So my car has no oil and I can't add anymore...

Lenaxia · 02-12-2011, 07:03 PM

So I started to change my oil in my car and I've drained everything all good and dandy, and I goto remove the oil filter cap.... and I can't.

I had a shop change my oil last time and it seems they tightened the cap waaaay too much (despite the freaking torque spec being printed on the cap itself!)

My strap wrench is not enough to get the cap off. Any other suggestions? I don't have an oil cap wrench as much as I regret cheaping out and not buying one now.

Bimmer This · 02-12-2011, 07:06 PM

is the cap seized or it just spins?

infbp22 · 02-12-2011, 07:16 PM

You should loosen the filter housing before draining the oil to allow it to drain down into the pan.

Without the special tool, my only suggestion may be to CAREFULLY use a pair of large channel locks with a rag if you have that... *shrug*

Lenaxia · 02-12-2011, 07:19 PM

The cap is seized. I cannot spin it at all.

I am okay with destroying the cap. I have a spare one laying around.

Don't have channel locks.. and definitely not one that large. Maybe home depot has one large enough.

I'm hoping the car cooling down will free it up. The engine was still a bit hot from running it for a while.

Bimmer This · 02-12-2011, 07:19 PM

+1. large channels locks and a rag would work. Ive done that a couple times.

Bimmer This · 02-12-2011, 07:21 PM

actually a hot engine should be easier because metal expands when hot. if all else fails and you say that you have an extra cap sitting around, just jam a long screw driver into it and use it for leverage when turning.

Blk07335i · 02-12-2011, 07:44 PM

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...u=SPM735129401

You need this tool. Makes removing the cap so much easier.

ChasVS · 02-12-2011, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer This

actually a hot engine should be easier because metal expands when hot. if all else fails and you say that you have an extra cap sitting around, just jam a long screw driver into it and use it for leverage when turning.

Expanding metal tightens the fitting it doesn't make it easier to turn in this universe.

John 070 · 02-12-2011, 07:58 PM

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-328...ols/ES2063836/

John 070 · 02-12-2011, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John 070

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-328...ols/ES2063836/

or bavauto $20.95 incl shipping

Tool - Oil Filter Housing Cap with 17mm hex head
Part # : 05348 $ 14.95

Lenaxia · 02-12-2011, 08:33 PM

Yeah I'll definitely be getting an oil filter removal tool for next time.

I managed to eventually work the cap loose with the strap wrench but it took me a while.

scrufy · 02-12-2011, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer This

+1. large channels locks and a rag would work. Ive done that a couple times.

Bimmer This · 02-12-2011, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChasVS

Expanding metal tightens the fitting it doesn't make it easier to turn in this universe.

Not if it's plastic on metal.

fdriller9 · 02-13-2011, 10:33 AM

I don't understand why BMW decided to take the square head off the filter cap.

Just changed the oil filter housing gasket on a friends e46 and noticed the cap had a nice place to use a wrench on....now we have to buy a tool?

Luckily I was able to get a strap wrench to work on my E90.

OP, try cleaning up the cap with some alcohol or something. Any oil or debris on the strap wench or cap will make it hard to take off.

Good luck

2kaccordocoupe · 02-13-2011, 10:38 AM

I can turn my cap by hand with a rubber glove. I just tighten it up so that the green dots line up.
I guess your cap must have been really cranked on.

Also like someone mentioned above, make sure you clean the threads on the cap and the other end so you don't have gunk that dries up and creates a seal.

bumere90 · 02-13-2011, 11:29 AM

Auto zone and ebay has it for 12-15$ shipped.

fdriller9 · 02-13-2011, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bumere90

Auto zone and ebay has it for 12-15$ shipped.

It's not about price. It's about having to buy a separate adapter to take it off.

What was wrong with the e46 cap design?

Chriztofor · 02-13-2011, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lenaxia

Yeah I'll definitely be getting an oil filter removal tool for next time.

I managed to eventually work the cap loose with the strap wrench but it took me a while.

Strap wrench works fine for me.

fdriller9 · 02-13-2011, 09:05 PM

Wait so you said you can't add anymore oil in your thread title....why not? Does the cap have to be off to fill?

I'm sure you can fill up and drive with the old filter for a few miles and get a shop to loosen it for free. Then just change the filter yourself right there and give the old one to the shop for recycling.

