T4 Oil Filter Woes

[jets]

Most owners do there own servicing to save money or don't want the inconvenience of arranging alternative transport when they drop their car off & then being told at the end of the day that their car is not finished but will be ready the following day.
My experience the other day was the third reason, mechanic incompetence of the garage.
It was time for an oil change on my new[to me] T4 syncro. After draining the oil I placed a socket on the bottom of the oil filter. It was so tight that I sheared the hexagon pressing off the filter.

I tried to remove the rest of the oil filter with this tool but was unsuccessfull.

Normally this tool would remove any filter but the standard sliding bar needed a section of pipe to provide more force & I was limited in space. I was thinking at this stage I would need to weld a nut on the bottom but fortunately another tool I had was just able to do the job.
There is no chance of driving a screwdriver through the can as you can barely see the filter[even more restrictive with a Syncro].
The tightening force for a filter is hand tight or 20Nm, not very much.
The last service was performed by a company who had written on their invoice " We take great pride in delivering the best possible service etc etc"
Now changing the oil must be one of the most basic operations in a service so what would be the result if something more involved was needed.

[Jmac]

Yeah shocking mate and and there is nothing worse seeing a Ryco filter in a VW engine bay (shiver) Normally they are leaking all over the place. The nut is to ease removal and not to horse the filter up. There is a torque setting for a reason. Filters on them is in a crap posi hey.

[jets]

Yes, I don't know why anyone would fit a Ryco filter. I installed a Hengst brand, cost me $20 +GST. I don't know the price of the Ryco but I do know it's dearer than the German brand.

[dave_no82]

if the rubber ring was not greased they can be a bitch to get off, i've had to use inch drive bar and 8 ft of pipe to get a filter of a cummins truck engine before.

[WEDEL.1]

I have officially given up doing my own oil & filter changes.

The polo oil filter is almost completely out of sight with little room for manoeuvring. The filter had, of course, been overtightened, and I was too frightened to damage it in the attempt to remove it, incase all I did was damage it and not remove it.

It is much easier for me to take Millie the Kelpie with me to the Volksfactory and walk home (45-55 mins), & reverse it for the return.

Maris