Stuck Oil Filter

[DaveS]

Right I've just started my first service on my AT. Well my first service I've done on this AT, its actually the 20K service.
I've checked and adjusted the chain, using Yen's piece of tubing tip for spacing, which worked well.
I've drained the oil but had one hell of a job getting the oil filter off. I remember I had this problem on the Transalp.
I have a socket that fits on to the oil filter but I couldn't get it on with the centre stand in place, and the drain tubes.
I then tried a strap oil filter wrench thing which was worse than useless with the enclosed space.
Next I restorted to a screw driver through the oil filter but was scared that I might hit some part of the engine protruding out. Even that smaked all the way through failed to shift it.
This sod was on really tightly!
After much huffing and puffing I decided to try the oil filter socket that I had again and I found that if I moved the tubes out of the way temporarily I could get it in place. I then found that the filter was too bent for the socket to fit over it. Arrggghhh.
In the end I got it free by getting a long tube like thing and smacking the filter round with a an edge of it with a large hammer.
I was careful not to smack the filter sideways on and to try and get it rotating. It started to move slowly and in the end free'd it up to spin it by hand.
I was beginning to think I'd have to take it off bit by bit.

So any tips to avoid this happening, or to get them off easily, or am I just unlucky in that 3 or so TA and AT one's I've done have all been tough!

[jabba]

How tight are you putting them on? Only needs to be nipped up and remember to put oil on the rubber seal at the base of the filter!

[DaveS]

In all cases that last time was the local dealer that put them on.

[Rolo]

I always spin my filters on till they stop and then a quarter turn, works for me :beer:

[YEN_POWELL]

Yen's top tip 2. I've got one of those filter removing tools that are meant to be used with a half inch drive socket and you cannot physically fit the tool and the ratchet in the space provided. I just drilled two holes opposite each other on the bit that doesn't grip the filter and use a long screwdriver or bar through the holes to undo. Having said that I've lost the tool temporarily and I used a chain wrench yesterday. These don't give as good a purchase though. I always pull the breather tubes out of the holder when doing this. Trying to get the bash plate back on and failing reminds me to put them back afterwards.

[YEN_POWELL]

ps, you're sposed to drain the oil on the sidestand I think. Just use the centre stand when re filling.

[DaveS]

I just drilled two holes opposite each other on the bit that doesn't grip the filter and use a long screwdriver or bar through the holes to undo.

Ahh yes good idea. I'll do that.

ps, you're sposed to drain the oil on the sidestand I think. Just use the centre stand when re filling.

Another good point. I hadn't thought of that. I was adjusting the chain so left it like that.

I always spin my filters on till they stop and then a quarter turn, works for me

Sounds about right. I always use hand tightness as much as I can and then a little bit more by some other means. Its normally enough.

[xrv_jim]

I've only changed my oil and filter twice since I got the bike in July, both time I used a chain wrench with a 1/2" drive. Unlike Yen I've had no problems with grip and it's loosened the filter OK on both occasions.

[Lord Stig]

One thing to watch for if you have a Scottoiler fitted with the vacuum take off plumbed into the rear cylinder; that vacuum take off can loosen or come off all together when that dreadlocked mass of tubes is disturbed. This happened to me, and I couldn't work out why the bike wouldn't tick over properly! That said, other people probably don't have their oiler take off routed that way, so the problem may not be that widespread.

Stig

[DaveS]

In the end I managed to get the new filter on and use the filter socket. There was just enough space when moving the drain tubes to get the 3/4 wrench in and do the 1/4 turn.
No leaks after a 5 mile trip so its feeling, looking and sounding good again.
The first ride after a service is fantastic. It feels really sharp and like a new bike again.