Stuck Oil Filter Housing Cap Removal Hack

[Mad Mac]

My local parts house owned by an ardent Jeep enthusiast
was having a difficult time with removal of the oil filter housing cap
on my new to me 2021 Rubicon
that had 15,000 miles on it when I bought it.

At 22,500 the little message came on to change the oil.
There is no way of knowing if the filter had been changed
at 7,500 and 15,000 miles but it was not coming off now.

The plastic nut was rounded off
and strap wrenches, filter wrenches and filter pliers
could not budge the barely accessible and stubborn cap.

A customer who was a mechanic had come in
and was pressed for ideas.
He came up with a winner.

Cinch down a hose clamp at the bottom of the cap
and use a drift and hammer on the hose clamp fastener
to jar the cap loose.

Voila' which is French for "Look at this sh*t."

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[DylanM]

Cue "Is this my oil cooler leaking?" post in 10... 9... 8... 7...

 

[kevman65]

Can't tell if that's just a booger in the threads or not, but that O-ring is past it's out of service date.

 

[Lost1wing]

Cue "Is this my oil cooler leaking?" post in 10... 9... 8... 7...

Not funny! But I think you may be right on this one.

 

[Mad Mac]

Cue "Is this my oil cooler leaking?" post in 10... 9... 8... 7...

I'm new around here. What do you mean?

 

[Rocksalt]

I'm new around here. What do you mean?

the plastic oil filter housing is prone to crack if oil filter is tightened too much

 

[legacy_etu]

Ouch. Man you need to keep a close eye under your intake manifold now. As said, the lower assembly that attaches to hasn't been the most robust in previous revisions. It's definitely not something I'd be striking.

That said it looks like I see two o-rings on there which is a no-no. I only tighten my oil filter hand tight. I had to replace the oil cooler on my JK and it was not cheap.

 

[nanook12]

Dow Corning #4 on the threads/oring…before you snug it down.

 

[Charles 236]

Ouch. Man you need to keep a close eye under your intake manifold now. As said, the lower assembly that attaches to hasn't been the most robust in previous revisions. It's definitely not something I'd be striking.

That said it looks like I see two o-rings on there which is a no-no. I only tighten my oil filter hand tight. I had to replace the oil cooler on my JK and it was not cheap.

There are definitely two o-rings on the cap pictured. There should be one on it, and it DOES NOT go in the upper groove where the orange o-ring is on the cap pictured. In all probability, that upper o-ring is the one that made the cap so hard to remove.

 

[DylanM]

I'm new around here. What do you mean?

As mentioned above, the oil filter housing (with attached cooler) on the 3.6L is made of plastic and has a reputation for cracking when subjected to overtightening of the filter cap.... I imagine beating on it probably won't do it any favours either.

Watch for oil leaks, don't overtighten the cap (it just needs the lip to be fully seated onto the housing), and absolutely don't install two o-rings where there's only supposed to be one.

 

[Mad Mac]

This is a small parts house and garage
in a small town.
We ordered a new cap and o-ring
when the problem first appeared
and postponed the work
until they were on hand
if the yogurt hit the fan.

The picture was taken after replacement
so only the one new o-ring and new cap
were put on back on.

Thanks for the tips.
I will keep an eye on the housing for leaks.

 

[RHINO79]

Absolute must to use a torque wrench, 18 foot pounds.

 

[Mad Mac]

All three shop mechanics
were involved in the project.
It was the third little guy
who had been quiet the whole time
that removed the cap
and held it up like a trophy
while I was on my cell phone nearby.

As is my custom,
I came back with three different six-packs of beer
to reward them for their patience and efforts.
The owner does not drink beer
so that saved me buying a fourth six-pack.

Like I said, it's a small town.

 

[wally1955]

the plastic oil filter housing is prone to crack if oil filter is tightened too much

Replace it with the all aluminum Dorman brand cooler from Rock Auto $189 includes everything you need.

 

[Hootbro]

Whomever installed that second o-ring outdid themselves on building a better idiot.

If they housing did not get a stress crack, good chance the base to block with the gaskets flexed a bit when yanking on the cap for removal.

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