Originally Posted by jimmyjazzbo
I recently did my first oil change. I followed some of the Forum's instruction; which were very helpfull. When I took out the oil filter, about 6 1/2 inches of the plastic shaft remained in the engine. I don't know if it was broken before or not. I left it in there and replaced the filter and screwed the remainining shaft accordingly. It has been fine. I have since bought a new oil filter assembly and will install it soon. My question is: how hard is it to get the old remaining shaft out of the engine without doing any more damage to it.
Really only one reason for that to happen...you did not get the filter seated completely into the housing before you reinstalled it the last time. When you reinstalled it,you screwed the top back on, the filter bottomed out in the housing allowing the center to be twisted off as you tightened the cap.
Most of the better filters now come with a line on the filter that allows you to see if is completely seated before you reinstall it.
The broken off portion should pull right out of the housing.