I recently changed the oil in my quad for the first time. (I have had the service guys do it before) I did not have a filter wrench, and got the old filter off w/ a big pair of channel locks. This punched holes all in the old filter, so when I put my new one on, I just tightened it as good as I could by hand. It feels pretty tight, and is not leaking oil, but I dont know if its good enough. I have rode it around the farm and got it good and warm, but it still seems good. Do yall think it needs to be tighter, so water doesnt get in my engine? If it does, I can still get a filter wrench and torque it a little more.

 

better safe then sorry, go and spend the extra 10$ for one and prevent any engine damge you could encounter if you didnt

 

When tightening oil filters, I only go hand-tight. Once the gasket makes contact, I generally only get another full turn and that's it. I've never had a leak.

 

If it's too loose, you'll know by it leaking. If it's too tight, it can damage the gasket and cause major problems later. Hand tight is fine. Most manufacturers suggest when the gasket makes contact to go 3/4 to 1 full turn. I would reccomend getting the wrench, just to get the old filter off.

 

ive changed mine a few times, hand tighten the filter when u put on the new on and then i just use this big @$$ plumbers wrench to get off the old filter.

 

Same as a car, like most said, hand tight is enough. The gasket expands a little with the warm oil and seals it all around which is part of the reason it is hard to get off. I don't bother with filter wrenchs unless you can't get a regular wrench or something else to hold tight around it when taking it off. A srew driver pushed through the filter works for the real tight ones too. Just be careful if you do.