Stuck P80 Oil Filter Solution

Post by **benpineapple** » 02 Dec 2016, 07:59

Morning all. Well, during my engine swap a few weeks ago, I chose to leave the oil filter on when the motor was out, fearing I might dent the replacement filter when reinstalling the motor. Big mistake. Oil filter replacement was the last thing on my list for the whole swap job, and took about 3 hours to pull the stuck filter.

As you know, the filter on a P80 comes in a long and short size (I use short, fear of road debris), and the short size is rather difficult to get a good grip on, due to the subframe as well as the cargo mount hook thing being in the way. The filter on my V70 was so stuck, that it bent and broke the standard filter wrench I use, and began crushing the filter in the process. Went to a local auto parts store, they recommended Lyle tool # 63500 (Amazon even sells it! https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-63500-Rang ... ter-Wrench) for stubborn filters. The tool takes a 1/2" driver, and the strap is quite strong. This is what the tool did to the filter:

And because of its design, it inserts up into the area of the filter, making tool clearance a non-issue. I'll be using it for sheer convenience on all future oil changes.

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 02 Dec 2016, 09:43

Glad you got it off. My oil filter also got stuck after my M56 swap. We removed that towhook and managed to get it off with a screw driver through the filter.

I've had a lot of success with this tool from Lisle: https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-63600-Oil- ... isle+63600

The spring cup is also really good for accessing the P80 filters and its a must have when doing older Subarus that have the triangle of death.

Post by **oragex** » 02 Dec 2016, 10:32

That was one stuck filter! The mechanic who put it must have been Hulk's brother. THere is just no reason to tighten this thing like a subframe bolt, the rubber seal prevents it from rotating and breaking loose.

Not sure if it works one these cars, but for less stuck filters, someone punched a long screw driver into the filter - with the corresponding oil mess - and got it freed by twisting the screw driver handle

ZuluR · Post by **ZuluR** » 02 Dec 2016, 12:00

I actually had a similar experience when i did a engine rebuild and the engine was out of the car.
I drove a screwdriver through the filter before I got mine off.

Cold engine & and oil filter removal is the worst filter removal you will experience...
From now on I have always removed the filter then it is still hot or slightly warm

beigg · Post by **beigg** » 02 Dec 2016, 12:13

The PCV system must've been severly plugged leaving that much pressure to hinder the oil filter from being removed!

That or the parking brake wasn't adjusted right?

101 · Post by **101** » 02 Dec 2016, 12:24

Benpineapple and Polskamafia_mjl:

Thanks for those tool references!

Post by **erikv11** » 02 Dec 2016, 13:19

polskamafia mjl wrote:Glad you got it off. My oil filter also got stuck after my M56 swap. We removed that towhook and managed to get it off with a screw driver through the filter.

I've had a lot of success with this tool from Lisle: https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-63600-Oil- ... isle+63600

The spring cup is also really good for accessing the P80 filters and its a must have when doing older Subarus that have the triangle of death.

This tool is the bomb, I have used it on so many cars over the years.

Post by **abscate** » 02 Dec 2016, 19:43

beigg wrote:The PCV system must've been severly plugged leaving that much pressure to hinder the oil filter from being removed!

That or the parking brake wasn't adjusted right?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 02 Dec 2016, 20:07

Glad you got it off. I wound up not having my boat all summer because I couldn't get the filter off and I tore the filter up trying. I finally punted in June and had the marina come and get it.

I finally got it back 3 weeks ago and $800.00 later it had a new oil filter installed. They had to pull the engine to get it off. Just in time to winterize it.

...Lee

beigg · Post by **beigg** » 02 Dec 2016, 20:22

Ozark Lee wrote:Glad you got it off. I wound up not having my boat all summer because I couldn't get the filter off and I tore the filter up trying. I finally punted in June and had the marina come and get it.

I finally got it back 3 weeks ago and $800.00 later it had a new oil filter installed. They had to pull the engine to get it off. Just in time to winterize it.

...Lee

Oh the joys of owning a boat! Craptastic!

At least the dry docking of your boat saved you from the hundreds (thousands? ) of dollars in sunk fuel costs and liver pounding..