So I think I know why my oil filter leaked ~6 months ago

Discussion in 'Technical' started by ugame, May 30, 2009.

  1. ugame

    ugame user #1

    Some might remember the story....

    I did an oil change, changed the filter, started the car up, and she spat oil all over my garage floor and her underside.

    Tightened filter (so assumed I'd just not done it up right) and filler her up again and she was good.

    ok.... so today I'm doing another oil change and new filter.

    I drop off the old filter and let it fall in the pan.

    Upon empying the old oil from the pan, I find a large rubber ring/seal laying in thier with the filter.

    BUT.....

    I check the filter I've just pulled off and it's still got its own rubber seal.

    The rubber didn't seam to fit anywhere. Doesn't fit snug on the car where the filter goes, doesn't sit in any of the gaps of the old or new filter.

    So it would seem this extra rubber seal must have been stuck up on the car from the filter before that, when I replaced the filter LAST time (~6 months ago)

    Probably causing the poor seal on my first attempt that resulted in a very messy garage), and then getting "crushed" into submission when i tightened the filter more.

    You live and learn.

    New filter now in place, and oil topped up just a little short of full.....

    and you know what.....

    I'm not starting her up till tomorrow lol
     
  2. ZedEx

    ZedEx Dr No

    yep, pretty sure that's in the tech for oil changes too :p
     
  3. Zexual

    Zexual Zed Head

    aparently a common issue with the 4age as well
     
  4. ugame

    ugame user #1

    check for old seal and remove?

    DOH!

    I've read the tech about 5 times over too lol. Im sooo paranoid even just doing a simple oil change haha.

    I remember last time arguing with my mate "....are you SURE i need to change the filter too?"

    lol

    Im getting better though.

    Tomorrow... earth points :D
     
  5. K-zed

    K-zed Secret Squirrel

    Old trap for new player :(
     
  6. michandy

    michandy Active Member

    also

    dont forget to smear a little oil on the rubber seal before you put the new filter on
     
  7. ugame

    ugame user #1

    yep. At least now I know.

    I dont want to repeat what happened last time lol
     
  8. Martin

    Martin New Member

    lol i did the exact same thing a while back, dropped $90 worth of oil, you learn from your mistakes i guess...
     
  9. clint_embrey

    clint_embrey New Member

    my brother in law did that to my R33 when we changed the oil put oil all over th grage floor. wasn't impresed... neither was he when he had to go buy me more oil at $60 a bottle.
     
  10. DonoRyan

    DonoRyan Rick James

    Like K-Zed said, trap for young players.
     
  11. MickW

    MickW Carntry member...

    Trap for experienced but rusty players too.

    I used to do basic servicing on all the vehicles I used until about 10 yrs ago.
    This included tractors, cars, fork-lifts, work vans etc.
    I once got caught out in the same way that Ugame did with the old seal staying in place when the new filter went on.
    I had forgotten about that possibility.
    Praise be to Ugame for reminding me, plus I don't have to clean up his garage floor to help embed the lesson.

    Pretty happy with this thread. Thanks Ugame.
     
  12. ugame

    ugame user #1

    then lets add some more useful info.....

    For cleaning an oil spill on the garage floor.....

    1) cover the spill in sand (i stole mine from the verge)

    2) leave overnight so the oil soaks into the sand

    3) Shovel away the sand from your garage floor and erm... "dispose" of it

    4) hose down.
     
  13. SIM300

    SIM300 FAKE MODERAT0R

    Don't worry Chris, I've done the opposite haha! I suggest anyone who has, or considered working on a car while hungover... Don't do it
     
  14. ugame

    ugame user #1

    Well I started her up just now and no leaks :D YAY!!!!!!!

    but............

    and I was expecting this.....

    She's smoking out of the drive side zaust like a chimney :(

    Now given she's now running semi synth 15w60, that's not good :(
    Im not going any thicker

    Ran her for about 10 mins from cold and after about 5 mins, thats when the smoke started.

    Im gonna hit the PCV valves first as they are original so "need" replacing anyway. Fingures crossed they are the main culprit.

    If not... it's out to pasture for my zed for a while coz I dont have funds for expensive work :( (turbo seals etc).

    Good news is I dont think there is any way this could be a head, coz when I drained the old coolent, I loked at it thinking "shit.... doesn't even look like it needs changing" It was nice and clear and green.

    Oil also drained showed no signs of contamination, but was way down on levels (cause of being burnt off through the exhaust is my guess)

    ah zeds... gotta love em.

    BTW.. is the WHOLE country on Public holiday this monday, coz I'm gonna need PCV vales REAL quick..... and Tom's out of stock :(
     
  15. rollin

    rollin First 9

    this was posted in the thread Traps for young players. Read up ugame!!!
     
  16. WhiteNight

    WhiteNight Littering and...

    I admit i did that once.

    Left on the old oil seal by accident (in a rush), and then put on the new oil seal.

    So the thing had 2 oil seals. It was fine for a start and warmup, no leaks. Then i took it for a test drive, just around the block the seals let go and oil goes Everywhere!

    It was a mess, oil smoke and everything.

    Dragged the car back home and sorted it out. Mistake ill never do again.
     
  17. SIM300

    SIM300 FAKE MODERAT0R

    Even if it is a leaking turbo seal, it won't cause any damage driving it (only to the ozone).
     
  18. ugame

    ugame user #1

    agreed.... however its a very embaressing large cloud of smoke that will earn my car a free sticker from the cops in no time :(

    Cheeper to retire her until more afluent times, than to invite a pit inspection.
     
  19. FLEMING

    FLEMING Dave

    Kerosene works well to remove the black stains.
     
  20. R31 Gagz

    R31 Gagz Harden the F#%K up!!

    Those $2 cans of degreaser from super cheap are also handy to have sitting around if you spill a bit or have a slow leak...spray and let soak for a min, hose off...if its a big spill still use the sand then some degreaser after on the residual.

    In regards to the old oil seal issue ugame, I recommend getting into the habit of wiping clean the block surface that oil filter seals against, this way you'll make sure there's no old seal still stuck there and the new filter seal has a clean surface to seal against.

    At least by learning the hard way you should never do it again :p

    Cheers!

    Craig
     

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