Most maintenance tasks require some specialized tools to perform them, and without using tools, you can't do them without avoiding injuries. So, in these types of scenarios, looking for alternatives is pointless. It might also be dangerous to the extent that you would harm or injure yourself or damage your vehicle.
However, there are some particular maintenance jobs that you can do without using any tool or without sustaining any injury. But for this, you need to have some unique skills to do your job done accurately.
So, in this article, you will get to know how to remove oil filter without tool.
Automotive or Car maintenance tools are usually expensive, and finding the right one in order to resolve the specific issue is also not easy. That is why it's preferable and best to know how to combat some common issues.
Below, we will cover two practical and simple oil filter removal methods without a wrench. You can pick any of the methods according to your need or preference.
How to Remove Oil Filter without Tool
Method 1: Using Your Hands
Your hands are the only equipment you will be need to fix your problem provided you have properly identified it.
If you have the following items at your disposal, you will not need any alternative tool to remove the oil filter.
Items Needed:
- Safety glasses.
- Gloves made of Rubber
- Disposable rags.
- A jack or jack stands
- Drainage pan.
Now, follow the below-mentioned steps carefully:
Step 1: Keep yourself safe
You should put on the safety glasses and rubber gloves before getting close to your filter to keep yourself protected from any unnecessary injury while getting your job done.
Step 2: Jack up the Car
It is preferred to jack your car up to position it properly and remember to do it with care and correctly. Never go for working under care that is only supported by a jack.
Step 3: Position Yourself Properly
When you are working with a wrench, you have the benefit to clear out dripping lubricant, which you can't avail in the method. So, never forget to remove your torso and face away from that area.
Step 4: Placement of the pan for drainage
Put down some drainage rags on the area from where engine oil normally flows, to keep your floor from damage in case of spillage.
Step 5: Clear out Grease
Keep some rags nearby for removing grease as early as possible so that it will be easy for you to hold on.
Step 6: Removal of your vehicle Filter
Grab on the end of the filter with full strength and twist it in a counter-clockwise direction. Use your dominant hand so that it comes off without using any special tool. Keep the end of the parts down as much as possible before start twisting it.
Method 2: By Making Own Wrench
If you are confronted with an obstinate unit, you will only have an option of making your own wrench to take off it. Making your own wrench is economical and quite easy to make. It is the go-to method if nothing else works out.
Items Needed:
- Socket wrench.
- Bandana.
- Socket extension.
- Disposable rags.
- safety glasses
- Rubber Gloves
- A Jack or jack stands
- Drainage pan.
Step 1: Bandana Folding
Turn up your bandana and create a strap. Prepare it as if you are making a headband.
Step 2: Create a Square Shaped Knot
Make the bandana into a circle. Take both ends and tie up a square shaped knot but be careful that you have not shortened your strap much.
Step 3: Arranging the Socket Extension
Pull up your socket extension through the end part of the square-shaped knot. If needed, lose it. Now again you can tighten up the square knot and ensure that it is secure around the socket extension.
Step 4: Make your car ready
You should cover yourself by putting on glasses and gloves. Lift your car by replacing the jack with the jack stands if needed and keep the drainage pan under the car and make sure that your wrench and socket lead is within your reach when you need them.
Step 5: Clear out Grease
Bandana is not known for good grip and strength. Clear out all the extra grease from the filter with the help of disposable rugs.
Step 6: Set up the Bandana and Rotate
Keep on rotating until it gets tight enough. Don't free the socket lead; otherwise, the whole thing will open up. Keep a hold on it with one hand.
Step 7: Connection of wrench with Socket
Attach the wrench with a lead and keep a simple rule in mind to know in which direction to twist it. That is, ‘right is tight, and left is loose.’
Step 8: Take off the Oil Filter
Twist your wrench strap until the filter gets loose enough to remove by hand.
FAQs:
Can you remove an oil filter by hand?
Yes, using a hammer and screwdriver is the simplest way to remove an oil filter from your car engine provided that you are not hesitant of getting dirty. Stab the filter body with the help of a screwdriver and then twist it counterclockwise by using your hand.
How to remove stuck oil filters?
The most effective, safe, and fastest way to eliminate stuck oil filters is to heat up your car engine and then use a designated tool to take out your car items.
Will WD40 loosen the oil filter?
Yes, when you spray up your stuck oil filter with WD40, it will be loosen and you can remove easily.
Which way do you twist an oil filter off?
You will need to rotate the filter in a counterclockwise direction by using a hand in order to remove it.
What happens if you over-tighten the filter?
If you tight more a filter you might damage it because there will be a chance of stripping the threads as the rubber gasket got damaged due to overtightening.
What happens if you don't tighten the oil filter?
Yes, if you don't properly tighten up the oil filter, you might have leakage on your hands as the oil pump continuously pushes up oil and engine so a big amount of oil could be wasted or lost due to loosely sealed product.
Can I take my oil filter off without draining oil?
Absolutely, you can take off your car filters without evacuating the pan. Even you can take away all the engine covers without draining oil.
Conclusion
After going through this article, I hope you will get the idea and understanding of how to remove oil filters without a tool. Removal of the oil filter is needed now and then to run your car smoothly. It is not good to go to a maintenance shop every time and spend money. So, it is best to know how to do it yourself.
