"akheel" wrote in message
...
Matt wrote in news:1184529524.205488.21090
@q75g2000hsh.googlegroups.com:

I have a 5.oL EFI Merc and am trying to change the oil. BUT, the
previous owner tightened the oil filter beyond tight. In fact, I broke
one filter clamp already, and purchased a second clamp and am to the
point that I am bending the handle trying to loosen this filter. I
have never had a problem like this and am worried about really doing
some damage. Any suggestions other than taking it to my local dealer?

Matt

When desperate, I've done this on both cars and boats: Take a large screw
driver, a few inches longer than the diameter of the filter. Hammer into
one side of the filter, and out the other side. Be carefull, don't do it
too low on the filter because you'll hit the fitting the filter screws on
to. Just above the middle should work. Once the screw driver is in, twist
it counter clockwise. The extra torque is usually enough, but if that
doesn't work, bang the handle counter clockwise with a hammer or anything
heavy you can get in there. You may need these blows to break it loose.
Sometimes torque isn't enough, you need impact. Of course, only do this
if all else fails. One of the downsides is it's very messy with oil
everywhere.

And when installing new filter, wipe a coating of oil on the surfaces that
make contact...the boat side and the gasket on the filter.