How to Remove a Destroyed Oil Filter
When working on a car, it’s essential to know how to remove the oil filter. Oil filters are a critical part of your engine’s functioning. They keep oil from leaking out and help trap dirt particles that can damage your engine.
When an oil filter is damaged, it needs to be replaced quickly to avoid any more damage. Here you will find the steps on how to remove a destroyed oil filter so that you can replace it with a new one as soon as possible.
Filters are a must-have for any vehicle, but sometimes things happen. A filter can be destroyed by debris or overuse, making it impossible to remove. But don’t worry! Check out this blog post for tips on removing a destroyed oil filter! Don’t forget that you should always have emergency car supplies in your glove box, including tire repair kits, jumper cables, and more. You never know when you might need them!
Five Reasons Why You Should Remove a Destroyed Oil Filter
1. Some states require you to replace your oil filter when you change your oil. However, replacing a destroyed oil filter could be dangerous if the metal from the old filter finds its way into the engine and causes damage. Therefore, complying with this law is a priority.
2. Changing out an old filter for a new one is generally good practice. Old filters can be porous and let contaminates into the engine and take in contaminates, thus ruining the oil and leading to costly repairs (and a new filter!).
3. If the filter is beyond repair, it should be replaced for safety reasons; it could rupture or burst to send pieces of metal through your engine, which could be very costly and dangerous.
4. You could contaminate your engine if you reuse a filter that has been in contact with gasoline, diesel fuel, or oil; the contaminated oil may damage the engine because of insufficient lubrication. Therefore, it is generally not recommended to reuse an old filter.
5. If the O-rings on the filter are destroyed, it will leak oil. Therefore, it is best to put on new O-rings than to risk the chance of a disastrous oil leak.
Tools Needed
1. A flat head screwdriver or other prying tools
2. A funnel or container for the old oil
3. A new oil filter
4. An empty container to place the old oil in
5. Gloves
6. Wrench or socket set
7. Rags
You Can Check It Out to Remove Oil Filter Cap Without Tool
How to Remove a Destroyed Oil Filter: 8 Steps to Follow
Step 1: Prepare Your Work Area
If you have been changing your oil, then you probably know that having a clean work area is extremely important for any project. Place newspaper on the ground below the car so you don’t get engine grease everywhere. Have a pair of oil-safe gloves and a mechanics wire next to you as well.
Step 2: Remove the Oil Filter
Pop off the oil cap and find the oil filter under the car. It’s a cylindrical-shaped object located at the bottom of your engine. Place one hand on it and give it a few turns to the left (reverse-thread). This will loosen up the seal so you can take it off quickly.
Step 3: Remove the Crush Washer
This small washer is located inside where you just removed the old oil filter and must be removed before replacing it with a new one. Grab one end of it with your hand, push down slightly, and turn counter-clockwise until it pops out.
Step 4: Install the New Oil Filter
Please take out your new oil filter and gently push it into place. When you feel resistance, turn it counter-clockwise to tighten it by hand. Continue turning until there is no more give. Now you can use the mechanic’s wire to finish tightening the filter so you don’t damage it while driving on the highway.
Step 5: Add Standard Engine Oil
Add standard engine oil through the cap until the dipstick shows you are at the half-full mark. Screw on the cap and start your car. Let it run for a minute or two, then check the oil again to ensure it is complete.
Step 6: Clean Up and Put Away
Put the oil-safe gloves in a bag and take them to your local auto parts store. Then, clean up all your tools, put everything back where you got it, and dispose of any rags soaked in oil at your nearest recycling facility.
Step 7: Don’t Forget to Add Transmission Fluid!
Before your car is turned off, make sure you add transmission fluid through the dipstick hole. Then, turn it on for a minute or two before shutting it down. This way, any leaks will get burned out of the engine rather than building up in your driveway.
Step 8: Drive Your Car for a Few Days
Drive your car for a few miles before turning it off again. This will give the new oil filter time to gather up all of the contaminants inside your engine and clean them out. When you turn off your engine after this short drive, be sure to take the cap off the top of your engine. This will allow it to cool down before you attempt to change the oil again.
Common Mistakes When Removing a Destroyed Oil Filter
Mishaps can happen while removing an oil filter, but some are avoidable with the proper mindset and tools. Here are five common mistakes that people make on their first attempt at changing their oil:
1) Underestimating the difficulty of the task. Changing a car’s oil is one of those things that many people put off because they think it is tough. If you have never changed your oil before, it can be intimidating to take your car apart by yourself, but after the first time, it gets much more accessible.
2) Not applying enough oil to the filter housing. Most people that do not know how to change their oil take off the old filter and then start trying to twist it out of its housing. When they cannot get it to budge, they reach for a strap wrench or channel locks. Unfortunately, these tools will scratch up your nice new housing (or engine).
3) Not knowing how much oil is in their car. If you do not know how many quarts of oil is in your vehicle, you will not know when to stop adding oil once you have installed a new filter. In addition, if you do not put enough oil in the crankcase, the engine will run dry and cause long-term damage.
Conclusion
This blog post has discussed some guidelines for removing a destroyed oil filter. However, you should never attempt to remove a destroyed oil filter without the proper tools, so you must have them on hand before starting this task.
A damaged or broken oil filter can cause severe damage to your engine, and attempting to fix one yourself could lead to an even more costly repair in the future. Even if you do not feel confident changing out your oil, don’t let that stop you from asking for help when needed!
