Oil filter removal advice please ?

[Dinger1962]

had a quick look at my bike 2003 foxeye before as i planned to change oil and filter this weekend (now heres the bit ill get some stick for)there doesnt look to be enough room to remove the filter without removing exhaust headers.i managed on my thou last year no probs this looks more resricted though --ideas anyone thanks-

[unfazed]

Post a picture and let us see, on OEM and most replacement pipes there is plenty of room to take it out the right hand side, a bit fiddly but it does come out.

[Arfa]

It comes out, bit tight, but dunna worry. Just takes a bit of angling to slide it out to the side of the downpipes. Odd, but I always have more hassle trying to get new one into position to screw on, than removing the old one...

[Dinger1962]

Took time to have a proper look -right hand side looks favourite even if i have to remove connecting rubber hose --like you both said its tight so bit of fiddling should be ok thanks chaps most helpfull Stu-

[darrsi]

Shouldn't have to remove anything?

[fazersharp]

Thats right no need to move anything and looking at it from the front I pass it behind the pipes from the left

[darrsi]

Thats right no need to move anything and looking at it from the front I pass it behind the pipes from the left

I always work on the right side so that kind of reinforces matters.

[Bretty]

I have to remove my headers to change my filter!! It's a bit of a nightmare. I spoke to my local mechanic about it and he said if the exhaust studs are in a bad condition, he would be tempted to just remove all the other exhaust mounts and see if he can flex the exhaust out the way enough to get the old filter out and the new one in.

I didn't think that was a good idea and luckily managed to get all the studs undone myself.

I don't know who made the headers for my bike but getting the filter in or out is impossible.

[tommyardin]

My thinking is that some of the guys in here have the wrong depth of filter fitted. I have one of those big socket spanners that goes right over the whole end of the filter. And have never had a problem getting the filter off, not with the original headers or the stainless steel one on the bike now. Only takes a couple of minutes to get if off but with oily fingers.

[darrsi]

 

[Bretty]

Quite enclosed..  (I'm not the original poster by the way, I'm just showing you mine)

[unfazed]

Headers off there I would think.  Just as I suspected, there were a few headers which did not last long on the market because of the issue you have. Many 400s came from Japan with headers like those.
Look around for a good second hand replacement, it is a pain having to remove them every time you need to change the filter.

[tommyardin]

Quite enclosed..

Oh Shit!
What make of headers are they, so that we can all avoid them in the future. I think they were designed by a complete twat.
No wonder you struggle to change the filter. To be honest the last thing you want to have to do is remove the exhaust system to change the oil as that has the potential to lead to very few oil changes, which in the longer term might lead to tears




Access to my filter is so much easier I think if they were on my bike I would discard them and shop around for some new headers, I know it's another 200 quid but it a lot cheaper than a new lump if it goes tits up because of the want of an oil change or two.

[fazersharp]

I never realised there were downpipes like those pictured now I know why you are struggling. 

[darrsi]

A picture would've been so much easier to start with. 


That does look rather painful, i must admit.

[tommyardin]

Painful more like down right f-----g impossible. .

[celticdog]

I'm now thinking the screwdriver and hammer trick might be the best option 

[BBROWN1664]

You can get an "oil filter" socket that goes over the end of the filter and put the ratchet extension bar between the #2 and #3 down pipes. easy job.
If you don't have a oil filter socket (https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/laser-5199-oil-filter-cup-wrench/?da=1&TC=GS-040815199&gclid=Cj0KEQiAot_FBRCqt8jVsoDKoZABEiQAqFL76O-fzde1WkXBOOoXxY7JPryG9q4h3oas9Mq1yu0MX9kaAgNa8P8HAQ)

you could get one of these which I prefer.
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/cht265-hand-driven-oil-filter-wrench/?da=1&TC=GS-040210265&gclid=Cj0KEQiAot_FBRCqt8jVsoDKoZABEiQAqFL76AUUyABJu7LQ1aiyjw7x4KOScg-k8WS8BV2ozsEoRo0aAnP28P8HAQ

or one of these which also fits a ratchet and is the one I use the most
http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/Oil-Filter-Wrench-3-8-1-2-Double-Sq-Drive-Sealey-AK6403?ppc_keyword=&gclid=Cj0KEQiAot_FBRCqt8jVsoDKoZABEiQAqFL76Hu1Td-V8v4zwqcwD1aB9u1Hyxv_Lg1S1OtmOdBDt5MaAspE8P8HAQ

[fazersharp]

I'm now thinking the screwdriver and hammer trick might be the best option 

Dont help him getting the new on on though - although to be fair he only asked how to remove

[BBROWN1664]

And the new one only needs to be finger tight anyway

[Dinger1962]

My pipes are the same as Brettys could be a long weekend unless removing that rubber hose helps just have to suck it and see will keep you all posted thanks for now-

[darrsi]

I bought one of these, but dunno if it would help you anyway. Only £7.25


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112071728010?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[Bretty]

My pipes are the same as Brettys could be a long weekend unless removing that rubber hose helps just have to suck it and see will keep you all posted thanks for now-

If your headers are like mine, removing the rubber pipe will make no difference.

Get some plusgas on those studs now and dig out your blow torch or nut splitter for the weekend.

I must admit I'm now pretty hot on looking after my studs, and they have a generous coating of copper compound on them. They come off pretty easy now and she gets a new filter and oil change every year/3000miles without fail.

[tommyardin]

This is your best bet to be able to replace the oil filter quickly and without to much hassle.
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[Disky]

Just done mines tonight,,,,, screwdriver thru old filter to get It off,,,, new filter which is small wouldn't fit in past the original headers ,,,, forced it a bit at it went in.. Hand tightened,

Added a new magnetic sump plug,,,, got an awful feeling I over tightened it tho,,, went a bit loose then tightened up again,,,, kept the old plug tho,,, hope I've not damaged the threads on the engine tho