How do you torque the oil filter?

[1HOT NSX]

I've tightened the filter using the old three quarters of a turn after initial contact theory and it's worked well - no oil leaks, etc. Once the filter bottomed out before I thought it was tight enough and I got advice from the forum to torque the filter to the correct 16 ft/lb.

I got a nice small torque wrench from Griot's Garage that I'd like to use for this task, but I cannot get it to fit between the filter and the suspension piece immediately beneath the filter. I cannot use any of the adapters I have to make it work either.

How do you do it?

 

[DocL]

I just tighten the filter almost as far as it can go by hand. Every time I go to remove it I need to use a filter wrench. Obviously the hot oil going through the filter causes it to tighten up even more.

Just my $.02

 

[I Grok NSX]

1 HOT -

I've been changing my oil on all my cars for the last 30 years and have never had an oil leak from the filter. I just follow the manufacture's recomendations - usually tighten 3/4 of a turn after the filter initially touches.

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1994 Green-black roof/tan, 5 speed
Do you know of another Green-Black roof NSX?? Please email me if you do.

 

[1HOT NSX]

Thanks for the response Dr. Lane and Lite... I've been using that method without problems too but I would still like to be able to torque the filter to the corrrect 16 ft/lb.

Is anyone doing this? Do they make a strap type filter wrench that can read the torque you are applying?

 

[NormRD]

I have seen a "cap" that goes on the top of a filter that you can attach a socket wrench to at the local auto parts store.

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92 Red/Blk

 

[Soichiro]

NormRD is correct. Get the Honda cap-part that fits the bottom of the filter and it will accept a 14mm socket. Put this on your torque wrench. You may need a crow's foot wrench to reach in there - I'm not sure how this affects torque readings.

Note the manual method is not 3/4 of a turn but rather 7/8. Current OEM filters are marked with numbers around the circumference - if the filter originally touches at "1" then you turn it until the "8" reaches the same spot.

 

[95LSType2]

Originally posted by NormRD:
I have seen a "cap" that goes on the top of a filter that you can attach a socket wrench to at the local auto parts store.

Although somewhat difficult to locate, they save tons of time. I've only managed to ifnd this oversized socket/beast at Honda dealers. Although I find if almost altogheter poinltess if you can do it yourself using the tried and true 3/4th turn method.

 

[nsx4fun]

Some places on cars (like head bolts, crankshaft bearings, etc) require specific torque values, but on the oil filter there are only 3 things to be concerned about.
Is it torqued enough so it doesn't leak?
Is it torqued enough that it won't back out (loosen) from vibration?
Is it overtorqued to where you are stripping threads? 3/4 to 7/8 turns is typically all I can get by hand with oily fingers on smooth surface cans, so I've stopped looking. I just tighten it by hand until it feels tight.
I've never had a leak, never had it fall off, & never stripped the threads.

 

[JoeSchmoe]

Originally posted by NormRD:
I have seen a "cap" that goes on the top of a filter that you can attach a socket wrench to at the local auto parts store.

The oil filter socket adapter can be obtained from your local honda dealer/parts place. I have not seen this at auto parts stores. The honda tool number is 07912-6110001 and I think it costs ~10 bucks.


IMHO, it sucks. Although the honda doohickey allows you to use a torque wrench (and required crows foot), you have to swing this unwieldy contraption in the already cramped quarters under the car. On top of that you still need to account for the torque multiplication due to the increased lever arm of the crows foot. The honda filter adapter is also slightly too large for the filter and will wedge itself onto the bottom of the filter sometimes and requires extra monkeying to get it off. Not worth the extra time.

Just get a garden variety filter wrench at your auto parts store and follow the directions on the filter.

Also, remember to lube the gasket before replacing the filter!