rounded oil filter out of ideas?

On my 82 maxim 650 the filter bolt is rounded of very badly i've tried everything pipe wrench vice grips with the engine warm and cold and I'm running out of options I think I might have to grind it off and if I do grind it off any pointers or what to look out for. Any other suggestions or ideas would be great

 

Weld a nut onto the rounded off stub. Just make sure to not weld beyond the bolt.

 

Try not to mar up the cover if you resort to the drill and dremel technique, but if you do put some nichs there, don't worry, because the actual oil seal is the "O" ring on the shaft.

 

I dont have access to a welder so I think my only option is to try to grind flats on it hope another wrench will fit or grind it off might just do the spin oil conversion kit after its all said and done anyways. Do the kit go on pretty easy i'm not that great of a mechanic?

 

Duplicated post ... see here.

http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/p=2 ... tml#277462

 

If you're careful grinding the bolt head off all you'll need is a new bolt.

 

Yes, the conversion kits are easy and you will be glad that you did it.
Len at xj4ever sells them. Go for it. You won't ever have this problem again.

 

I always worry about the prospect of taking a direct hit from a sharp rock at 60mph and 'holing' it. Plus, I think the Buck Rogers-esque fins on the original housing are a cooling device that I don't want to give up. Just another OBD's opinion...

 

Hey Big Fitz,
That is a good question to bring up although I would be willing to bet that no one has ever had that happen. I mean look at all the cars out there that have this exact set up. I mean, I have had vehicles that have had oil filters hanging down under the chassis. I would think it would be more likely to happen to a car. I am sure there is a 1 billion to 1 chance that it could happen to a bike though.
So if anyone out there has ever had a rock hit and crack there screw on oil filter on their bike, I for one would like to hear about it. This way we could way the pro's and cons of this set up.

 

If you're THAT worried, you could hose-clamp a Fosters can over the end of the filter. Or just see if a Wrist Rocket will actually cut a hole in an old filter. They get near 200 MPH velocities??

 

The rock probably won't actually bust a hole in the can, although it is possible. The problem I have seen on some cars, more than once, is a rock banging the filter, the paint chipping, and then rusting a hole in the can.

I've seen 4 car motors have to be replaced for this exact reason in the last 8 years. Yes, not very probable, but certainly possible.

Also, cars don't have the filter directly inline with the tire, so Fitz's concern is actually a valid one.

 

The K+N spin on filters are extra thick 'metal' casing, my opinion is that it would cope with a rock better than a 30 year old aluminium housing.

I run a spin on, and also have an oil temp gauge. You wont miss the fins, but each to their own.

 

An air hammer with a pointed bit will loosen it up in seconds. You will need a new bolt after!

 

If you take-off the Headers, ... you can grab the SHOULDER of the Oil Filter Bolt with a PIPE Wrench.

 

No offense, but this kind of made me giggle.....
I for one change the oil in my cars 2 times a year and this is what you should be changing your oil in a car. If you have an oil filter that rust through then you are waiting way to long to change your oil.
I am an old goat and I use to be a mechanic in the military but I have never seen this. If you have really seen this before, it has to be pretty rare.
I agree that there is a chance that a rock may come up and hit that little filter and crack it, I believe it is a slight chance, but yes, a chance..... This is why I am asking everyone if this is ever happen to you, please let us know. I think that this is a valid point and should be discussed.

 

Yeah I could hardly believe it myself. But I have seen it.

Never seen it on a bike though.

Oh and they were ALL the same filter company. I won't say the name because I don't want to get sued, but I will advise that Name brand filters, i.e. Fram, are the way to go.

And, no, I didn't believe the owners when they said "but I just changed it 3 months ago!"

 

The likelihood that you will hit a rock of sufficient size that will damage the Oil Filter Dome is pretty low.
Real low!

If you hit a rock big enough to damage the Oil Filter ... Damage to the Oil Filter Dome is the very least of your worries.

 

Rick,
Big Fitz was talking about the conversion kit screw on filters not the stock filter dome but I still think that there would be a 1 in a billion chance that this would ever happen. This is why I am asking anyone that this has happen to, to let us know. I am guessing that there will be no one that this has happen to but hey, you never know....

 

It might be one-in-a-million, but if you SOMEHOW happen to oil your back tire while riding, and don't know it, you are likely to dump the bike even if you are highly skilled and alert. This could happen from a drain plug falling out too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5mr22balDU

(no stunting on public roads)

 

I run a K&N spin on, and the paint doesn't even wear off between changes.

 

I've never seen it happen either; but my Norton has a spin-on filter. I just know how easy it is to punch a screwdriver through the casing to unscrew the old one, it's the easiest way to remove it. Luckily, it's located in an out-of-the-way place, not directly behind the front tire.

 

If we're talking car filters, I'll still take OE over Fram for my car (Porsche 928). The OE Mahle is about twice the size of the Fram that supposedly replaces it, and it comes with the drain plug washer, which Fram does not.

 

My VW has what is actually an Audi engine; when I buy the equally-expensive FRAM filter element for it, it not only comes with the rubber ring but says "Made in Germany" and has the "4 little rings" Audi logo on it, just like OEM.

In this case, it looks like FRAM is sourcing them from the same place as the manufacturer.

 

Or they are the manufacturer.

 

Me too, I buy Motorcraft for my Exploder and AC for my Chevy.

If it's good enough for the manufacturer, it's good enough for me.

 

I'd be interested to know of any data to support the difference in heat tranfsfer.