E30 newby, oil change hell

[nando]

nissan... hecho en mexico! :p

[SpecM]

I'm with Nando on this on, oil changes on m20s are a breeze. And the filters easy to change, I don't see what the problem is...

and so is the housing seal for that matter

Nando: you wife must have a Honda!

[nando]

hmm, oil filter wrench + impact gun?

[Alkasquawlik]

you still cant get it off? how long has it been on there?

I know HOW to do it, it's just a matter of that I CANT do it. I can't pull the damn thing off and it's been on my car for over a year, which frustrates me because I know it's not good for the car at all.

[kishg]

no need to crawl under.. reachable from top. wait till the engine cools off.. no biggie..

[e30trooper]

It was the PO who overtightened it, I've never been able to get it off since the car has been in my possession.

you still cant get it off? how long has it been on there?

[e30trooper]

As long as you have the right tool its very easy , even when its over tightened. You need the tool that looks like a metal strap. sometimes i get a few hard ones at work but i manage to get them. Like yesterday I think it was a tahoe ( very easy cars to change oil on ) i ended up crushing the filter it was on so tight. The new honda civic SI's are a bitch you need small hands for that. Anyways when you put the filter back no need to tighten as hard as you can , just one and a 1/4 turn, clean it start ur car and thats pretty much it. Next time a e30 comes in ill try to record a vid

[Alkasquawlik]

It was the PO who overtightened it, I've never been able to get it off since the car has been in my possession.

[nando]

I'd stab it with a flathead screwdriver, and turn it with that. don't crush it that will make it harder to get off.

you must have way overtightened it :(

I once tried to change the filter on a car I had just bought - the previous owners had overtightened the filter so far that the filter was actually threaded past the threads on the nipple. I had to cut that one off, ended up slicing the shit out of my thumb too.

[bmws50b30]

I can't even get my oil filter off.
I've tried numerous times, last time I changed my oil I bought one of those oil filter wrenches that look like a socket type thing that go on the end of the oil filter. I ended up stripping the brand new oil filter wrench and had to pry the thing off the filter with a screwdriver since it was stuck.
I'm at a loss at what to do now.

get the pliers type tool and just crush that filter. don't over tighten next time.

[Alkasquawlik]

I can't even get my oil filter off.
I've tried numerous times, last time I changed my oil I bought one of those oil filter wrenches that look like a socket type thing that go on the end of the oil filter. I ended up stripping the brand new oil filter wrench and had to pry the thing off the filter with a screwdriver since it was stuck.
I'm at a loss at what to do now.

[flipwils11]

True, that does sound awful. But I still prefer this (BMW M30 in an E34). Note filter location circled in orange.

[nando]

you have no idea how much better the E30 is compared to some other cars. First off, I've never crawled under the car to change the filter.. I always do it from the top. Just put on an old long sleeve t-shirt, use an oil filter wrench to break it free, and pull it out from the top. I have huge hands and they still fit between the manifolds just fine.

my wifes car is awful. You can't even see the filter if you are under the car, and it's between the header and CV shaft. You have to reach around behind the motor quite far up, try to find the filter with your hand while you keep burning yourself on the exhaust, and then hopefully it's not on there too tight because there's no way you're getting an oil filter wrench on there. Putting a new one on is just as much of a pain in the ass. Oh, and the filter on her car is tiny. At least E30s have a high capacity filter.

[flipwils11]

There is a proper cup-style filter socket(?) available for the Mahle OC-49 filter. 13 flats vs. more common 14-flat domestic one. Obtain from local Vatozone and add to your collection. And K+N filters have that handy 1" nut, too...

Great info, thanks. I prefer using some kind of socket to the squeeze type of wrench. The E46's and other cars that use the plastic 36mm lid on the filter housing are actually satisfying to change the oil on (with a paper towel wrapped around it below the filter lid to catch any that spills).

Sorry my post came across as :hitler: . I was a little bit annoyed though!

[Knockenwelle]

There is a proper cup-style filter socket(?) available for the Mahle OC-49 filter. 13 flats vs. more common 14-flat domestic one. Obtain from local Vatozone and add to your collection. And K+N filters have that handy 1" nut, too...