I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: tool to remove oil filter. I did manage to remove the old one today but with great difficulty. I did not want to do the old-fashioned demolition method with a screwdriver so I tried a tool which is designed to grip the filter from below when fitted to a 1/2-inch drive ratchet. This would have worked well had it fitted … but I was using a genuine Mazda filter and its diameter was too small for the tool. So I tried a strap wrench and tore it apart - the filter was on so tight. I bough a chain wrench which did the job but it was a pig to use and didn’t really fit. There is very little space and as I have to do the work with the car on blocks I need a tool which just works. Ideally I need one which grips the filter from below. Any recommendations.
This is my first post having had the car only a few days. Many thanks for any help.
I have a workshop manual bookmarked for when I stumble into issues just like this!
As you first attempted, the workshop manual suggests a ‘commercially available cup-type oil filter wrench’…
I have this one for my NC filter, does the job but I’d recommend the one that closes down onto smaller filters. It does motorbike filters, Machine Mart do both sizes, works well.
Hi Miata 1 I’ve not had to change an oil filter for a while though I used to do all my vehicle maintenance. Have you ever tried the leather belt method? Feed the belt through the buckle then place it round the filter, take up the slack then with the buckle on the left, pull against the buckle in an anticlockwise direct. Always worked for me.
I have one of those three-pronged tools and can never get it to work.
Luckily we sell a cup kit at work, so I took advantage of my staff discount and bought one.
OK it has a dozen cups and I only need one, but i’ve no doubt it will come in handy long after I’ve gone.
Oh wait, electric cars won’t have oil filters… bu99er.
Correction, the buckle needs to be on the right of the loose end of the belt, then pull the belt in the direction to unscrew as if you were tightening the belt.
Another good tip is the smear some new oil on the filter rubber seal. You get a better seal as it’s easier to tighten, and makes it easier to remove.
Quite! I have a Bergen 3034 which seems better than the ‘3 finger’ type. It has jaws with serrations that tighten and grip the filter casing. Used to be available from Amazon, but not right now. I found this though:
Thanks, Ian. It’s good of you to share the link to the official workshop manual. I spent hours looking online for it. In the owner’s manual to my 2017 RF there isn’t even a maintenance schedule, and there isn’t on the Mazda app either. The premise all the time seems to be ‘go to a dealer.’ As far as I can tell this is a UK-specific thing … it seems that a maintenance schedule is provided in other countries.
Many (too many…) years ago I read a recommended technique for removing an oil filter was to hammer a 6-inch nail through it then turn it by the protruding nail shaft.
The last filter I changed was on a Nissan Serena and I used a chain wrench to grip and twist it.
PS. Introduce yourself in the New Forum Member Welcome Area, as you can see from all the responses above we are a friendly bunch. I am just down the road fro you in Manchester and also have an 2017 ND1
