How to Take Oil Filter Off Without Wrench

Oil filters are one of the essential parts of your car. They act as a barrier between your engine and the dirty oil circulating through it. Without an oil filter, all sorts of gunk can get into your engine and cause problems like increased wear on components, decreased fuel efficiency, poor performance, and even major repairs! 

How to Take Oil Filter Off Without Wrench

Changing your car’s oil is a must-do task to keep it running smoothly. However, removing the old oil filter can be tricky if you don’t have the right tools. This blog post will show you how to take oil filter off without wrench. Follow these simple steps and you’ll be able to do it in no time!

10 Ways on How to Take Oil Filter Off Without Wrench

1. Use a Strap Wrench

A strap wrench is a handy tool that can help you remove an oil filter without a wrench. By wrapping the strap around the oil filter and exerting force, you can easily loosen and remove the filter.

2. Use Vice Grips

Use vice grips on the filter to grab it and twist it off. You may have to use them in conjunction with another tool with a grip, such as pliers or tongs.  

3. Hack Saw & Cut Off Oil Filter

You can use a hacksaw or other strong saw to cut the oil filter off, allowing you to remove it without a wrench. However, this method poses some safety risks and could damage your vehicle’s oil system components or drain plug if you’re not careful.

4. Use a Breaker Bar

Use Breaker bars in oil filter

If you don’t have a socket wrench, you can use a breaker bar. This is just a long bar that gives you more leverage when trying to loosen a bolt. Place the breaker bar over the socket wrench and use it to give you more torque as you turn the wrench.

5. Use a Pipe Wrench

If you need to remove an oil filter and don’t have a wrench, you can try using a pipe wrench. Pipe wrenches usually have more grip and leverage than regular wrenches, so they might be able to remove the filter more easily. If you don’t have a pipe wrench, you might be able to use a crescent wrench instead.

6. Use Pliers

Pliers are helpful when removing an oil filter because they give you more grip on the object being tightened or loosened. For an oil filter, wrap the pliers’ teeth around the filter’s edge and twist to loosen it.

7. Use a Socket Wrench

Use  Socket Wrench

A socket wrench is a tool that uses sockets to grip bolts and nuts. It can help remove an oil filter without a wrench. To use it, fit the socket over the bolt on the filter and use the wrench to turn it.

8. Use a Ratchet

A ratchet is a tool that makes it easier to turn a socket wrench. It’s helpful when trying to remove an oil filter without a wrench. To use it, fit the ratchet onto the socket wrench and turn it in the same direction as you’re turning the socket wrench.

9. Use a Hair Dryer

Another way to remove an oil filter without a wrench is with a hairdryer. This has the benefit of being relatively safe, especially when you use it in conjunction with another tool. However, it can take a long time and produce fumes from the heated oil that could be dangerous or harmful to your health.

10. Hammer and Screwdriver

Hammer and Screwdriver usage

If you can’t remove the oil filter any other way, you can try using a hammer and screwdriver. But be careful – this is a very forceful way to do it and you can easily damage something if you’re not careful.

Step by Step Guide: How to Take Oil Filter Off Without Wrench

Step 1

The first thing you’ll need to do is remove the oil cap that’s usually located on the top side of your engine.

Step 2

Once you’ve removed the oil cap, you’ll need to locate the oil filter. It’s usually a cylindrical object that’s located near the engine.

Step 3

Next, you’ll need to find an appropriate tool to remove the oil filter. If you don’t have a wrench, you can use a socket wrench or pair of pliers.

Step 4

Secure your chosen tool to the area where the oil filter is connected to the engine. Be careful that it doesn’t slip while you’re removing the oil filter. (If it does slip, you could get burned by hot oil.) Once it’s secure, carefully turn the tool until the oil filter loosens up.

Step 5

Once you’ve loosened the oil filter, slowly remove it by pulling on it. (Be careful not to spill any oil! If you’re removing the oil filter with pliers or a wrench, don’t grip the end of the tool that touches the engine)

Step 6

After removing the old oil filter, make sure to dispose of it in an appropriate container.

Step 7

Now, it’s time to install the new oil filter. Lubricate the gasket of the new oil filter with some engine oil, then install it on the engine. (Make sure that it’s tight; you don’t want it coming loose while you’re driving)

Step 8

Finally, replace the oil cap and start your engine. Let it run for a few minutes so that the new oil filter can get properly lubricated. Congratulations, you’ve just learned how to take an oil filter off without a wrench! It’s a pretty simple process, but it’s important to be careful not to spill any oil. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to ask a mechanic for help. Thanks for reading!

Some Tips and Suggestions

1. Make sure that the engine is cold before starting. When the engine is hot, it will be harder to remove the oil filter.

2. If you have an old oil filter, try to remove it first before the new one. This will help to break the seal and make it easier to remove the new oil filter.

3. Oil the gasket of the new filter. This will make it easier to remove in the future.

4. Once you have removed the oil filter, dispose of it carefully so that no one is harmed by it.

5. When getting rid of old or used engine oil, try not to pollute our environment by pouring it onto the ground. Try placing it in a recycling box instead.

6. Always consult your car’s owner’s manual for the recommended engine oil type and weight.

7. Ensure that you have all the necessary tools before starting the job, such as an adjustable wrench, oil filter wrench, drain pan, funnel, and new oil filter.

Things to Consider When Taking Oil Filter Off

Taking Oil Filter Off

1. Make sure the engine is turned off and cooled down before starting.

2. Use the jack to raise the car and safely place it on sturdy stands. Use wheel blocks for extra safety.

3. Remove the plastic protective cover under the car, where the oil filter is located.

4. The secondary drain plug (if equipped) is usually located at the bottom of the oil filter housing, or in some cases, you may find another plug on top of the filter. If you cannot find the secondary drain plug, loosen the oil filter housing bolt and allow the oil to drain out until it stops.

5. Take off the old oil filter using an oil filter wrench. If you don’t have an oil filter wrench, use a strap wrench or pliers (just be careful not to damage the filter).

6. Wipe off the area around the new oil filter with a clean lint-free cloth.

7. Apply a light coat of clean oil to the rubber gasket on the new filter.

8. To install the new oil filter, screw it on by hand until it makes contact with the engine block. Then, use a strap wrench or pliers to get a snug fit. If using pliers, be careful not to strip or break any oil filter housing bolts.

Conclusion

It can be frustrating to figure out how to remove the old one when you have a broken oil filter. However, if you are trying to avoid using a wrench for this task, there is an easy way that does not require any tools. All you need is your hands and some patience! To do this, turn the car engine off and then open up the hood of your vehicle. When looking under the engine block where your new or used oil filter should be, look for two small metal clips holding down either side of it.

These will only be on specific models like Toyotas, but most cars also use them, so don’t worry if they aren’t present in yours yet. Then, using both hands, firmly grip each clip with your fingers and pull straight up. The filter will now come right off. We hope this blog post on how to take oil filter off without wrench has been helpful. If you have any questions or want to know more, then feel free to comment below!

Jennifer Branett
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