Fram ultra gasket seep

[JoelB]

I had my first ever issue when using a Fram ultra. First change on the Ecosport. It takes a XG3614. Easy change, filter is mounted right in front of the pan. It's vertical with the black grip facing towards the ground.

The oil change went fine, I wiped down the mating surface on the block and added a thin film of oil to the filter gasket. I tighten them as tight as I can get by hand, no tools to tighten ever. All is well, I go for a test dive, no drips or issues.

I check the next day when i get home from work and there is a nickel sized wet spot on the bottom of the filter. I figured its oil seeping out from the gasket where i applied it. So i clean it off and go on my way. Well the next day i see another spot and start to get worried. At this point I attempted to snug up the filter but it's already as tight as i can get it. Then my wife and i do a 50 mile round trip highway drive and when i get home the bottom of the filter is wet, and even drips on the garage floor.

At this point i gave up on this filter and went and got another XG3614. Realistically i wanted to go to an FL910S to see if an oem filter would fix the issue. But after swapping to a new ultra the leak has gone away. I inspected the gasket on the "faulty" filter and really didn't see anything. Nothing stuck to the mating surface on the block either. A very strange experience but for now i haven't lost any confidence in the ultra.

 

[BISCUT]

Are you able to cut the filter open to inspect further?

 

[Lubener]

I tighten them as tight as I can get by hand,

There are instructions on the carton which usually is 3/4-1 full turn after the gasket makes contact. "Hand tightening"means nothing and we don't know if the filter was properly tightened as instructed. The leak probably would have stopped by tweeking the filter some. I use a wrench to tighten as instructed, done and never any leaks. I don't get hung up on this hand tightening stuff.

 

[Sayjac]

'To me' it reads like you did everything right. And seems like the retighten should have fixed the issue if not tight enough.

Right to chalk it up to a one off for now. Might try reinspection of gasket and the channel (with gasket removed) the gasket sits in. And a close look at the seam/joining areas would be good too.

 

[Gyro Gearloose]

Is it possible that it was a leak in the rolled seam of the filter can?

 

[RyanY]

Probably a fluke, but you could contact Fram to inquire about this issue. They will likely send you a new one at no cost.

 

[Zee09]

I use the 3614 and never had it happen but it is nothing new.

 

[JoelB]

I still have the filter so I will likely do a closer inspection at some point. It's cold enough in the garage that I'm not exactly excited to be out there. The only inspection I did was wipe off the gasket as i removed it to see if i could see any obvious damage but it looked normal. It's possible there's a slit in it that i wouldn't see without manipulating it.

As far as my installation methods I'm really not too concerned. I've installed every filter I've ever done the same way, many being Ultras, and never had a single drip.

But that doesn't mean the filter is to blame. Something could have fallen on the seal as i fed it up to the block, who knows. I just wanted to share my experience. I'll continue using them without concern.

 

[billt460]

I don't put any faith in that whole, "hand tighten only" rule either. Who's hand? Even my hand tight has changed as I've gotten older. I don't have the hand strength I did when I was 30.... And if my wife hand tightened my filters, every one of them would leak.

I always slip the wrench on it and give it a little extra. If you clean and lube the gasket, along with the mating surface, you will always be able to get it off.

 

[RooflessVW]

Is it possible that it was a leak in the rolled seam of the filter can?

Most likely

 

[RooflessVW]

There are instructions on the carton which usually is 3/4-1 full turn after the gasket makes contact. "Hand tightening"means nothing and we don't know if the filter was properly tightened as instructed. The leak probably would have stopped by tweeking the filter some. I use a wrench to tighten as instructed, done and never any leaks. I don't get hung up on this hand tightening stuff.

He tightens them as hard as he can by hand and you question wether or not he made ¾ to 1 turn?

 

[Sayjac]

Most likely

I had forgotten but seems there have been at least a couple Ultra/Fram seam leak anecdotes posted. Might be something difficult to confirm after the fact, with filter removed.

 

[Hall]

I wouldn't give this anymore thought. You've solved the problem. If you feel it was a fluke and choose to use an FU filter again, go for it. If you're hesitant, there's many, many alternatives out there that will work just fine.

 

[Sayjac]

...But that doesn't mean the filter is to blame.....

True, but something was to blame. The fact that you took the time to post a fairly detailed explanation of the incident, obviously of enough concern to do so. From that I got the impression, mistakenly so it seems, that you were seeking possible causes. 'At least' one 'imo', a good one.

Guess what I'm saying, if having an idea of cause not vital/important then no need to take time to further inspect the filter. As suggested, just carry on.

 

[haggler]

Contact Fram for reimbursement if you haven't returned it and carry on.

 

[ZeeOSix]

He tightens them as hard as he can by hand and you question wether or not he made ¾ to 1 turn?

Only way to know is to mark the filter, and see how far it rotates after initial base gasket contact. As noted, everyone's hand strength is diffetent.

 

[RooflessVW]

Only way to know is to mark the filter, and see how far it rotates after initial base gasket contact. As noted, everyone's hand strength is diffetent.

Fortunately every oil filter out there is already marked, with a label.

I'd say ¾ - 1 turn "feels about right" but you could go almost another full turn on most cars. Maybe I'm a big ape.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Fortunately every oil filter out there is already marked, with a label.

I'd say ¾ - 1 turn "feels about right" but you could go almost another full turn on most cars. Maybe I'm a big ape.

Another full turn after a full turn, by hand (2 turns total)? Highly doubt that. The filters I tighten by hand, even with the grip surface, take a lot of hand strength to hit one turn, especially if access isn't ideal and it's hard to get a good grip.

Bottom line is marks on the filter should be used to verify amount of filter turn after initial base gasket contact. Take out the guess work.

 

[OVERKILL]

I had a FRAM Ultra leak, FRAM sent me two replacements for my trouble and had me send back the old one. I'd suggest getting in touch with them.

 

[PimTac]

Fortunately every oil filter out there is already marked, with a label.

I'd say ¾ - 1 turn "feels about right" but you could go almost another full turn on most cars. Maybe I'm a big ape.

I have always tightened the filter as far as I can with one hand and I have never had a issue. In my opinion a lot of the problems people have are due to not lubricating the gasket before installing or not cleaning the mounting base.