Having just spent a few hours trying and failing to get the oil filter housing off on a td6 albeit without a socket (adjustable spanner, mole grips, water pump spanner, chain oil filter wrench) I have a question or two:
1. I am worried about the amount of force I am having to use and am scared I will break mounting bracket or plastic cover whatever method I use. Is it actually going to be any better with a socket and if so what size? Seems that 36mm is the size for similar BMW and MG ZT filters (BMW derived) but cant find a conclusive size on here.
2. Will a rubber plumbers strap type remover be better do you think?
3. How thick is the plastic cover as I was considering drilling partial thickness holes in the hex top to use an angle grinder disc change wrench. Or even use the old blunt chisel and hammer but I imagine this type approach to undo the thread would be better if I had a spare cover to put on should disasters occur.
4. Is it best when engine is hot or cold ie will the metal part of the housing expanding when the engines hot make it easier? I cant visualise how its screwed together to be honest!
All help very welcome!

PS this service was prompted by a remap this week by emaps which has proved highly successful at improving acceleration, improving auto upchanges to more relazing higher gears and subsequently increasing fuel efficiency.

Cheers
T

36mm.
Buy youself one of these or any 36mm 6 point socket for that matter.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Laser-3491-Oil-F...5d31af0a37

Sounds as though somebody with molegrips for fingers has fitted the filter in the past or it hasn't been off for a long time.
You shouldn't damage anything with the proper size socket should screw off quite easily.

Last edited by nicedayforit on 14th Jan 2012 7:44pm. Edited 1 time in total

Thanks for such a quick reply. I shall get one ordered now before all my lovely oil gets dirty again!
T

It's a bit of a cow cos Halfords don't sell a socket big enough and the space is limited. Do it when its cooled down, but not completely cold, don't want burnt hands. Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top
1998 90 TUL FFR Hard Top XD Wolf
1993 90 Tdi

*Gone: L405 4.4 VSE, L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB

As already mentioned, ebay will be your best bet. I paid less than £6 for mine a few weeks ago, if I remember right.

You should be less likely to damage something when undoing it with the correct tool, as the twisting force is applied from above, as it were, not from the side, where a twisting effort gets placed on thw whole assembly.......

The one I got was very shallow, so would maximise the space available for wrenches etc.

Quick edit....... mine was £8 odd inc delivery.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...0627078874

All the best.
Mark 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

Loads on ebay here

One ordered from a well known auction site!
Cheers guys
T

Halfords do sell a 36mm 6 face socket, it's in their "professional range" - the black ones. Bit of a sledgehammer to crack a nut at £12.99 though. .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

Tom

I just serviced my 2005 td6 and the oil filter as you will know has a large 36mm socket. I did mine whilst i had the fuel filter out which gave me more room to get leverage on my mole grips. It shifted quiet easliy and yes my engine was warm as i ran it then let the oil out.

It has quiet a long thread on it so dont worry that it does not seem to come out straight away, and whilst doing this put a cloth or something below as the altenator is underneath. The oil filter is just a paper cartridge which comes out and in the bin!! There is a excellant guide on Wiki to do this, i also changed all my other filters as well.

Hope this helps

Last edited by Renegade2 on 23rd Jan 2012 12:12am. Edited 1 time in total

Finally got round to changing the filter. Took some torque to get undone with the right socket and bar but did it. Made sure I didnt do it back up quite so tight!
T