advice needed for changing oil filter adapter o rings
#16
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 1,744
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L i6
I just did this on my 01 2 weeks ago. I too spent 2 hours cussing and trying to get at that thing.
Ended up using a T60 3/8" drive socket, kncocked the torx piece out, ground it down to around a 1/2" long, used a large socket wrench with a 12 mm socket and a big breaker bar.
It did only go in about an eighth inch, but the clearance being so tight helped hold it in place.
Could not believe how much force it took to get that thing off.
Just need a grinder, or hack saw worst case, and you'll get it.
App keeps crashing so I can't attach the photo of what I used.
Ended up using a T60 3/8" drive socket, kncocked the torx piece out, ground it down to around a 1/2" long, used a large socket wrench with a 12 mm socket and a big breaker bar.
It did only go in about an eighth inch, but the clearance being so tight helped hold it in place.
Could not believe how much force it took to get that thing off.
Just need a grinder, or hack saw worst case, and you'll get it.
App keeps crashing so I can't attach the photo of what I used.
To recap, the L-wrench was a dead end. I used a sawed-off T60 bit that "XJDavid" mailed to me. What a guy, I owe him a nice bottle of wine.
The T60 bit was "beveled" and seated very deeply into the star. It fit much better than that flat T60 L-wrench. See photo:
I was able to do everything from above in the engine bay. 12mm wrench on long pipe. For clearance, I did remove the coolant overflow tank. Good tip.
I was worried about stripping to star hole, so I drew a little line across the bolt with anti-seize to be able to see if I was stripping the T60, or if it was turning.
With the long pipe, it wasn't hard to move the bolt at all. I really didn't have to push very hard on the 3-4 foot bar.
I was so psyched to see that the bolt had moved, and not just stripping the star.
I never detached the oil filter, but maybe this would have made it easier. It would also have resulted in less of a mess.
A ratcheting wrench would have been awesome here because it was a total pain to keep detaching the wrench after every turn WHILE pushing the T60 to stay in. Some masking tape/gum may have helped in keeping the T60 in place. What I could have done was to push the OFA towards the block and popped the T60 shaft off the o-ring, and then just turned the entire thing by hand. Instead, I left the shaft seated, turned the entire thing using the T60, and then popped the shaft free once it was detached.
The 2 shaft o-rings did not feel stiff. The large o-ring did seem a big stiff. It was hardly brittle plastic, however. But, maybe it got a little flat. Wasn't sure it was enough to make a leak, but who knows. The new o-rings were definitely softer.
I used engine degreaser to clean all the gunk off the OFA. I will keep an eye on it for new leaks. When replacing the o-rings and degreasing, work with the OFA in a pan, tub, or bin. It will keep spilling oil and soak through towels. I made a mess, but I didn't really lose much oil. When I checked the dipstick, it still said full, so I didn't even top it off. I will check again tomorrow. This was GUNKED with sludge, now nook how clean it is!
It was a real pain to get the shaft rethreaded back onto the block. Instead of fully re-seating the o-rings/shaft onto the adapter, leave it loose, but seat the OFA fully against the block. That way the play is in the shaft, and you can re-thread the shaft by hand (it would be a nightmare to catch the re-thread that shaft using the T60/wrench combo. Even by hand, loose, it still took me 15 mins to get that shaft to re-thread. Once it caught, I was able to spin it 90% back by hand. Use paper towels to maintain grip on the oily screw.
Thanks to everyone who advised.
It feels really good to have this under my belt.
Last edited by BimmerJeeper; 09-29-2015 at 06:44 PM.
#17
Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Sugar Land, TEXAS
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 165,00 Miles
What happened to your Silver washer that went between the gold cap and the adapter?
Just Kidding Nice Job Congrats
Just Kidding Nice Job Congrats
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
95cherokee89
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
59
10-16-2015 03:17 AM
madmanmarty
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
30
08-30-2015 03:17 PM
EBowen95
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
49
08-25-2015 08:44 PM
schaferjeep
Stock Grand Cherokee Tech. All ZJ/WJ/WK Non-modified/stock questions go here!
5
08-21-2015 08:40 PM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)