I was going to replace my timing chain tensioner, but my oil filter wouldn't come off for the life of me. So, no problem, take a screw driver and make it come off. Hammered it through once, turned it a little. Hammered it through halfway again, another smack with the hammer and *pop* the entire filter falls off! "OH SHIT" Never even thought of that happening. So, I went and replaced the tensioner anyways, but I now have the problem of nothing to screw the filter onto.

Has anyone had this problem happen? Any ideas on fixing it? Like, this not being cast onto the block so I can just get another piece. Or am I doomed now? WTF.

you can remove the whole filter assembly, its just bolted onto the block. might be kinda difficult since your engine is still in the car. i took one off of my blown engine. it was out though. thats the only way i see....i still got it....if you want it....i think.

I'd be interested if u could help me out. I don't see how else I can fix this.

Originally posted by kpw97
I'd be interested if u could help me out. I don't see how else I can fix this.

OUCH! First thing is, you will need to jack the car up, using jackstands, as high as possible. This is a bitch of a job. Repeat, bitch of a job!

1. You have to release the tension on the belt that goes to the power steering pump and then remove the power steering pump.
2. You have to unplug the wire to the oil pressure switch and unbolt the oil pressure switch from the bracket.
3. You have to remove 4 bolts from the oil filter bracket.
4. You have to maneuver the bracket out from under the car.
5. You have to buy a new bracket part#15238-53J01 ($50.82) and two new o-rings part#15066-5E510 ($3.50 each).
6. You now have to maneuver the new bracket and o-rings back up into position and bolt them down. Screw the oil presure switch back in, plug the wire back into the switch.
7. Bolt the power steering pump back on.
8. Put tension back on the belt and off you go

NOTE: I was unable to get the bracket back in place with the oil drain plate on it and now the plate is only held on by one bolt, but it is fine. This is the plate that sits below the filter when you remove the filter the oil drains down the plate through a little hole to direct the spillage.

Go here for some pictures of the bracket:

http://nismopc.tripod.com/oil_switch.htm

Originally posted by kpw97
and *pop* the entire filter falls off! "OH SHIT" Never even thought of that happening. So, I went and replaced the tensioner anyways, but I now have the problem of nothing to screw the filter onto.

Has anyone had this problem happen? Any ideas on fixing it? Like, this not being cast onto the block so I can just get another piece. Or am I doomed now? WTF.

Damn, GOD BLESS YOU!!!! Thats some scary stuff!!!
I hope everything works out for you.

Originally posted by NismoPC


OUCH! First thing is, you will need to jack the car up, using jackstands, as high as possible. This is a bitch of a job. Repeat, bitch of a job!

So, how long do you think this takes to do? I have to park my car on the street, so that is not good!

Originally posted by kpw97


So, how long do you think this takes to do? I have to park my car on the street, so that is not good!

Hard to say. I did it with out any knowledge of what the hell I was getting myself into. Had no knowledge of how the hell to take the bracket off. I did not have a FSM and the Chilton's book that I had for the Sentra/NX was not much help. So I just went at it.

I repeatedly looked at the bracket from top and bottom and from every angle before I started tearing into it.

I worked on it for a few hours one evening, then worked on it again for a few hours the next evening.

If you have a FSM, I would estimate 4-5 hours to complete. But that could be compltely wrong.

OH! And when you do get it fixed,do yourself a favor and get a 1/4" oil wrench socket. Makes the job a lot easier and safer. They carry them at Pep Boys, Napa, Sears, and many other auto parts stores.

What do * think about drilling and tapping out the fitting? My friend and I have an idea on how to go about it without damaging the engine (we think).

As for the oil wrench. I already have a couple of them. Mine would just not come out. The filter was on there so well that the wrench stripped it!

Originally posted by kpw97
What do * think about drilling and tapping out the fitting? My friend and I have an idea on how to go about it without damaging the engine (we think).

As for the oil wrench. I already have a couple of them. Mine would just not come out. The filter was on there so well that the wrench stripped it!

The bracket is cast aluminum (??) and would probably crumble to pieces as you drilled at it. Don't believe that will work.

agree, don't drill and tap. It's cast aluminuim thus brittle and if you get metal in the inside of the houseing, you can kiss that motor bye bye.

"kpw97", Looks like some one over tightened your filter (you think??). :) I find the best way to tighten it is to get some latex gloves (gives good grip) and tighten it by hand. If you are of average build, that should be enough. I have done it this way for years and never had a problem. I take it off with the wrench. Best to replace the whole housing. I know it looks like the dogs bullocks, but you just need to take your time and do it right. "NismoPC" is spot on with what's involved. If you need some scans from the FSM, just e-mail me at celica_gt4@bellsouth.net. Put "oil filter" as the subject and i'll scan and send pics.

"NismoPC", nice link to the pics of the broken housing. Ouch!!!

Cossie

Originally posted by cossieturbo


"NismoPC", nice link to the pics of the broken housing. Ouch!!!

Cossie

Thanks that made me feel better. ARGH! :D

Not a fun job.

Originally posted by cossieturbo
"kpw97", Looks like some one over tightened your filter (you think??). :)

Yeah, I don't know who though:D It figures, I've been doing rush jobs lately *** I'm on crutches. Not a good idea. I'm picking up a replacement bracket today. I'm gonna try to do some of the work on Sunday.

Where in the FSM is the spoken of? I have one, but I don't see anything.

The 1st pic of it is on page EM-8 in my 93 FSM. Check out EM-19, EM-29 and I think that's it. Use these pics and the info "NismoPC" wrote and you should be fine. There will be quite a bit of getting under the car so make sure you have it up enough to get under and well secured.

Cossie

Ok, finally got this replaced. Car seems to run ok. It makes the noise ever so slightly at idle. This only happens on occasion. I figure the timing chain tensioner is just settling.

One problem is the belts. They are squeeling a bit at idle. I figure it is from the oil I spilt on them when I was doing the job. You can smell the oil burning under the hood. Anyone know a quick remedy for this? Or am I just gonna have to wait for it to burn off?

Originally posted by kpw97
One problem is the belts. They are squeeling a bit at idle. I figure it is from the oil I spilt on them when I was doing the job. You can smell the oil burning under the hood. Anyone know a quick remedy for this? Or am I just gonna have to wait for it to burn off?

deja vu :D Sounds so familiar.

My belts sqeaked for about a month, then stopped. I smelled burning oil for about a 2 weeks and kept thinking it was leaking. I would check it almost every day just being paranoid.

It's been about 8,000 miles since then and everything is just fine.

Jack the car up. (jackstands) Use brake cleaner, engine cleaner, or carb cleaner adn spray everywhere you can around the bottom half of the engine. Wipe what areas you can with a rag and that should help out. Or just deal with it like I did. ;)

Well, car ended up stalling out on Sunday night. Had to have it towed. Turns out that it was the alternator all along. WTF. So, had that replaced along with the belts. Car runs great again! God I missed the sound of my car revving through the band. I hope others can learn from this. That noise turned out to be the bearing on the alternator. So, it would definitely be viable to check that out if you ever get the popcorn-like sound that I got. Thanks for the help NismoPC.