Tried to change my oil this weekend and I cannot get the canister off.
Should I try it hot or cold? Is anything going to break if/when (I hope) I force it off?
I would hate to take it to the dealer for this, but if I gotta, I gotta. (They supermanned it on there!)

Thanks!

 

I'd think it'd be more pliable when hot, but can't hurt to try cold if that doesn't work.
Note that the canister is aluminum, so it's relatively soft. You shouldn't be at risk taking it off though - no chance of cross threading.
Mine wasn't on all that tight, but the shop gorilla does grab a wrench now and then.:impatient.
My 36mm socket is 1/2", so there's quite a bit of leverage (if not room).
Make sure you're turning it counter clockwise (lefty loosie).

 

use a breaker bar.

 

First make sure your socket fits on there nice & tight. A six point is better that a twelve point. Less chance of slipping & chewing the nut on the end of the canister up, it's aluminum after all.

OK now if you meet all the above requirements put a breaker bar on there. If that doesn't work slip a piece of pipe over the breaker bar. I had to do that to a friends car to remove the canister. His drain plug was almost as bad. King Kong had done the previous oil change.

 

^^ or they didn't put oil on the seal.

 

You know that's a good point. The one that was gorilla tightened had a seal that was in three pieces when I got the canister off.

 

yeh, for some reason some people don't put enough oil on it or
just forget to do it.

 

So now I need to go pick up a breaker bar and a pipe.
How many tools does a MINI owner need? As many as the MINI says to buy... lol.
I'm assuming I shouldn't use my torque-wrench on this thing (even though the thing is huge) since it might throw off the settings?
Okay, off to the store... (again. Last time it was because of the Chocolate thread... now tools! Love NAM )

 

I'd be really surprised if you could get a 1/2 ratchet on it. This is what I use.

 

Do NOT use a torque wrench.
You don't need a breaker bar and a pipe. Just a longer pipe.
And, preferably, a ratchet from Sears.

In dire circumstances (i.e. your wallet is terminally closed) a few zip ties and a broom handle (or similar) can get the job done...
Leverage is your friend.

Oh, and send chocolate!

Crashton, remind me not to get my car serviced in OH!

 

You can fit a 1/2 drive on there using a sears standard 36mm socket.
that's wat i used. i didn't need a breaker bar on mine, but it was
pretty tight.

 

1/2" ratchet works fine for me. Of course I also 'modified' my 36mm socket with a few cutoff disks on the dremel...

Seriously though, the 1/2" would fit anyway, I just didn't know how far you needed to unscrew it with with wrench.