Best oil filter wrench for 1.8T Audi/VW?

Bill D

Bill D

Hooked For Life
Hey,



I'd like to put some fresh oil in my Audi 1.8T and I have found my existing oil filter wrench ( sorta like a tong type) to be insufficent at keeping a grip on my filter.



Luckily I can reach my filter by standing over the engine and not having to drop the splash shield, etc, etc.



I'm assuming a classic strap oil filter wrench will be best for this? I think a metal kind with some type of gripping surface to it would be best?



Do I simply get one from an auto parts store or Sears? Or do I *need* ;) the one from Griots or other boutique merchants?



Hope you can help! TIA!
 
I bought an oil filter socket @ Advanced Auto or Auto Zone, which worked okay, becaue it was not an exact fit. I had success with a claw type filer tool, where I got it from I can not remember, but is similar to the picture below. You may be able to purchase the claw at a parts store. My experience is from my former 2.slow Mk4 Jetta, whose filter is the same or similar.



Hazet NA filter tool



Eric
 
Eric,



Thank you, that's a rather unique design and I do recall seeing it at Sears. Hmm..I'm not sure if I can use it reaching from the top of the engine though. I'll have to tilt my head a little a view that photo again to take a closer look.
 
I use a strap filter. I bought it in a sale years ago and I have not had any problems with it.



I think it is the over tightening of the filter itself which is the cause of most problems
 
I have a GTI with the 1.8t motor, and the only time I have had to use a filter wrench is when I removed the filter that came on the car from the factory. I used a filter socket, and it came right off, it was just too tight to remove by hand. If you put a little oil on the filter gasket, you shouldn't have any problems removing the filter later on down the road.
 
Yeah, I can hold off a few weeks before doing this so I'm going to get a hold of a strap filter, I think it and the claw type are the only ones that are going to fit in there. Most difficult filter to remove so far. I always lube the gasket . I'm prepping to possibly need a drill, screwdriver, hammer and PLENTY of newspaper :eek:
 
Bill dependeing on what kind of filters you like and what your willing to pay for one....But the K&N's come with a 7/8" nut on the end of the filter that you could just use a normal ratchet and socket on.



There filters range from 7 - 10 bucks.
 
Well, I bought a lot of OEM Audi filters. I'm told if I dont use them I'll void the warranty. I also hear the Audi OEMs are quite good. My problem is the tight space it's in and it being on too tight, I hear is legendary now with Audi/VW
 
Well, just ordered a German oil filter wrench, cap type, that's especially made for these filters. Something tells me I'll eventually have an oil filter wrench collection though :rolleyes:
 
Thought I'd post a follow up to the oil change situation.



Using my oil extractor I got all of the oil out ( nice and hot)of the engine, with relative ease. Regarding the filter, I had to remove the large splash guard from underneath the car ( did this prior to the oil change about a week beforehand)and borrowed a few extensions that fit my 1/2" ratchet from a friend. It's incredibly tight in this engine compartment even with the splash guard totally off. I had to attach an extension, maybe 2-3" long along with a pivoting adapter attached to the Audi oil filter socket attached to the ratchet. I got at the oil filter from the bottom and got a firm grip on the filter. Luckily after a few attempts, I did break the filter's seal (joy! :bounce) rather smoothly. I attribute this to spraying Kroil around the base of filter every day for a week prior to the oil change :o I made absolutely sure I put the new filter on *hand tight*.



It was real fun :rolleyes: :sosad reattaching that splash guard after all was said and done. There's a dozen screws,some requiring their washers, spread out all along its perimeter. Now that the new filter is installed I sure hope I can get it off using my filter pliers reaching from the top of the engine compartment. It sure shouldn't be so tight as it was last time!
 
I've been using a cheapo "OEM Industrial oil filter plier" from AutoZone. It works fine once I relocate the coolant resovoir.



Word of caution with those 1.8Ts and oil, though. I just got the letter from VW about the sludge issue, and of course, their warranty extension doesn't apply to me, since I changed my own oil. But even if I did have the receipts, they'd still deny the warranty since none of the dealers use their "specified" oil.



:rolleyes:



Does your Audi have their free maintenance?
 
I should be able to use the pliers from now on. Before resorting to removing the bottom splash guard and all I tried to relocate the coolant bottle, unscrewed it but could not undock it from the back . Yeah,got the letter too. The oil is 502.2 (?) VW approved.



That's very bad your dealer doesn't even have the right oil:eek: :down
 
Bill best of luck with your adventures there. About the only thing that I don't do anymore on my Audi A4 with the 1.8T is change the oil. Suspension, brakes, turbo, ect...did it all myself BUT I'll gladly pay someone $15-20 to do my oil changes (of course i supply the Red Line oil). By the time I get the car up in my garage, take the belly pan off, make a mess of oil and burn myself taking off the filter, putting everything back together then cleaning up the mess on the garage floor I'm upset enough to never do it again.



It all comes down to priority...I love my car and do almost everything myself...BUT have given up on doing my own oil chagnes as it's just not worth the money savings at this point.
 
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