Which oil filter wrench to get?

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by William E. Krantz, Jr., Aug 5, 2003.

  1. Hi,

    The manual for our new ION-3 QC says the oil filter needs either a 32 mm
    (1.25 in.) shallow socket or a 14 flat 68 mm oil filter wrench.

    I'd appreciate some feedback from someone who's done this before as to
    which one is preferable.


    Also, does anyone have an opinion at what mileage to switch to Mobil 1
    synthetic? I was thinking of switching right at 3,000 miles. Is that too
    soon?


    TIA

    Bill K.
     
    William E. Krantz, Jr., Aug 5, 2003
    #1
  2. William E. Krantz, Jr.

    Kirk Kohnen Guest

    I have both.

    The 1 1/4 socket feels better to use.

    The cap wrench feels as if it might round the edges.

    The socket is a 6 point socket, the cap wrench is a 14 point socket. The 6
    point one grips better.

    Oh, get a torque wrench and torque it to 20 ft pounds. Don't over tighten.

    I was talking with the Saturn service folk - they're having some problems
    with do-it-yourself types overtorquing that cap when they replace the
    filter.

    I switched to Mobil 1 at around 750 miles.

    I also put a Samarium Cobalt magnet near the filter in there to pick up
    swarf.
     
    Kirk Kohnen, Aug 5, 2003
    #2
  3. William E. Krantz, Jr.

    Napalm Heart Guest

    Vipers and 'Vettes come from the factory with Mobil 1. I even use the
    15W-50 in my '50 8N Ford tractor. It did have a rebuild done in '94.

    Ken
     
    Napalm Heart, Aug 5, 2003
    #3
  4. William E. Krantz, Jr.

    TC Guest


    It's cheaper and easier to find the 1 1/4" socket. They only come in
    1/2" drive. You'll need a 1/2" to 3/8" adapter so that you can use your
    3/8" ratchet. A 1/2" ratchet won't fit in the space around the filter
    canister.
     
    TC, Aug 5, 2003
    #4
  5. I used a 32mm, 1/2" drive socket, with an extension so that the ratchet will
    clear the intake manifold.
     
    Robert Hancock, Aug 5, 2003
    #5
  6. William E. Krantz, Jr.

    Kirk Kohnen Guest

    Um, actually, the oil cap wrench was cheaper than the socket.

    But, the socket does feel better.

    I can't overemphasize the wisdom of using a torque wrench when screwing the
    cap back down.
     
    Kirk Kohnen, Aug 5, 2003
    #6
  7. William E. Krantz, Jr.

    BANDIT2941 Guest

    It's cheaper and easier to find the 1 1/4" socket. They only come in
    Or just use an extension.

    On my GF's '03 Cav with the Ecotec I don't think I could get a cap wrench in
    there - its too cluttered above it. Its easy to use the 1 1/4" socket
    though......
     
    BANDIT2941, Aug 5, 2003
    #7
  8. Thanks for all the responses. I'll go back for the 1-1/4 inch socket and
    try to get a 6 point one if they have it. We have all the other stuff you
    mentioned.

    BTW, I later found on the Mobil 1 web site that it's a myth that you have
    to have a break-in period before using Mobil 1. You can use it from new,
    as was pointed out.

    Thanks again.

    Bill K.
     
    William E. Krantz, Jr., Aug 5, 2003
    #8
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