Oil Filter question.

Changed my oil today and when putting on the oil filter I tightened it with my hand then used my filter wrench and tightened it 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn. Did I make a mistake or do you think it will be fine?

 

and my other question is could I loosen it then just hand tighten it or has the damage already been done?

 

That's pretty tight. I go maybe 1/4 turn over hand tight, and I'm no Paul Bunyan.

 

That won't hurt anything. You haven't done any damage. It'll just be a bitch to get off after 5000 miles.

 

You’ll find out next time you go to change the filter. I’ve had a few times when I was a dumb teenager and didn’t know any better that overtightened and next time spent 20 minutes trying to get it off. I find extra aggressive grunts help.

...and no you would be better off to fix it now then wait for the next change to try it if you’re that worried.

 

So I can un tighten it then hand tighten? Wasn't sure if that would mess up the gasket

 

I wouldn’t be able to say with 100% certainty on that but I know from personal experience if you overtighten it is not fun trying to change it the next time.

 

You will be fine. Let us know if you want get it off next time you change your oil. Worst case you will need a screwdriver and hammer.

 

It's a rubber gasket. It'll be fine. Even if you dent the filter a little in the process, it's fine. Unless you mangle it. Even then, probably fine.

 

It’s fine and it won’t be a bitch to get off. Your fine. - Someone who knows what they’re talking about.

 

That's a man's filter wrench

 

Personally I find jacking up the front end and using a sledgehammer works better.

 

I appreciate all the help. I'm going to leave the filter and worse case scenario use a screw driver and hammer like you guys said. The main thing I was worried about was it causing issues for my engine or something like that.

 

Yeah I wouldn’t be worried about any issue with the engine. It’s more or less just how much effort you have to put into the next change.

 

After that thing heats and cools over the next 5000 miles, she'll put up a good fight.

 

At least you know it is not going to fall off. IMO I would leave it alone.

 

When I use to change my own oil I always use to tighten it an extra 1/4 to 1/2 turn with the wrench, maybe as much as 3/4 turn. Never ever had a problem. As long as it’s not leaking you are good. I wouldn’t mess with it at this point.

 

Next time just hand tighten. Don’t use a wrench to tighten it. No need to go overboard

 

Most, but not all, filters have instructions on the box, or on the canister. My Purolators do not. But, the Baldwin says to make one full turn after the gasket makes contact with the base. Deep purple says 3/4 turn. You should be fine. Worst case scenario is you squished the gasket so flat that you'll have metal to metal contact, but I don't think you went that far.

 

After over tightening the oil filter once, the next time you will remember to hand tighten it. When I did my first oil change, I swear the factory tightened it so much I didn't think I would be able to remove it myself, but luckily my neighbor gave me his strap wrench and that saved the day.