Removing Oil Filter...

[gutierrezfam]

Don't have any tools, so I bought a 32mm socket and a ratchet with an extension. I still can't seem to loosen the stupid oil filter!!! The ratchet is only about 4 or 5 inches long, which may not help... or maybe I'm just too weak. The neighbors don't have a bigger ratchet.

I'm losing my patience... so I have a couple of questions...

1) If I put the new oil in, could I change the filter later? If not...

2) Would I damage anything if I keep the same oil filter until the next oil change (~5000 mi.)?

Thanks.

[burlyvue2]

gutierrezfam,

First off, I have never changed the oil filter in my Vue. Saturn service dep't has always done the maintenance.

I have read on these message boards of other Vue owners who have had the problem you have described.

Try this :

http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74324&highlight=oil+filter

There are others. Try using the "Search this forum" button and type "oil filter" in the search box. Good luck and welcome to SaturnFans !

:flag:

[ssicarman]

Fairly obvious assumption of 4 cyl but not actually said.:tear: :tear:

Time to enter the wonderful world of snipes/leverage extentions. find a combination wrench that is large enough to get the closed end over the end of the ratchet. position it so that it makes the handle of the rachet longer. Try removing the filter now. Becareful because this method likes to let the wrench slip when you have the most pressure on it and you will then most painfully damage your knuckles.
No wrenches? A piece of pipe? Big stick duct taped to the rachet? Anything to make the handle longer for more leverage.

When you install the filter cap back on do not tighten it up to much. The cap should say the torque on it which if I remember correctly is 15NM (?). Basicly you want it snug on the block. Tightening down the cap does not seal the cap. The green oring seals it. Tightening the cap stops it from coming loose and leaking oil.

[gutierrezfam]

Thanks, guys... I'll try ssicarman's "creative" approach next. I guess it's all about the tools you have. Oh, and yes it's a 4-cyl VUE, so good assumption.

Thanks again.

[m4gician]

the oil filter is bolted on? Shouldn't you use a strap tool to unwind it like every other car?

[ssicarman]

the oil filter is bolted on? Shouldn't you use a strap tool to unwind it like every other car?


The 2.2 LT and 3.0 LT engines use a cartridge filter system. There is no metal can around the filter just the paper element with plastic caps. Because of this they have housings with screw on caps.

[daflotsam]

Just changed my oil and filter. The last time I had it done I was short on time and took it to the shop. They torked both the oil drain plug and the oil filter casing on way too tight.*
The oil drain plug was so tight the star socket wrench stripped it. Thankfully, there was enough of a ridge on the plug to get some channel locks around it and I was able to get it loose. I replaced that plug with a new one.
I was afraid the same would happen with the canister, but with enough sitting time with WD40 (I also had to put some on the drain plug) and enough tork with a long socket wrench I got it loose.
In case you're having this issue, you may be like me and start wondering if these things are reverse threaded. They're NOT. They're regular threads, at least on a 2002 VUE 3.0 V6.

*I called the Saturn shop which last made the oil change and told them of this problem. I asked if they put some new oil on the threads with their finger before screwing them back in and the guy sounded like he never heard of doing that. In fact, he flat out said that was wrong to do. Sheesh! I do like their service for major work, but I don't trust anyone to do the oil changes. I've had too many "hood doesn't shut all the way because the shop didn't put the oil cap back on" situations.

[1saxman]

"but I don't trust anyone to do the oil changes"

Brother, I hear that. How about standing there in the lube shop watching a 200 lb man yank on a long wrench hard enough to make the truck bounce when he tightens the drain plug? I do all my own changes now that I'm retired and have the time. We have two VUEs, a Cherokee and an S-10, and I can get under all of them without ramps, so oil changes are easy. I have to grease the Jeep and S-10, too. Doing your own oil changes means you can use the finest oil and filter for what you were paying before for the lowest grade. The only thing is, you have to be methodical about what you're doing and checking behind yourself so you don't make a mistake and screw something up. Nobody to point the finger at then but yourself.