Stuck Oil Filter, gooey radiator, bad gas mileage

[daman_30135]

As i was changing my oil filter on my 2000 GMC Jimmy 4.3 Vortech, i realized the wrong oil filter had been previosly installed by the mechanic. This oil filter is stuck in place and will not budge, it has been completely torn apart and now i can actually see where it mounts to the engine from the inside, nothign will get this filter off, what are my options? how can i get this filter off?

On the same note, the previouse few weeks it has been cold outside and my heater is blowing both cold and warm air, after an hour, with the heater on full blast, the car is still not warm. when i checked the levels of antifreeze in teh radiator i couldn't see any fluid inside of it, and at the top, but the cap and top of the radiator(inside) was has a build up of a whitish crusty material. To make matters worse, the drain plug on the bottom of the radiator is broken and can't be gripped. So how should i remove this plug to drain any excess fluid which is hopefully in the radiator? what all should i replace? how should i drain the radiator? what recommendations do you have?

Last but not least, this sucker gets some terrible gas mileage, my father blames it on the way i drive, but nothing seems to change the gas mileage, even when i baby it. On average i get between 250-270(if i am lucky) miles per tank(with atleast half of that being interstate driving). What could be possible causes of this problem? also the fuel gage, jumps all over the place after there is less than half a tank of gasoline, well 1/4 of a tank really, it always starts off at empty, then works its way up to fuel, then just bounces all over the place? why does it do this? and how should i fix the problem? i bought the vehicle this summer, and it has been nothing but problems! bad door hinges, warped rotors, broken engine mount, radiator, oil filter, bad gas mileage, bad gas gage! atleast the engine does klunk(knock on wood)....it just passed the 100,000 mile barrier, what can i do to fix these problems? any suggestions? my main concern right now is the stuck oil filter and the radiator!! thanks for any suggestions, its very much appreciated!!

[chembrad]

I had a filter stuck on my car once. The problem was that I left the rubber gasket on from the previous filter when I changed it.

Had to use a chain wrench to get it off. A real pain.

Now I always make sure only one rubber gasket on the filter...

If you can't get it off, tow it to a mechanic for help.

[rlith]

To remove the old oil filter, about 2 inches from the bottom (smooth side) jab or hammer a screwdriver through it. Pry counter clockwise.

As to your rad, you obviously are low on fluid... Fill to the top with fluid, and then have it professionally acid flushed of the dex-sludge....

The average mpg for your truck will be 15-17 local, 19-21 hwy.. That said... Do a full tune up...

Cap
Rotor
Plugs (AC/Delco Rapid fires, or platinums, be sure to gap properly)
Wires
Fuel filter (change every 20-25k)
Run seafoam through the engine
Check tire pressure reguraly.
Change transmission fluid every 50k
Switch to a k&n air filter
Change PCV every 15k

Replace your clutch fan with an e-fan (big miledge improvement)

Hows your coil? Any arcing? (arcing won't necessarily cause a miss) To check, look at your coil in the dark.
Reccomend switching to an MSD or Accel performance coil..

Check your alignment (free at NTB)
Regular oil changes
Check and replace if necessary any dry or cracked vacume hoses.

Get the most recent ECM flash from the dealership. (This will include the latest fuel curves and economy that gm has to offer for your vehicle)

That should help quite a bit...

[chembrad]

Originally Posted by rlith

To remove the old oil filter, about 2 inches from the bottom (smooth side) jab or hammer a screwdriver through it. Pry counter clockwise.

FYI I tried that with my double gasket nightmare and it didn't work. That is why I had to tow it to the mech.

He used $25. I think I got the better deal.

[BlazerLT]

oil filter was probably just tighten on too much.

Time for a coolant system and heater core flush and fill and a new rad cap.

Fuel level probelm is a bad sending unit.
Also, what does the temp gauge get too on your dash? It should be almost to the 1/2 mark.

[scaface79]

Try using a wide jawed pair of lock oliers. Ever since using these once to remove a stubborn oil filter, I will never use an oil filter wrench again.

[scaface79]

meant lock pliers.

[scnvsleep]

BTW - the draincock isn't broken on your rad. Its meant to be opened with a flathead screwdriver.