I changed my oil for the second time the other day, and when I put my oil filter on, I tightened it up almost all the way with an oil filter wrench. I read somewhere that your supposed to tighten it up by hand until it gets snug (this is after I put it on so tight), and then turn it 1/4 turn and thats all. No more than that! I thought oh s#%* Am I in serious trouble?

 

If you can't get it to move next time you go to do your oil take it to the dealer or one of the fast lube places and let them deal with it and laugh at them if they say they can't get it to move.

 

as long as you can take it off next time you go to change it again, you should be ok. just try not to do that again

 

Thanks guys, It should be ok. I'm cool. Really. I beleive it will come off there. I feel like a nerd or something. I should have known better than that. I know your thinking" excuses...excuses" I guess you learn something new everyday.

 

I've always known it to be hand tight until it's "snug" (can't turn with just fingers), then 3/4 turn (by hand). Even with that, it's amazing that you have to use a wrench to get the darn thing off after 3k miles.

This is just a suggestion, and not meant to suggest that anything's "wrong", but if you plan on doing the next oil change, I'd really consider taking this one off now, and doing it right...... I'm just saying that if it takes a wrench to take it off after 3k miles, (after only hand tightening it originally), it'll be a real PITA later, since it's torqued on there pretty good now....... Only cost you another filter and a quart of oil now, but may save you alot of frustration later on..... Just a thought. As long as you didn't strip the treads, it'll be fine.........

 

IMO......TAKE IT OFF NOW.....JUST REPLACE IT AND TIGHTEN THE NEW ONE ABOUT 3/4 TURN AFTER IT MAKES CONTACT.....IT'S ONLY GONNA GET HARDER TO TAKE OFF THE LONGER IT'S ON. JUST TOP OFF THE OIL AFTER YOU REPLACE IT.

P.S......Don't sweat it....Just a lesson learned

 

It is also a good idea to prime the oil filter seal before installation. Just pour a small amount of oil from your new supply on your finger and spread it around the seal... helps alot with removal of filter..... seal doesn't stick and makes it easier to break loose... I would at least break the filter loose and re-tighten it appropriately..... overtightened can be a real pain. I have seen filters that we had to drive a screwdriver through to get them to turn....

 

I heard that a filter overtightened can cause the gasket to crimp. It could lead to an oil leak. Like someothers have said, remove and replace.

 

Yes overtightening can cause crimping of the gasket. I know because I learned the hard way. I did the same thing when I did my first oil change years ago....soon enough it started to leak. The other thing that can happen is that the can could have been crushed slightly when you tightened it so hard with the filter wrench. This could in effect reduce the flow of oil through the filter...but by how much I dont know. Just to be safe...change it now. Good luck.

Oh...one more thing. Oiling the gasket is a good idea...but not if it doesnt require it. Certain filters have a teflon impregnated gasket that does not need oil. There will be a symbol on the filter itself. A drop of oil in a circle that is crossed out. Oiling these gaskets can also cause overtightening. Just FYI.

 

I never overtighten my oil filters but they are still a pain to get off next time. I started getting the K&N Oil Filters because of K&N reputation but also because they come off with a socket wrench. Makes life much easier.

Just my .02.

HukserMac

 

WELL, I WENT TO AUTOZONE TODAY AND BOUGHT MY QT. OF OIL AND FILTER, AND I BOUGHT A SMALL YELLOW FUNNEL FOR 75 CENTS (PERFECT FOR OIL CHANGES) THEN WENT TO TAKE THE FILTER OFF AND IT CAME OFF PRETTY EASY. PARTLY BECAUSE I HAVE AN OIL FILTER WRENCH THAT HAS LITTLE STUBS STICKING UP ON THE INSIDE OF IT TO GRIP THE FILTER. ALTHOUGH IT WAS VERY TIGHT, I MANAGED TO GET IT OFF. IF I HAD WAITED 3000 MILES LATER TO DO THIS, I'M SURE I WOULD NOT GET IT OFF THERE UNLESS I JAMMED A SCREWDRIVER THROUGH IT TO TURN IT! THANKS FOR HELPING ME OUT GUYS, A MILLION THANKS GOES OUT TO YOU.

 

STOP YELLING JOSEPH.

I have always put a little fresh oil on the gasket and just hand tighten the filters on. I have never had a problem removing a filter with my hands, except for the first time I change a filter on a vehicle. The factory guys must think they are permanent installations.