[mike]

For anybody who has done the Canton oil filter mod...I received my filter but the top (lid) is on so tight that I cannot break it loose. It makes sense to me that it would be reverse threaded (i.e. clockwise to loosen) but I did not recieve any instructions and have so far been unable to break it loose. I have tried both directions but I also have the problem of being able to hold the round canister and generate enough torque on the ratchet. I would appreciate any suggestions.



Thanks,

Mike Dayton



'95 M030 Coupe, 6-spd, limited slip, Redline Rennsport roll bar (just installed), 6-point Simpson harnesses, Mintex C-tech racing pads, Yoko AVS ES 100 (street), Kumho Victoracer V700 (track), Racer's edge delrin sway bar bushings (front and rear), KLA strut brace, I/O Port camera mount.

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[flash]

it is threaded normally, so you are actually tightening it - this is why the instructions are clear about the order of installation (i know you're not even there yet)



wrap electrical tape around the hex so you don't scratch it

partially thread the bottom on (this is so it stays round when you grab it)

invert and then set the hex in a vise and grab hold of the tube and twist hard (lefty loosy righty tighty)

it should break loose normally



if that doesn't work, call them - those guys are great

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[mike]

Thanks Flash...I was hoping you would reply. I bought the Canton filter after reading your original post. I tried again (in the correct direction this time) but still no luck. I will try again when I can get access to a vise. I can't believe how tight this thing is. When you replace the filter cartridge and have to loosen the top hex nut, doesn't it tend to loosen the whole spin-on filter housing from the engine?



Mike

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[flash]

that's why they tell you to use a filter wrench to hold the tube in place while you loosen the top, and why they tell you not to overtighten it

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[mike]

Success...I don't know why I didn't think to use my filter wrench to hold the housing when trying to remove the top. Duh!



Also, after checking again, I did find the instructions tucked in the bottom of the box.



I'll save this install for tomorrow when my brain will be (hopefully) functioning a little better.



Thansk again flash.

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[Tom in Austin]

It doesn't need to be overly tight in use because the large o-ring forms a good seal at a reasonable torque level. Mine came shipped way too tight also, but I found a comfortable medium where I can take off the top easily enough to change the filter element.

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[flash]

no worries - happy to help - glad it worked out



watch out for scratches with the filter wrench - i line mine with electrical tape

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[Larry Currie]

Thanks! I haven't put mine on yet, so this was helpful for me.

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[apex]

I'm bumping this old thread rather than start a new...

I got my Canton filter the other day - beautiful to look at - but I could NOT get the top off.

Finally, after using a serious band clamp, rags to keep the anodizing from scratching, and lots of cussing I got it off - ha! and wrenched off the top of the filter element which was bonded to the centering stud in the cap.

I don't quite understand how this could have happened - seems like if the top of the filter was stuck then the bottom would have rotated. The filter element end caps are fixed to the perforated metal filter element cylinder with a silicone adhesive. I was thinking maybe the unit was assembled while the adhesive was wet and some got between the lid and the element - but I'm speculating.

Should have taken a picture, but I quickly got a return authorization and sent the thing back - didn't even try to remove the end cap stuck to the lid. I'd still like to use the product once this gets sorted out.

Anyone else ever have an issue like this with the Canton filter?

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[flash]

that is exactly why they tell you not to over-tighten the lid - not only does it make it nearly impossible to remove the lid, but it also twists the filter inside, causing it to separate

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[Lear35A]

Besides the base gasket in mine not being in place when received and impossible for me to install, the top was torqued like those described above. Apparently they have not learned much over the last 5 years. When I was able to get it off, it had twisted off the end of the filter element. They have the whole unit now under an RGA. I expect they'll replace the cartridge as well.

It's a very nice looking unit, and I wouldn't want to discourage anyone from ordering one. However, the devil is in the details, and Canton does not have some details figured out.

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[flash]

hmm - that's so weird - i've installed a couple of them now, and not had those problems - the threads are tight, but that's the nature of fine threads and the large diameter - a good twist and it has always come off fine - of course, i use a filter wrench and a ratchet to do it, so maybe i just have better leverage

the next time i have it off though, i will probably loctite the lower threads, so as to alleviate having to use the band clamp

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[Larry Currie]

I don't do my oil changes, but my mechanic has never complained. Considering OEM he used to have to work with, he is quite happy.

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[Lear35A]

Yes, once it's in I am sure it will be great. I am looking forward to having it since the spin on filters make such a mess. The complaints are with how it is initially delivered.

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[flash]

well, hopefully you just got an oddball - i haven't heard those complaints before, and many have been using these for a few years now

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[Lear35A]

Hah. The tech said he gets plenty of calls about this. He didn't hesitate to give me an RGA to have him do it (or more likely put in a gasket that works). I am quite sure they have an issue or issues here, and it's too much of a pain for them to change it. It's an all too common attitude and one that allowed the Japanese to just about put our car companies out of business. I'm just glad Canton has nice techs available and willing to help out.

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[flash]

yeah - they've always been pretty easy to deal with any time i've had to call

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[apex]

So Lear did this just happen to you as it did to me? Ha... I wonder if a whole batch is bad... gorilla in the assembly room.

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[mrmister]

I put one in earlier in the year and wrestled with it for a while before it came loose. I also wondered at one point if the threads were reversed, but the instructions said otherwise.

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[apex]

Canton was great in dealing with me on my return - just wanted to put that out there - they gave me a discount on a pack of filters and my replacement housing.

Now question: When going over this on the phone the tech asked which filter I wanted, and I said "the short one", not realizing that Canton now has three models with 20mm threads that fit our car - the super-tall @ 45 GPM (requiring filing the timing gear cove) the medium @ 15 GPM which we've been discussing in this thread, and a new shorty @ 12 GMP. So the shorty was what I got. Any problem running the slightly-lower flow small filter in our cars? How does that oil flow compare with the OEM filter? The K&N performance filter flows 12-16 gpm but I can't find data on the OEM?

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