Filter wrench size

Anyone know what size filter wrench fits the Hyundai factory filters on
the 2006 Sonata I4 engine? I bought a wrench at Wally World and used a
Fram filter (looked up the part number on the electronic filter finder)
to select the size. However, when I changed my oil yesterday, I found
that the new wrench is way too small for the Hyundai filter. So, I
either found the wrong Fram filter to use for sizing the wrench or the
Fram filter is a fair bit smaller in diamter than the Hyundai filters.

The wrench I bought is a Valvoline brand and it is a 65/67 mm size. I'm
guessing that this is at least 4-5 mm too small. I got the filter off
again using my strap wrench, but it is a real bear to get up through the
access hole and then you are working in the blind. An end wrench looks
like an essential tool for this car.


Matt

 

I think the Fram filter is smaller.

I use a three-fingered wrench. It has a 3/8" square drive and uses a gear
to pull the arms tighter when you turn the wrench.

I've done my best to measure a filter. Unfortunately, I don't have a cap
wrench that I can just size up with a tame measure. It seems to be 11.0"
in circumference, with 15 flats on the end and the corners even with the
circumference of the filter. I'm not sure how you size up an wrench which
hits a flat on one side and a corner 180 degrees away. Anyway, here's my
estimates:
Diameter = 3.50" = 88.9mm
Radius = 1.75" = 44.5mm
Apothem (perpendicular to side) = 2Rcos(12deg)
= 1.71" = 43.4mm
Depending on how they measure, I could see the range being 3 and 7/16
inches to 3.5 inches (87mm - 89mm). And there could be a couple mm error
in there as well. I didn't have anything to accurately measure the filter
itself, so I wrapped a piece of solder around it and measured the solder.

Also beware of filters that are very small.
From your 65/67mm measurement, I'd judge that's what you have. I've been
told (only semireliable word of mouth) that these are the ones that can
cause oil starvation to the engine, but have no actual firsthand or
official evidence of this other than Hyundai's TSB 05-20-002 cautioning in
general against using aftermarket filters. I suppose you can assign
whatever importance to this you wish. Personally, I don't recall having a
serious issue with any car with one of these filters. I've see a few XGs
with lifter tap that went away after an oil change, but it wasn't
necessarily clear whether the issue was the filter or the oil.

 

I didn't buy one of the small Fram filters, I was just using it to try
to buy the correct size filter wrench as I didn't have one of my Hyundai
filters in my pocket at the time!

I didn't realize the wrench was too small until I went to change my oil.
I got a fairly good deal on a case of Hyundai filters from a dealer in
Washington that sells online.

I just need to find a wrench now to fit the filter. I see that Snap-on
tools sells a three fingered wrench like you describe, but it is $28 and
I don't need to invest that much in a wrench I use a couple of times a
year. My strap wrench works great on every other vehicle, but they have
good access to the filter unlike the Sonata which has that stupid
plastic shield under the engine.


Matt

 

This is why I like to use a wrench such as this one that Princess Auto sells (go
to www.princessauto.com and select the Shop Online button beside the On Sale Now
selection on the top far right and enter LARGE GRIP PLIERS or part number
2920454 in the search area once page one of the on sale now page comes up. They
sell for $4.88 Canadian and they work on all oil filters). Just a suggestion of
another type of wrench/pliers to try.

Cheers,
Lawrence

 

Thanks, but this would have the same problem as my current wrench,
namely you need access to the periphery of the filter and the Sonata
only allows easy access to the end of the filter which is why I'm
looking for an end wrench.

Matt

 

To my knowledge, the only way you can currently get a cap wrench to fit is
by buying Hyundai's special tool.

I bought my wrench at Sears. I'm sure it was much less than $28. Looks
identical to the Snap-On except that it says "Craftsman."

 

Hi again Matt,
I was just browsing through the Princess Auto online catalog again and I came across
the 3-fingered oil filter wrench for $9.99 (Canadian). It is part number 8104028 in
their On Sale Now section of their online catalog.

Cheers,
Lawrence

 

I had Easter dinner at a relative's house which isn't far from an
Autozone and they were open today. They had one of the 3-finger
wrenches for $7 so I picked one up. Another 5,000 miles on the Sonata
and I'll get the change to try it out!


Matt