So my RX-7 has been sitting for around 12 years, its in good condition but I am starting to restore it. I am starting off by changing all the vitals but I have ran into this issue where my Oil Filter will not come off. I bought a clamp to help remove it and I actually but a hole in my old filter because it will not come out. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to remove it and why its not coming out. The Oil Filter should easily be removable by hand...

 

Take a Screwdriver and Stab it right through so that you can use the screwdriver and unscrew the filter.
The Filter must have been put on with a Filter wrench,and too tightly.
when you go to put the new Filter back on just touch the rubber seal on the filter with a Dab of oil then install it hand tight,plus a 1/4 turn(or ERRRRGGH tight..lol).The heat of the engine will keep it tightened up.

 

Learned the screwdriver trick on my wife's MR2 work well.

 

^ Bingo.

I've experienced this on other people's cars before. I don't get why they think the oil filter needs to be so damn tight. It's frustrating.

 

One thing though is that if I jam the screw driver in, won't oil that's still in the filter spill out everywhere? Also I sort of damaged the middle of the filter from this stupid clamp so I hope that's not an issue.

 

the filter is upside down anyways so the oil inside is minimal.
I just did this,as my old filter was really ON there.It works like a charm.
Afraid of a little oil?,just get rags.!

 

If worst comes to worst take the whole oil pedestal off
i think there are two 10 mm nuts on the bottom of the pedestal . Take them of the whole thing comes off. You will need two new o-rings when you reinstall the pedestal tho .

 

^This.
The reason it's stuck may not be from being too tight, but from being on too long (12 years) with a cheap gasket.

 

I've used a big adjustable open end wrench/pliers to get off tough ones, you just need to get a tight grip on it so you can get enough torque on it to twist it off.

rotary > pistons

 

Screwdriver trick always works for me

 

heh..Ironic,but I tried that when mine was stuck and my biggest set of channel locks wouldn't fit the Filter!,That is why I STABBED that damn filter with a screwdriver!!..I wanted it to FEEL my Pain!
The Bigger pair of Channel locks is about 30 bucks..Stabbing,Priceless!

 

Nice, I think I have those channel locks you're talking about, I knew there was a name for them.

I use them to get my oil filter off my sr20 in my 200sx seR , its in a hard to reach location and they're a lifesaver.

rotary > pistons

 

Or Spray A LOT of WD40/CRC 666 marine con oil filter, wait 10 minutes and remove it with hand^^