On any car should you first tighten the oil filter by hand then use the wrench and what about the plug?

Question

my jeep needs its oil changed i wanna do it myself but i have a k$n oil filter and it has a 1" nut on it i was gonna hand tighten it then use a socket to make sure i have no leaks also wanted to do the same for the plug i think its 5/8"socket i only have a gator grip socket it says 6 qts in the manual and its 10/30 oil anyone wanna give me some advice i like woking on my truck and i figured id save some money and time instead of letting someone else do it

Answer 1

knn is set up for high power applications or heavily modified blocks. these usually have oil pump upgrades. in this situation, you want to make sure that the oil filter is on tight, oil pressure like that can find a way out. if you have a normal engine, then you are ok, just use your hand to install that filter.that is how i have done it fro years. i worked in a lube shop and i have done easily 200,000 oil changes and i used my hands to install most of thee filters. never had a problem.  

Answer 2

You have the right ideal on how to do it , by using your hand first it helps from over tighten  the filter , after you get it tight by hand you need to turn it about 1/2 turn more with the wrench. By the way always put oil on the oil filter seal to help it seal up.

Answer 3

When I was a mechanic back in the 80's, we would take the new oil filter and cover the rubber gasket with oil, and then tighten the filter hand tight to seat the rubber gasket, and then a full half turn with a filter wrench. Fill with oil and check for leaks.

Answer 4

best thing to do is to obtain a repair manual for your particular vehicle...the information you request is in there.

Good luck.

PS. Make sure you safely lift the vehicle and use jack stands and wheel chocks.

also please dispose of the used oil responsibly. Bring it to a collection center. Usually repair shops take used oil.

Answer 5

the oil filter is only put on hand tight, never tighten it more than that, also you want to put oil around the gasket on the new filter before you install it.

Answer 6

Never use a wrench to tighten and oil filter, tighten it as tight as you possibly can, using both hands if you can.  Be sure to start drain plug by hand, they are notorious for getting cross threaded.

The ONLY reason manufacturers recommend 10W30 is because they are required to; due to the fact that they run the light oil in the engine for the EPA mileage test.

Run Shell Rotella-T, 15W40 unless you're in a really cold climate. It has better lubricity than synthetics. Hot Rod magazine did a multi-page article about oils, particularly as they relate to camshaft wear, a few months back. Basically car oil is getting worse, due to emission requirements on new cars, diesel oil is still carrying the max amount of what provides lubrication, which is what all, especially used & older, cars need.



http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engin...

http://www.fordmuscle.com/blog/use-the-r...

http://www.shell.com/home/Framework?site...

Be forewarned, many oil changes turn into nightmares! Over the years I've had filters that would not budge [removed in pieces, finishing w/hammer & chisel], a filter that pulled the nipple out with it, new filters that didn't fit etc. I've seen oil miss the drain pan, drain plugs round off &/or strip etc. I've seen other people pull the wrong plug or, on 2-sump system, miss 1, etc. Please consider these things before getting into the job.

Answer 7

You don't need a filter wrench to install the oil filter.  Lube the rubber gasket with fresh oil & tighten hand tight.  The Fram filters with the grip sprayed on the filter work well.

Do not use a standard socket on the oil plug.  Purchase the correct 6 point metric socket.  I don't know how many oil plugs have been rounded off & cross threaded I've seen over the years, (100's) so be careful when installing the pan plug NOT TO cross thread it. It should spin in easily.

Check the oil filler cap or the owner's manual for the correct oil requirements.  The newer Jeeps require a 5W 20 oil.

Answer 8

Use the correct socket. A socket set does not cost more than labor on an oil changed generally and is good for a whole lot more.