02-12-2011, 07:03 PM	#1
Lenaxia Lieutenant 41 Rep 566 Posts Drives: 2006 330xi 6MT Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Santa Clara, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [0.00]	So my car has no oil and I can't add anymore... So I started to change my oil in my car and I've drained everything all good and dandy, and I goto remove the oil filter cap.... and I can't. I had a shop change my oil last time and it seems they tightened the cap waaaay too much (despite the freaking torque spec being printed on the cap itself!) My strap wrench is not enough to get the cap off. Any other suggestions? I don't have an oil cap wrench as much as I regret cheaping out and not buying one now. __________________
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02-12-2011, 07:06 PM	#2
Bimmer This Major General 99 Rep 6,473 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Westminster iTrader: (3)	is the cap seized or it just spins?
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02-12-2011, 07:16 PM	#3
infbp22 New Member 0 Rep 22 Posts Drives: E30 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: NA iTrader: (0)	You should loosen the filter housing before draining the oil to allow it to drain down into the pan. Without the special tool, my only suggestion may be to CAREFULLY use a pair of large channel locks with a rag if you have that... shrug
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02-12-2011, 07:19 PM	#4
Lenaxia Lieutenant 41 Rep 566 Posts Drives: 2006 330xi 6MT Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Santa Clara, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [0.00]	The cap is seized. I cannot spin it at all. I am okay with destroying the cap. I have a spare one laying around. Don't have channel locks.. and definitely not one that large. Maybe home depot has one large enough. I'm hoping the car cooling down will free it up. The engine was still a bit hot from running it for a while. __________________
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02-12-2011, 07:19 PM	#5
Bimmer This Major General 99 Rep 6,473 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Westminster iTrader: (3)	+1. large channels locks and a rag would work. Ive done that a couple times.
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02-12-2011, 07:21 PM	#6
Bimmer This Major General 99 Rep 6,473 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Westminster iTrader: (3)	actually a hot engine should be easier because metal expands when hot. if all else fails and you say that you have an extra cap sitting around, just jam a long screw driver into it and use it for leverage when turning.
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02-12-2011, 07:44 PM	#7
Blk07335i Captain 61 Rep 939 Posts Drives: 2024 G87 M2 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston area iTrader: (4)	http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...u=SPM735129401 You need this tool. Makes removing the cap so much easier.
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02-12-2011, 07:58 PM	#9
John 070 Lieutenant General 1705 Rep 14,829 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-328...ols/ES2063836/
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02-12-2011, 08:33 PM	#11
Lenaxia Lieutenant 41 Rep 566 Posts Drives: 2006 330xi 6MT Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Santa Clara, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [0.00]	Yeah I'll definitely be getting an oil filter removal tool for next time. I managed to eventually work the cap loose with the strap wrench but it took me a while. __________________
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02-13-2011, 10:33 AM	#14
fdriller9 Banned 253 Rep 7,089 Posts Drives: '06 AW 330xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North Jersey/Philly/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [6.44]	I don't understand why BMW decided to take the square head off the filter cap. Just changed the oil filter housing gasket on a friends e46 and noticed the cap had a nice place to use a wrench on....now we have to buy a tool? Luckily I was able to get a strap wrench to work on my E90. OP, try cleaning up the cap with some alcohol or something. Any oil or debris on the strap wench or cap will make it hard to take off. Good luck
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02-13-2011, 10:38 AM	#15
2kaccordocoupe Brigadier General 1274 Rep 4,703 Posts Drives: Former ///M Driver Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The 6ix iTrader: (2)	I can turn my cap by hand with a rubber glove. I just tighten it up so that the green dots line up. I guess your cap must have been really cranked on. Also like someone mentioned above, make sure you clean the threads on the cap and the other end so you don't have gunk that dries up and creates a seal.
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02-13-2011, 11:29 AM	#16
bumere90 Grozniy 177 Rep 2,602 Posts Drives: Carless Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: FL iTrader: (12)	Auto zone and ebay has it for 12-15$ shipped.
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02-13-2011, 09:05 PM	#19
fdriller9 Banned 253 Rep 7,089 Posts Drives: '06 AW 330xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North Jersey/Philly/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [6.44]	Wait so you said you can't add anymore oil in your thread title....why not? Does the cap have to be off to fill? I'm sure you can fill up and drive with the old filter for a few miles and get a shop to loosen it for free. Then just change the filter yourself right there and give the old one to the shop for recycling.
	Appreciate 0 Quote