I was going to attempt that, but it is so stuck up in there, i'm not sure that would even do the job. How big a deal is it to remove those two bolts holding the "valve" piece in there between the engine block and the canister? I tried it with a socket, but the space between the bolt and a metal lip next to it prevented that, so i may have to find a thinner socket to fit in there. What fun. I would hate to attempt to get it out with a pick, destroy the gasket, and then find out i really have a problem now with trying to get it out. Otherwise i could just change the filter and reuse the gasket already in place. It looks to be in good shape as is.