Last week I decided to do an oil change. Got the car up on the stands and let the oil drain for about an hour (had the left higher than the right to get the most out). Put the plug back in and took it off of the stands.

Grabbed a couple of rags to wrap around under the filter. While I was positioning the rags, my hand brushed past the filter and it turned. No joke. I didn't have my hand gripping the filter, literally, my open palm brushed past and it was totally loose.

When I put the new filter on I had to use the wrench to get 3/4 of a turn on it.

This was the third change. The first two were by Mazda dealer. Moral to the story, check to make sure that your filter is on tight after anyone else does an oil change.

Side note: I was down about 2/3 on the dip stick when I did the change. 3 quarts came out. 4 quarts went in and it's right at the mark.

 

Geez- that's scary... good thing it didn't loosen more while you were on a long drive.

 

Had an RX-3 that had the same problem, but not so lucky outcome.

Ten minutes away, the gasket blew out, oil EVERYWHERE!

You were lucky to get away with it.....

S

 

I don't use a filter wrench ever. Even the first change. I pull off my belt, wrap it around, and pull. Works like magic.

 

The filter shouldn't be more than hand-tight...if you need a wrench for it (expecting if it's just a matter of not being able to get your hands around it), it's too tight.

 

(sung to Pink Floyd's "Another Brick In The Wall")

"We don't need no oil wrenches"

 

^^i just used one to tighten mine..but i didn't put it on super tight (b/c you aren't supposed to). hehe i just wanted to make sure it was on b/c of everythign i just did (added temp/pres. sensors inbetween oil filter and engine). but it isn't really easy to get to...well if my hands were a lill' smaller maybe..like a chiplds...lol one mroe reason to have kids...they can reach those hard places on the car:D

 

I use a filter wrench cap with two socket extensions and a universal joint between them when both removing and installing- I just make sure to simulate "hand-tightness" with the wrench when doing the install. I'd rather it be a little snug than be able to come loose from vibrations. It also keeps my hands from getting all cut up to hell

 

Huh?

Oh......the wrench.

 

One good thing about the location of the 8's filter is it's easy to put a hash mark on it and tighten it the proper amount. I used the wrench. It's less agravating, no cuts and way easier on the old carpal tunnel.

 

Brilliant. Why didn't I think of that?!

 

Folks, don't fall for this "only hand-tighten" business. Fer cryin' out loud you're reading a post where someone's filter came loose! The filter comes with instructions -- 1 1/6 turns after it contacts the base. that's fairly tight. On purpose! Engineers don't just make this stuff up.

Reminds me of a book I read where there was a military aircraft that would go into a fatal spin in certain situations. They discovered the reason was that certain bolts had been installed upside down and reduced clearances just enough so the controls would bind when the wing was under stress. They finally located the guy on the assembly line who'd been installing the bolts upside down. When they asked him why he wasn't following the engineering specifications he replied something to the effect that "everyone knows bolts are supposed to be installed with the heads facing up".