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1988 Buick Century In-pan oil filter

Tiny
BRAVESTAR1
  • MECHANIC
  • 1988 BUICK CENTURY
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 109,326 MILES
Several years ago (8), I was cheap and used gasket sealant to make a gasket for my leaking oil filter cover, that covers a CH-3970 filter that sits in a cup in the pan.

That was the last time I was able to change the filter. I've tried as hard as I can, using pipe wrenches and other things to get that thing off. It's never budged. I wish I knew what to do here.

That said, since it's unlikely anyone has any idea how to ever get this off, how long can I go before the filter disintegrates and starts causing problems inside the engine? Not that it doesn't have problems already.

Remember this filter doesn't have the metal around it, just on the top and bottom, so the paper was exposed.
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Friday, January 23rd, 2009 AT 10:52 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Little heat and a special tool will come off
I would take it to a shop where they can lift it and work on it
I don't have the exact time or miles when that filter will start to cause u problem
but I have seen it causing problems
do it as soon as u can if its been a while
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Saturday, January 24th, 2009 AT 7:00 AM
Tiny
BRAVESTAR1
  • MECHANIC
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It's been about 8 years.

I woulda sworn that gasket stuff (the light-blue kind) would've worn off by now.

I don't drive the car as much, as it's a secondary car, but I like to keep it running, as I'm crazy about it, and while it has more quirks than a Quazar, I still know everything about it, and can take the whole thing apart -minus the trans of course.

But I'll see if Jiffy-Lube can do something.
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Saturday, January 24th, 2009 AT 10:24 AM
Tiny
BRAVESTAR1
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Course the main fix, which I was unable to do myself at home, was to drop the cradle and replace the pan. It's the "drop the cradle" thing I can't do without a lift.
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Saturday, January 24th, 2009 AT 10:26 AM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
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They used to sell a replacement for that so u do not have to replace the pan
jiffy lube? May be if not try a local garage
they have more resources
8 years need to be done
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Saturday, January 24th, 2009 AT 11:58 AM
Tiny
BRAVESTAR1
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I've never heard of a replacement, other than replacing out the whole oil pan.

I do have a new/used oil filter cover to replace the one that is most likely destroyed, it has a new gasket too. But it'll be awhile, as I broke 2 brake lines, and had to replace not only 2 bleeder screws but one banjo bolt and copper rings. I just can't seem to get the brakes to work, without having one additional problem occuring right after I fix the next thing. Reminds me of the last scenes of U-571. You turn one valve, and then the other one starts to leak.
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Sunday, January 25th, 2009 AT 1:32 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
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Old cars
I have one (in storage for the winter)
always doing or fixing things on it
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Sunday, January 25th, 2009 AT 7:20 PM
Tiny
BRAVESTAR1
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I know it's junk, as it's an 88 Century, but it's my first car, and I can mostly repair anything on it. No one else can drive it, or start it, and I can take apart the whole darn thing just for fun, as it doesn't have all that electrical and emissions junk on it that newer cars have.
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Monday, February 2nd, 2009 AT 6:57 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
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I know its very hard to let go I have mine it sit in a storage garage
can not wait for spring to get it out
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Monday, February 2nd, 2009 AT 7:12 PM
Tiny
BRAVESTAR1
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Mine is stuck on the side of the house, knee deep in snow. Can't move it at the moment cause it's leaking brake fluid from somewhere in the center, but there isn't any line there that looks likely to cause a problem. Henceforth as you try to bleed the brakes it sucks in more air from someplace, and has no positive pressure. So it's a fun ride downhill. Wheee!
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Friday, February 6th, 2009 AT 1:31 AM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
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Look at the bright side
spring is coming

when? Hope sooooooooon

If not loosing fluid consider checking the master cylinder
but if fluid was lost and you had filled it
need to be bleed from the master cylinder
get the air out of the master cylinder then you should be able to find the weak line or the leak
if still can't find the leaky line
pull rear tires and check wheel cylinders
again fun time is coming
if you have another ride wait till whether get better and be fun working on them out side

good luck
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Friday, February 6th, 2009 AT 5:34 AM
Tiny
BRAVESTAR1
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At the moment it's not moving off that snow pile I put it on, till the Ground Hog's predictions prove to be false. (He saw his shadow, so six more weeks of winter to come.)

I was thinking about the oil filter and was checking around Wal-mart for one. They don't make them anymore. It was the PF-47, I think as I have 2 in the shed. Unbelievably the book still lists the 88 4 Cylinder 2.5 but where there should be a number, isn't anything. Sooooo even if I got the thing loose, I'd have to go 25,000 miles between changes to get my use out of it.
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Friday, February 6th, 2009 AT 11:41 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
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Yes they are not making it any more
ask at your local fuel stations /garage if they still have any in stock left over
I know some of them they stock oil filters
and since its a dead # they may still have some in the back room
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Saturday, February 7th, 2009 AT 5:47 AM

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