oil leak from filter housing area

harryhendo · Post by **harryhendo** » 19 Jan 2016, 06:15

On a 2002 V70 base with 122,000 miles, there has been a persistent oil leak from the oil filter housing area for several months now. The oil drips from that area onto the frame member and then along the bottom right side of the car.

I replaced the oil filter "cup" and O ring. No change.

I replaced the oil trap and its hoses. No leaks for about 1000 miles, then the leak started again.

The oil drips into the area even when the car is sitting, because a big dump of oil comes off the underbelly pan when starting off in the morning.

I appreciate your help!

Post by **vtl** » 19 Jan 2016, 08:55

What oil filter do you use? Was the O-ring lubed and cup properly tightened?

JudgeRat · Post by **JudgeRat** » 19 Jan 2016, 09:23

Are you certain it is definitely coming from the oil filter housing? Have you checked the o-ring seals on the oil cooler that sits on the back of the engine. A bad o-ring on the oil filter assembly would likely result in catastrophic oil loss in my experience (it did in my case when the dope at the shop botched it one time). It could also be a micro-crack in the filter housing or a bad main bearing leak.

I'd recommend that you completely wipe down the underside of the engine area, leave the under-pan off (yes, there will be a mess under the car, but the pan is probably masking the true source location...besides...kitty litter to the rescue

), and then let it sit. Don't move the vehicle when you start it next, but let it run for a bit and then check to see where the leak really is coming from after you shut it off and let it cool for a few.

harryhendo · Post by **harryhendo** » 19 Jan 2016, 09:49

vtl wrote:What oil filter do you use? Was the O-ring lubed and cup properly tightened?

I use a Mann filter, lubed the Oring and also tightened the cup with a torque wrench to the exact torque. The cup is brand new. So I think I can rule the cup/oring out. Thanks!

Post by **xHeart** » 19 Jan 2016, 11:06

See this video to verify your steps https://youtu.be/nOZe90AVDQ0.

Else, if the oil was not leaking before the new cup, then you may have a hairline crack.

harryhendo · Post by **harryhendo** » 20 Jan 2016, 06:20

xHeart wrote:See this video to verify your steps https://youtu.be/nOZe90AVDQ0.

Else, if the oil was not leaking before the new cup, then you may have a hairline crack.

xHeart... thank you very much for that video. I drained the oil, and removed the filter housing, and found that the Oring was NOT in the right place. It was on the very bottom of the cup threads rather than in the groove a section up from the bottom (its placement is clearly shown in the video).

I cleaned the cup and the filter area, put a new Oring on the cup in the correct place, oiled the Oring lightly, and reinstalled the cup at a torque of 25 nm. No more leaks. Thanks again!

JudgeRat · Post by **JudgeRat** » 20 Jan 2016, 09:32

Yay! Don't you just hate when that happens? Glad xHeart's post got your issue fixed; wish mine would've been so easily solved.