Coolant Filter Woes
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 237
Likes: 3
From: Athens, Tx
Coolant Filter Woes
I have had a Sinister Coolant filter installed on my truck for the better part of 4yrs, and every time I change that darn filter out I have to beat the living crap out of it just to get it to break loose. I have one on there right now that I have split almost half-way around with a chisel trying to get it to budge. I always lubricate the oring prior to install. Have tried oil and coolant. Anyone else run/ran into the same problem and if so what have you done to make the 5min job less painful. I have always ran the WIX 4070 filter. Is that the problem? Thanks and any/all recommendations appreciated.
Matt
Matt
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 237
Likes: 3
From: Athens, Tx
That filter head isn't doing anything but laughing it's **** off at me. The WIX filter is smooth at the bottom so there is nothing for a filter wrench to grab onto. I used a strap-wrench originally and all it did was make a nice dent in it as I worked it around. The only thing I have left to try is taking a big flat-head screw driver and beat through(about midways) so it gets more meat and cross my fingers. Going through this whenever it's time for a filter change makes me want to just pull the thing off.
Matt
Matt
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 237
Likes: 3
From: Athens, Tx
I only install it by hand, and copy on drilling a hole vice punching through with screwdriver. I can't remember if I used coolant or oil this last time. My luck it was the coolant and that's why it's being a PIA.
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Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 19,075
Likes: 247
From: Saratoga Springs,UT
There kinda like the trans TP filter
You will torq the filter head off with a strap wrench or ratchet
The impact makes all the diff
No worries you get it I've walked away from stuff like that and came back fresh in the morning and things went 110%. Better
You will torq the filter head off with a strap wrench or ratchet
The impact makes all the diff
No worries you get it I've walked away from stuff like that and came back fresh in the morning and things went 110%. Better
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Strokin Okie
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 21
From: Oklahoma
I had the same problem with my first filter. I drove a screwdriver thru the filter and used the handle to turn it off. It looked like 10 miles of bad road when I was done with it.
I used vasoline when installing the new filter. The next time I changed it, it came right off. FWIW
I used vasoline when installing the new filter. The next time I changed it, it came right off. FWIW
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,424
Likes: 12
From: BC Canada
I have found the same problem. Vaseline, or grease on the rubber ring, oil doesn't stay there good enough. Also, hand tighten only a 1/4 turn after it touches down on the base. I have had to take the whole damn thing off the truck to wrestle with the filter on the work bench several times. Some serious cussing, screwdriver through it, broke two strap wrenches on it too. Biggest thing is the lube and don't over tighten. Only things worked for me......
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 475
Likes: 0
I got the same filter set with same problem. Just wrap it with a piece of rubber mat of some sort. I always relieve pressure and wait til it cools down. I got an extra oil filter close to it as well making it even more difficult. Rubber and strong fingers
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 237
Likes: 3
From: Athens, Tx
Finally managed to get the darn thing off. It took removing set-up completely and cutting it with Dremel. By gosh I dont know if 3k was too long to be on there or what, but you can bet I wont chance it. Either way just got wrapped up completing OEM cooler, EGR delete, standpipes/dummy plugs and STC fitting and swap over to ELC. Going to buy test strips tomorrow since I reckon I did flush bass ackwsrds. Eithrr way after 1.5hrs driving delta was 3", and my only casualty was a downpipe clamp that I over-romped on. Anyone know the part number off hand?
Matt
Matt
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 237
Likes: 3
From: Athens, Tx
Ya to be honest I normally put the filter on with anything other than by hand, and then give it one last oomph with a strap wrench. I used Vaseline and skipped the oomph this time so time will tell.
Matt
Matt