oil filter removal during oil change

[jalz]

Hey all,
Planning to do my oil/filter change tomorrow/saturday on my 1.9 tdi asv. I dont mind having a go, bought quantum oil and genuine filter from tps and have a pela pump to extract the oil, but my question is regarding the oil filter. Ive read through horror stories trying to remove them, I'm assuming i can get the filter loose by using an adjustable spanner? However also been reading up on various forums, I should hand tighten it back together, how hard is hand tighten?I read somewhere its should be about 25nm (usually printed on the lid) is that fairly tight? o shall i spend £70 and get a halfords torque wrench or will something cheaper without a calibrated certifiate be adequare for my diy needs.

I plan to do two oil changes a year so an help with me undertanding the equipment I need would be great. I kinda want to make sure ive got the rigt kit before i begin

Thanks

[Sly]

I never use a tool to tighten it, bit of oil on the seal and crank it up hand tight, with a rag to stop your hand sliding if need be. Any tighter then it'll be a mare to get it off next time! Hand tight is hand tight, you won't be able to over do it unless you're Chuck Norris!

To get it off it may just come off by hand but if not a strap or chain wrench will help. As you're not reusing it though you can just hammer a big screwdriver right through it (messy) and use that as a turning handle.

[NickPicks]

I use either a strap wrench, which I often find slips if the previous servicer overtightened it, or I use a filter wrench (has a cam action which grips the end of the filter.

I've only tried the puncturing method once, and as well as oil all over the place, the thin walls weren't strong enough to take the torque required to budge it.

As Sly says, hand tight is enough when fitting. I once had a car where the previous owner had cross threaded the filter, then tightened it so much that it needed a new spigot when I came to do the job. Put it on hand tight, check for leaks after running the engine for 5 mins. I've never seen anyone use a torque wrench for an oil filter (and I even use one for wheel nuts!)

[jalz]

Thanks guys,

Didn't get a chance to do it today, will give it a go tomorrow. I'll tighten it as much as I can using a rag, think it will be ok. Bet it's gonna be a pig to remove though, but only one way of finding out

Jalz

[NickPicks]

It shouldn't be that much of a pig to remove. The thread is coated in oil, so it doesn't tend to sieze. This is what I use, but I've also used this before. A normal length socket ratchet is enough to turn it.

[jalz]

Thanks Guys,

Oil filter was a mare to get off, bought one of the chain wrenches from halfords, and voila came off no problem. Pumped out the old oil from the oil filter housing and the sump.
Tightened the oil filter by hand as tight as I could, oiled the new o'rings as per BigCols Passat service guide and topped her up to the half way to the shaded area.

Switched on the engine for about two minutes. checked for oil leaks around the oil filter, looks all good. Switched car off checked dipstick again and the oil is well below the shaded area, so I've topped it up again and Im just waiting for it to settle now. How much should an A3 usually have oil wise?

Thanks again NickPicks and Sly

[Sly]

Not sure on the diesel but you shouldn't have much left from a 5ltr can of oil. When you ran it, the new oil will have been pumped around and filled the filter and all the other places you've drained it from so it will read a bit less. Top it up again, run it, check it and then be on your merry way happy that you've got your hands dirty and saved a few quid.

[jalz]

Thanks Sly, had about a litre left from my 5ltr bottle. Dipstick reads correctly so I'm chuffed. Will probably do another oil change in 6000 miles . I'll drive it hard in the next couple of days, let it all bed in...certainly saved a few quid, well pleased

[Col]

Good stuff.

I take it your car has a 1.9 PD TDI then.

Did you get the pela pipe right down into the oil cooler which sits under the filter housing.

Also next time, when you put the filter holder back on, each turn you tighten it, back it off a smidge so the 'o' ring doesn't get pinched.

[jalz]

Hi BigCol - Thanks! I've got a standard 1.9 Tdi (not PD) but the setup looked virtually identical to yours .

Arghh I didnt go as far as all the way down to the oil cooler, sucked up everything i could see around the sides of the housing which did a fair amount. Something to remember next time

Again take ur point about the o rings, I'll be a bit more careful not to apply to much force next time, it was the only procedure that I wasn't too sure about, hence the reason I posted and wanted to know what handtight was
or whether I should be toqueing the filter.

Looks all good though *fingers crossed*