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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Oil filter adapters

There has been a lot of bad language today surrounding the changing of the oil filter. 'Twas ever thus. 20 years ago I foolishly thought I would make this easier by purchasing an adapter for a so-called 'spin on' cartridge oil filter. I seriously think the original one is easier to fit. I have never been able to get the old one off without removing the adapter from the cylinder block. This of course involves removing the alternator so that I can get at it. I don't know of any tool that can be applied effectively to the old filter so that it can be unscrewed. I just invested 12 quid in this prong type tool, which is totally useless. There is almost no room above the chassis rail to get it onto the filter, and when a spanner is applied it fails utterly to grip. It looks as if you have use a wrench which is exactly the right diameter, something which doesn't seem to be obtainable. I also have the chain type wrench, which I can only use with the whole unit off the engine so that I can grip it in my hands.

I have searched for other adapters and it looks as if everybody is selling the same one. What I need is a filter cartridge that is horizontal not vertical. The A Plus block has the filter inclined upwards at about 45º, as I remember from the Marina I had as a company car (and of grisly memory). Obviously the factory realised what a pain it is to replace it otherwise. Is it not possible for somebody to make an adapter that actually improves on the original?



Les Rose

Les, have you tried a strap wrench?

Mine worked well the other day when I couldn't shift my filter with both hands gripping with the engine out on the bench. I've never actually changed the spin-on filter with the engine in the car but I'm pretty sure a strap wrench on a 12" socket extension bar would do the job from either above or below.

Colin

http://www.toolstation.com/strap-wrench/p61562?store=FH&utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=googleshoppingfeed&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18522483739&gbraid=0AAAAAD-vLcVBzhFXDBrXtV3dsE96Qn6HE&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmYzIBhC6ARIsAHA3IkT4J3tAl7y2wT4ZCbLOaaearNdWN3FGIxg-AZ2JH7OygHg1ynMaDdcaAvrmEALw_wcB
C Mee

Wondered why the air had turned blue here - thought it was Melissa but obviously not.
Like you Les, it's a job I hate as the filter never comes off easily.
I normally end up persevering with the chain wrench until it eventually loosens the filter just enough to undo by hand. It takes an age though so if anyone has a quick or easier method, be grateful if you can share it.
Jeremy MkIII

I drive a screwdriver through the filter and turn
Flip Brhl

Les
I bought a tool similar to yours and, for me, it's the best spin off filter remover I've used! Chains and straps are awkward to use I found, the new tool is much quicker.

However, mine has rounded prongs, as seen in the picture, which are knurled all the way round so must work better than yours does. I did find it didn't grip the filter tightly initially so added some wire to reduce its diameter. I offer it up from underneath on a short extension and use a ratchet drive to loosen the filter.


Bill B

What you want is one of these sockets.

They come in various sizes.

I bought one for a Passat about 20 years ago and, as luck would have it, it also fits the filter on our Rover 25 (K-series).

https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/laser-4232-oil-filter-wrench-65mm-x-14-flutes-3-8-d-las4232



Dave O'Neill 2

That oil filter cap is the business Dave - I have a set of 6 in a box and between them they fit almost everything.
I think the biggest mistake people make is not lubing the O ring with 'grease'--oil doesn't work quite as well and also overtightening is a no no.

Can you get K&N filters there, they're a high performance American filter, very good filters with a slightly thicker case and the best feature is they all have a hex on the end to take a ring spanner or socket.

Les- what's the brand/part no. of your filter---

willy
William Revit

I have tried all of those pictured, with varying degrees of failure, but have now settled on a strap wrench, needed for my Volvo V70 with the reusable filter housing. Works every time on all my cars.

Used to be a screwdriver in the side of the disposable filter ;)
Tim C

Tim, is your V70 diesel or petrol and which year? Just asking as I have an 05 D5 V70 and the replaceable filter housing just unscrews from the top with a large socket and pulls off.
Bill B

Thanks guys. It's interesting that there are all these replies about wrenches, and nothing about an actually sensible adapter. I detect a gap in the market.

I considered the cup wrench, but I didn't think there was enough room under it for a socket. Well the new filter is on now so it'll be another couple of years before I am faced with this again, at the mileage I am doing.

I haven't tried a strap wrench, but the main problem is lack of access. There is so little room that any tool longer than about 15cm can't be used.

Willy - my filter is a generic one, Crosland L10180PS.

But I thought of a question. On all your cars does the filter cartridge sit mostly just above the chassis rail? Mine does. If it doesn't, and you have free access from below then your adapter is different.


Les Rose

@Bill

MY06 V70 Petrol N/A 2.4

Oil filter underneath at front right of sump.

Got to be under there anyway to drain the oil ;)
Tim C

@Les

That is the beauty of the strap wrench. With a long extension you can ratchet from below the chassis rail, plenty of room to get up either side of the filter.
Tim C

Don’t ya just hate it when the photo flips. On the kneeling pad beside the Fairy bottle is my tried and tested oil filter removal tool and rachet. I put fairy on the seal when screwing in the new filter.


