xviper,

My cousin's house got hit by lightning on the 25th of July! Maybe it runs in the family! OK, I'm starting to be convinced about the hand tightening thing. Also, one time, I overtightened a filter on our Tercel and stripped the threads. How much of a rotation can you guys get by hand. Do you bench 200 lbs?

 

In my job I've been to several lightning strikes that caused extensive fire damage. That's why I didn't tell you that it will NEVER happen.
I have only ever gotten about 6-6.5 out of 8 by hand. The honda filter says to do a 7.

 

xviper,

THE BABY IS BACK!!!
I am planning to go to the Mobil 1 Tri-Synthetic at 11K miles next weekend so will give the hand job a try!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by littleton
[B]xviper,

THE BABY IS BACK!!!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by xviper
[B]
Yep, baby's back. I can't believe how many people commented on it both on the forum and by PM.

 

There have been quite a few suggestions to just hand tighten and I would caution that that may not be adequate on this car. More than one report have been posted with filters backing off with the vibration and pressure generated by this engine.

The manual clearly states 7/8 turn after filter contact or 16 lb/ft and I would not go light. With 85 psi the oil will find a way out if the seal is not maintained.

 

I hand tighten mine ONE FULL TURN after the gasket contacts the flange. It matters not, HOW the filter is tightened. What is REALLY important is how much it is tightened. As Chris mentioned, absolutely tighten it at least 7/8 of a turn. I personally prefer one full turn. Much more than that and you can get into trouble also. My oil filter wrenches that look like a short socket are difficult to keep on the end of the filter if it is too tight. As xviper mentioned, you will always need a tool of some sort to remove the filter.
It's been said before, but it's worth repeating, make sure that you check the old filter and the oil filter flange to be sure that the old gasket is not stuck to the flange. This will cause problems if the old gasket is still on the flange.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by xviper
[B]If that don't work, use the old "shadetree mechanics" trick.

 

It is indeed! But, if your car's guts have all fallen out and you're sitting there in your garage with no vehicle to go get a wrench ...........

 

Well, I was able to hand tighten the filter, with rubber gloves, to 3/4 turn. The rubber glove idea is cool. Gives you tons of grip. Since the Helms manual recommended 7/8 turn, I put the end cap wrench on and made the additional 1/8. It was "bone tight" at that point and I think that this is PLENTY and probably unnecessary. This is not the topic of this thread but I also went to Mobil1 fully synthetic and changed out the plugs IAW the plug TSB. Thought I'd take her out for a test drive. Seems to have noticeble better power. Someone else mentioned this when they went to Mobil1 fully synthetic. Pretty cool.