L322 2004 4.4 petrol Oil leak from oil filter housing

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knightrider

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Hi guys I hope everyone is well, my car has developed an oil leak from the oil filter housing - the leak is coming from the top of the housing around the rim all the way around and is leaking quite badly.

my question is does anyone have any experience of an oil filter housing leak on this model and if it is a common fault - if it was a faulty o ring would it leak all the way around or just in one spot?

I'm trying to work out whether it's just a failed o ring or the filter housing itself has developed a leak.

thanks in advance for any advice
 

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The O ring can get pinched if it is not installed correctly, i've seen some where the O ring wasn't fitted into the groove on the cap..
But that poured oil out..

Bad quality gasket from a cheap filter set

Cracked filter cap if it has been overtightened but again that would be a near constant stream,

If the Oil isn't that old int he motor you can always buy a new filter+gasket and fit it...

Might even be worth a new cap, not too expensive the last time I looked.

Or if she's due a service a few litres of 5w50 wouldn't go a miss ;)
 
Hi thanks for your reply, the oil and filter was last changed about a year ago/10k miles ago so is due a change. I would have thought if it was a dodgy o ring it probably would have leaked as soon as installed last year but there were no leaks or issues up until a few days ago.

My options right now are to change the oil and filter with new o ring and see if that fixes it or to replace the oil filter housing first then change the oil and filter. Just trying to figure out which the best option is!

I may try removing the top cap, reinstalling the o ring and refitting the top to see if that makes a difference
 
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Always put a touch of oil around the oring or a touch of grease as it helps the oring run into its seat easier.
When you fit the oring on the cap, tuck a screwdriver under the oring and run it around the circumference of the cap. This allows the oring to untwist and settle in its natural position. Normally as you fit the oring it'll twist as it passes the threads.
Absolutely no more than the specified torque on the cap to tighten. The threads can stretch and the cap can also unscrew by itself. :eek:
 
Hi thanks for your reply, the oil and filter was last changed about a year ago/10k miles ago so is due a change. I would have thought if it was a dodgy o ring it probably would have leaked as soon as installed last year but there were no leaks or issues up until a few days ago.

My options right now are to change the oil and filter with new o ring and see if that fixes it or to replace the oil filter housing first then change the oil and filter. Just trying to figure out which the best option is!

I may try removing the top cap, reinstalling the o ring and refitting the top to see if that makes a difference
Not really a difficult diagnosis, if it is leaking from around the housing then the O-ring is to blame ;)
 
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