Alan Anstead

I don't recall having any issues with a spin filter access but it has been so long since I had a standard filter head. When I added an oil cooler I also added a remote filter to the off side radiator stanchion, having a front hinged bonnet may have helped access also.
David Billington

Les
The K&N filter with a hex on the end to suit your car is-- HP1002 -- fairly common filter, fits lots of cars Focus,Fiesta etc so should be about somewhere over there---- ebay-?
William Revit

I changed my oil last week and used a chain wrench to remove the filter - a length of chain, with a hooked handle which grips the chain. The toothed top of the handle grips the filter as the tool is turned. Works well from below or from the wheel well.

A very simple tool and I have had this one for 30+ years.
Karl Thompson

Religiously used fresh engine oil on the new filter seal and it's always been a b#ggar to remove - didn't know about or consider grease or fairy liquid - that'll be tried next year.
Jeremy MkIII

Here is my filter as fitted. There is no space to offer it up between the chassis and the sump.


Les Rose

not the best picture and never tried it on a midget but works well on everything else. Cant you get a KN style filter with a nut on the bottom of it these days - I use them on all my bikes after reading horror stories about resorting to the screwdriver, but just ripping the can off with the threaded part still attached meaning the engine had to come out the bike to sort


S Macfarlane

sorry - just noted the KN filter has already been suggested
S Macfarlane

Do you have the adapter fitted, which raises the position of the filter head?


Dave O'Neill 2

Not sure what you mean Dave. There is no adapter in your photo.
Les Rose

I was wondering when one of those might get mentioned, was having trouble finding an image until now. Here https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175907652666 , must be uncommon? given the price being asked.

There's also the other type I've seen before https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175841987357 .
David Billington

I’ve always used the webbing strap wrench type with extension bar and Ratchet wrench from below to slacken it. Works well and easy to position extension to a clear area to operate.

I have on MGB’ s driven a screwdriver through a canister but one car had an upstanding central tube and the screwdriver dented it Opps !!
richard b

I have now bought the cup type wrench, which goes on OK and grips. Just about possible to get a ½ inch socket on it, so job done hopefully. I had not heard of the adapter that the two Daves mention, although the second one of David B's looks like a standard one, of which I have a few.
Les Rose

The spacer that IMO is best on a spin-on oil filter is that originally used on a Frogeye but can be used on 1098 & 1275: indeed I use one on my 1275.
It is an alloy spacer that holds the filter head away from the engine block and angles & points the filter toward the extraction port in the ‘chassis’ beside the top-hat main frame.
Alan Anstead

Both of the eBay items being sold as NOS by ‘Wizzerz’, are probably not. You can see witness marks from the spring washers on the first one. I think he’s had it cleaned and plated, as he seems to do with many items.

I think the two types of adapters were used with the paper element filters. I don’t think they were used with the later spin-on filters, but they would obviously give more clearance.
Dave O'Neill 2

Dave
The second alloy spacer that I recommend was originally used for the paper filter on the Frogeye but carries over to spin-on filters on all A-series in Spridgets. Originally fitted to the block using bolts I find it easier to fit using cap head machine s rews using a cut down Allen-key.
Alan Anstead

She's a tight fit in there Les but the K&N filter would be perfect for that----Here's a pic of one showing the hex for a socket- K&N HP1002


William Revit

Here’s a clearer photo of the type of adapter I posted a picture of yesterday. The original one was ‘borrowed’ from an ebay listing.

When using this adapter, the filter head is positioned 1.25” higher up, giving better access.


Dave O'Neill 2

But doesn't cant it over? Is that not necessary to clear the chassis rail or is that achieved by raising it?
GuyW

It's the 948 adapter that angles the filter.

This adapter is for 1098 and 1275 engines with the paper element filter, as the canister with the bolt through the bottom of it is longer than the later spin-on filter. It isn't necessary with the spin-on filter, but it will give more clearance if desired.

From Moss:-

Adaptor, filter head to block
Item No. AEA657
Not available
Key No. 115
Application: From (e) 12CC to (e) 12CE/Da/H10308

An earlier paper Moss catalogue states: "for 'bowl' type filters only".



Dave O'Neill 2

I use the adapter / spacer plate mentioned in Dave's latest post. They space the filter about 0.5 inch away from the sump. I've used one for a very long time, certainly over 30 years; I have several, probably saved from scrap Morris Minor engines, if anyone wants one, a lot less than 70-odd quid !.
David Smith

I've had several of the strap wrenches that Colin posted. Still have a couple. I've found them very reliable on small filters. I've only ever broken one by asking a bit too much of it.
The image doesn't show that the hex part of it has a half inch square hole to accept a socket extension bar directly, which is handy.
I think they're brilliant for the money.
I also have a bigger variation on the theme which uses an endless chain instead of a nylon strap, for big filters on marine diesels, hydraulic systems &c. I have never yet found the filter that will defy it, but it would definitely be overkill on a Spridget! Probably twist the engine off its mounts lol!



Greybeard

This thread was discussed between 30/10/2025 and 21/11/2025

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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