help - cannot take oil filter cap off :(

Soaring · August 27, 2005, 06:04:51 PM

hello all,

complete noob here trying to change oil

bad news is that one of the nuts on the oil filter cap doesn't unscrew, I am totally lost and don't know what to do. It just rotates freely but doesn't come off. I tried unscrewing it with locking plyers pulling it off, didn't help... The other two came off easily.

desperately in need of advice or keyword for search.

Thank you.

Alexey

banner · August 27, 2005, 06:12:42 PM

thats strange....

can you unscrew it while applying pulling pressure?

Wait till others comment on this before trying though.

Soaring · August 27, 2005, 06:16:51 PM

that's what I tried to do with locking plyers, but it didn't help

ttsquirrel · August 27, 2005, 06:19:12 PM

can you get it to screw back in?

Soaring · August 27, 2005, 06:21:34 PM

I haven't tried but I don't think I'd be able to do that, it just rotates there

and it's not that I managed to unscrew it even a little bit.

ttsquirrel · August 27, 2005, 06:33:44 PM

That's strange. Do you have the other two bolts out? If you do, is the cover loose or still snug with the rotating bolt.

natedawg120 · August 27, 2005, 06:50:17 PM

Sounds like a striped nut or bolt, either way that sucks...

Soaring · August 27, 2005, 06:55:30 PM

the cap is lose and I got oil all over the exhaust (the bolt I got problems with is the lowest one). and the nuts look more like caps, so there's no way I can tighten it back. once again, it just rotates there. I got the nuts out, not the bolts themselves on the other two

natedawg120 · August 27, 2005, 07:00:27 PM

If you can get a flat head screwdriver between the problem but and the outer of the oil filter plate, put outward force on the nut and slowly turn it out. If it is striped, which it sounds like it is, that method works for me most of the time.

Soaring · August 27, 2005, 11:46:29 PM

I cannot really get a screwdriver in there, not enough space for a big one and small one is just too small..

jomei · August 27, 2005, 11:55:42 PM

Speaking of leaking oil all over the exhaust. I bet this is a common problem, and I have an easy way to fix that.

I keep some of these flexible cutting boards around my place because they are easy to cut, cheap (you can get them at the dollar store sometimes in a pack of two) and they have plenty of great uses.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00011RTE8/qid=1125211813/sr=8-2/ref=pd_bbs_unbuck_2/103-3819228-2539027?v=glance&s=kitchen&n=1000

You can use it as a funnel, you can use it as a guard when spraying on coatings, oil, or chain lube, and for this you can use it to guard against getting oil all over the place and not in your oilpan.

Basically you just take one, and cut two V shapes into either side so that it sits under the filter cap, and rests on the exhaust. Then the oil will drain down the "chute" and into the oil pan without hitting your exhaust.

Wash, rinse, repeat.

Soaring · August 28, 2005, 04:45:54 PM

ok, I managed to get the screwdriver in (thanks nate!) and unscrew the whole thing, but instead of unscrewing the nut I somehow got the whole bolt out. the nut is still there rotating on the bolt, but it doesn't come off. so the question is now, is there a way to fix this bolt or do I need a new one. and if I need a new one where do I get it.

Thank you guys!

RedShift · August 28, 2005, 05:37:25 PM

Quote from: Soaringok, I managed to get the screwdriver in (thanks nate!) and unscrew the whole thing, but instead of unscrewing the nut I somehow got the whole bolt out. the nut is still there rotating on the bolt, but it doesn't come off. so the question is now, is there a way to fix this bolt or do I need a new one. and if I need a new one where do I get it.

Thank you guys!

Actually this is a good thing.

Replace both. The 6mm x 20mm stud bolt that's a buck new. The metric end cap is about the same price.

Here's a link to Bike Bandit for a 2001 GS500 (my favorite kind), but you might want to visit your dealer for these two pieces, perhaps even a well stocked Lowes or Home Depot might have what you need.

natedawg120 · August 28, 2005, 05:40:03 PM

you'll need to get a new one, they are cheap though. I have seen a couple posts on broken bolts and in one of those I think there was a fix and/or price for the replacement parts. Search for broken oil stud or something to that effect.

natedawg120 · August 28, 2005, 05:48:26 PM

well me having time at work and all i found this. Courtesy of pantablo:

http://pantablo500.tripod.com/id10.html

that tells you what you will need to replace the original. He says any 6mm by 1.00 bolt will do the trick.

Soaring · August 28, 2005, 08:10:14 PM

yeah, Ive stumbled upon that myself, but thanks for taking your time to help me here

what i don't get is that some people write that you need to buy a bolt and some say you need a stud+nut, does it really matter and if someone knows what's the easiest way to get these metric things in Los Angeles I'd really appreciate the advice. I am not sure I want to do it online and wait for a whole week (plus I am not sure how much the shipping will be for these $1 units)

natedawg120 · August 28, 2005, 08:49:18 PM

the easiest would be the bolt. It would be fine the only difference being the stud is attached and comes out every time you change the oil. Any hardware store should have the bolts. If you want to go the stud and nut method I would just order them from the dealership, shipping shouldn't be bad if they even charge you for it (my local one does not charge for shipping as they have to opder everything).

Soaring · August 30, 2005, 08:38:10 AM

ok, got the bolt from the local store, changed oil, doesn't seem to leak

Thanks everybody!

next step is the chain...

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help - cannot take oil filter cap off :(