Oil filter wrench… will this do the job?

[j24]

Hi all,

Decided that today was the day to replace oil filter housing gaskets etc - and have fallen at one of the first hurdles - I’ve bought the wrong size oil filter wrench

Finding one the right size to buy from an actual shop I can drop in to today seems impossible… so will something like this from Halfords do?

https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-too ... wa&istBid=

I’m working on a 3.0si N52 engine

Cheers all

[enuff_zed]

It may do, but I'd be worried it would damage the cap?
It only holds in three places and is designed to tighten as you turn it.
Think I'd be tempted to get the right one.

Anyone near you that may have one you can borrow?

[plenty]

The cap has a hex head for a 36mm socket. If you can't find a socket then an adjustable wrench should work.

ETA: that is true only of the M54 and S54. The N52 does not have a hex head on the filler cap.

[j24]

Thanks both.

Definitely don’t want to risk damaging the cap, so think I’ll wait until I can get my hands on the right size wrench.

Thinking I’ll order this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/End-Cap-Oil-Fi ... B00649NZSU

It’s 86mm and has 16 flutes. Also seems to reference BMW OEM number 119240, so think it might do the job.

Claiming it should arrive tomorrow… just got to hope the weather isn’t as bad as forecast over here in Bristol!!

[RKM]

That wrench is for a disposable cannister type filter.

[patriot66]

Hi J24 Just buy a set of filter cap specific sockets like these
DAYUAN 5pc 3/8" Drive 24,27,32,36,38mm Oil Filter Wrench Remover Socket Set Cr-V 6pt https://amzn.eu/d/8J6NYXp

Screenshot_20230325_133014_Amazon Shopping.jpg (178.32 KiB) Viewed 533 times

[j24]

Hi J24 Just buy a set of filter cap specific sockets like these
DAYUAN 5pc 3/8" Drive 24,27,32,36,38mm Oil Filter Wrench Remover Socket Set Cr-V 6pt https://amzn.eu/d/8J6NYXp

Screenshot_20230325_133014_Amazon Shopping.jpg

That wrench is for a disposable cannister type filter.

Yikes - getting a little confused now!

I’d read that I’d need an 86mm 16 flute wrench…It’s an N52 engine, and here’s the cap I’m trying to loosen:



Is the Amazon one I’ve bought the wrong thing??

https://www.amazon.co.uk/End-Cap-Oil-Fi ... ag=z4fo-21

Just wanting a socket thing to loosen the oil filter cap, so that I minimise oil spill when I take the oil filter housing off to replace the gaskets.

And it’ll need to work with my torque wrench for tightening back up.

[smorris_12]

No, that's the filter cap tool. I bought one of those when I first got my Zed knowing that I'd forget it was yet another different arrangement when I got round to an oil change.

[enuff_zed]

Hi J24 Just buy a set of filter cap specific sockets like these
DAYUAN 5pc 3/8" Drive 24,27,32,36,38mm Oil Filter Wrench Remover Socket Set Cr-V 6pt https://amzn.eu/d/8J6NYXpScreenshot_202 ... 014_Amazon Shopping.jpg

That wrench is for a disposable cannister type filter.

Yikes - getting a little confused now!

I’d read that I’d need an 86mm 16 flute wrench…It’s an N52 engine, and here’s the cap I’m trying to loosen:



Is the Amazon one I’ve bought the wrong thing??

https://www.amazon.co.uk/End-Cap-Oil-Fi ... ag=z4fo-21

Just wanting a socket thing to loosen the oil filter cap, so that I minimise oil spill when I take the oil filter housing off to replace the gaskets.

And it’ll need to work with my torque wrench for tightening back up.

Yup that looks right to me.

[patriot66]

Apologies J24, I forgot the N52 has a plain 16 flute cap I'm used to the M54 cap that has a 36mm hex moulded on the top as well as flutes

thumb.jpeg (25.21 KiB) Viewed 482 times

[j24]

No, that's the filter cap tool. I bought one of those when I first got my Zed knowing that I'd forget it was yet another different arrangement when I got round to an oil change.

Yup that looks right to me.

Apologies J24, I forgot the N52 has a plain 16 flute cap I'm used to the M54 cap that has a 36mm hex moulded on the top as well as flutes thumb.jpeg

Phew - thanks all, I was getting worried I was missing something!

Now just keeping my fingers crossed the Amazon man comes nice and early tomorrow.

[Birr97]

Hopefully you've sorted this.
If not, you can use a "strap wrench" to remove the cap, they can be picked up in Screwfix or Toolstation.

https://www.toolstation.com/strap-wrench-set/p98766

[j24]

Hopefully you've sorted this.
If not, you can use a "strap wrench" to remove the cap, they can be picked up in Screwfix or Toolstation.

https://www.toolstation.com/strap-wrench-set/p98766

Yep, all sorted thanks! Glad to say the Amazon one I linked to did the job in the end

[pvr]

Just for my knowledge, does this engine not have an old fashioned disposable filter that you take off or is this something additional to that? Not seen that before on the cars I have done the oil changes on and I am planning to do it as well on the 3.0si engine.

[smorris_12]

It's the same old paper filter BMW has used for decades, they've just changed the cap. Again. I've only just got over going from the very long 13mm headed bolt on my M50 to the 36mm plastic cap on the M47 and the associated expense of that socket. And I sold the E36 in 2005!

I shall be grumbling over this new cap design for the rest of my natural!