oil filter question
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 266
Likes: 7
oil filter question
I've got 2000 miles on this oil change. Lately it's been dripping oil on the driveway, this morning I finally got under there to see what's up. As far as I can tell it's just the oil filter gasket leaking. I couldn't get the filter to turn tighter by hand. It's a motorcraft filter. I'd like to just replace the filter, not the oil. Is this possible without dropping the oil? Or is all the oil pretty much going to come out of the oil filter fitting when I pull the filter off?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,753
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From: Los Angeles, Ca.
You can change the filter without draining the oil. It probably won't solve the problem unless the filter gasket has a problem. You might just need a bit more grunt on the filter. When the PS first came out we were instructed by someone at Ford to use a strap wrench to crank them down even tho this it's generally frowned upon to wrench a filter on. The filter gasket was redesigned a long time ago to not need as much tightening, but it still takes fairly strong hands on a clean filter to get them tight enough. If you're uncomfortable with using a wrench, clean it off so you can get a good grip and see if you can get it tighter, or find someone that can. I assume it'll be easier to tighten if it's warmed up vs. cold, but have never compared. We used strap wrenches on MANY of these filters and never had a problem with denting leading to cracking which is the biggest concern when putting a wrench to a filter.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2007
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I agree with E88 350. Just put a strap wrench on the filter and give it an extra 1/8-1/4 turn. This should do it. I have a tip that I've used on my oil filters from Heavy Equipment to well anything you put an Oil filter on really. Apply a thin film of grease on the seal, then screw in to place. This way when you do tighten the filter using a filter wrench, the filter won't lock up on you for the next oil change.
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 266
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I'll try some extra torque tomorrow. I had plans to do that this morning but my day got rearranged by a tenant saying they had no heat.
I've always dabbed oil on the filter o-ring before installation, seems they usually come off well. About 20 years ago I had an o-ring stick to the block, I didn't realize it, screwed the new filter on, and carried on... until the extra o-ring blew 300 miles later. Ever since then I make sure that old o-ring comes off!
I've always dabbed oil on the filter o-ring before installation, seems they usually come off well. About 20 years ago I had an o-ring stick to the block, I didn't realize it, screwed the new filter on, and carried on... until the extra o-ring blew 300 miles later. Ever since then I make sure that old o-ring comes off!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Brentwood,CA
There have been reports of the MC filters leaking slowly from the top seam. If so replace the filter.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: West Coast/L.A. Area
I'll try some extra torque tomorrow. I had plans to do that this morning but my day got rearranged by a tenant saying they had no heat.
I've always dabbed oil on the filter o-ring before installation, seems they usually come off well. About 20 years ago I had an o-ring stick to the block, I didn't realize it, screwed the new filter on, and carried on... until the extra o-ring blew 300 miles later. Ever since then I make sure that old o-ring comes off!
I've always dabbed oil on the filter o-ring before installation, seems they usually come off well. About 20 years ago I had an o-ring stick to the block, I didn't realize it, screwed the new filter on, and carried on... until the extra o-ring blew 300 miles later. Ever since then I make sure that old o-ring comes off!
Banned
Joined: Dec 2018
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Strangely, I once had such a leak and the filter was on really tight. So I backed it off maybe 1/8 turn and it stopped. No further leak til the next oil change when I replaced the filter. I couldn't see anything wrong with the gasket. Don't know why that helped but it worked!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Los Angeles, Ca.
Nope, oil is the right thing to use. My response was to someone who suggested using grease which is ill advised. On engines with horizontal mounting bases I don't even oil the filter gasket, the sealing surface is covered in oil so the gasket gets oiled as it touches down.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 789
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From: West Coast/L.A. Area
and your motor doesn't have to run dry while the filter is filling up...