[Guest]

Forgive me if there is already a thread on this...

Has anyone figured out any tricks to replacing the Oil Filter on the 3.7. I just did my oil change last night (second change, first one was done at the dealer) I discovered how horribly it is to get the filter out. My arm still hurts from bending to get to the filter. I was able to get it changed, but I just assume there must be some trick that I'm not seeing.

thanks!

 

[AirJunky]

You don't mention how you did it that made your arm hurt. I had the Nitro up on ramps, slid under it on the creeper, reached up behind the radiator on the driver's side & the filter is right there. It wasn't the easiest removal in the book but wasn't too bad.

There is a drip rail bolted to the diff to make sure oil spilling out of the filter makes it down to the catch basin without getting all over the truck. Worked great..... almost like they planned it.

 

[Guest]

That's basically how I did it, but without the ramps. Although it I couldn't completely reach it from there. It just seemed to be very tight.

In my past cars there has almost always been a trick to make it even easier. I had a Saturn that if you jacked up the passenger side, you could reach through a hole in the wheel well. My wife's malibu has a panel that you drop that opens up a huge area to work in.

If anyone has any tricks let me know.

 

[AirJunky]

By getting the Nitro up in the air I was able to get a better angle from directly under the radiator. Maybe that made all the difference contorting in there to get at the filter.
I looked for an access panel from the inner fender too but didn't see anything. I remember seeing that on the Chevy S10 V6s too.

 

[VOS]

That has got to be the worst place to put a filter. I am about to do my own and I am having a b!itch of a time trying to get a good angle on it.

 

[SLUGBUCKET]

That has got to be the worst place to put a filter. I am about to do my own and I am having a b!itch of a time trying to get a good angle on it.

AGREED!!!!! It took me 2 hours to get the first filter off (factory tightened oil filter). I nearly cut the thing in half trying to get at it. I looked like a greased money when I got done....oil everywhere.

I learned a couple of tricks to getting it off. First, you can take off the little sludge tray by unscrewing a couple of bolts. If you dont have ramps, this is the best way to get at it with both hands. Its messy though.

Second. If you do have ramps, use them. By changing the angle of access you can get at the filter more easily. It would be pretty easy to get to if the truck was high enough.

Third. K&N makes an oil filter with a nut welded to the bottom of it. For a couple of extra bucks, you can have a filter that you can get a wrench on. And with this, you shouldnt have any problems at all.

I feel for all DIY oilchangers (like myself). The 3.7 is the hardest oilchange I have ever experienced.

SLUGBUCKET

 

[nitroinsocal]

I had no problems. It took me all of about 20 minutes or so to change it. I have an oil filter wrench that angle from 90-180 degrees. I also replaced it with K&N which is easier to get in.