I can't take off the Oil Filter!!

[Liquidturbo2000]

Argh! help...!!

and YES i've tried using my hands.. i hate the oil filter's location in this car..

 

[20ESGUY]

You need a filter wrench....i use the strap type wrench cause i cant find a cup style wrench small enough. Go buy one from the local auto parts store...either that or the old screw driver through the side trick.

 

[PR5hokie]

first time changing the oil huh? some people have used oil filter wrenches/clamps but I couldn't get them to fit in the hole that is smaller than......well it's small O.K. I ended up driving a screwdriver through the filter. a bit messy, but it worked. i now use a K&N filter that has the 1" nut on it. others use the factory filter, but since we only hand tighten the filter it's not hard to get off. i don't know what they used to put the original filter on but man did they torque the hell out of it.

Matt

 

[MP3_PR5]

Maybe I can help you out! I had a lot of trouble getting mine off the first time as well. But then after thinking about how to get it off for about 20min, I finally thought of it... First I figured out you can get to the filter from the top as long as you have small hands which I do. Second I got one of those rubber cloths, those cloths that help you get jar lids open to get more "traction" if you know what I mean. Anyway, after finding one of those I simply stuck my hand down from the top wrapped it around the filter and gave it one hard twist with my hand, came off very easily! I must of spent 15min before trying to get it off with a oil wrench!! But, now I use those rubber things to do it and it works like a charm every time!!!

 

[Liquidturbo2000]

Hmmm i gotta try that.. u can get to the filter from the top?? let me look harder.

 

[MP3_PR5]

Yeah, you may have to feel around but it's on the back of the engine block practically in the center. You kinda have to go through a small hole but it's big enough for the filter to fit through. Also, the easiest way to get to it from the top is (if your standing in front looking at engine) go to the left side of the car, and you can get to it with your left hand. Let me tell you....... soooo much easier than going from the bottom!!!!!

 

[aweBlackP5]

Since the filter was small enough, I used one of those funny looking adjustable L pliers. It works great...

 

[jasencio]

I have the same problem the first time, but I buy a socket that fit this filter and get it off. The price of the socket was $3 or $4, I can't remember exactly. It is adapted to a regular socket wrench. I get it from Pep Boys. It is tricky the first time, but ones you make the first change it will be easier.
I have change the filter 5 times, and it takes me like 10 minutes.

 

[cmack98]

Save yourself the aggravation....Take it to an oil change place and let them deal with it....It took me 2 days to get it off. I dont have small hands, and I do have a big belly...So getting it off from underneath, up top, whatever was impossible....

My brother in law had a friend that used to work at pep boys. He had a filter wrench that went on the end of a ratchet. As he turned, the pinchers tightened. Even with that tool, it was extremely hard.

I had a personal vendetta about getting this thing off myself...but honestly, for what I had to go through, it would be well worth it to just drop the $25 and let someone do that, and make sure they HAND tighten the new one....

I tried the strap wrench, the old metal type wrench, the UPS guy got underneath and tried....

I am very against spending more than $10 for an oil change, but those mazda oil filter robots are on some serious steroids...

 

[Liquidturbo2000]

I GOT IT OFF thanks!!!!

Man it took forever. it was overtorqued so much... I tried getting to it from the top, but it's impossible??? is the engine bay in the MP3 larger than the one in the mp3?

btw i put in Amsoil Syn Oil..

 

[derrick1623]

I GOT IT OFF thanks!!!!

Man it took forever...is the engine bay in the MP3 larger than the one in the mp3?

dude, i believe the mp3, and the mp3 are the same.hahaha, glad you got the filter off.

 

[Liquidturbo2000]

Yeah but the guy up there said he got it thru from the top..

There is like no possible way.. and i have skinny asian arms too.

 

[JMS'sMSP]

Well just so everyone knows I had this problem also and asked a friend that works for a ford dealership and he said that they use an impact wrench to install the stock filters. So that is why they are on so tight from the factory. I have changed my oil a couple times now and a good size set of slip-joint plyers works good but I am definetly going to have to get the socket type wrench.

Also Hey CMACK98 I would be careful about who you bring your car to for an oil change. I have had some co-workers say they took there car in to certain companys to have there oil changed and because most 4-cylinder engines have an oil filter that is a pain to get off alot of them wont change it. Just be sure they are changing it thats all I am saying. Me I like doing it myself to make sure it is done and done right. Just my 2 cents take it for what its worth.

 

[pingdum]

Get a cup type filter wrench. With an extension, removing and replacing the filter is easy as pie. The first time I changed to oil on the 5 I hand tightend the filter and it leaked. Now I give it just a little nudge with the wrench and it seals just fine.

 

[70]

You guys crack me up...Yes the first time I got mine off was a pain.

Remeber when they put them on, the engine is not in the car. That and Mazda hires out a gorilla to put those puppies on. It is even worse in a Miata.

I got mine off by using the smallest filter wrench my buddy had, we wrapped about three feet of duct tape around the inside and chopped half the handle off. It worked like a charm.

 

[Don]

It is even worse in a Miata.

Yes, compared to my Miata, the oil filter on the P5 is in a wide open, very easy to get to spot - I never b**** when doing an oil change on the P5.

Now that you've got it off, spin it on (by hand) carefully until you just feel the gasket touch the motor, and then give it an additional 1/2 to 3/4 turn only and I guarantee you'll never have a leak, and you'll be able to remove it next time quite easily with only your fingers - No tools required.

Don

 

[Liquidturbo2000]

Thx for all ur help..

hehe

but i am still wondering how someone could ever get to the filter from the top???? :S

 

[MP3_PR5]

Thx for all ur help..

hehe

but i am still wondering how someone could ever get to the filter from the top???? :S

Very Easily!! I swear!! It's really how I take mine off all the time now, it's almost too easy!!

 

[jdm_mp5]

lol...its funny because me and my dad can't even find the oil filter lol....

 

[LA dreamer]

I couldn't find it either. I even went as far as buying those Rhino ramps at Auto Zone ($20) to jack up the car, but was a little freaked out being under the car so I didn't look very long. I ended up taking the car to the dealer and have them do the oil change. The mechanic showed me where it was located and I wrote down that it's directly above a small green object about a foot and a half and then another six inches or so in. That's just an approximation, but hopefully it'll make it easier to find next time I look.