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08 V6 Rav 4 Oil Filter Housing Stuck

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K

kb

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2008 base RAV4
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Discussion starter · #1 ·
My new to me Rav was due for its first oil/filter change with me. Everything went OK up to trying to remove the oil filter canister housing. Its stuck on.

My METAL housing wrench stripped at the extension hole, which is now round. Any suggestions on how to unscrew it? It is the aluminum housing.

Thanks,

Kb
 
#2 ·
Not sure I follow. Is your removal socket wallowed out where you stick a 3/8 inch extension in it (see below) and stuck on the filter housing?

Image


If that is the case, you should be able to just tap it off the house with a small hammer.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
I was able to remove the housing removal tool, and the spot where the 3/8 extension plugs in is rounded out as well. The trouble is that the canister housing is so tight, that it caused it. I need to be able to change the filter, any ideas???
 
#4 ·
Another question and maybe some advice:

Was your filter socket new and the correct size? It should be a 65 mm.

I use a K-D Tools #KD3253 all metal 65 mm that I bought online just like the photo in my previous post. Then I attach about a 6 inch 3/8 inch extension to the filter socket and then normally use my 3/8th ratchet. If you need a little more persuasion, then I would suggest using a 3/8 breaker bar. Also if you notice on that KD 65 mm socket, it has a one inch nut head welded on top that you can put a 1 inch socket on and turn with a 1/2 inch ratchet or breaker bar for even more muscle. I think this should do the trick unless the aluminum housing is also rounded. I assume you were turning the correct direction to remove ? - hopefully counterclockwise!

If your housing is rounded, then there are some other types of oil filter wrenches that you could try also - they would have to be fairly large to fit the circumference of the filter housing and I am not sure there is room to maneuver one of these. i was thinking of something like this :



Image
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
The metal 65 mm housing wrench that I have does not have a nut welded to the outside of it. That would have been nice. When I applied some gentle persuasion, I rounded out where my 3/8 extention goes in.

I picked up an oil filter strap wrench today, and will give it a try tonight. Hopefully that will do it. My next option would be to take it in and let a pro break it on, er.... for me.
 
#6 ·
You most likely bought one of those POS Chinese filter wrenches, like they sell at Pep Boys, Walmart and Harbor Freight. They are TRULY worthless!

Go to NAPA and tell them you want a quality name brand tool, then I bet you can get that filter off with a little careful force and some swearing. Look for a heavy duty steel square drive, not a thin aluminum one or one that is stamped out of the main part.

When you reinstall the housing, lube the o ring(s) and screw in until it bottoms out, then go just a _little_ bit tighter. No way does it need to be reefed down tight. If you use a regular length 3/8 drive handle, you won't over torque it.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
Ill give my filter strap wrench a shot tonight, if that fails then its off to NAPA I go. Thank you for the advice. The wrench I had that stripped was from Ampro. Where it was made, I have no idea, but it will be replaced with one that has a nut on top ( as opposed to the one under the car).

Is NAPA where the one in your picture came from?
 
#12 ·
I had the same issue. I tried 3 different cheap wrenches and each one broke. I ended up buying the KD wrench from Amazon and it worked but it took a breaker bar to even get the leverage I needed for it. I highly recommend the KD wrench if you are going to do oil changes on this vehicle.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
I have one on order. I was able to finally get it loose with the help of a mechanic friend who had a funky looking contracting doodad that clamped onto the base of the housing and allowed me to attach a 3/8 inch breaker bar to it. It was so tight that as I was pushing the bar, I was sliding back on the blacktop, and I'm 200 lbs.... WTF? That was way too tight! Grrrrrr
 
#14 ·
I count myself as lucky as I had the wife bringing the truck to the dealer for the first 7x35,000 miles of oil changes. Both the drain plug and housing came off like pie.

I also put them back together with the same love and care so next time will be cake.

Good to hear you got it sorted out.
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
Here's an update:

Finally received the 65 mm end cap oil filter wrench from Amazon yesterday. IT DOES NOT FIT! Pulled out the caliper and measured the end cap, 68.5 mm. The inside of the cap measures 65mm.

It is the 65/14 flute model number KD 3253.

2.5mm difference. Anybody else have this problem?
 
#18 ·
I tried a couple of 65 mm oil filter housing removal tools and neither fit. One was from Rock Auto and the other from Advance Auto. I ended up swapping for the 65-67 one from Advance and it works. The opening starts at 67 and tapers down to 65. It is not a perfect fit, but it works. This has a metal casing.

Keep in mind that the new vehicles come with a metal latch to prevent the filter housing from turning during shipment. You need to pry that little metal clip away for the very first oil change, otherwise you have to twist so hard that you break the clip and it takes a lot of torque. That may be what was experienced here.

I have the 4 cylinder, but I believe beginning in 2009, the setup is the same as the 6 cylinder models.
 
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#19 ·
I have the same problem that I just change the oil for now without changing the filter because the canister housing really got stuck. I've used 2 kinds of filter wrench that broke and still the housing still stuck.
/forums/album_pic.php?pic_id=11687
First wrench I used (made of graphite, plastic).
/forums/album_pic.php?pic_id=11688
Second wrench I use that it bent.
I'm going to bring the RAV to the dealer one day to let them unscrew the canister housing.
More news next post.
:(
 
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