Help Cant remove oil filter cap on 1996 318ti
 

Im New to BMW's and i have a 1996 318ti i bought my oil and the oil filter. But i cant find a way to remove the oil filter cap. It looks like a twist off cap.
Can anyone give me some advice to removing this cap.

The oil filler cap (on top of the valve cover) is a twist off. Counter clockwise about 1/4 turn should do it.

The oil filter cover has a bolt that holds it on directly through the top of the cover (10mm, I think). Unscrew the bolt, pull it all the way out, and the cover should lift off...

Edit... Sorry, that's one of the differences between the M42 (my car) and the M44 engine (your car). Yes, the M44 has the screw off oil filter cover... See this diagram:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...68&hg=11&fg=30

If you are changing the oil, it's best to remove the cover while the oil is draining, so any oil in the filter chamber will drain out as well...

As for getting that unscrewed, I would use something like a strap wrench or maybe some type of kitchen tool designed for large jars...

I actually have the factory tool, but a strap wrench will work.

Sears has then quite cheap.

Be careful! The cap is plastic, and could be damaged if you get too crazy with it.

yes, earlier 4-cylinders and the sixes have the 13mm (wrench size) bolt in the center to get it off... Much easier!

On my TI it doesnt have a bolt on the top center of the cap. It looks like a twist off.

Yes, a big, black plastic thing.

The factory tool is like 40+ dollars, so you should get to Sears for a strap wrench...

I tried the strap wrench...but it just doesnt seem to work. it just slides off the cap is on their really tight. Im guessing because the last service was done at the dealership.

You can also go to your local auto parts store (Autozone, Kragen, etc etc) and they should have oil filter wrenches.
Looks kinda like this...
http://upscaleauto.com/Oil%20Filter%20Wrench.JPG
I went to my local autozone and i asked them if I can get one and see if it fits in my car.
If I remember correctly it costs me less than $10.
Hopefully you'll find what you need!

-Randy

That's cool; the factory one comes with a metal filter cap that has a pressue port on top for oil pressuire testing.

I never used the special top, but that was the only way it came- you couldn't buy just the wrench!

Yeah, that's what I did.

They let me take a couple out to the car to see which one would fit good.

Hey that sounds cool too hahah...you can make sure the pressure can be fine.
Too bad it's so expensive.
But anyways, to the original poster: That wrench I posted works nicely on my car and I can also use it on my dad's E30 325e when I do an oil change on his car.

That's what I have, works like a charm. I believe the one I bought was a "type B".

Alright i bought the same thing Type B now which way should i turn the cap left or right. Because the cap has an arrow that is pointing to the right...thats why i am asking.

I had a plastic one for a parts store but it stripped out after a couple uses. Soon after I bought a metal Mercedes filter wrench which I've been using for many years now. It works perfectly. It has two little set screws/bolts that keeps the tool on tight.

The Mercedes part number is #103 589 0209 00. Mine was only about $8 at a Mercedes dealer in Memphis, but I've heard they are more expensive now.

It didnt work. the cap is on their to tight and the cap remover just slides off..it feels like it fits but it moves just a little its not getting a really tight grip onto it.