You really shouldn't need an oil filter wrench if you were the one that changed the filter the last time. If you have been changing the filter and always need a wrench, you are tightening it way too much.
It's very easy to do this with an oil filter, as you only need to turn 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn after the gasket first connects. If you "hand tighten" it, the filter through use will become very difficult to remove. There is no real advantage to over tightening an oil filter unless you have a problem with the filter leaking I guess.
Also, I'd like to mention that the ~150 mile trip I just took confirms fairly well that my radiator flush was a complete success. The engine temp stayed right where it should the entire time. Unfortunately, I was reminded how badly I need an alignment as well.
Yea, tons haha. I'll try and make a little list for you and my own reference as well. There is a never ending list of things I'd like to do, so I doubt I'll do everything I hope to someday do but who knows.
'93 Explorer
Need to replace the rear differential oil in hopes that the rear end whine that summer cured was just low fluid levels. Was going to go ahead and paint black as you suggested in your vid.
It needs a tuneup complete with new plugs and wires, but I have tried multiple times and I cannot get any of the wires off of the spark plugs. I fear they are frozen in there. The vehicle is well maintained and doesn't seem to be in desperate need for a tune up, but I'd really like to sometime. I guess I have been too afraid to try and get stuck in the middle of it not knowing what to do basically.
The transmission leaks pretty bad, I am pretty sure all of it is from the front seal and the governor though, so maybe I could fix it. In the very least I'd like to check the torque on the bolts between the transmission and engine and make sure they are still in there tightly
Need to fix the drivers side door sag, it's a very big problem. I don't know if I have the facilities to do this though (I don't even have a driveway or parking lot to use, I just work on my car in street parking).
When I fix the driver door sag, I'd like to replace the inside door handle that was literally ripped off by the effort required to close the door properly. When I replace this, I think I'll replace the passenger side one too so that doesn't look like I've replaced one thing at a time etc.
I'd like to either fix or prevent it from getting worse... the drivers side leather seat has a large hole from people getting in and out, on the left side of the seat where the lower back would be.
The drivers side window 'clicks' when I try to use it. The window sometimes moves as intended but not often and it would never make it all the way down. I get the feeling it's a gear or something, but the window motor itself appears to be in good shape.
The passenger side automatic window motor seems to be quite weak. I am quite good with electronics and rebuilding electrical motors should be something I could do, assuming I can get to it etc. So I'd like to try that out when I'm messing with the window motors.
Someday I might look into fixing whatever the banging noise in the front end is when I go over bumps. I suspect its my shocks.
'94 Chevy astro van
Need to bleed the front and back brakes until the brake fluid is fully replaced with new fluid (currently black/muddy colored).
Need to change the serpentine belt, the current one appears to have dry-rot. I also suspect my recent flush/new thermostat causing the engine temp to be much higher may increase the risk of the serpentine belt breaking.
When I change the serpentine belt, I'd like to check all of my pulleys, compressor, water pump, etc to see if they are tight and no problems. I was curious if they could be oiled or not. The compressor seems to have a profound squeak when it engages and disengages, but while spinning it is silent.
Gonna try and troubleshoot the old 'blower motor only works on high' problem it has. I think I could repair it pretty easily if I could just figure out where the resistors are.
I'd really like to revisit the muffler. The previous owner obviously bottomed it out somehow breaking the muffler pipe and the running board support. When I got it, I used 2 large hose clamps and about 3ft of roof flashing wrapped around the pipe to fix it. I believe there are other exhaust leaks so I am thinking about finding and marking them then using muffler cast to try and make them air tight. The van has 153,000 miles on it so I really don't think I'd invest in a new muffler system for it.
When revisiting the muffler, I'd like to sound proof the vehicle a little better. It's so loud inside and the luxury of such a vehicle atleast in my mind is a nice comfortable quiet ride, especially for trips. So, I have some ideas for making it a little more quiet. My first thing I'd like to do is try and figure out what is causing the motor to have a high pitched whine when under medium load. Under light/no load, it's not there, then it starts whining under a little bit of load, but as the rpm's increase it disappears. The next big thing I'd like to try and changing out weatherstripping and seeing if I can't get figure out a better way to sound proof the doghouse on the inside. Currently it doesn't even have weatherstripping between the floorboards and the doghouse. I am thinking it came like that stock, since there is no real reason water would ever come from there. Finally, those doors rattle like crazy. I am trying to come up with ideas on what kind of things I can put around the metal bars that operate the doors as they are obviously what is causing the rattle.
Need to fix many electrical problems on the interior. I don't know where to start, but I'd really like all of the gadgets inside functioning. Just replacing some fuses fixed some of it, but there are still very important things not functioning. One thing in particular I'd like to fix is the very back bench seat has electrical adjustment switches to lay it down flat like a bed, or move it back/forward. If I could get the cigarette lighter and the cigarette lighter socket in the back of the van functioning I would be highly pleased as I use tons of electronics. (Note: My van came with a KMC (Kentron Motor Coach) interior conversion kit, so I have found basically no instructions on any of this
.
Would like to fix some rust spots on the hood of the van before they grow, but I am unsure about my ability to blend it in and look nice. I might just take my chances, as I really don't want to spend any more money than I have to. (I don't really trust this vehicle as I can tell the previous owners didn't maintain it very well... I am hoping it holds up but who knows, tomorrow it could die on me).
Sorry about the long post, I guess being concise just isn't something I've learned how to do yet =\. That's a basic run down of the list though. I am sure I've forgotten to add some things, lol. If I figure out anything to add I will.
BTW, locally Kroger (super market, for those who dont have them) is the best place to get CLR. They had a bottle with twice as much in it for the same price as the standard size at walmart.
But because i couldn't get the filter off i didn't want to destroy it and leave my car undriveable, so i got it changed at a shop i'd went to before. That's the only thing i'm worried about by sticking a screwdriver through the filter to get it off. Anyway, i already had a thread about this going a while back so i wont crowd this thread anymore, but i want to try it again which is why i was asking...so thanks to both you and jlsparky for the tips.
