2002 Saturn SL1 Oil Filter hi everyone, I know this is a stupid question but I need your help. Could someone please tell me how to remove the oil filter on my 2002 SL1? There isn’t that much room to work with. yes "obviously you can’t loosen it from the top of engine bay from underneath the car – you can put the “filter cup removal tool” on the filter, but theres not enough room for you to put the ratchet on the end of the “filter cup removal tool” from underneath the car – I put the “filter band removal tool” on it but I guess the handle is not long enough (5 inches)Any suggestions will be appreciated. It can’t be this much of a nuisance
TonyEdited by: sw2cam

 

I have used both the cap wrench and ratchet (3/8" drive) as well as the oil
filter wrench that looks like a pair of water pump pliers. There is room, you
just have to get all the way under there.Edited by: keith

 

I either use my hand from underneath, my hand through the wheel well or one of those big socket looking removal tools. There plenty of room for the "socket" and a ratchet.

 

hi keith and LS, thanks for the prompt reply. i did not think about going through the wheel well
1.do i have to remove the liner
2. which tool did you use when going from the wheel well side

Tony

btw. keith - when you used filter "band" tool, how long is your handle?Edited by: sw2cam

 

Yes. Just remove the plastic retainers and pull the liner off. I just throw it out.

Usually I can remove the filter by hand. But if not I use one of these:

 

I have not used a band tool. I usually use type of tool LS shows with a 3/8"
drive ratchet, but I'm having trouble finding one that fits exactly and doesn't
slip. The other tool I use looks like a giant pair of pliers, similar to water
pump pliers.

 

I use WIX filters and found the corrct tool that fits it. It fits pretty snug.

Once I found the correct combination of filter and tool, I went online and bought several cases of oil filters.

I'll never have to buy another oil filter again. Now if I can find somewhere to buy oil by the drum, I'll be set.

 

hey keith and ls, thanks for the pic ls, i used that tool (i call it the "filter cap" removal tool)i will try going through the wheel next time , probabably in a couple of weeks, its like 20 degrees right now!! I'll post an update

Tony
Edited by: sw2cam

 

hey keith and ls,

well it got up to 35 degrees so i got a chance to work on the saturn

took a few minutes to get the liner off (had to break off the rivets, couldn't figure out how to remove them properly) - 1. do you need a special tool to remove those rivets?

after the liner was off, i went through the pass. wheel side and used the "filter band" tool to loosen it

still wasn't too nice, the oil filter is positioned at the center of the halfshaft so there isn't that much room to work with

one thing i forgot to mention is that this is the first oil change i have done on a fwd car, 2. are fwd always such a pain in the butt $#%$%$%

Tony

 

Good god this is just to stupid ... You need eyes to see how the fasteners come off. You need brains to see how to remove the oil filter... take the car to someone that has eyes and the brains to no what they see.