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You shouldn’t tighten a spin on filter with tools because the filters’ walls will collapse under the pressure of a tool, which is much greater than what you can develop by hand.
In the video below, Keith, an expert heavy-duty mechanic, explains how tight should an oil filter be.
How to remove a stuck spin on filter?
If you come across a stuck oil filter and the strap wrench fails to loosen it, there are two alternative techniques to remove it:
- Pound the spin on filter (at the threaded base) with a chisel and use a hammer to loosen it.
- Pounding a screwdriver through the filter and apply torque.
Can you hand tighten an oil filter?
Yes, you can and should.
With an oil filter wrench, you’ll likely tighten the filter excessively. Next time, it’ll be way more hard to take it off. It’s so difficult that sometimes, even with pliers or a strap wrench, it won’t loosen, and you’ll probably crush it.
Instead, rub the filter’s rubber seal with some fresh oil (to reduce friction when installing it) and install the oil filter hand tight. Once you feel the spin on filter is tight, go an additional 1/4 turn.
As you tighten the filter, it compresses and expands the rubber sealant against the joint. Also, the heat produced during operation will further expand the rubber, increasing its sealing.
For more tips on best practices and safety at the job site, check our article on The Equipment You Should Wear as a Heavy-Duty Mechanic.