Overtightening a car’s oil filter has done more harm than good. Also, fixing the oil filter without adequate tightness had caused many of the components to fall off vehicles before the owners realized it.
So, “How tight should an oil filter be?” This is a simple but important question. Your ability to find the answer to this question will help you avoid oil leaks due to a crushed filter gasket leading to an improper seal.
You will also be able to prevent your car’s oil filter from leaking oil or falling off due to inadequate tightness when you least expect it. Now, let’s find out the perfect answer to that question.
Oil Filter Tighten Procedure
Undoubtedly, oil leaks can result from both an overtightened or too loosely tightened oil filter. In that case, the procedure below will help you tighten your vehicle’s oil filter perfectly, especially after an oil change.
Thread on the oil filter by hand
Firstly, you can thread on the oil filter with your hand only. So, you may not necessarily need an oil wrench (which is option 2 below). However, in order to tighten the oil filter, grab it up after an oil change and fix it in place.
After that, start threading (turning) the oil filter clockwise until it sits properly in place. You may be thinking, “Is hand-tightening an oil filter enough?” Of course, it is, especially when you do it well.
Use an oil filter wrench.
While engaging the step above, some oil filters may require a cap wrench to help you tighten them properly. So, if your car’s oil filter requires a wrench, ensure to get the correct oil filter wrench and use it to tighten the component until it sits perfectly without any slight opening.
Meanwhile, if you’re asking, “Why is my oil filter so tight?” The wrench may as well be responsible, especially when you apply it too much.
Sometimes, using a piece of equipment to perform a mechanical task can result in extreme outcomes. That’s why it’s best to tighten the oil filter by hand.
Give it a quarter turn.
Now, if you’re tightening up your car’s oil filter, especially by hand, ensure to apply a quarter turn once you completely thread it to sit properly. This helps to avoid any opening that can result in oil leaks.
Meanwhile, if the oil filter is too tight, you may have to release it a little bit by engaging tips for removing the tight oil filter or a simple way is to loosen it up.
How Tight Should an Oil Filter Be?
A vehicle’s oil filter must not be too tight irrespective of whether you’re screwing the component by hand or with the use of an oil wrench. Overtightening can crush or damage the filter gasket, resulting in an opening that causes oil leaks.
Therefore, if you’re wondering, “How tight should an engine oil filter be?” Ensure to tighten with your hand by screwing the component in to sit properly. Then, carefully give it a quarter turn to lock it up properly.
Kindly note that screwing the oil filter carelessly can either make it thread in wrongly, leaving a slight opening. It can also result in ending up with a loosely fixed oil filter.
Both of these outcomes can lead to oil leaks. You may also have to replace the component within a short time when it falls off unexpectedly. Replacing the component within a short time is, to say the least. This can cause a catastrophic engine breakdown within 5 to 10 minutes.
How Do You Torque an Oil Filter?
Torquing an oil filter is pretty straightforward; simply get an oil filter wrench and fix it in place. Then, turn the component counterclockwise for it to loosen. After that, carefully loosen it by hand until it is completely off.
The hot oil content in the filter can be harmful if you choose to use the wrench all the way. That’s why turning the wrench just once will help you loosen the oil filter without causing a hazard. Thereafter, you can complete the process by hand for safety.
Always be careful when dealing with components that contain hot contents like oil or water, as well as other lubricants.
Can You Overtighten an Oil Filter?
Yes, you can over-tighten an oil filter. However, ensure to avoid over-tightening your car’s oil filter. This component is a very easy part to tighten either by hand or with the aid of an oil filter wrench. However, you may make the mistake of overtightening the filter, especially when you apply the wrench.
This can be a bad experience because overtightening the filter can either break the O-ring or strip the threading. When any of these occur, you may as well be ready to fix a leaking oil problem. You must note that oil leaks can damage several components within the engine compartment.
What Happens If Your Oil Filter Is Not Tight?
A loosely fixed oil filter is one of the simplest ways oil leaks out of its place into the engine and other components. Oil leakage is also the case if you’re wondering what happens if you over-tighten an oil filter. A continuous oil leak will result in a lack of oil pressure.
Meanwhile, when a car’s oil pump lacks the requisite fluid that is expected for circulation, the engine will suffer from insufficient or total lack of lubrication.
This can suddenly make the engine seize or eventually damage other parts within the engine compartment. Of course, repairs like this can be quite expensive, especially when you have more than one damaged component.
Final Words
Finding an accurate answer to the question “How tight should an oil filter be?” is an essential detail, to be well aware of, in maintaining your car. Of course, an oil change is very vital; however, it is also important to know how tight the oil filter must be to avoid damage or oil leaks.
This article just simplified what you need to know about how to tighten up an oil filter and the extent it must attain (no more, no less) to sit properly in place without any glitches. Ensure to follow the recommended guide above to know how tight a spin-on oil filter should be.
