Oil filter debacle.

[Nic]

Hi folks, last year when I first got the bike I did an oil and filter change, I still had the wonky tool for the filter that I bought when I had the Bandit so I was happy to use the filter without the bolt, 17mil I think it is?
As we probably all know, the filter is supposed to be tightened 2 full turns from when the filter takes up to the engine cases, while "trying" to do 2 full turns last year the socket tool rounded the filter, oh great, will I be able to get the filter back off when I do the next oil change, ie, 3 weeks ago, answer, NO, not with the socket tool anyway, as I lay on the ground trying to come up with a remedy other than removing the exhaust I remembered I had these oil filter grips, there's very little room either side of the filter but the grips fitted in there, I couldn't put enough pressure on the handles with my hands so I used vice grips to squeeze the handles together, the filter moves about 3mil, that's how much room is in there, with my next try I couldn't get the filter to move at all, then I saw that one of the handles on the filter grips had broken, I welded them back together and after about half an hour on my back trying to move the filter it wasn't moving at all.
Determined not to take the exhaust off I tried one more hack that we used to do in the bike shop back in the day and that is to try and knock it out with a centre punch, the only problem, there's very little room either side of the filter.
I needed a longer punch than the usual caper so I dug out a piece of solid round bar and ground a point on one end and with the aid of the 4lb hammer I got it out after about another 40 minutes laying on the floor, how're your neck muscles.
So when I put the new filter on I did it up 1 full turn and it was on there tight enough for me, it "should" come out next oil change. So be warned if you think you can do the filter up 2 turns.
The pics don't do justice, when do they ever.

[steve porter]

for future reference if it happens again, punch a largish phillips head screwdriver all the way though the filter and turn it with the screwdriver, you may need to do it a couple of times depending on how much you can rotate it until its loose enough to undo

[Nic]

Yes mate, but there is no room to turn it once you hammer in the screw driver, this method works only if you have room and the filter wasn't put on tight. It wasn't an option, thanks anyway.

[steve porter]

https://toolswarehouse.com.au/products/lisle-63250-wide-oil-filter-wrench?variant=21303085629553&currency=AUD&gclid=CjwKCAiAsaOBBhA4EiwAo0_AnPou-dndIYsm-izWCqjR4abKmxt0ZyMDYnXqWCOiDqNVzGvfSx1giBoCTOwQAvD_BwE
I`ve got 2 different sizes of these and if you can get them on they will get the filter off, I got them from Bursons years ago

[Nic]

Looks good, never seen them before.

[DP1400]

I cant believe the trouble you had there Nic. Presumably you warmed up the engine first?
I use a similar tool to the above consisting of a 'cup' which slides fully onto the filter and has a square hole in the top to which a ratched is inserted. Cheap as chips and takes seconds to undo and refit the filter.
Having repeatedly burnt myself on the downpipes doing this job over the years i've now learnt to wear leather gardening gloves!

[steve porter]

haven`t had to use it on the 14, but I will check tomorrow if it fits on

[Nic]

Yeah I might have to invest in one of those, 2 turns is too much IMO and not necessary to be that tight.
Steve, please let us know which one fits 

[Nic]

I cant believe the trouble you had there Nic. Presumably you warmed up the engine first?
I use a similar tool to the above consisting of a 'cup' which slides fully onto the filter and has a square hole in the top to which a ratched is inserted. Cheap as chips and takes seconds to undo and refit the filter.
Having repeatedly burnt myself on the downpipes doing this job over the years i've now learnt to wear leather gardening gloves!

Yes, the cup, as in my pics, but as I said, trying to do the 2 full turns rounded the filter. Basically the gist of my post is to let people know that 2 turns is too much esp for the cup tool.

[grog]

Nic, not sure where you got idea for two turns or even how you got two turns. Ive changed thousands of filters over the years. Lube O ring, spin it on on until its snug, maybe 1/4 turn all thats needed. Those cup tools work perfectly keeping to that way.

[Hooli]

I've seen the two turns thing somewhere, I can't recall where. It's a load of rubbish though, about 1/4 turn is right as grog says.

[Nic]

Look at my 2nd pic, on the filter under Caution.

[Nic]

Er, where have I seen this, anyone have a manual for the 14

[grog]

OK Nic, im wrong. Apparently Suzuki genuine use a different seal, 2 turns required. Never ever come across that before. Just searched it all. Ill stick with my Ryco, 1/4 turn. If genuine that hard to get off, would never use one.

[Hooli]

I fitted a genuine filter once, but it was so long ago I can't recall how much I tightened it.

I use Champion filters now days & 1/4ish turn works.