter with that?  Or do I really need to go out and get one of these

 

 

Bit of a silly question, but I do not want to put myself in a position where I am stuck halfway through changing my oil...

[trundlenut]

You'll be fine.

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[Quinten]

Sweet!

 

Shortest thread *ever*

[mr rooney]

Put a thin rag over the filter head to protect it if using the top socket in your pic. That's what I do.

[Thisday]

I got a deep socket just this weekend and it was fine, was a 6 point not a 12 point though.

[Quinten]

Put a thin rag over the filter head to protect it if using the top socket in your pic. That's what I do.

 

Hmm, not sure if I got thin rags...  tea-towel is about as thin I would have...  I can see why you do it though, it's much easier to 'round' the corners...

[TeflonTom]

Yeah it needs to be. 36 tbh.

[Phil-J]

It's a 32mm.

Edited 24 July, 2013 by Phil-J

[TeflonTom]

It could be either... They made both sizes on various engines either 32mm or 36mm

[Thisday]

It depends on your car. I assume the op has measured his.

[Quinten]

Yeah, took the caliper vernier to it and it's a 32mm cap.

[Phil-J]

They are very rarely 36mm though.

[giandougl]

As follows a 6 point socket:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310648886440?var=610184203190&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

 

A 12 point 32mm socket WILL do the job, be careful when initially unscrewing, as well as retightening, to the edges of cap/nut.

I don't use a torque wrench to tighten the plastic oil filter cap/nut, it a question to tighten until you cannot easily turn the oil filter cap/nut, any further.

It's better to be on the slack side on tightening, and watch for leakage of engine oil escaping from the cap/nut, and nip-up if necessary.

Good luck 'Quinten'

[Quinten]

But that wasn't the question

[rossa123]

I just use a big adjustable - never had a problem

[Quinten]

I just use a big adjustable - never had a problem

 

For the purpose of us non-mechanical minded people, a picture speaks a thousand words...  what is a big adjustable?

[rossa123]

try large adjustable spanner or a stilson in ebay - it will give you the flexibility of various sizes rather than just have one option that a socket gives you -   

[Quinten]

 

Looks very useful indeed...  something to buy for the future, thanks!

[Phil-J]

Does that go to the correct torque figure too?

[Quinten]

Good point which reminds me to ask, what do you guys use for torque-ing these (and possibly other) up correctly?  I've got a wheel torque wrench, but I assume that's a bit too 'heavy handed' for this kind of thing?

[Thisday]

people recon that its supposed to around 25Nm. so depends on how low your torque wrench goes really...

[trundlenut]

It may actually have the correct torque on the cap.

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[Quinten]

Sorry, I'm looking for tool recommendations, not the torque setting

[Breezy_Pete]

Use a torque wrench...

[Quinten]

Ok, seems I am not asking the question correctly.

 

Does anyone have recommendations for a torque tool that I can add to my collection of tools that would be useful for torque-ing up nuts and bolts just like the oil filter cap, or sump plug, etc?

 

I have a torque wrench I use for my wheels, but that seems unwieldingly big for these kind of 'delicate' things...