Baldwin filter gasket leakage

[Coaster4534]

When looking for a new filter after wix went down hill I researched Baldwin. I remember a thread about the gasket leaking but everyone chalked it up to the op not installing correctly. I used my first Baldwin a few months ago on my jeep and recently while under it I noticed more then usual oil spots. I traced it back to the oil filter gasket. Unfortunately I didn't take a picture before changing as I didn't expect anything. But after removing it and examining it further I noticed the gasket compresses much more then other 51515 filters.
Both of the following filters are used and reinstalled just FYI.

Taking the gaskets off the housing I see the inside diameter of the filter housing holding the gasket has a lot more room for the gasket to fill when compressed possibly uneven gasket compression?
It's also not as "round" of a circle as the Wix.
Pictures not exactly show it as I see it in person.
Hope this makes sense.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Was the base crimp seam oily at all on the Baldwin? Possible the crimp seam was seeping. Still looks to be a small air-gap on the gasket when installed. How tight (turn amount) did you do on these filters after initial base gasket contact?

 

[Coaster4534]

Was the base crimp seam oily at all on the Baldwin? Possible the crimp seam was seeping. Still looks to be a small air-gap on the gasket when installed. How tight (turn amount) did you do on these filters after initial base gasket contact?

I don't think it was the seam as the engine housing was showing the oil. The filter faces backwards on jeep 4.0
I'm not sure how tight turn wise I went to be honest.
But when I tried a new Baldwin filter today it seamed a bit more squishy when tightening not a firm stop as other filters would.
I just use my hand, I don't use a wrench for tightening.

 

[I<3oil]

In 42 years, the only oil filter I’ve had an issue with was a Baldwin. Haven’t used them again since.

 

[Lubener]

I just use my hand, I don't use a wrench for tightening.

Doesn't matter what your method is. 3/4 turn is all the same using a wrench or your hand. I would bet a small tweek of the filter would have stopped the leak.

 

[NavyVet88]

In 42 years, the only oil filter I’ve had an issue with was a Baldwin. Haven’t used them again since.

My dads 99’ Ram 1500 with the 5.9L had a leak twice when he owned it. First time was a Bosch filter from Walmart that loosened somehow from when I put it on and second time was a carquest quick lube filter that sealed badly at install. Both were over ten years ago and I doubt related.

 

[Coaster4534]

Doesn't matter what your method is. 3/4 turn is all the same using a wrench or your hand. I would bet a small tweek of the filter would have stopped the leak.

I've never had a filter leak or had to re tighten a filter after install.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

Doesn't matter what your method is. 3/4 turn is all the same using a wrench or your hand. I would bet a small tweek of the filter would have stopped the leak.

Agreed. Been doing oil and filter changes since the 70's. Was taught to tighten by hand, then a 1/4 turn with a wrench. Haven't had a filter leak to this date.,,,no matter what filter it was. Always put a smear of oil on the gasket before install.

 

[Zee09]

Baldwin gaskets can drop off in your hand because they really aren't well secured to the baseplate and a minor misalignment on the install could create the issue. I agree with the minor tweak theory and no more Baldwins as they aren't a top tier filter.

 

[Hootbro]

Only filter I had leak on me was a Champion Labs made SuperTech for a Dodge Ram 4.7L truck. Installed it in the summer by hand and when the first winter cold snap hit, there was enough contraction of the gasket to start leaking. I just gave it a another 1/2 turn snug tightening and it stopped. Just made sure next time when I installed a 'hand tight" filter, I did not limp wrist the install.

 

[Coaster4534]

Had me curious, I went out grabbed a new filter tightned till gasket touched. Marked the filter closed my eyes and tightened to my calibrated hand feel. Ended up at 3/4-5/8 of a turn.

 

[ZeeOSix]

A Sharpie marker or piece of tape is always part of my oil filter tightening operation to get to 3/4 turn after initial base gasket contact ... no guessing.

 

[CleanSump]

A Sharpie marker or piece of tape is always part of my oil filter tightening operation to get to 3/4 turn after initial base gasket contact ... no guessing.

That's what I do. Seal contact, add a piece of painter's tape 90 deg right from me, then plus 3/4 turn where the tape now faces me.