So after we finished a quick oil change, we went to go change the oil filter. The canister that houses the filter would not budge! Not in the slightest would it move! We had a 35 or 36 mm wrench (can't remember which) and the thing wouldn't move, even when hitting the wrench with a hammer repeatedly. We didn't have a large enough socket to use though, but how should we get this sucker off? Thanks!

 

Don’t hit it. Nothing good will come of that.

Get a 36mm socket and a long flex head ratchet. Apply even pressure and if necessary use an extension bar. It will come off.

And be sure you are turning it in the correct direction!

Not to blame the person who put it on but when you put it back, it is the o-ring that does the sealing, not the pressure of screwing it back. So, not too tight is the operative word on that. There is a torque spec, but again, not too tight will work.

///Rich

 

I just ordered one of these...



You may find one at your local auto parts store. It is usually advertised as a Ford diesel oil filter wrench but many report it as working very well for the Mini Filter Cap. Either way, it is a low profile 36mm socket.

The torque for the cap and drain plug is a mere 18 ft/lbs. Tight is tight, too tight is broke.

 

Something like a 1-1/16" socket works too. It's worth buying a socket at Sears or wherever.

 

1-1/16 in = 26.9875 mm, almost identical to the gen 2's 27 mm size.
The gen 1 MINIs use a 36 mm socket, however.

Use the correct 1/2" drive socket (either 36 mm for gen 1 vs. 27 or 1 -1/16 for gen 2) and a
long 1/2" drive breaker bar and some oomph and persistence. Warming and/or cooling the
engine and trying again sometimes helps also.

 

Read a while back that a light turn to tighten then loosen the cannister has helped.

 

Considering the problem is that the canister bottoms out on the bottom of the base, I would say that is a bad strategy. It could do nothing but stretch the threads.

///Rich

 

The only time I had trouble doing my oil change was my first. I bought the car used. I've had it serviced at WMW and they torqued it down correctly as I had no difficulty removing it. When I had the timing chain replaced under warranty the dealership changed my oil and I am expecting to need duct tape and a long tool to get the torque needed to remove the sucker. (&$*#*

 

General Mini forum is confusing as the gen1 and 2 are so different.

 

Gen 1 stuck oil filter housing cap. Its a 36mm socket.

Think it was here, with some tips:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ng-thread.html

Thanks

 

Once you have the correct ratchet and socket in place, really securely on the oil filter housing cap, hit the wratchet handle counter clockwise with the palm of your hand firmly. If that does not work, take a piece of pipe, jack handle or strong metal tubing and slide it over the ratchet handle making an extension for it. Extend it as high as it goes without hitting the open hood. Now do the same and you should succeed. Don't try to pull it with static force, you have to jar it with your open hand. Don't use a hammer. Don't tighten it, just jar it loose.

 

get one of those big crescent wrench and full power