I have a 2009 A4 2.0T. I was doing my routine oil change today when I ran into some trouble with the oil filter. It was a bit tighter than usual, but after applying a little bit more muscle with my strap wrench, it spun off normally, or so I thought...

It's hard to describe this in words, but basically the threaded part of the filter actually separated from the body and is now stuck in the car! A couple pictures will make this more clear:

Imgur album of oil filter woes

In the second picture, you can see the dirty filter is missing the threaded male part, which is now stuck in the car (first picture).

Help! How can I get that piece out?

Thanks,
-Allen

 

Grab it with some vice grips or some Channel-Lock pliers and unscrew it. It looks like it's just an adapter. Since there is another one on the new oil filter, you're good to go. You may damage the adapter getting it out and that is fine. Just do NOT damage the aluminum oil filter housing on the engine. The adapter thing should screw right out without too much of a fight. In the future, you do not have to use a wrench of any kind to tighten an oil filter. You should only hand tighten it as tight as you can. I've been changing oil filters for decades and have never had one come loose from hand tightening. Also put a light coat of oil on the rubber sealing ring on the outer edge of the filter.

 

Thanks for the reply. I have some locking pliers on order that I think will do the trick. I will not tighten as much going forward. I was following the directions on the filter itself (hand tighten + 3/4 turn), but I've learned my lesson!