[davidryder]

I don't how many times this has been brought up here, but I have never encountered an oil filter so difficult to reach.

I first tried loosening it by hand - no luck.

So then I tired a large round wrench. No, this only put dents and scratches in it.

Then I went to the autopart store and got one of those adjustable chain filter wrenches. Well, this is where most of my problems arose. As oil got onto the chain, the hook that is supposed to hold the chain kept flipping off. So after an hour of trying to get it to hook securely while I loosened the filter, I modified it a little lol.

Took about 2 minutes to loosen it after that. Phew, I think I might just take it somewhere in the future :chuckle:

 

[dk1677]

Yes the 3.7s filter is in a tight spot ! :rep:

 

[Quiet Lunatic]

I haven't tried changing my own yet, (which is unusual 4 me) but I'm gonna give it a try a soon as it warms up..:i_rolleyes:

 

[jeffmiller1990]

It usually takes me about 10-15 minutes to change the oil. Is there something i'm missing here because i really don't find the filter to be in that bad of a place. do you guys have a shield covering the filter? it's out in the open on mine.

 

[Waldorf]

thanks for sharing your experience with everybody and especially your "mod"!!! :rep:

 

[BlueJet]

thanks for sharing your experience with everybody and especially your "mod"!!! :rep:

Are my eyes playing tricks on me??????:SHOCKED:

 

[jeffrey750]

Put your arm up and over the sway bar and you can get a good grip on it. Guess how I know that? Well, yesterday I had my oil changed at the same place I always go to and.... After reading this thread I wanted to be sure they changed my filter. And after reading other threads of the same type. Anyhow....I had oil dripping all over and even on the cement. My dang oil filter was a tad loose. I tightened it up and went bought some brake cleaner to clean off all the oil. Oil level is good but that PENZOIL place will definatly be getting a call from me tomarrow.

 

[davidryder]

It usually takes me about 10-15 minutes to change the oil. Is there something i'm missing here because i really don't find the filter to be in that bad of a place. do you guys have a shield covering the filter? it's out in the open on mine.

Do you have the 4.0L? I have the 3.7L and I do have the shield (meant to direct the flow of oil when you remove the filter) but I actually removed it to change my oil.

 

[NitroTech]

Put this 3-jaw filter wrench and a long extension with a ratchet and taking off the oil filter on a 3.7L is a breeze.

 

[dgroth]

Put this 3-jaw filter wrench and a long extension with a ratchet and taking off the oil filter on a 3.7L is a breeze.

Thank for the tip. I have to get me one of those. I was reading my user manual today because and found out that Dodge only wants oil changes every 6,000 miles or 6 months. Is this true? I never heard of that before I usually do every 3,000 miles or 3 months. If so does it have to be any special oil?

 

[kaleos]

try this one, it works good for me!!!

Thank for the tip. I have to get me one of those. I was reading my user manual today because and found out that Dodge only wants oil changes every 6,000 miles or 6 months. Is this true? I never heard of that before I usually do every 3,000 miles or 3 months. If so does it have to be any special oil?

this oil filter wrench is sort of made like channel locks and there are small teeth on both sides that assist you in getting the oil filter off and if need be to tighten. if they were to scratch your oil filter, it would be when you are taking it off and it shouldn't matter since you will be disposing of it. you are only suppose to hand tighten the oil filter when installing and maybe go a quarter of a turn with the wrench, more. i usually only hand tighten my oil filter but i tighten the heck out of it so that i don't have to use the oil filter wrench to tighten some more.

at first, after using the wrench to loosen the filter, i remove the wrench then i'm able to use my left hand to do the rest of the job. i've found this wrench to be the best out of all of these, large hexagon shaped that fits on the head of the filter(too tight of a space), regular oil filter wrench with the strap(sometimes slips off or not able to get a bite on it) and there are others that are also bad.

i bought these either at walmart or one of the automotive stores, can't remember. if i come upon some more, i'll let you know where. good luck to you!!

mcnabb (kaleos) in louisiana........i have the 3.7 liter.:Racing:



trying to upload some pictures of it.

 

[jeffmiller1990]

Do you have the 4.0L? I have the 3.7L and I do have the shield (meant to direct the flow of oil when you remove the filter) but I actually removed it to change my oil.

I have the 3.7, but there is no shield. I was wondering why people were having such a hard time getting to the filter.

 

[zmass]

I have NO problem getting to my filter. Its just hangin out in the open..
Do i REALLY need one??

 

[Quiet Lunatic]

If I'm not mistaken, if you have the factory tow package installed then there are some extra bits in that area for the heavy duty cooling etc.

 

[jeffrey750]

As mentioned above about 6000miles or every 6 monthes changing oil. There are severe and regular schedules. As a past auto technition, I would recommend every 3000 miles/every 3 monthes regardless of how you drive. I use a Penzoil synthetic blend and I change mine every 2500. I also live in Michigan and use my remote start quite a bit as my engine idles alot. Think of all the short trips me make also. Always better safe than sorry

 

[kaleos]

this oil filter wrench is sort of made like channel locks and there are small teeth on both sides that assist you in getting the oil filter off and if need be to tighten. if they were to scratch your oil filter, it would be when you are taking it off and it shouldn't matter since you will be disposing of it. you are only suppose to hand tighten the oil filter when installing and maybe go a quarter of a turn with the wrench, more. i usually only hand tighten my oil filter but i tighten the heck out of it so that i don't have to use the oil filter wrench to tighten some more.

at first, after using the wrench to loosen the filter, i remove the wrench then i'm able to use my left hand to do the rest of the job. i've found this wrench to be the best out of all of these, large hexagon shaped that fits on the head of the filter(too tight of a space), regular oil filter wrench with the strap(sometimes slips off or not able to get a bite on it) and there are others that are also bad.

i bought these either at walmart or one of the automotive stores, can't remember. if i come upon some more, i'll let you know where. good luck to you!!

mcnabb (kaleos) in louisiana........i have the 3.7 liter.:Racing:



trying to upload some pictures of it.

 

[kaleos]

anybody try or use this kind of oil filter wrench?

mcnabb (kaleos) in louisiana.........

 

[NitroTech]

I should add that 2wd Nitro oil filters are a breeze to access. Put a front axle in there on the 4wd Nitro's and getting at the oil filter on a 3.7L is very difficult.

 

[cr8pc]

My dealer had a Nitro up on a display rack when I bought mine so I had the opportunity to look at the location of the filter. There's no way I'm getting to that filter without significant frustration, I bought the book of oil changes from the dealer when I bought the Nitro. But I do verify that they changed it.

 

[CDeer]

Do you use a Mopar oil filter? If not, which brand and what is the number on it. We want to do our own oil change, we do changes on our other vehicles. If you have a Fram #, I would greatly appreciate it. I know the Pennzoil # in PZ-19, but I can't find a cross reference. (We girls have a time at some of these cross references) My vehicle, my job to find out all the information. Why did I get married?